Zoemi was walking back to his room after early supper he ate in the barracks.
He was using the time that would usually be taken by the Miriette to train under the watchful eye of his father and other knights working for the duke.
"...?"
And just when he was passing by the main gate, a royal courier's carriage entered through it and stopped under the staircase leading into the castle.
"..hup...!"
The courier dropped the reins and jumped from his seat, letting out a small sound while landing.
"...almost, almost... Ah, there you are!"
Then he opened the carriage and pulled out the biggest bouquet of flowers that Zoemi has seen in his life!
"Now then... Oh...?"
The courier looked a bit distressed but then he spotted the boy.
"Ah! Young man, can I ask you for a helpful hand?"
He smiled and beckoned the black-haired boy towards him.
"..."
Zoemi obediently came closer without saying a word of complaint...
"Oh, dear heavens...!
...but when the courier saw the child's face, his expression twisted as if he saw something unpleasant.
"Um... well, never mind that."
As it was expected of anyone taking their job seriously, the courier soon regained his composure and smiled returned to his face.
"Could you hold this up for me for a moment?"
He asked, handing the black-haired boy the enormous bouquet before dived into the carriage once more.
Once he got out again, he was carrying a giant basket full of sweets together with two letters.
"Do you know where the duke might currently be, by any chance? I am to deliver those to him."
"Yes, sir."
The courier asked Zoemi and the boy nodded to him from behind the flowers.
"I'll lead you to him right away!"
The black-haired boy exclaimed, barely able to contain his happiness from showing in his voice - he could already guess from and for who all those presents were.
"...whew..."
He allowed himself a sigh of relief – after all his nervousness and worries - everything was still going fine between the blond-prince and the black-haired girl.
With that, the black-haired boy lead the courier right into the castle and took him to the dining room as the duke and his wife should be still enjoying the supper – where he knocked on the door and called out, asking for permission to enter.
"The door's unlocked, boy, there's no need to be shy."
The voice of the duke was calm as always, maybe only a little bit more curious than usual.
"My lord – there's a courier with flowers!"
Zoemi opened the door and exclaimed while sticking the bouquet through the door.
"My lord, it's a pleasure to find you in good health. The first prince Horeo Merets Bellcephora sends gifts to his fiance."
The courier used the chance and slid inside, cautiously sliding past the scarred boy.
Just as Zoemi thought - all those flowers and sweets were indeed meant for the Miriette and gifted by none other than the first prince!
"I also have letters."
Courier bowed deeply before the duke and duchess Espince, Zoemi stayed behind the door and continue to peak at them using the bouquet to mask his presence – which was a really cute, but completely inefficient way of hiding.
"One is for your esteemed daughter, the fiancé of the first prince, lady Miritte Lisea Espine."
The courier spoke with courtesy while handing the letter to the duchess since her daughter was known to be feeling unwell.
"And the other is for..."
Courier glanced at the envelope.
"Zoemi Auequas. "
He read out, furrowing his brow at the name he did not recognize despite all the studying about the noble families and their members he had to do in order to not make a blunder while doing his work.
"Th-that would me, sir..."
Zoemi shyly raised his hand and leaned out from behind the door.
"Boy, there's no need to act shy. Take your letter."
Even though the duke Espine grumbled at the black-haired boy, his expression didn't suggest that he was angry.
"At once!"
Nonetheless, Zoemi hurried to the courier and took his letter.
"Thank you, sir."
The boy nodded and the courier nodded back.
Such a well-mannered child, such a shame that his face is like this...|
The courier thought to himself and turned back towards the duke and duchess.
"Is there something else...?"
Duke Espine raised his brow seeing that even after completing the delivery, the courier doesn't even try to walk away/
"I'm terribly sorry but I have been instructed to wait for the answer, my lord."
The man bowed deeply and apologized.
"I see. Renear."
with duke nodding, duchess called for and instructed one of the maids to give the letter to her daughter together with some ink and paper all while Zoemi broke the wax seal and started reading the content of the letter.
[Dear Zoemi,
Recently I have been very busy with studying and all that prince-related things that are too boring to write about, and could not visit both Miriette and you. My father learned that Miriette fell sick and he forbade me from going to the Espines castle now when I finally have some free time. As it would be unreasonable to ask Miriette to come when she is unwell, I would be happy if at least you could come to see me.
There is also one thing, that I would prefer not to write about, that I would like to discuss with you.
If it's not a problem, please come to my castle together with the courier once he will receive the reply to the letter I have sent to Miriette.
Your friend,
Horeo Marets Bellcephora]
I guess the prince is feeling lonely, being the next in line to the throne sure must be stressful.|
Zoemi thought to himself before speaking about the content of the letter to the duke and then excusing himself to run off to see his father.
After asking Mizoe for permission, it was decided that the boy will indeed go to see the prince, but since it was already late the journey was postponed until the early morning of the next day.