"Julian, did you tell His Lordship of what happened?" Someone asked while holding a leather book adorned with unreadable letters.
The poor soul who misunderstood what he saw is named Julian. An elf who planned to explore the oceans and valleys but got captured by greedy people. He serves under Henry after he chose him as his aide at his coming-of-age ceremony.
"..." Julian didn't reply as he was questioning his eyesight. 'Maybe I shouldn't have went there or rather,' he suddenly paused.
Henry opened the door of the inn while Irene held his shirt. He inhaled the air then said, "Let's continue our journey."
As they ride on horses and carriages to Henry's territory, Irene looked at the view displayed by nature and the people who lived at this place.
Endless field of flowers, a variety of trees which formed a mysterious yet beautiful forest. Farmlands with crops at its harvest season and birds singing as they fly in groups.
"So— plain," she spoke her thoughts out loud. Loud enough for Henry who rode on a different carriage, to hear.
Reyna spits her tea on Henry's face, "Cough! Cough! Plain?!"
'Although, yes, you are a 'goddess' who probably has seen the apex of beauty but can't you be careful with that sharp tongue of yours?!' she thought inside her troubled head.
Meanwhile, Richard hurriedly wipes Henry's face with an anxious face. 'Oh my love and devotion. Sister, you should've spit your tea on my face not on His Highness!'
Julian who closed his eyes, opened them as the floating golden elven letters glowed and faded to dust, "My Lord, after tonight, your title as Crown Prince will return to your name."
Henry who remained calm, knowing that his subordinate spat tea on his face. It is a nightmare for someone like him, who has that phobia where he hates people touching him or despises when people touch his belongings, especially his eating utensils or food.
He took a moment to nod so Julian would know he got his words.
...
"My Lord, we welcome your return." All of the servants bowed and greeted in unison.
Male servants wore three varieties of clothing to show what kind of servant they are. Private-class servants are those who deal with Henry's clothing, bathing and meals. They wore a perfectly white shirt under the navy blue vest which had yellow lines on the collar line and long black pants.
Personal-class servants are mostly his subordinates who do reports, scouting, missions and go alongside with him when chosen to. A not-so black shirt with a black suit and black pants.
Work-class servants are the ones who do the maintenance and security of the manor. Butlers, gardeners, guards and a few maids. They wear common clothing between servants in the nobility and royalty.
Henry steps out the carriage and waits for Irene to step out from her carriage. The servants sneaked a peek of the lady who accepted the hand of Henry.
They were all mesmerized by her beauty. In all of their years working under Henry, they have seen beautiful noble ladies and charming princesses but Irene rivals all of them without a thought.
"Careful, watch your step."
"I know," Irene jumped from the last step and suddenly had a smug expression on her face.
"Get rid of that weird expression of yours, it annoys me."
Irene looks at the servants and noticed that female servants are not famous in Henry's circle of workers. "If you desire to have a female servant, I can hire one for you." Henry spoke.
As shocking as it is, everyone excluding the two were surprised by his sudden decision.
'Did His Highness got hypnotized by this woman? I mean, there is no need to debate when she is an otherworldly beauty..!'
'Is the sun going to rise elsewhere or is the world ending?! I thought you despise women because of your childhood!'
'Oi oi, is the Philippines going to get snow— wait, oops!' the mysterious person disappeared.
"It would be a favor I would remember, My Lord." Irene had a beautiful smile which complimented her face.
Henry took back his hand and looked at that hand. He saw a part of his skin and fixed the sleeve of his shirt and his white glove, "Then tomorrow. You will have female servants opening the curtains of your bedroom window, preparing your bath and assist in changing your clothes."
Speaking of which, Irene was woken up by the bright sunlight from the illuminating sun. A noisy yet peaceful morning with birds singing; sounds of water and bells in unison.
In a swift, she who was sitting on her bed then bathing in a fragrant bath, is now in front of a golden-framed mirror. Her long, wavy golden hair is brushed gently while the ribbon of her ivory white dress is being fixed.
A servant was about to spray perfume until Irene stopped her, "I dislike that thing."
Hearing her words, the servant went to change the expensive custom perfume to a natural rose perfume. Curious of what it smells, Irene asked to lend it for short moment, afterwards she allowed the perfume to be used.
Several minutes later, she went to the large dining room. A chandelier made of gold and varnished wooden walls and floors.
Henry has eaten his meal first. Cooked steak with leafy green vegetables at the chosen corners of the plate to make it look more appetising, vegetable salad and a glass of water.
"Why are you putting salad on my plate?" Irene asked while Henry placed salad on her plate with his fork and knife holding the salad in between.
"You eat meat?" He asked.
"Yes I do," she then exchanged her plate with Henry's. The servants present in the room were shock with her gesture. Irene's personal maid leaned and whispers, "My lady, His Highness is obsessed with cleanliness."
Irene immediately replied but her voice wasn't as low as a whisper but loud enough for everyone in the large room to hear, "I knew that Henry likes men but he is obsessed with cleanliness? Won't he be mistaken as a woman?"
Silence befell unto the awkward environment. Most of everyone, gulped or cleared their throat to prepare themselves for a volcano to burst. Meanwhile, the more calm ones prayed for the storm to pass.
"I am known in the entire continent as one of the most handsome bachelors. Cold yet sexy, distant but dazzling." Henry broke the silence with a self-compliment.
"Was charming, now losing his sanity," Irene looked away to hide her disappointment.
The servants were speechless with their interaction but are more speechless with Henry's words. Most had the same disappointment like Irene while the others were slightly anxious that Henry knows what people think of him.
Henry looked at her face for a single second. "Pfft," he tried to held his laughter, "HAHAHAHAHA!!"
Irene looked back at him and sighed, "Weirdo."
— SEVERAL HOURS LATER, GARDEN
Scorching sun, lighting the land with bright sunlight. Tweets and songs from the birds. Butterflies flying near the roses and other florals in the garden.
Irene wandered around the garden which is located behind the manor. Her servants rushing to catch her pace to cover her head with a large umbrella.
She suddenly stops, leaving the servant behind her to stop urgently and lose balance because of the other servants who bump each other.
"My Lady, please refrain from running then stopping suddenly. Our mind will create worry for your safety!" A maid said.
Irene didn't speak nor moved an inch, her eyes were locked on the bleeding blue bird who lays on the green grass. She shook her head to wake up from her daze and knelt on the grass lawn.
She gently swooped the little bird with her hands, the poor bird is small and barely occupied her palms. Irene began to chant a Celestial-grade healing spell onto the bird.
A blinding yellow light covered the bird and Irene's hands, her eyes didn't blink nor complained with the light. The servants immediately blocked their sight with their wrists.
Crack, Crack, CRACK! Magic stones broke. Not solely the magic stones in Henry's manor but all magic stones in the continent.
Reyna who went on expedition to clear the demonic beasts near the border, is shocked that her sword broke. Her sword is made by elder dwarves and enchanted with multiple spells. It is no doubt that she would be shocked that this invaluable sword got destroyed merely by her touch.
On another side, somewhere within the Holy Empire, an artifact activated. It caught the attention of all citizens who are near the central altar where the artifact is located.
"It's glowing! The artifact is glowing!" Someone yelled.
People who didn't believe what that person yelled, paused whatever they were doing and looked at glass case where the artifact is sealed inside.
"Wait, it is glowing!"
"The Celestial Saint has descended!"
...
The yellow light disappeared and Irene saw her empty, bloody palms. She searched the surrounding to find where the bird went and her gaze ended in front of her.
A large, blue bird. It has a majestic feather mane on top of its head, colorful feathers and wide wings when flapped will cause a strong gust of wind.
"My-my-my.. lady!" Her maid stuttered at the sight of the giant bird which is about 8 or 10 feet tall.
"Hello, big guy." Irene had a bright smile while burying her hand in the feathers on the bird's chest.