Since the crown prince woke up during the daylight, all the curtains inside the palace were shut tightly. Faint sun rays were sneaking through the layers of fine fabric, illuminating the hallway fairly along with the magical stones.
Followed by a butler, Lennox walked out of his quarters in a thin robe over his silky nightwear. Passing through the corridor of the third storey, the sounds of labourers working and carrying heavy weights gradually raised.
' was there anything needed to be reconstructed?'
Lennox lifted the curtain a little to satisfy his curiosity, However, the scene wasn't much to look at. There was just that huge hole in that sky-high wall, the used-to-be-supreme trees now sleeping peacefully on the ground. And the brand new barracks somehow looked like a hunted building. That's all, nothing more.
"Holy ancient sh*t!!!! what the h*ck happened here?!"
If there were intruders, Lennox would have known long ago. His information sources weren't something to underestimate.
The umbrella butler escorting Lennox hesitated before averting his gaze and saying: "young lady Everly accidentally plucked out some saplings".
'are 50-years old thick trees considered saplings to you....?'
Lennox: "Everly?"
Umbrella butler:" miss Everly is his majestys' guest, I believe your highness and the miss already met ".
' yeah, I forgot about her. but to be able to create such a masterpiece, she is indeed one hell of a zombie '
Lennox lifted his chin up, and said: "where is the old man?"
Umbrella butler:" his majesty had been informed about your highness's request, he might be in his way to the dining hall ".
Lennox hummed: "very well, let's get going ".
******
After hardly Pulling Everly out of the study, Jennings dragged her to the dining hall where Lennox was waiting.
Once the door was opened, Lennox shouted:" what the hell took you so long? I am starving here!!".
With Everly behind him, puffing her cheeks angrily, Jennings walked towards the long table, settling down on the closest end-seat.
peeking from behind the man, Everly exclaimed as she found out that the one shouting rudely was Lennox: "ah!! Mister ghost "
The later tilted his head and doubtfully said: "zombie?".
Everly happily jumped between Lennox and Jennings. The former greeted her with a nod, knowing that she is welcomed, Everly started sparkling and a smile cracked in her face.
As Jennings gave his permission, the servants began serving the lunch. He softly said:" your mood seems to be better than I thought, I was prepared to lose a finger or two".
Lennox grabbed the fork, a grin appeared on his face:" thanks to your zombie girls' art, I forgot about shoving off one of your arms. The garden looked more pleasant than usual".
Everly was also in a good mood, there weren't lots of kids to play with, since she always accompanying the emperor. she naively asked:" what is the zombie, mister ghost?".
Lennox responded in an indifferent tone:" a dead-a*s corpse eating people ".
Before She could release a gasp of admiration, Jennings quickly added:" they are not real".
Everly said disappointed:" not....real?".
Jennings: "yes, they are not. Then Lennox, how about you stop reading those strange books?".
Lennox: "how about you telling me why I am not in my bed, dreaming about a big jelly bear?".
Jennings rested his chin on his hand while flapping the vegetables on his plate. he said: "Earl Macmillan Alphonsus is no longer among us ".
Lennoxs' face showed no change, since he already knew about it. He said in an apathetic tone:" that old fart died? I almost believe he was immortal".
Jennings:" he was murdered actually".
" now I believe it", Lennox grabbed the glass cup that is supposed to contain fruit juice. He said provocatively:" you are not expecting me to investigate in his murder, are you?".
A cunning smirk on his face, Lennox drank a mouthful of the so-called fruit juice. At the very second that the mysterious liquid touched his insides, he spat it all out. The whole white sheets were ruined by a cherry red colour.
" WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS THIS?!!!, ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!!! EVEN POISONS TASTE BETTER!!".
seeing his son all furious and raged, Jennings waved for the footman to pour some of that liquid for him, he took a small sip.
it tasted bitter and salty.
Jennings:" beet... it's a normal beet juice, Lenny".
Lennox said while clenching his teeth:" that damn red onion ".
The reason why beet juice was served to an imperial member was obviously because they needed to keep his body healthy. The crown prince was known for his obsession with sweets and anything contained sugar, however, the amounts that he consumed can very much throw an adult man sick on the bed.
They would try to sneak some medicines and herbs in his food, desperately trying to make him grow to a healthy man. Jennings knew this and actually admired them for not giving up like he did.
Everly who was silently munching her food now wanted to try this strange thing. but before she could do so, Lennox grabbed her wrist suddenly. He said with a solemn expression and a strike voice: "don't..... you will die".
Jennings exclaimed:" no one died because he drank beet juice".
Lennox said in a serious tone: "how can you be sure?".
Jennings helplessly said:" let's just get to the point. you go to the Alphonsus mansion as soon as possible, and discover the one responsible for the death of the Earl".
Lennox:" and why will I do that?".
Jennings:" you get to choose the next Earl, he or she will be serving you in the future anyways, so be cautious with that one. Also, I will allow you to play your games, in condition no one dies".
Lennox:" that sounds cool to me, and I will take the zombie girl".
' I thought I was mistaken yesterday, but she really isn't human. I will keep an eye on her, just in case'
Jennings protested:" ha?! no ! not a chance, why would you do that?".
with his usual nonchalant attitude, Lennox explained:" think of it as taking a pet for a walk. plus, I believe you have a meeting with some old farts today? surely you won't tag her along, will you?"
As he was imagining few crazy scenarios, Jennings felt a tiny hand slightly poking on his tight, he turned his gaze to Everly who was looking at him with pleading eyes.
[Everly used a skill: sad puppy eyes]
[attack, successful]
Jennings sighed deeply and stood to leave: "fine..... Evey honey, do you mind escorting Lennox to do his task?".
Everly quickly nodded her head, she raised her thumb as to say 'leave it to me'.
Jennings patted her head and gently said: "I will return in minutes".
He turned around and exited from the hall.
At the very moment the door was shut, Lennox immediately turned to one of the maids saying:"bring the desserts".
*******
Jennings sat at one of the branches that Everly broke, it was lunchtime so no one would be around. since it's the middle of spring, the sun wasn't hot nor cold.
"they said you left the hall, so I was searching for your majesty. Is there something bothering you?".
Carson approached from behind. an obvious question was written in his face, so Jennings started with answering it.
Jennings:" Lennox agreed to the deal".
Carson: "did the prince demanded a difficult request?".
Jennings: "no he just asked Everly to escort him ".
Carson:" miss Everly? Why would he do so".
Jennings said jokingly:" probably to beat the sh*t out of those nobles ".
Carson:" then what makes your majesty displeased?".
Jennings pondered his answer before saying:" what do you think the Empire would be under Lennoxs' rule?".
Carson was quite a bit shocked by this question, but he answered right away:" I actually stopped thinking about it. I mean we do have you, and now even the second prince. So is it necessary for prince Lennox to inherit the throne?".
Jennings released a hopeless laugh, he said desperately:" no, no, no. Lennox is the one and only who could be the next emperor".
Jennings paused before he adds: "Not to forget, Beatrice is holding tightly on Leonhard. Yes, he is my son, but he is also an heir for Mojin. Well, if she had won over Lennox things might have gone a different path ".
Carson hesitantly asked:" pardon my words, your grace. I understand that the prince Lennox is talented, but with his character, it's not worth the risk ".
Jennings: "you are right, the risk is way too high, but also the benefits are also can't be ignored ".
Carson:" so your majesty means that this land might become a heaven on earth or a living hell? ".
Jennings: "yeah, something like that ".
*****
Jennings was in his way back to the hall after he left for about half an hour.
'I hope they are not fighting '
He smiled for himself before opening the door.
'Everly is a warm-hearted child, she won't do so–'
However, what greeted him was a sight of a tower made of glasses, dishes, spoons and bowls.
"Where do I put the last one?" Shouted Everly.
"At the top of the green bowl" answered Lennox.
Everly placed the spoon where Lennox told her to and jumped off the chair, she returned to stand next to him. They exchanged a high-five, while both of them where staring proudly at their handmade tableware tower.