you gazed up to the manor from the backseat
Terry, your driver was experienced with the drive up to the estate
you, however, hadn't been on the grounds in over five years
staff had tended to the grounds dutifully in the hopes you'd return
you would have in time
your son was a reason to pick one place to settle down once more
the tragedy of losing his mother to childbirth had rocked you and you felt the estate would bring too many bad memories up while you attempted to raise him
the child's formative years were a perfect time to travel away from the grounds before you were obligated to put him into the school system
your staff had helped of course
but you had felt like it was your obligation to give him at least one parent in his infant years instead of merely handing him off to the help
some fledgling parents of your status might have chosen that latter option but it did not sit right for you
you owed it to him and to your wife to ensure he had a proper upbringing
however, your trek would eventually need to come to an end
you sought to put him in the same school that you had been enrolled in at his age
you inspected the halls of that institution before coming here
it had changed
the teachers didn't seem as keen on flogging unruly students as they were when you were young
your son would be pampered by comparison
that was fine
you were sure you'd be raising a brat but you didn't have it in you to be too harsh with him
after that visit you went out for lunch then came back to the grounds you spent most of your own life on
Stephen's eyes looked up to peaks of the roof
he was entranced by the castle-like qualities of the house
that had been your great-great-granfather's intention
to emulate an almost fairytale quality in the domicile
he spared no expense to do so
that extended to many facets of the place
a hedge maze decorated with red roses
a pond preserved perfectly as a sanctuary for swans
he endeavored to design the house and grounds to bring forth a sort of magical awe to new comers
it was working on Stephen
you waved off Terry and he would take the car to the back of the estate to unload your belongings there
you were shocked when the Majordomo greeted you before you rung the doorbell
the face was both new yet familiar
at once recognition seized upon the familiar draconian aspects of the head of the servants
Mr. White was with your family since your birth
his family was since before your even this estate
all served faithfully
this Majordomo however, was fairly young
it was harder to tell age with beastfolk
especially dragons and the like
at least with more fur some gray hairs might betray age
the voice was the best estimate of the boy's age
he didn't shrink like someone his age might at the master of the house being present
of course if he was qualified to run affairs of the house without you being present he had to have been experienced
you didn't doubt that
Mr. White must have stepped down and gave his son the reigns since you were last here
you remembered young Terrance
both of you played frequently on the grounds as children before you had to go to different schools
upon that realization you broke with formalities and embraced the jet black dragon
he was taken aback by the breach in protocol but you were glad to see he had advanced so quickly
you had to ask if his father was in good health
he brought up that his health could be better but he was alright
without a second thought you promised to pay for any expenses the old dragon may require
your purse was his
you knew full well how dutiful his family had aided yours
it wasn't just you being kind to an old friend however
a pragmatic man would realize the worth in the dragon family and would do what they could to secure their good favor
it would be a blemish on your family's name
it was a good learning experience for Stephen
gratitude and respect
if he was to learn ANYTHING from you it was to not act like a petty tyrant
young Mr. White was taken aback by the charity as much as he was the display of fraternity
you released the embrace and offered an invitation to the old Majordomo for tea or dinner of his choosing if his health allowed it
if not you would visit him
Mr. White checked to make sure his suit and hair were proper before he offered a tour
if you felt up to it
he kept his emotions in check
you could read that
made sense
you allowed your son to take the lead and agreed
it wouldn't take long for you to settle in
but the young boy having a permanent residence would be a great upheaval for him
you hoped Mr. White would be a help
but you felt optimistic he would
his father had aided your father dutifully
so you had no doubt the dragon before you would follow tradition
it was touching to see Stephen reach out and the butler offered his clawed black hand to the boy
Stephen was fascinated by the snow white fluff that formed a cuff of sorts around the dragon's wrists
he touched that first before holding onto the dragon's finger
Mr. White adjusted the small square glasses on his snout and guided the boy along, you taking up the rear
you'd personally seen all the house had to offer and nothing would really surprise you here
this was your boy's time and you wouldn't impose on him