Zeun, absorbing the gravity of the situation, furrowed his brow, deeply contemplating as he observed at the intricate web woven within the walls of the house. Before asking,
"Clara ,right?What did you do before joining here and how do you know mom?"
Caught off-guard, Clara stuttered, "Yo-young Master, I-I worked as a private tutor in various noble houses, teaching their children."
Regaining her confidence, she continued,
"In fact, the three of us worked as tutors. I handled basic studies, while John and Abraham took charge of training and teaching mana accumulation, respectively."
With no particular motive behind my question, only concern for their well-being, I decided, "Okay, I understand." Closing the book in my hand, I instructed, "Call your two friends and inform all the other workers that there's no need to come from tomorrow."
Clara frowned but remained silent. "Yes, Young Master, as you wish."
Half an hour later, two burly men and a delicately beautiful woman stood inside the manager's office. In an calm tone Zeun said looking straight into their eyes, not at all beating around the bush.
"I am going to close this shop,"
Clara, John, and Abraham exchange glances,shock at the unexpected news. Attempting to process this sudden turn of events.
Clara's concern-laden gaze puzzled me. It was the first time we had met, and her eyes seemed to harbor a deeper worry that eluded my understanding.
Despite the perplexed looks they were exchanging, I forged ahead, undeterred.
"You've already received half of your payment as per the contract. Now, since the initial terms were to safeguard this building and its owner for two years, for the next four months, you three will accompany me in fulfilling your duties. Any objections?"
"No, Young Master," the trio replied in unison, their initial surprise shifting to unanimous agreement.
"Good! Now, you three may leave. Tomorrow morning, we'll be setting off for Eldoria,"
Zeun announced, signaling the beginning of a new chapter.
The trio exchanged perplexed glances, their expressions caught between curiosity and uncertainty. As they exited, whispers of speculation filled the air.
Eldoria, the Magic Capital of Voldemort Kingdom, was like stepping into a fairy tale. Tall towers sparkled with magical lights, and the streets were full of stalls selling enchanted items. The air itself seemed to hum with magical energy.
At the center of Eldoria stood the Castle of Voldemort, its towers lit up with colorful orbs. It was a city where magic was part of everyday life, making it a place of wonder and surprises.
The next morning, Clara shared an interesting piece of information. Apparently, the King had dispatched his men weeks ago, and they had been quietly residing in a nearby building.
The twist was, they only revealed themselves when we were ready to embark on our journey, following the King's whimsical order. It seemed the King found amusement in such peculiar surprises.
.Sigh... Who could fathom the reasons behind his playful nature?
The journey unfolded tranquilly, with the trio relishing the scenic flight. Amidst the joyous sights, Zeun remained unperturbed, engrossed in deep meditation.
He sought to calm himself and anticipate the myriad questions the King might pose. Crafting a narrative that danced on the fine line between truth and falsehood, he weaved a tale with half-truths, leaving the other half shrouded in ambiguity.
This intricate mental tapestry aimed to sidestep any lie-detection magic or tools that might be employed during the forthcoming encounter.
"One can never be too careful," he muttered to himself, mentally fortifying for whatever potential catastrophe might unfold in his path.
Still submerged in himself, Zeun heard voice of King's soldiers.
"His Royal Highness asked whether you are comfortable meeting him now or you will rest for a day to suit yourself presentable before meeting with his highness?"
Zeun looked at his clean but short and lightly faded clothes and replied,
"I don't think it will be a respectful gesture to make the His Highness wait for another day just for a mere pleasent like me."
Soldiers who heard Zeun's reply had mix reaction among them...
As Zeun moved through, a few soldiers' less-than-polite remarks reached his ears. Some muttered about his attire, expressing doubt about his understanding of royal expectations.
One even sarcastically remarked, "Well, isn't he just a breath of fresh air for the royal court?"
As some soldiers observed Zeun's humble and eager demeanor to promptly meet the King, they viewed him in a positive light and gained a level of respect for his conduct.
Zeun's choice to prioritize showing respect to the monarch rather than prioritizing his own comfort was seen as an admirable quality, creating a favorable impression in the soldiers' minds.
Zeun, an introverted soul thrust into the labyrinth of royal expectations, felt a storm brewing within. The unfamiliar customs and absence of his mother, a lifelong anchor, left him adrift.
Sentimental by nature, his heart echoed with the weight of others' judgments. The hushed comments and skepticism from the soldiers knitted a tapestry of doubt in his mind.
Amidst this tempest, Zeun clutched his past life's sentimental baggage, a constant companion in this alien world. His character, deeply introspective and considerate of others' words, absorbed the whispers like a sponge.Each comment felt like a small cut on his emotions.
Zeun, always thinking about what others said, soaked it all in. Yet, in this chaos, his strength showed. The storm didn't break him; it made him determined.
In this uncertainty, a promise echoed in his heart – to face the unknown with grace and prove that sincerity could shine even in royal places.
Not long after little Zeun found himself in the throne room. As he stood before King Russel de Voldemort, his heart pounding with a mix of trepidation and determination.
The grandeur of the throne room, adorned with intricate tapestries and shimmering chandeliers, only amplified the gravity of the moment. Clad in his simple attire, Zeun felt acutely aware of the eyes upon him.
King Russel, a figure of authority, studied Zeun with keen interest. The air hummed with anticipation as the young visitor, navigating the unfamiliar terrain of royal etiquette, prepared to share his tale.
In that moment, the clash of simplicity against opulence created a tableau of contrasts, setting the stage for a meeting that would shape Zeun's destiny in the kingdom of Voldemort.
King Russel leaned forward, his eyes narrowing in curiosity.
"I've heard you've made some interesting discovery related to paper. Tell me about it."
Zeun, feeling the weight of the king's attention, cleared his throat nervously
"I am sorry my king but I didn't discover it. I just found a storage ring while fishing in the river. The papers were inside the ring."
King Russel raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Zeun's unexpected response.
"A storage ring? Found while fishing? Explain."
Zeun, aware of the shift in the conversation...
"This is the ring that holds the rest of the papers."
Zeun took the ring, worn as a necklace. The next moment, the ring floated in the air towards one of the King's personal guards. She was a tanned beauty with a fierce gaze and a mature figure that could make any man drool.
Zeun's eyes widened in astonishment as he witnessed the ring floating through the air.
He continued
"Yes, Your Highness. It was quite a surprise. The ring, seemingly ordinary, held an extraordinary space inside it. Papers, unlike any we've seen, were neatly stored within."
The king's curiosity deepened.
"So, this paper variety wasn't a result of your experimentation?"
Zeun nodded. "No, my king. It was a stroke of luck, a hidden treasure within the ring. I couldn't have anticipated it."
King Russel, perceiving the honesty in Zeun's responses, sensed there was more to the story.
"Zeun, it seems there's a deeper motive behind your actions. Why did you really sell the paper in the auction?"
Zeun, his gaze unwavering, revealed the true reason.
"Your Highness, it's not for research. I needed the money to find a cure for my mother. A month ago when we received your invitation my mother was very happy. In order to celebrate the happy moment he went to the Everlost Forest to bring some fire wood....and she is missing since then"
Replied Zeun, his head hung low as tears threatening to fall down as he remembered the departing silhouette of his mother.
He continued "and I'm doing everything I can to bring her back. Selling the paper was a desperate measure to gather the resources needed for her rescue.."
The mention of Everlost Forest resulted a hushed silence upon the court. The name carried a weight of notoriety, resonating with tales of peril and danger. The courtiers, well-versed in the lore of the Cerulean Planet, exchanged solemn glances, understanding the gravity associated with this treacherous realm.
King Russel's expression tightened, revealing a glimpse of concern. The Everlost Forest, known as one of the most dangerous places on the continent, was not to be taken lightly. Even the mightiest Sage Realm mages of the Empire had met their demise within its mysterious depths within its mysterious depths.
Touched by the genuine emotion in Zeun's revelation, softened his expression. "Zeun, I appreciate your honesty and understand the urgency of your situation. We will do everything in our power to assist you in finding your mother. You have the support of the kingdom in this endeavor."
"Thank you, Your Majesty" Zeun bowed deeply folding his hand show his utmost respect.
The courtiers and attendants, witnessing this unexpected turn, exchanged glances, their initial curiosity replaced by empathy for the young boy facing such a heart-wrenching ordeal.
The atmosphere in the room shifted, with a collective understanding that this was more than a tale of paper and auctions; it was a child's plea for hisit was a child's plea for his mother's return.
While some unscrupulous nobles seized the opportunity. Greed glinted in their eyes, and sly smirks crept onto their faces as they saw a chance to exploit the vulnerable young boy.
Whispers and murmurs circulated among these opportunistic nobles, discussing ways to take advantage of Zeun's earnings and use the situation to their advantage.
Their reactions were a stark contrast to the genuine concern shown by others in the court, revealing a darker undercurrent of manipulation and self-interest in the face of Zeun's plight.
The room, once filled with shared apprehension, now held an unsettling mix of genuine empathy and the cold calculation of those seeking personal gain.