Half of the Mansion inside the St. Apple Villa has been furnished and cleaned. Everyone was tired but satisfied. Estella showed the servants the part of the mansion for them to reside. She led them to the horse stable, cabin, storage house, wine underground, training grounds, et cetera. Everyone halted their cleaning and arranging when dusk came.
There were many of them in the St. Apple Villa, so the housemaids and Estella helped the cook prepare dinner. Everyone laughed and told stories to each other, as well as getting to know each other. Estella felt alive for the first time in a few months. As she peeled the potatoes in her hand, she wondered about the whereabouts of Lawrence.
"Have you seen Lawrence, Maine?" she asked a lady housemaid who just came in, in the kitchen.
Maine nodded, "I saw him walk up to the stairs, Madam. He's somewhere in the upper story." she answered.
"Thank you," Estella smiled. "I will check on his highness, Jeffrey," Estella remarked at the Cook.
"Yes, of course, Madam," he responded. "We'll handle everything here," Jeffrey added.
Estella marched towards the long corridor and saw a sight of the foyer ahead. A moment passed, and she was already walking up the stairs. The mansion had a candle illumination, quiet.
Two guards were at the entrance, silently doing their duties. The other guards were at their posts. As for the Chivalry Knights, they were roaming the whole Villa.
As for the servants, a portion was preparing the dining hall, where you could find the long-stretched table, where both Lawrence and Estella will eat. The rest helped the busy kitchen.
Henry was giving out orders and giving servants, who just finished their tasks, new tasks. There was no one in the upper story, and most definitely in the third story.
Estella knocked behind the door of Lawrence's chamber, "Sweetie, are you there?" she asked. She opened the door and saw Lawrence already fixed on a book.
"Mum." he set aside his book- placing it on his bed. He advanced towards Estella.
"Hello, sweetie. Are you hungry?" Estella asked. Lawrence shook his head as a response. "I see. What were you reading?"
"Property Management by Alfonso Huna," Lawrence answered.
Estella was shocked, "Can you read it?"
"I can't. I'm still figuring it out, Mum. I might need to study literature first. The only thing I managed to decipher was the title of the book." Lawrence laughed.
Estella giggled, "I'll help you find the book for Literature Basics. Until your teacher arrives here, I'll help you through your studies."
"Thank you, Mum." Lawrence smiled. "Are they finished cleaning?"
Estella nodded gently, "We're halfway done all over the ground floor. I asked them to prepare the dining hall and place plates and utensils already. We will have a lively dinner for the first time."
Lawrence nodded, seemingly anxious but at the same time excited.
"Here it is! The Basics of Literature by Cole Sage. This book was simplified and organized by your Grandfather and published all over Great Aqes and Great Hesperia. But this book is quite heavy and thick." Estella carried a book with almost three thousand pages with god knows how many words.
She placed the book on Lawrence's bed and said, "Should I redecorate and place renovation in your room?"
"Can you do that, Mum?"
Estella laughed, "Of course! Workers will arrive tomorrow. I'll ask them to provide you the best room." she gave a grin. "What would you like for a room?"
Lawrence's eyes glistened, "The room next door could serve as my study room. I want shelves and a desk as well as a small table for tea. I want to also have a mini balcony inside it and connected to my bed chamber."
Estella waited, then spoke, "Is that it?" she asked.
"Yup!" Lawrence answered with delight.
"Well, what about this room?" Estella asked.
Lawrence smiled, "I'll leave that up to Mum." he answered.
Estella smiled and kissed Lawrence on his forehead, "Sure, sweetie. I'll give you the best room. Is your bathroom to your liking?"
"I like the current bathroom I have right now," Lawrence responded.
"That's good. Then for tomorrow, would you like to sleep with me?" Estella asked.
"Yes, Mum!" Lawrence answered. Estella smiled.
"Good. I'll check on the others, okay? I'll send in a servant to fetch you." Estella remarked. "We'll be eating dinner with our new companions," she added, smiling. She received a nod from Lawrence.
Estella walked out of Lawrence's room and went down to check on the progress. As she reached her destination, everyone was almost ready. The housemaids already have serving plates and dishes in their hands as they walk out of the kitchen, greeting Estella.
Estella moved towards the dining hall, where it was already lively. Everyone spoke and was delighted to see Estella once again. They chatted about Henry's clumsiness and Jeffrey's cooking styles, laughing. Estella laughed and conversed with them until all the dishes arrived.
"We've finished preparing your meals, Madam," Emma said.
"I shall call his highness, Madam," Emily said.
"Please," Estella replied to Emily. "Thank you, Emma," she shifted her eyes towards Emma.
Emma nodded with a smile. Then Henry spoke, "Well then, Madam. We'll leave you and his highness alone."
"Oh, no, no. Do stay, everyone." Estella smiled. "Since it's all your first days in the Villa, we shall celebrate with a small feast together."
"How dare we, Madam!" Henry exclaimed.
"We wouldn't dare, Madam!" Emma added.
"Then shall we wait for Lawrence's decision?" Estella suggested.
Everyone remained silent. Estella sat down while the servants stood on the corners. "At least sit, everyone, while waiting for his highness," Estella remarked.
Henry looked at the other and nodded. They all sat and had eager faces as they smell the scent of each dish prepared.
"Where's Jeffrey?" Estella asked.
Henry, "He's in the kitchen, Madam. I presume he's cleaning the place."
"Oh, dear. Someone do call Jeffrey. We shan't eat without the great chef!" Estella requested.
"I'll call him, Madam." James volunteered with a smile on his face as he leaves the dining hall and advanced towards the kitchen.
A moment passed, and Jeffrey, who changed his wear, was anxiously beside James. "Madam, is it okay?" Jeffrey asked Estella.
Estella gave a smile and spoke to Jeffrey, "It's all up to Lawrence, Jeff. Speaking of, here he is!" Estella stood from her chair.
"Hello, everyone." Lawrence greeted with a bow.
Everyone abruptly stood, "Oh, no! Your highness, please treat us informally."
Lawrence shook his head, "I'm the youngest currently inside the house. I must show respect to people who have experienced much more things than I have. Please fret not." he smiled. "Shall we eat?"
Everyone stood silent, then cheered.
Estella smiled genuinely. 'I must have been a great mother to raise such a respectful son.' she joked in her mind, giggling. Then she coughed and looked at everyone, "Let us eat!"