The Thelowar's led the family inside the mansion and the servants got to work. We took out the presents and gifts from the carriages and quickly moved them inside. The stableboys guided the horses to a horse stable and took care of cleaning the carriages. The footmen and maid worked on where to put the luggage and the butler helped guide a few dancers in the mansion.
There was such a huge rush of people that it was kind of suffocating. Since my shift would end around lunchtime, I finished cleaning up the flower petals that were scattered all across the foyer and in front.
"Hey you!" the head maid called from behind a set of doors, "Master Thelowar was asking for you to come to his office before your shift ended."
I sighed, this can definitely not be good.
"Jienna, you can head back without me. Seems like I'll be heading out late today," I motioned towards the hallway leading to his office.
"It's fine, you can go," she waved and left around the corner.
I really did not want to go in there. I clenched my fist as I turned and headed for his office. Well, here goes nothing.
...…
I knocked a couple of times on the oak doors. The knights glanced at me.
"Name?"
"Nadia Rafsani."
"Go in."
They opened the doors and I walked in to find Master Thelowar seated on a couch.
"Nadia! Long time no see!" he smiled brightly as he gestures at me to take a seat opposite him.
I noticed that he was reading a book, inked with intricate calligraphy and markings. He saw me looking at the book and he picked it up.
"This book is from the Hanasakakura Nations," he glanced at it proudly, "as you have seen the important guest from before, he was the man who gave me this book."
He flipped to a page with a complicated sketch of a magic circle.
"He knew how invested I was in magical history and artifacts, that he personally brought me a very rare copy of the magical records stored within the Imperial Palace in the Hanasakakura Nations, just so I can conduct my research."
Now that caught my interest. A book from the legendary and mysterious Hanasakakura Lands, containing spells and magic circles that were used by the extraordinary Imperial Mages of the Sakura Clan, thousands of years ago. The magic is still practiced today, but it contains the most difficult and intense magic spells that it is now harder to find people who can actually conduct the spells perfectly. I looked at the book with hunger. I want it-
"Nadia," Master Thelowar held the book out of my reach.
"Sorry, my bad," I sat back and retracted my hand from the book.
"The second I let you touch it, who knows what that hungry brain of yours will do with all the information," he set the book down again, "but you need to be careful Nadia, this book contains secrets that even the Imperial Family would want to get their hands on."
"Will you be able to hide it from the Crown Prince?"
"I am just borrowing it for now. Anyways, the owner of the book is here with us, so there is really no need to be secretive."
"Owner?"
Wait…
"Yup, he's the Emperor of the Hanasakakura Nation. He tries to remain inconspicuous by blending in, but he's actually analyzing this nation and how it evolved in the span of two years."
I flipped a damn Prince of one of the biggest empires in the world just a few days ago. My head spun. I'm walking on the path of death at this rate.
"Nadia? Hello? Earth to Nadia?" Master Thelowar waved his hand in my face.
"Oh, huh? Sorry," I shook my head.
Snap out of it, Nailah.
"Hmmm. The work is getting to you, eh?" Master Thelowar rubbed his chin as he glanced at my state.
"No, I'm alright," I tried brushing away his concerns.
He glanced at me and narrowed his eyes. I gave him my brightest smile. My butt started to itch. He was going to say some random shit now. He sighed.
"Well, if you say so," he glanced away.
I knew it. This sneaky-
"Haha, did you have something else to say, Master Thelowar?"
"Oh yeah, Nadia! You just reminded me!" He said enthusiastically, "I remember my dear friend said that he assigned someone I trust to work in their rooms."
He scratched his head and I wanted to sprint. Before I can even deny anything two knocks sound at the door.
"Minatozaki Naruhito of the Hanasakakura Nation has arrived sir," the knight reported.
"Ah, let them in!" Master Thelowar went to stand up and I bolted to stand behind the sofas.
"Tariq! What a magnificent office you have!" the emperor turned around as he took in the view.
He looked like a goofy man, but the authority was evident in his every move. From behind him, came the rest of the family. My palms were sweating. This was a bad idea. I remained in a bowing position, but I don't think they noticed me.
"Please have a seat," Master Thelowar motioned towards the sofas and they all sat down together. Including that infuriating weirdo from the alley. He looked the most out of place in the bunch. I don't think he was adopted since his facial features were akin to the emperor. But, there was something about him that was different from the others.
I noticed how a sister grabbed his hand and forced him to sit beside her and I almost laughed. I saw Master Thelowar nod at me and I understood what he meant. They didn't notice I was standing there so I went to a small kitchen in the back and retrieved a few refreshments.
I quietly prepared Oolong tea for the guests and brought out Master Thelowar's unique tea set. It was simple, with no handles. Small black ceramic cups laid out on the platter. Usually, this would have been a maid's job, but Master Thelowar probably trusted me enough to let me handle the task.
I swiftly placed the platter on the table and poured each of them a cup with elegance.
"For a servant, you have the proper elegance," the girl named Serenia remarked.
I bowed my head in gratitude. She waved at me to go away.
I dismissed myself to go stand back at my original position. I kept my eyes lowered in the presence of the royal family. It was a pain to work overtime, but if I can earn more money, I guess I would have to take them up on their offer.
"Here, I would like to introduce a very trustful worker of mine," Master Thelowar waved his hand towards my direction and I bowed once more.
"Oh, I didn't even notice your presence!" the emperor announced, surprised.
"She's a very secretive and quiet one, so I am sure she won't cause you trouble. She is actually also very knowledgeable and helps me out in my research here," Master Thelowar assured him.
The Emperor looked at me with assessing eyes. I stood there unflinching under his stare. The others also turned to look at me. It was getting uncomfortable under their heavy gaze.
"Hmm. Well, if you obviously trust her enough to assign her to work in our quarters then I will trust her as well. But, she must be aware to take her position into consideration and the trust that we are putting into her," the emperor said with a laugh.
There was an underlying warning in there. I stood there with my head down. They were testing my reactions. From the little knowledge I know of the mysterious Hanasakakura Nations, it was the custom for lowly servants to keep their gazes down and talk only when told. In Pereshwar, the etiquette for servants is not as strict so it would be a bit hard to adjust to.
"Speak," one of the brothers commanded.
"I understand, my lord," I bowed once more.
"She knows our customs," the emperor spoke with a smile in his voice.
"Yes, she actually has knowledge of other cultural practices from different nations all across the world," Master Thelowar sounded pleased when he said that.
"Hmm. I see," the emperor turned back to Master Thelowar, finished talking about me.
Master Thelowar hadn't dismissed me, so I spent my time filling empty cups and attending to each of the siblings.
"Refill my cup," the boy, named Kaizher if I recall, raised his cup and I nodded.
I refilled his cup and he sat there staring at the tea. He didn't dismiss me yet and I stood there with the hot teapot in my hand. I went to put it down.
"I don't recall telling you to put down the teapot," Kaizher said in a cold voice.
I didn't flinch. I took the teapot in my hand again and held it. I felt a bit annoyed, but I was used to these situations. Master Thelowar was busy talking to the Emperor about his research near his shelves of scrolls, that he didn't know what was happening back at the tea table.
The siblings turned to look at me and they watched me with sharp glares.
"We expect you to follow our customs when serving us," Princess Serenia said sharply.
"Speak," a Prince from the other side of the table commanded.
"I understand, Your Highness," I bowed.
The teapot started to burn in my palm. I felt the stinging sensation and didn't let it show on my face. I focused on other parts of my body. I tried imagining the feel of Leela's soft head against my hand.
"Place the teapot on the tray," Princess Yurishien, ordered this time.
I placed the teapot on the tray and held my hands in front of me.