Entering the villa, I'm greeted by the three men with improved bows, a subtle but noticeable improvement from their previous attempts. It seems the etiquette lessons on Monday have started to pay off, even if just a little.
Maverick busies himself with searching for finished food stocks and other supplies, leaving me alone with the boys after giving a slight bow. I make my way to a luxurious and comfortable sofa, sinking into the soft cushions with a content sigh.
Observing the boys, I notice they look visibly healthier now. Though still thin and fragile-looking, there's a hint of vitality that wasn't there before. I'm glad to see the improvement, no matter how small.
Valendor approaches with a plate of funny-looking pastries in his arms, a hint of pride in his eyes. "You made these?" I ask, trying to hide my amusement at the peculiar shapes and colors.
"He did," Nikolai answers, looking rather dashing with silver-rimmed glasses, a white linen shirt, and black slacks. His purple hair is styled in a loose bun, giving him a sophisticated yet casual look. "He spent all night on them. We were unfortunate test subjects too," he adds with a soft kiss on the inner palm of my arm. I raise an eyebrow at his boldness, but there's a twinkle of mischief in his eyes that I can't help but find endearing.
Before I can react, a cough interrupts us, and I turn to see Haroun standing there, looking slightly uncomfortable. There's a flicker of annoyance in Nikolai's eyes as he releases me, and I can't help but chuckle inwardly at the subtle display of jealousy.
Vale, on the other hand, looks downcast as he stands there with his long blonde hair styled in a traditional elven fashion, a mixture of intricate braids framing his face. He's dressed in green robes that complement his striking green eyes perfectly.
Sensing his disappointment, I reach out and hold his face gently. "It's okay, Vale. I'm sure with more practice, you'll get better. It was just a little too sweet, okay?" I offer him a reassuring smile, and he nods sullenly before taking his pastries to the kitchen area.
I then distribute the books I acquired from the royal library yesterday, and the boys express their gratitude. We delve into conversation, awkward at first but thanks to Nikolai's efforts, it soon flows smoothly. We laugh at Haroun's struggles with etiquette lessons, and they tell me about their respective classes and training.
At some point, Maverick brings lunch, and we all gather around the table to eat. The food is delicious, and I find myself getting lost in conversation and laughter with the boys. Time seems to fly by, and before I know it, it's time for me to leave and head back to the palace.
As the carriage glides smoothly back towards the palace, I find myself reflecting on the day's events with a soft chuckle. Each of the boys has their own unique personality, and I can't help but compare them to animals.
Haroun, with his reserved nature and occasional moments of clinginess, reminds me of a cat. He's cautious and observant, always taking in his surroundings before making a move. Yet, there's a certain charm to his quiet demeanor, and I find myself drawn to his thoughtful nature.
Valendor, on the other hand, is like a puppy, eager and enthusiastic. He approaches everything with boundless energy and a sense of innocence that is endearing. His loyalty and eagerness to please are reminiscent of a faithful companion, always by your side no matter what.
Nikolai, with his sly wit and flirtatious charm, is akin to a fox. He's clever and quick-witted, always ready with a playful quip or a teasing smile. There's an air of mischief about him that keeps things interesting, and I can't deny the thrill of his unpredictable nature.
As I think about these comparisons, I can't help but laugh to myself. The thought of Haroun as a cat, Valendor as a puppy, and Nikolai as a fox is both amusing and strangely fitting.
*
As Stacy assists me in the bath, her voice carries a tone of curiosity as she asks, "Your highness, if I may be intrusive... you were gone the whole day. What did you do?"
I can't help but chuckle at her question, finding it amusing yet also hesitant to reveal too much. "Oh, just playing with a cat, a puppy, and a fox," I reply cryptically, a mischievous glint in my eye.
Stacy's eyebrows raise in surprise, clearly not expecting such an answer. "A cat, a puppy, and a fox?" she repeats, seeking clarification.
I nod, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Yes."
Stacy's expression shifts obviously confused , and she simply nods in acknowledgment. "I see, your highness," she replies, clearly intrigued.
*
Over the next couple of weeks, my days blur into a routine filled with lessons, meetings, and preparations for various events. Between managing my own affairs, attending to the Empress's plans for my upcoming birthday banquet, and keeping up with the demands of royal life, the weeks pass by in a whirlwind.
Amidst all the chaos, the only bright spots in my weeks are the weekends spent with Haroun, Valendor, and Nikolai. Those precious moments of camaraderie and laughter are like a breath of fresh air in the midst of my hectic schedule. We gather in the villa, sharing stories of our week's adventures and mishaps, laughing at Haroun's continued struggles with etiquette, marveling at Valendor's progress in his kitchen activities and teasing Nikolai about his flirtatious antics.
Despite the weight of my responsibilities, those weekends with the boys become my sanctuary.
My other source of solace comes in the form of my communication with Kai. We exchange messages through enchanted scrolls, a luxury reserved for the wealthy and custom-made by mages. The process involves infusing the scroll with our mana and drawing blood from our palms to activate it. Once the scroll is cut in half by the mage, each recipient receives one piece, allowing us to communicate across distances.
I find myself spending hours pouring my thoughts onto the scroll, finding comfort in our conversations. It's like reconnecting with an old friend, and our exchanges soon become a familiar routine, just like it was with my Kai from Earth.
One evening, as I indulge in some fruit, the scroll beside me shimmers with a dim light, indicating a new message from Kai. I read his words with a smile, feeling his playful tone even through the written words.
"Should your highness be eating so much, how will you fit into your gown tomorrow," the message reads, teasingly.
I chuckle to myself and set down the fruit, ready to engage in our banter.
"You are supposed to find me a designer, Kai. I can't keep up with these corsets; they are from hell, I tell you," I reply, my words dancing across the enchanted paper.
We continue our playful banter late into the night.