The cloudy sky beaded with balloons of various colors turned darker, the air that had been chilly since the morning was getting lower and even almost made the fish aquarium condense. The cold wind was blowing harder, dancing along with the residents' wind compasses and wind chimes sold at several festival booths. But the cold wind that can make the body goosebumps cannot touch the princess, the palace guard, and the princess's new best friend.
The two residents of the palace are now resting for a while accompanied by the warm tea that has been served along with homemade light snacks making them feel at home. The black-haired youth suddenly felt the hairs on his shoulders stand up as his body began to feel the cold that was getting worse.
At that moment he saw the clock that stood upright in the corner of the room where they were not, rather the two small children were chatting with each other and talking to each other.
"It's time for us to go home miss"
Suddenly the princess looked stunned then turned around and looked sadly at the guard "It looks like there will be a blizzard, it would be better if we took shelter here first?" bargained the princess who was busy folding the outer layers of her dress.
*sigh* "We can't delay any longer, now we go home or we don't have lunch from Madam Durea" after saying that, Rainer immediately put on the coat that he had been hanging behind the main door then took his miss's small coat then he took a leather hat and a piece of cloth covering the princess's head.
There was no longer any excuse that she could throw at Rainer, the princess gave up and limply approached Rainer who had prepared her coat. Wearing slowly starting from the sleeves then closing the zipper of the coat then wrapping a violet cloth around her head as if it were a hood for her.
"Sorry for making you walk further away from the palace"
Finished wearing all the disguises she wore at the festival, Miona looked at Gavin who was standing and bowed down feeling guilty for having offered the two palace dwellers to sit down for a moment and chat.
"You don't need to apologize, it's not your fault," said Miona by patting the shoulders of the dark brown-haired boy who just nodded his head then went inside and didn't come back for 10 minutes.
Rainer who seemed to have finished cleaning up looked at Miona who seemed to be waiting for her best friend to come out and accompany her out of the house before finally going home and returning to the palace.
"Miss, it's time for us to go," Rainer said.
Miona shook her head quickly then turned to her guard "We have to wait for Gavin to come out and say goodbye before we go home" whined the princess.
As if hearing what the princess said, Gavin came out with a silver scarf then wrapped it around the princess "It's cold outside, I hope with this scarf you're not cold. Oh yeah, when you get home don't forget to drink something warm okay. Avoid cold drinks because they can make you catch a cold" advised Gavin who had finished wrapping his scarf around the princess's neck.
With enthusiasm, the princess nodded and held the hands of the boy whose face was now the color of a tomato. "Thank you very much for the treats you have given. I hope we can meet again in the future," said the princess with a happy face.
Gavin, who at first just stared at the happy face of the princess, smiled happily and then corrected the scarf which he thought could strangle his best friend "Be careful on the road, you too sir. Hope you both arrive safely at your destination".
Hearing Gavin's prayer, Rainer smiled then stroked the boy's head "If there is someone you don't know, don't open the door"
With smiles on the faces of the three Osforians, they parted ways in front of Gavin's house. Of course, from a distance, the princess continued to wave her hand to her new best friend. Rainer who saw the princess's behavior than just smiled warmly and then tightly gripped the princess's left hand.
Not even halfway through, they had to stop.
"Rainer, I'm hungry"
Without saying anything, he carried the princess and ran back towards the palace. Where they live and take shelter.
❃ ❃ ❃ ❃
On the other hand, there was the king who wore a serious face while looking at Ardolph who was standing in front of him. He is doubtful about the decision he will make, but there is little consideration that rejecting the decision will also be detrimental.
"I don't want to belittle Ardolph or anything, but I'm just worried about the child's safety. You know being a servant isn't that easy. There are stages he has to go through first, there are even basic etiquette and basic rules he has to master. Of course, with martial arts training and other things, all of that can be a burden" said the King of Osforia who was sitting in his reading chair while marking the last page he read.
Ardolph who heard the King's explanation smiled even more than lowered his head "Of course I already know that and I understand the difficulties of being a palace's butler. However, isn't it better to start early? Do you certainly know that the golden time a child will develop is before they are over 10 years old?" explained Ardolph who was still steadfast in his will.
Eiji sighed then returned his focus to the book he was reading.
It seems that after meeting the two leaders of Osforia, Ardolph followed the King who was about to read a book in his spare time while the Queen was busy taking care of the food supplies in the palace along with the person in charge.
Before parting with his wife, Eiji had received a non-verbal message from the Queen not to directly accept requests from his loyal and trusted butler.
He always remembers what his wife said 'All important decisions related to the princess or the country must be discussed together so that there is no loss on the other side'.
Remembering that too, the King thought maybe at night when he returned to his room. 'Perhaps' he could discuss the matter with his wife, before agreeing or rejecting it.
"Ardolph, give us time to think about this request" the king who seemed eager to accept the request, restrained himself and his heart so as not to say things that could make him get scolded by his wife.
Looking at his face that was calm and not annoyed, he slowly lowered his head and answered the king's request "Of course your highness, I hope the answer I receive is a positive answer" said Ardolph. Judging from the head butler's movements, it seemed that he already knew the answer from the king. But the answer is stuck and one must get the blessing of the queen.
Which he will start by introducing Gavin to members of the kingdom, of course after he teaches him basic royal ethics and royal rules. Maybe slowly the queen will change her mind.
After finishing dealing with the king, he resigned and left the room with a worried face. Slowly looking up at the sky outside the window, he saw some signs of an impending blizzard.
"And where were they when I required them to come home before lunch" whispered the butler in a tone so low that no one could hear it.
❃ ❃ ❃ ❃
"Achoo!"
"And that's the main reason I want us to go back to the kingdom soon. Are you cold miss?" asked the palace guard gently who tried to walk fast in the wind that was blowing very hard.
When the princess inhaled through her nose, it could be heard at a glance that she was a little troubled. "You don't have to worry about me, I'm strong" replied the princess with her cheeks reddened by the cold temperature and a little mucus came out of one of the princess's nostrils.
"Right. Don't expect me to say next time, because there will be no next time after this" said the young man with black hair covered by a brown fur hat.
The princess puffed her cheeks and looked at her pouting mouth. This was the first time she had gone out without her parents or Ardolph and Durea, but couldn't come out anymore?
She also patted Rainer's shoulder then said "I just need some outside wind".
On the side of Rainer's forehead, cold sweat ran down hearing the princess's words. "And that outside breeze you can get if you open every window in your room independently, maybe it will be fresher"
Hearing this the princess was getting annoyed and she tried to pinch one of Rainer's shoulders. Keywords, try.
However, because the clothes Rainer wearing were too thick, the pinch from the princess gave looked like friction between clothes and skin. So he didn't feel anything, and he didn't respond at all.
On their way to the north gate of the palace, suddenly the princess was reluctant to get off the guard's arms and said "I want to play longer with Gavin" said the princess.
Hearing the princess's words, Rainer put on a stern face and turned to the princess "Or maybe you can play with one of my lady's friends from the Hungsee kingdom or the Thedric kingdom?"
"They are too busy for now, Lilliana and Leinhad are busy preparing for their expedition to a remote land with their parents. As for Prince Haruta..." she did not continue her speech, the red color that was originally only on her cheeks now spread all over her face. Of course, accompanied by her trademark frown.
Seeing the behavior of the princess, the young man who was now equalizing his height with the princess could see the anger felt by the princess. "I'll take you to Mr. Ardolph, I'm sure he must be very worried about you," said Rainer who gently patted the princess's right shoulder, hoping this would calm her little miss's feelings.
Without responding verbally, the princess just nodded her head and then walked after Rainer who was now holding one of his hands.
"Oh my, princess is back"
They had just walked 5 steps, apparently, right in front of them, Ardolph was waiting for them. With a calm face, he smiled warmly then looked at the princess.
"Your lunch is ready in the dining room, princess," said Ardolph.
No words were spoken from the princess, she just walked over to Ardolph then grabbed his hand and looked steadily at her feet.
Ardolph who saw the princess's different behavior when she wanted to go see the festival wondered in his heart, then he turned to Rainer who just sighed then stood up straight facing Ardolph.
"My apologies in advance Mr. Ardolph, the reason the princess behaved like that was that I said I would not ask her out again for the second time. Because she refused to go home" Rainer explained with a tired expression written on his face.
Rainer's explanation was then accepted by the head butler, and his gaze returned to the princess. "I see, you don't have to worry that I will scold you".
Miona who didn't change her facial expression at all and pouted just kept staring at her feet.
With gentle eyes, Ardolph gripped the princess's hand tightly and turned his attention back to the palace guard who was standing in front of him. "Let's continue this conversation at another time or another day. The princess is past her lunch hour" said the butler.
Bowing his body and head, Rainer paid his respects to Ardolph then asked permission to resign and continue his duties of patrolling the palace.
When Rainer was far enough away, Miona just raised her head and snorted as if as a sign that she was angry and annoyed.
The head butler just glanced at the behavior of the princess out of the corner of his eye without saying anything, the next thing he did was clear his throat and manage to get the princess's attention.
"Shall we go now?"
After hearing Ardolph's invitation, the little girl's eyes lit up and her mood turned excited. She nodded her head then followed the big steps of the head butler.
Halfway through the trip, Ardolph tried to talk to the princess about her experience when she went out to see the festival this afternoon.
Of course, the princess told with a happy smile on her face. How people wear different clothes, how many colorful balloons are flown at the sky with other people, how the wind outside can blow someone's hat off, she tells everything without hiding anything.
Being a good listener, Ardolph fell silent and commented on some of the events that the princess recounted. But when the princess stepped into the story where she met his grandson, Ardolph's steps stopped.
"He is very good to me and Rainer, he even distributes snacks that he makes at home. I promised him to play together, but Rainer said he would not ask me out again" after that Miona also puffed her cheeks.
But the frown that the princess put on instantly disappeared and she turned to Ardolph and asked him to chat "Why don't you take him to the palace? He can be my playmate every day" said the princess.
Without turning or glancing at Ardolph just smiled and agreed to what the princess said.
❃ ❃ ❃ ❃
Night came, all the palace residents who were not on duty also took this free time to rest. Some took the time to play chess in the courtyard accompanied by several palace gate guards.
Unlike this man with half grayish-black hair, he walked in the cold night towards the palace gates with fruits in his hands.
When he walked past the palace guards, suddenly they saluted him after being replied by the head butler, he continued his journey to the palace gates.
Where will he go? The answer is that he wants to go back to his house because it has been more than 2 weeks since he has not set foot in the warm house he built in this country of Osforia with his late wife and child.
Aren't servants supposed to live in the palace? What if he comes home and something happens in the palace?
Maybe that's what some people think. As a country that upholds ethics and attitudes, Osforia has regulations not to restrict its citizens too much. Improving the welfare of the population is the kingdom's priority. That's why residents around Osforia have never complained about the economy or the selling price of an item in this country is too expensive. Because almost all food staples, King Eiji made an effort to grow their own and become their product that would later be consumed or bought by his residents.
Unemployed to beggars roaming the streets? Everything has been managed by the queen by providing jobs that match their fields and if there are children who cannot go to school, then she will give the freedom to take free schools or not. Because for the queen, education is the most important. And children will not be forced to master all subjects with perfect scores, but they will develop the potential of the child to become an advantage when they grows up.
Because of that, many residents or residents of Osforia managed to get a job in their field abroad Osforia. And many of the citizens of other countries want to live in this country because of the social welfare of the people they have.
Then what about the finances of the kingdom? Remember those who managed to develop their potential? The younger generation and the older generation have united to form a company that sells goods that are only made by the country of Osforia and they sell out. It's not the staples or food that they export, but the mechanisms and technology they have developed over the years so that they always attract the interest of several countries around them.
The drawback of this country is the weather that always cold and snowy. Second, do you know, residents who want to live and stay forever in Osforia cannot easily get legality as residents of Osforia? And many refusals were given from this country to some people who made requests, that's why the population of Osforia did not have as many inhabitants as Thedric country and Hungsee country as a result of this rule.
This rule was enforced since the grandfather of King Eiji occupied the royal throne as king. Changes in these regulations have been considered as a result of the transmigration of residents from outside and into the country of Osforia. Taxes are too high, basic commodities that should not be too expensive become seasonal so their prices have to soar high, and many residents are not working due to transmigration so that many residents cannot develop and burden the country's economy.
Natural law? Of course, it still applies in this world wherever you live. But that does not mean the king surrendered entirely to natural law and allowed the backwardness of these unemployed citizens to be one of the reasons for the country's economic downturn. If there is effort everything will find a way, and that motto lives on in King Eiji's heart.
Back to the head butler's journey, Mr. Ardolph. He is now standing in front of the door of his house, holding a basket filled with fruits in his left hand, he uses his right hand to knock on the door several times.
After 10 minutes he waited and accompanied by a knock on the door, a boy with dark brown hair opened and smiled gently at him.
"Welcome grandpa," he said then he hugged his grandfather's legs tightly and laughed a little because of the happiness he couldn't contain.
The grandfather crouched down so that he could look into the eyes of the grandson and then stroked his cheek with his right hand, he could see a few wisps of tears glistening at the corners of the grandson's eyes.
Without thinking, he wiped the tears with his gloves then rubbed his head gently "Grandpa is home, you must feel lonely while Grandpa is away. Let's eat fruit together, Grandpa will peel it" he said and then went to the kitchen.
His dark purple eyes continued to stare at his grandfather's sturdy back until he forgot to close the door of the house first. He quickly closed the door and ran to the kitchen to help his grandfather.
"I heard you made a new friend, is that true?" asked Ardolph who had taken off his gloves and was about to wash the fruit he was about to peel.
"Uhn! We met at the Ahana festival this afternoon, she was very friendly" said Gavin who brought a clean basket to put the fruits to be peeled.
Ardolph just answered with a hum then turned off the water and faced Gavin. "Do you want to see her again?" he asked.
He seemed a little hesitant to answer the grandfather's question, he felt a little embarrassed if he answered yes. But the feeling of fear of loneliness and loneliness in his heart supported him to accept the question from his grandfather.
He didn't say a word, his slightly red face turned towards his grandfather. And because he listened to his heart, he nodded his head.
Satisfied with the grandson's answer, the grandfather smiled warmly at him and took the basket in Gavin's hand then took him to the living room "Let's chat together about your days while I'm not at home".
Laughter came out of Gavin's mouth, he sat across from his grandfather and began to tell all the events that he experienced while his grandfather went to work in the palace.
Even though he seemed to be listening, several thoughts were running through Ardolph's head. And one of them is away so that his grandson can master the lessons that Durea will give and learn all the knowledge to become a butler of the Osforia palace.
Putting that matter aside with a slight shake of his head, he heard the grandson call out to him and ask about his current condition. Worried whether the grandfather is not feeling well and wants to rest first and not listen to his stories that may not be useful to the grandfather.
"Hmph! It's okay, grandpa only thinks of you" he evaded.
That night the house, which was always quiet and only inhabited by a boy, was now bustling with the happy laughter of Gavin who was engrossed in talking to his grandfather, of course, there was a reciprocal conversation that Ardolph made in the conversation so that he would not make his grandson like him. talking alone.
⊱ To be continued ⊰