Tales of Undeath: The Von Virtus Chronicles

A noblewoman hastily moved through the corridors of her home in search of something...

Noblewoman: That boy...!

She passed several butlers and maids, all of whom averted their eyes and tried to avoid looking her in the eye. She stopped one of them.

Noblewoman: You! Where is my son?! And don't you dare lie to me!

The unlucky butler gulps. As he tries to answer, words come out of his mouth with much difficulty. He stuttered uncontrollably.

Unlucky butler: A-ah y-yes! I-I-I-I-I believe he sh-shouldn't ta-ta-ta-take much l-longer, M-M-M-Missus von Virtus...!

She was losing her patience.

Mrs. von Virtus (Noblewoman): Answer my question or god help me if I don't replace you with someone else by next week!

The butler wipes the drops of sweat from his forehead.

Unlucky butler: H-he should s-still b-b-be in his r-r-room, madam...

Mrs. von Virtus: In his room...? At this time of day? On his own birthday?! Is he...

The butler escapes and walks hastily down the corridor, away from the noblewoman.

Mrs. von Virtus: Virno... I swear to all that is sacred, if you're doing it AGAIN...

She bolts down the corridor, straight to her son's room. A pair of maids pass her by, which snickered and giggled amongst themselves.

Mrs. von Virtus: YOU TWO! We do not pay you so that you can slack off and gossip all day long, do we?! Go on then, to your stations!

Before they leave, she grabs one of them by the arm.

Mrs. von Virtus: And not a word of this to anyone! If I hear any rumors around the mansion, I'll make sure no house in the country ever hires you two again!

The two maids nodded and immediately adopted a much more solemn expression. They bowed, but the woman had already turned away from them and was hurrying off in the other direction.

Mrs. von Virtus: 16 years raising this boy... And this is what I get? Oh lord... What have I done to deserve this...!

As she quickly closes in on his bedroom door, her suspicions are confirmed. She hears something coming from inside of the room... A young woman's moans.

Young woman (inside the room): Oh master Virno... Oh! I'm... I'm...

She goes for the door's handle, but the door is locked. She bangs on the door.

Mrs. von Virtus: VIRNO!!!

Young man (inside the room): Shit... It's my mom! Get off, get off!

The noblewoman pulls out a keyring and frantically searches for the right key. She slots it in the keyhole, unlocks the door and barges in.

Mrs. von Virtus: VIRNO... VON... VIRTUS! What is the meaning of this?!

By the time she managed to get inside the room, the young maid had already managed to get her clothes on. Well, most of them. The young man was still naked from the torso up.

Virno (Young man): Mother please, don't be so dramatic...! It is my birthday, is it not?

Virno smiled haughtily. His mother was absolutely livid.

Mrs. von Virtus: YOU. Young woman! Gather your things. NOW!

The poor maid was in shock. She hastily grabbed what clothes were left of hers on the room's floor.

Mrs. von Virtus: NOT THOSE THINGS, GIRL! You're fired, pack your belongings and leave this home at once! And if I so much as dream that you spoke a word of this to anyone...!

Young maid: I swear I won't madam, I swear I won't! You shall never see me again, and none shall know of this! I swear on my father and mother's health!

She was scared out of her mind... Her face quickly turned from tomato red to pale as snow. The noblewoman takes a deep breath.

Mrs. von Virtus: Go. At once.

The maid takes a bow and hurriedly leaves the room, closing the door behind her. Virno yawns.

Mrs. von Virtus: Is this how we raised you, Virno...?

Virno: Tsk...

He puts the rest of his clothes on.

Mrs. von Virtus: Answer your mother!

Virno: You always told me that one's life's greatest purpose should be the pursuit of happiness, didn't you mother? Well, I was the happiest man in this mansion just seconds before I heard you pounding your fist on that door!

His mother slaps him, hard. A red palm-shaped imprint quickly covered his left cheek. Still, his ego was unscathed.

Mrs. von Virtus: Listen to me, young man. You are not a child anymore. In two years' time, you will be an adult. You will have responsibilities. You will have to work. You will be expected to manage and grow the wealth of this family-

Virno: And that's exactly why I'm enjoying myself while I still can, mother!

The woman stomps the ground.

Mrs. von Virtus: DO NOT INTERRUPT ME, VIRNO VON VIRTUS! Listen to your mother!

He rolls his eyes.

Mrs. von Virtus: It is the last time anything like this ever happens. From this day onward, I'll instruct every maid to avoid any contact with you whatsoever, both directly and indirectly. Only the butlers will be allowed anywhere near you, or your room.

Virno: Mother please, that's such a childish thing to do-

He abruptly finishes his sentence, realizing the irony in his own words.

Mrs. von Virtus: Childish? CHILDISH?! Young man, have you looked yourself in the mirror? Your demeanor resembles that of an infant in a man's body! You do not take your studies seriously, you do not spend time with the lady that was chosen for you to MARRY, you show no interest in the family business... Instead, you spend your time in bed with the maids and practicing with the damn sword!

Virno can't help but blurp out a slight giggle.

Virno: Both literally and figuratively...

She steps closer to him. His air of superiority was suddenly waning.

Mrs. von Virtus: You bring nothing but shame to our family... As our only child, we expected so much more of you. Where did we go wrong, Virno? Tell me, please. Where did we fail you in our duties as your parents, so that I can begin to understand why you choose to behave yourself like this... Why you choose to be such a terrible son to us...!

He couldn't look his mother in the eye anymore... Nor muster an answer.

Mrs. von Virtus: Why, Virno? Why must you treat us like this...? We always gave you everything... You are so lucky to have been born into this family, son. Why can't you see that? Why can you not pay us back in kind?

Her sentences stirred up something in him, causing his mood to drastically sour.

Virno: ... Is that all, mother?

Mrs. von Virtus: ANSWER ME, VIRNO! I can see that you are angry! Tell me why!

Virno: Do you really want to know? Do you want to know where you fucked up?!

Mrs. von Virtus: LANGUAGE, YOUNG MAN!

Virno: Oh, fuck this...

Virno pushes his mom aside, and storms out of the room.

Mrs. von Virtus: VIRNO! COME BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!

Virno: We'll talk later, mother! I'm in no mood for conversation anymore...

She follows him out of the room, but he was already too far down the corridor.

Mrs. von Virtus: Your father will be home today, and you can be sure he'll hear of this!

Virno pretended like he didn't listen, and kept going his way.

Mrs. von Virtus: That blasted boy...

She sighs. As she turns around, she sees a butler. He was shocked stiff.

Mrs. von Virtus: What? What is it?!

Butler: Nothing madam, my apologies...

The man was petrified after this display.

Mrs. von Virtus: Clean his room up, you can carry on whatever you were doing afterwards. And get that look off your face!

Butler: Of course...

The butler enters the room. As for the woman, she leaves and makes her way down the corridor...