"Estella...," Lawrence smiled at Estella.
"Your highness!" she moved swiftly towards Lawrence. "What happened?" she asked furiously.
"It's fine. I've overworked myself. It seems it's because I didn't have my afternoon nap." Lawrence remained smiling.
Estella carried Lawrence, and he fell asleep as soon as he was in the grasp of Estella. Kanon smiled, "It seems he's fond of you as a son to a mother, Madam."
"Yes."
"Pea, come here," Kanon called a lady servant. "Bring Madam Estella to his highness's bed-chamber. Bring some refreshments and tea while you're at it. Well then, Madam. We shall depart now. I'll be reporting to his majesty's duties." he bowed and left.
"This way, Madam." the anxious lady ushered Estella.
A few minutes passed, and they've reached their destination. There were already two guardsmen on both sides of the door, greeting Estella and opening the door for her. She went inside the luxurious chamber and saw fancy the furniture, along with it a bed. She placed Lawrence carefully on the bed and covered him with a blanket. She then returned to Pea.
"Thank you, Pea," she said. Pea had just asked other servants to bring the refreshments and tea as she ushers them. And the doors opened as a simple set of sweets and fruits were prepared and some tea to add to it.
"Then, please rest well, Madam." Pea and the other two servants bowed and left the room.
Estella sat on the chair beside the table and took a few bites of a cake. She sipped the warm tea brewed and exhaled in satisfaction. "I missed this satisfaction," she told herself. "To live luxuriously is pleasurable, but I like raising Lawrence better."
She sat down for a few minutes in the chair before the doors suddenly opened. It had a bright red glow that seemed to push the door. What was it?
There he was, his majesty. Leighton looked troubled. Then he saw Estella, "Estella, how is my son...?" he asked genuinely.
"Your majesty," she greeted. As she took her head back, she motioned her arms towards the sleeping Lawrence on the bed.
Leighton sighed in relief, "That's good." he said. "I will leave him to your care, yet once again."
Estella smiled, "Yes, your majesty. I'll gladly accept the command."
Then Leighton left the room as the two guards closed the door behind him. Estella gasped. 'What was that?' she was bewildered. 'It seemed he forced himself to look at Lawrence.' she observed. 'How refreshing!' she said, sipping her tea.
"Estella?" Lawrence called from his bed, rubbing his eyes.
"Lawrence?" Estella stood up and ran towards him. "Are you okay?"
Lawrence nodded, "I just heard some voices. My body is heavy." Lawrence assured.
Estella shook her head and smiled, "Rest now, dear." she paused, "It's okay."
Lawrence smiled and slowly went back to sleep. An two hours later, a knock came from behind the door of the prince chamber. Estella spoke, her voice minimized, "Come in,"
"Madam." Pea entered. "His majesty's gift has arrived. Should I let them in?"
Estella's eyes were bamboozled, then she nodded and spoke, "Quietly, please."
Pea nodded, "Yes, madam." she left the room and closed the knights closed the door. A minute later, the doors opened once again. This time, it wasn't only Pea behind her.
Beside her was a woman in her late forties. She was beside Pea, with black hair, brown eyes, elegant posture, but the wear of a headmistress. Or more like an instructor.
Estella saw the aura the woman possessed, so she stood. She was shining with elegance and authority. She spoke, "Are you here to deliver the gift his majesty sent?"
"Yes, and no, Madam." she paused, "I, and these ladies, aren't only delivering these gifts but will be assigned beside them," she answered.
Estella remained poker face, "Do tell what gifts these are?"
The woman nodded. You could see the displeasure in her eyes and expression, "Allow me to introduce to you the 8th Replica of the Twelve Histories." she moved aside to let the ladies behind her come forward, their hands carrying a glass box with a cushion inside, and on top of the pad were individual books. Twelve ladies had different books, and Estella knew of them.
Estella did not waver, she remained unfazed, but her conscious was a shock to know that these were the gift Lawrence mentioned that the Emperor-Marquess gave. "I see," she uttered, "Please, take sit." she shifted her hands, guiding the ladies.
Estella moved her gave towards Pea and spoke calmly, "Pea, dear. Will you send some refreshments?"
"Yes, Madam." Pea nodded and left the room.
Estella sat down on a one-person sofa as the others sat on the far-stretched fancy, soft couch.
"Thank you, Madam." the ladies spoke in unison.
Estella sunk in her thoughts, 'The twelve histories are so valuable than an estate would equal its value. Wouldn't it have been better to move in, in another villa? That itself would've sufficed.' she paused. Then her eyes glimmered in disbelief, 'Did the Emperor gift such books? What happened back then between them? I must have skipped something. It is way too unbelievable to think that the Emperor would give replicas of the twelve histories. The Ethnic Enclaves.' she trailed off.
"Madam. The refreshments are here." Pea sounded behind the door.
Estella was pulled back to reality, "Ah, yes, please come in."
Pea proceeded in and placed the tea, cookies, and other sweets. Estella smiled at Pea and let her excused. She shifted her gaze towards the ladies and spoke, "Do take some refreshments." she smiled. The ladies' eyes abruptly glistened.
The young ladies thanked Estella and took some sweets with their tea. She took a sip on her tea and was delighted to see smiles from the young ones. She was about to speak when Lawrence stood. She placed her tea back down on the table and sat up to go towards Lawrence.
"Good afternoon, your highness," Estella greeted.
Lawrence yawned and scanned the room. He fixed himself and smiled at Estella, then turned to the standing group.
"We greet his highness, Prince Lawrence." the ladies said in sync and bowed.
"I greet your highness," the woman in her forties greeted last, as customary to a higher ranking servant. "We've come to bring his majesty's gift to you and will be attending them twenty-four hours," she explained.
Lawrence was assisted by Estella, going down the bed. He rubbed his eyes and yawned once again, "Did his majesty do that? I see." he paused, "Will you send him my thanks?"
The woman paused for a second, then answered, "Yes, your highness. These ladies are the escorts of the gifts. Please do as you please with them." she bowed once more, then walked towards the door.
"Your majesty," the ladies stooped their heads, "Where would you like to display these treasures?" one of the ladies, who looked like the eldest among them, asked Lawrence.
"Books aren't for display. They are for people to read," he said, his voice annoyed.
"We'll be bringing them in the villa, Lawrence. And along with them." Estella interrupted. "Shall we go home?" she said. "It's nearly in the evening," she added.
"Can we?" Lawrence's eyes glistened.
Estella smiled, "Yes, we can."
"Finally," Lawrence mumbled under his breath. "Let's go home," he said.
Estella nodded with a smile on her face and went out of the room to meet Pea. She ordered a carriage on their way back and asked another servant to lay a message to the Emperor for their departure. Then returned to Lawrence and brought him into her arms. He was tall but thin, so he wasn't as heavy as he looks.
As they walked towards the exit, the head escort woman met them by the stairs. She bowed and spoke, "We will follow behind his highness in our separate carriages." she informed.
Lawrence nodded. The woman stayed behind the stairs and let the two go down. Then they found the exit where upfront, a carriage was ready. There were knights, four knights with their horses, in each corner of the carriage.
The knights went down from their horses and bowed, "We greet his highness," in sync.
Then one knight amongst the four stepped forward, "Your highness, this humble knight is Gavin Pierson. Emperor assigned us to protect his highness. We will accompany prince Lawrence on his way back to St. Apple Villa."
"Nice to meet you, Gavin." Lawrence nodded.
Gavin lowered his gaze and helped Estella up to the carriage, in her left arm, Lawrence. Estella smiled at the knight and sat Lawrence down across her seat. "How are you feeling, sweetie?" she asked.
"I'm sleepy, Mum," he said. "I wiil way down for a bit," he added, his words were crumbled, like it ought to be. His voice gentle, soft as a baby.
"Go ahead, sweetie. I'll wake you when we arrive home, okay?" Estella gave him an assuring smile.
Then he fell asleep, making Estella smile. She also closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, then exhaled. Estella was glad the day was over. She didn't expect it to go smoothly. The people were courteous. And his father, the Emperor, showed how he cared.
She felt relief. As soon as they were inside the city before their lands, nightfall came. It was already evening, and the place was busy. Night markets and pubs were opened, filled with customers and drinkers. It was busy, like how it is supposed to be. Estella found it refreshing, making her smile. She was nobility, so she seldom sees the sight of this.
As their carriage pass by, people moved out of the way. They were intimidated by the glamour structure and knights that surrounded the carriage. It reassured Estella for their safety since it is already nighttime. It took another hour for them to see, in the distance, the exit that led to the St. Apple Lands.
The guards greeted the knights and opened the large gates. Then the shallow path, surrounded by the forest, welcome the carriage. It was dim, not much of torches. Knowing how dark and dangerous it was, she was more glad to have professional knights.
About 30 minutes left, and they would arrive at the village far west, The Winesap Village. The settlement is known for its wine production and great rum. It was a place to find peace and drink good wine.
The path was a bit rocky, so the carriage didn't move smoothly. However, thanks to the cushion that surrounded the seats inside the carriage, it wasn't noticeable since even Lawrence was soundly asleep. The ride was steady, fast. They would likely reach the mount an hour later.
It was easier and faster to travel from St. Apple Villa to Sage Est. IV than from Sage Est. IV to St. Apple Villa. And the routes this time were longer but safer, adding more time to reach back in the St. Apple Villa.
Their smooth ride suddenly stopped and the sounds of swords being drawn were heard. What happened?