"Father, I won't have guards with me at the banquet and that's final!."
"You want just him around, think about what the others would say about our house my dear."
"That Lord Rufus can't afford his daughter's security , the slight on your name alone boils my blood."
"I give no heed to the inferiors father , it's final I want to be alone with Eric. If you have any respect for my wishes do as I say."
With a hmph Aida storms off her father's study without noticing me passing by.
I stop at the Lord's study and await his sign to enter.
"Sir."
"I called you in regards to the banquet held in the honor of my daughter and his highness Prince Joshua engagement, as you are well and aware."
"I'm well aware of that Sir."
"Excellent, now onto the matter of hand. My angel and the light of my life Aida doesn't want a retinue of guards following her around, ofcourse that left me at a loss while I understand my cute daughter's need for independence I must also take her status as a high Lord's child into consideration which is where you come in. My daughter is attached to you for reasons I know naught *eyes suspiciously* , so I thought why not have the disciple of the mighty Theodore as her tag along retainer and bodyguard! . So what say you , want to put an old man at ease and safeguard his little pudding ."
You thought? , more like you were forced. I can't say that to him in good conscience and for the fear of my life.
"a-haha, ofcourse my lord. I'd be happy to oblige."
-back at the lodge-
I'm back at my lodge after a grueling day , putting the lord father aside I had to follow dearest daughter whims for the entire day.
"*sigh* why can't she tell me what she wants." That part makes her cute which I can never deny.
Master and I are having dinner at the table, hearing me sigh and complain while chugging his ale with little to no interest he replies.
"*hic* boy don't you think you've been enjoying life under the old nobles."
"Does it look like I'm enjoying my days here Master."
"I've known you since you were that wee little brat, and I've never seen you grin an ear to another like this. Is that the noble lass doin?."
"The lass? , you mean Aida. I don't get you master what are you implying?."
"Perhaps you're a bit young for this talk or am I to blame for filling a daft boy's head with nothing but the sword."
He sighs and solemnly goes back to drinking.
'Don't act like you got something other than the sword yourself!'
- the next evening-
"Mistress are you really sure about this."
"I'm very sure Eric, you are to be my escort the man who'd a-accompany me to the hall."
"With all those nobles watching. I'm afraid I'd make a fool out of myself."
"You did fine with my guests last month, I don't see how this is any different."
"Well they weren't in the 100s, unlike today."
As I agonized over the event, Aida grabs my hand and looks me in the eye
"Don't be anxious, after all you are my servant. Just be yourself and all will be fine."
She could be mature at times when she isn't haughty. I feel like I'm blushing right now.
"we've arrived, are you ready Eric?"
I look at Aida wearing the long red dress and myself wearing a black tuxedo , before I hold her hand as we exit the carriage together I help her down as any servant would.
We enter the Eizenburg estate ,Prince Joshua and the King palace . As we head to the hall heads begin to turn awed by Aida's magnificence meanwhile scrutinizing glares followed me wherever I went.
Just , how did I end up in this situation?
"Is that her butler!!."
"He's.. prettier than me and his hair is gloss!."
"No fair he's handsome ..and pretty, to not only have the Prince but also a handsome retainer. I'm telling papa to get me 2 butlers."
Those stares are making me quiver, stay strong me!, stay strong!.
"Splendid evening ain't it Mistress."
"You're acting strange Eric, is being the center of attention that frightening to you?."
"I can endure everything but crowded places, I have had bad experiences with such events and the constant glaring doesn't help me one bit."
"You grew up in the woods , just how crowded could that place be?."
"Ah , I uh I it was before Master Theodore found me that's what I meant."
Crap, I can't mix my pre-isekai memory with Erics. Remember that you're from some backwater hut in the woods.
"Whatever that may be, you need to unwind Eric. They aren't glaring at you well that goes for the boys as for the girls well I'll see that you understand firsthand how much of an amazing servant you are!."
Aida yells out how amazing I'm as I hear squeels and without having foresight I find myself overwhelmed as girls surround me from all directions.
"Hey Aida , what's his name."
"where did you find him."
"Can I have him?."
"He's called Eric, a servant boy that I've found in the woods and not only that he's also the student of Theodore the adventurer."
"And no you can't have what I own."
Aida puffs her chest as she introduces me to the girls that was until I heard clamouring from the boys side
"He's master Theodore's student!."
"You mean to tell me this twig with a cute face trained under Theodore the Chronos slayer!."
"Looks can be deceiving."
"Well I believe it at the very least , take a look at Aida she has no guards to protect her aside from him the only armed attendant oh and Hello there dearest Eric."
A voice cut in and a girl with messy brown hair , a short blue dress her red eyes narrows as she came along.
"Mistie , there you are. I've been looking for you."
Another voice followed and it was Julius , he wore a white suit his hair tied in his signature ponytail and alongside him was a retinue of knights.
"Your highness it's good to see you."
Aida quickly adjusts and bows , I follow along for common etiquette's sake. The crowd had dispersed following the Prince arrival.
"The pleasures all mine Aida, don't mind me if I say you look beautiful."
Joshua takes Aida's hand and kisses it, for some odd reason my heart prickled at the sight.
"*Ahem* Your highness I-I don't think it's necessary to.. I mean ofcourse I look beautiful I'm a Lumere after all ohohoho." Again with the haughty act
"Are you feeling something perhaps." Mistie whispers in my ear.
Goes to show how dangerous she is , when she's in her element.
"No not at all madam Mistie." I pout
"How cute you are, say you want to work for me Eric?."
"Mistie!."
"I think that's enough now cousin."
"*sigh* You know, you could have stayed behind and let me have my fun."
"What fun, you were planning to tease Eric and Aida, I put a hamper on your plans."
"Oh cousin, I would never"
"You would."
"Not you too Aida!."
Cousin?, are Mistie and Joshua related?.
"You must be confused Eric, for you see Mistie is my cousin her father is mothers older brother."
"Mistie Highmane, if you absolutely want to know my surname." Mistie winks
"I could see the resemblance."
"Me and Joshua?, oh you are such a jest Eric."
I see why he brought her along when they visited Aida, though I could do without her. Mistie as a character was always associated with Aida and she appeared to be close with Joshua the main love interest in Magical Princess.
"Where are my manners...it's good to see you Eric."
The Prince extends his hand
I shake his hand and I notice his firm grip, accompanied by a sharp gaze.
"Say, Eric I still desire a duel."
"As I said your highness, master would never permit it." Not at his current level , I'm afraid I would crush the protagonist.
"I see, it's truly unfortunate. I'm not giving up nonetheless." He gives me a genuine smile.
"Prince Joshua, you're here. I've been looking for you my friend."
I look behind and see a pretentious boy and his entourage , they came to see the Prince.
"Oh you're here Gil, I'm sorry I didn't notice you. Everyone this is Gil de Caderroa my fellow classmate and playmate since childhood."
Gil De Caderroa a love interest for the protagonist of Magical Princess, hes a redhead wears a black doublet and white pants. While he is often described as an elitist he does work hard to maintain his superiority his tanned skin stand as proof. He glances at me with his green eyes disinterest is evident on his face as he skips me and moves onto Aida and Mistie's side, leaving his introduction aside something is bothering me about his appearance or lack thereof, he's missing a facial scar that he would have got at this age.
Am I missing my event
"You are Mistie Highmane and Aida Von Lumere, right?."
Aida glares at the boy as if he murdered her calf before clicking her tongue she replies
"I don't need to answer to someone like you, now apologize to Eric."
"Why should I apologize to a commoner, no offense was made on my behalf. Isn't that right everyone. Look at how he's glaring at me."
Gil mistaking my squint as a glare , turns to his entourage
"What good is a commoner anyways?."
"Gil is right shouldn't this eyesore go somewhere."
"Commoners are easy to offend, and quick to resort to violence. They are a fickle crowd." Gil continues "Eric, why don't you be a good boy and be among the rifraf." He gestures towards the guards in the back
"As you say." I swallow my pride and allow myself to leave
Aida grabs my arm in protest glaring daggers at Gil and his entourage
"I told you to stop talking to Eric that way , and you Eric, you're superior in everyway to these louts. Follow my order and stay."
"Louts!, you're calling a de Caderroa a lout.!." Gils face turn red
"This is bad , Joshua please help." Mistie looks at Joshua for support
Joshua nods and steps to de-escalate the situation
"I don't think it's a good idea to provoke a conflict . This is a celebratory event let us all get along."
"Prince Joshua is right, while I appreciate you getting angry on my behalf i must however excuse out to patrol. Your safety is paramount to my mission and I'm sure you want to spend your evening with your future husband."
Aida's face sinks as she let's go of my arm. 'I'm sorry but just this once do without me'
Aida and her friends alongside Gil and his entourage head inside the hall and take their seating at a designated table
"You keep stealing glances at Eric , you really do miss him Aida." Mistie teases
"No , I don't... it's natural for a mistress to have her servant around."
"Hmm, is that so. If another girl were to speak to him right now would you mind?."
"Ofcourse I would, his first priority is me his mistress. I won't allow anyone to come between us."
"Don't look at me like that dearest Aida *tch, there goes my chance*."
"Hmph, what's so good about this guy anyway?." Asks Gil
"Gil, you are a combatant. What do you think about his gait and posture."
"Joshua, I don't want to hear it from you. He can walk and so does every five year-old noble."
"He's Theodore's pupil , I might add. I never seen him fight firsthand but I can sense the otherworldly powers within him."
"He is my servant after all, I'm sure if I permitted it he would wipe the floor with that Gil." Aida boosts
"Hah, I'd like to see him try."
"You treasure him alot Aida."
Prince Joshua perceptiveness caught Aida off guard
"Why do you say that your highness."
She couldn't hide the tinge of red in her face as she replied
"I've never heard of Aida Von Lumere ever been close to a commoner, yet this strange boy became your most trusted friend."
"He saved me , without him I wouldn't have been alive."
Aida replies honestly.
- Eric Pov-
I watch Aida and her group from afar, she glares at Gil a lot but it seemed like she gets along well with Prince Joshua.
"I feel a strange prickle at my heart , she's blushing and smiling. I don't see it often."
Eric get your head on the game, the reason you asked to take leave is to assuage the oddity I'm sensing. Time to go on a patrol.
I walk in the courtyards careful not to make unnecessarily contact, after all I don't want the guards to see me.
I sneak past a retinue of guards they were served drinks by the servants.
I can't help but notice that there are servants every where , however one caught my attention.
"You there why are you sneaking out of that compartment."
I see a compartment attached to the main building and a female servant scurrying off outside.
"S-sir, uhh.. this is."
"I'm truly sorry!."
She bows apologetically as another servant a man this time follows her lead. I notice the state of their clothing and come to a conclusion.
"I see a middle of the night rendezvous."
My face is turning red
"Be careful not to be seen next time."
"We'll do sir."
What an odd couple.
She dropped something in a hurry, it's an insignia of a crow. A crow?
"Hmmm, a crow that can't be."
The Crows are here, how could I be oblivious!.
I run back to the hall , feeling jittery and awfully anxious. A guard sees me panic and calls upon me.
"Oi you boy, why are you running around like that."
Crap, if I tell them there might be a terrorist plotting around they might arrest me under suspicion. Play it cool Eric .
"Its nothing I just came here to.. uh look at the king and the Lords parents."
"Oh that's about the time they come , speaking of them there's them old bloods."
Trumpets sound off as troops arrive, they make way for the esteemed guests parent Lords and their King Leo.
King Leo is dressed in a kingly manner, his long coat , gold crown that accentuate his long glossy platinum hair and a black suit that contrasts his pale skin, He is accompanied by Lord Rufus whos wearing an equally regal uniform of pure white shirt and white trousers.
"Ladies and gentlemen , esteemed sons and daughter's I present to you the King of Eizenburg King Leonard the II and accompanying him is Lord Duke of Lumere Sir. Rufus Von Lumere."
The announcer announces the names of other delegates as clapping continues each son and daughter clap louder for their parent.
"Wow those Lords sure know how to make an entrance, ain't it so Eric."
"You know of me?."
"Well I've heard of a young ace in the patrols and you fit the description."
"Well that's me, I'm Eric and you are?."
"Yimir , just same ol' Yimir a native of some piss of a backwater town." He says deprecatingly
"Yimir?." Yimir this can't be
"Yimir there you are!, I've been looking for you . Its your shift in the patrols."
"Ah , my bad mates. It was nice knowing you Eric."
He's gone, I hope it's a false flag but I have to keep survailing the grounds. I forgot the details of the event but something has to be amiss.
"May I have everyone's attention, we have gathered here today to witness the ceremonious joining of House Lumere and House Eizenburg. And as King and acting head of the Eizenburg I would like nothing more than to toast my dear friend neigh my brother Lord Lumere for our houses and for our kingdom , may our union prove beneficial for all the realm."
"I hear you friend and King Leonard!."
Lord Rufus lifts his cup
Aida reluctantly lifts her cup just as the other nobles do the same albeit cheerfully.
"Now , we feast and after that we shall hold a ball in this room." Siad the King
The servants bring plates of food and an enormous cake all lined up in different tables according to their category.
I can't help but think that somethings wrong about this evening... but what is it exactly.
To be continued