My name is Wesley Gaines. I have been serving the Royal Family of Glear since the current King was born. My rank had slowly risen from a lowly servant, to the Head Steward. In a Palace this large, my responsibilities are quite notable.
For example, the Crown Prince's upcoming marriage. Well, right now he has no official bride; however, I have been tasked to propose marriage to the girl and her family, next week. I heard the Prince was unwilling and decided to find one himself, just that he has by the end of the week. Otherwise, it is my duty to go and see her.
It has been a while since I thought of the late Baron. He was quite a charmer and if he had been younger, I am sure he could have easily raised in rank with just his wit alone. He passed away a year after the late King and I had to miss his funeral. Even his eldest daughter and her family could not make it in time, due to the fact that she lived in a different kingdom and she was pregnant at the time.
I sigh in my melancholy state but am brought aware by my earpiece with a clear voice saying that the Crown Prince is back. He is right on time. I make my way to greet him as I notice that his mood is not the best, though I am certain it must be due to the fact that he must marry.
"Head Steward Wesley," he says before I have had a chance to properly greet him in his study.
"At your service, Your Royal Highness," I say with a bow.
"You need not wait until the end of the week... you may go and alert the family..." said the Prince quite exhausted as he sat down with a sigh.
"Pardon me, Your Royal Highness, but Her Majesty gave you until the end of the week. You still have time. Are you quite certain of your decision?" I stated making sure he really wanted this while he massages his temples.
"It does not matter, just inform them..."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness," I say with a bow and turn to leave when I stop as I hear him speak.
"Who is she, by the way?"
"Her name is Aphra Ginny Harkins, Your Royal Highness. I can get the file that is with Her Majesty if you wish," I say as I turn to look at him while he looks completely surprised. "Is something wrong, Sir?"
"No. I just, did not think it would be her..." said the Prince as he gave a pensive thought. "Before you leave, let me have her file."
"As you wish."
**********
An hour has passed since the Crown Prince returned to the Palace while I am now here on my way to the Harkins mansion. Though, it is much smaller and not as luxurious as the other nobles, it still has a large property. It has been a while since I have been here. The last time I was here, I had just been promoted as the Head Steward and led the Baron to his new home. We even toured it together before leaving him the keys.
Next to me is a young servant who I am training. He is in his early twenties with brown hair and green eyes. His eyes give away the excitement that he is currently feeling. I hope that he remains well behaved as the driver is waved through to the entrance. I am expecting for the place to look like I had left it, since the Palace still helped maintain it while the family was away all these years.
It has been six months since they moved back. So why does everything look so different? Sure the structure still looks the same, but the landscape could rival the Royal gardens! What is more, all the old plants have been replaced with exotic and colorful ones. The landscape has completely changed!
"Wow! I heard that the late King loved the Baron like a brother. I had no idea he cared THIS much! Some of these plants, even the Palace had a hard time acquiring them. The Baron was lucky that the late King really loved him..." said the young servant as he looked in awe at the scenery, while we drove up to the front door. "I bet that out of all these homes in the neighborhood, this one is probably the prettiest! It is a shame that the high solid fence blocks this lovely view..."
"The late King respected the late Baron's privacy, thus why there are such high walls for a fence," I said as I think back to the young servant's previous words.
It is true that the late King loved the late Baron as a brother and even thought to bring their families into union. However, he was not wealthy enough to afford this beautiful landscape nor did the Palace bother giving them all of this. Why has it changed?