"I WANT MY MORNING COFFEE!"
That is how my morning starts nowadays.
That noise was coming from the third floor, and it could be heard clearly from my chamber on the second floor. From the north end, my chamber would be the fourth one, and ironically, that sound comes from the first guest chamber.
To think it back, it's been three days since then. I almost got used to it, but I didn't want to endure; I wished him to disappear.
Yes, that man is staying here for almost three days.
"Ms maid, prepare me a book," I said as I sat on my davenport in my chamber while exhaling a deep breath.
Looking at my breakfast feast today, the head chef prepared my meal consisting of back bacon, eggs, sausage, baked beans, bubble and squeak, fried tomato, fried mushrooms, and black pudding, with fried and toasted bread on the side. It looks delicious while waiting for the handmaiden to pour milk into my glass.
"Pardon me, Mr White, there is no book left to read," she explains to her while placing back the jar filled with milk into a tray table next to her.
"Nothing at all?" I ask again, trying to confirm it back
"I'm afraid, yes, Mr White," she responded with a slight bow at me.
"Then, I have to buy a new one," I say as I cram ample food into my mouth.
"Ms maid, you should join me feasting." inviting me with a smile.
"It's alright, Mr White; I will grab some of mine in the kitchen later," she politely refused.
Even so, this food is too sizably to finish alone. I grabbed some of the food and weighed it onto another plate, then gave it to her without further asking.
"Sit down, eat," I said.
Suddenly, I remember how the old lady told me to eat on the first day. Feel Deja Vu.
"Ehem! Thank you for inviting me, Mr White." thanking her as sit down on the wooded chair in front of me. I nodded in response.
"Mr White," she called while swallowing her first bite.
"Yes?"
"Ehem! I remember Mr Larson, the delivery guy, informing me about the nearest local town in this area last night. If we go there by carriage, it will take us three hours to arrive. He walked the area looking for new furniture but couldn't find it, but he informed me there was a store filled with old books from a century ago." elucidated her with an enthusiastic reaction.
"I see,"
"Where to go?" abruptly, a voice interrupted us.
It sounded familiar. I turned my head quickly at where the voice was coming from.
"I am pleased to see you walk out my door today," I said as soon as I saw who was approaching us. He is the man who claims to be the Crown Prince.
"I refused," he said. His voice made my blood boil.
Scrutinising at this man, I believe he has no shame. Open other people's doors like he owns this place, and by glancing at his clothes, he is far behind to be called a Crown Prince. He was wearing just pants while walking around my mansion. Disgraceful.
"As a man who plans to get married, I see you are not ready to become someone's husband or a King." grimly mocking him.
"You are also helpless; become friends with no one but book," he declared pointlessly.
"Books are knowledge," as I stood up and walked into my clothes drawer.
"Books are knowledge," mimics him while following me from behind.
"I am so sorry for the woman who would sacrifice herself for a man like you," I added while turning my body towards him. He was slightly taller than me, causing my neck to ache looking at him, or maybe I was just too lazy to look at his face.
Then I walked away, leaving him standing in front of my drawer after I took my bath towel that was neatly folded inside by the maid. He darted at me with a devastating complexion on his face, but before he could come after me, I slammed my bathroom door located next to my clothing drawer.
"Please leave, your Highness; Mr White is taking his bath." tells the handmaiden to the man.
However, he does not speak anything and then walks away.
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"Mr White, it is alright for you and only Ms Hazel is going to the town? I am afraid something might occur on your way without a proper guard." says the head chef, worried.
From the looks of it this morning, today's weather is beautiful for an outing, even though the purpose of it is to buy books.
But old books?
That sounds interesting, and it must be in the antique category. I should bring more gold. As far as I know, it is valuable if it is a book inherited from the last century.
"Well, we are not just two, I have Mr chef...Agastya with us," replied me while smiling at her.
"But still,"
The smile won't put her heart at ease, but I will not stop just because of her uneasiness.
Anyway, not because I didn't have a suitable candidate as a bodyguard but because I was concerned about who I needed to trust. It would be a pain in the neck to have someone like the previous headmaid in the future.
Since I couldn't return the servant that the man brought here, I took advantage of it.
It's like a token to me; no, it's a lottery.
For now, the total of my servants was fifty-five people. The Culinarian was fifteen people, and the manservant was ten people, the maids were eighteen people, the carpenter would be two, the horse keepers were two, the landscaping also two, the delivery guy was two and one was my handmaiden. Four left was supposed to be the guard.
For now, I only make them watch over the guest reasonably; he always does whatever he wants.
"No need to worry, let's go, everyone," ordered me as I walked toward the carriage while the handmaiden was already standing in front of the carriage, ready to go.
"Please, be careful, Mr White, Agastya boy, please be sure to report if anything happens immediately. You are not a bodyguard." implored her.
"Don't underestimate me; I am strong, even just a chef," he replied with his dazzling smiley face.
"I will be back before the sunset, and please prepare us a meal—a feast meal well, maybe some book for everyone. Perhaps." trying to suggest a gift for everyone while walking inside the carriage.
"It was kind of you, Mr White, but em...well, not all servants know how to read, Mr White," explained her.
"Agree," Interpret the handmaiden.
"Was it? Then, I will think about it on the way there."
"Alright, Mr White, please be safe."
The handmaiden slowly closed the carriage door while I prepared my seat as I would sit on it for three hours.
The handmaiden just watched me cushion my seat with my palm as if warming it. I then realised that my philosophy as a cat cannot immediately disappear. No people are circling where they sleep, but animals and what I am doing now must be strange in their eyes.
"Was the cushion dirty Mr, White?" she asked.
She must be acting like she doesn't know any better.