"You know there was once a tale about a beautiful, handsome to the core, talented, and incredibly charismatic man that was trapped in a tall tower by a merciless witch and forced to work every day without rest just to make her the most beautiful of them all."
"…"
"I know, you don't have to make that face, it is such a tragedy. I can't believe that a good-looking man can end up like that. There must something he could do. Don't you think, my dear friend?"
"…"
"Come on, can't you feel my agony by being locked up here? How can you let this handsome face hide from society and the eager females that are looking for its awesomeness? How can you do that to me?" He wiped out his nonexistent tears.
"…"
"How unfeeling… tch… What do you want, friend? I can give you anything on my power if you help me escape."
"… get back to work."
The Wizard of Forth, correction, the Wizard of Lith, Druon was now working nonstop for the sake of humanity. That was what the rumors said, that was what the world now knew. Many admirers and grateful people from commoners to nobles shouted words of appreciation at his tower where he worked every day without a bit of rest to save the world from sadness.
The cheers and flowers at his door were coming and accumulating to a small mountain now. Even some pastries and food specially made for him. Somehow the rumor said that he liked the fruit tart the best and sometimes the chocolate truffle cake. Some may think it was a weird taste for a grown man but nevermind it.
"You are a hero, Wizard Druon!"
"Live long, Wizard Druon!"
"You are our savior!"
The palace was in a cheerful mood. Even the usually calm face of the King showed a particular happy smirk those days.
"Sigh… can you stop smiling, my King?"
"Darling, I can't. Didn't the world say he came to cure sadness? I am so happy right now that I guess I am now cured, it is a tremendous achievement. Should I give him a position in my court?"
"Sigh… stop it. We can't retain him for long, you know that, right?"
"I am not the one denying his freedom, my Queen."
"…"
He never thought of loving his little niece more than he already loved her. Now she had not only punished the damn Wizard but imprison him in his own game with her little witts. Maybe he can trespass walls with magic or do some of his little dirty tricks to escape, but rumors? He can make disappear rumors, and not those that can affect his reputation. The little evildoer had done it again.
"My Queen, what do you think about giving her a reward?"
"What do you have in mind, my King?"
"Maybe… a position in the court… I bet those Ministers will be enthusiastic with the idea."
"…" Queen Elisa couldn't even mutter a word. If he let a six-year-old child enter the court, those old Ministers wouldn't take it. She didn't want to deal with a long line of women complaining because the princess made their husbands cry.
Meanwhile, the same little princess was jumping from seat to seat on the long table in the Palace. The pastries and cakes they received every day were enough to fill several tables, however, as the self-proclaimed manager of Wizard Druon, she had to taste some of them. The others were divided between the servants and the knights. Some others were delivered to charity institutions. She had to take care of the reputation of the Wizard for him to work harder. A very meritorious job or that was she make everyone believe.
"Your Highness, you should stop eating that much or you will hurt your stomach."
"I know, Tia, but I have a mission."
"What is it, Princess?"
"To understand love."
"I don't understand, Princess."
Little Tia was confused, however, the older servants around were startled, some even shocked. They had to look for the King and the Queen right now. They all knew about the unusual maturity of the little princess's brain but this issue should be addressed properly by her tutors.
"Yes, my dear Tia. Let me explain. People outside the castle are cheering up the slav…Wizard Druon and some of them were giving him pastries to express their support and love. However, I can't explain how can this bunch of pastries can fill anyone up with love. So I assumed that it had to be with the ingredients they were using. And…"
"What is it, Princess?"
"I felt truly loved. Each bite was heaven."
Forget it, nobody moved from their places.
"Princess Anne." The knight on the door walked inside with a letter in his hand. "You received a message from Master Ives."
"Oh great, it was time. Let's go, Tia, our guest has arrived."
"Yes, Princess."
"And… bring that cake with us."
"…"