The next day came by, the morning sun was shining through the window as Wolfgang pushed aside the curtains.
"It's lovely out there, should we go for a walk?" He asked Denver who was at his feet.
"WOOF!"
Wolfgang laughed at the exited puppy, "Hey James, do you wish to join us today?" He asked.
But instead of the response Wolfgang expected, "Damn it!" James said as he frown at particularly nothing, he was standing by the bed stretching his arms.
"What?" The manservant was confused.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't talking to you...it is just that I realized it's already thursday." James said.
"And?"
"I don't know if you do remember or not but Last Saturday which was few days ago, I mean when I proposed to Safa, she had actually came to see me and asked for help to make the perfect packaging to gift the Queen a sample of that face cream she makes." James explained.
"Oh yes I remember! In two days Safa should be visiting the Queen Again, so you're running out of time, that is if Safa does visit the Queen when she's actually in poor health." Wolfgang said.
"I doubt Safa would skip her meeting with her majesty, and since I'm the one with connections and knowledge over commerce, I need to leave now so I can do my part of the job." James replied fixing his attire.
Disappointed, "So you're leaving now?" Wolfgang asked.
"Yes that's what I just said."
"I see."
James smirked, "Oh...you're going to miss me! Aww!" He said as he walked over to Wolfgang, he tried to hug Wolfgang but the servant dodged him, "Eat shit and die James." Wolfgang replied.
"Wolf, I still don't understand how you say you love me but the moment I tease you, you insult me."
"Why? Should I laugh every time you make fun of me?"
"Why not, I like your laugh." James said with a wink.
"...." Wolfgang didn't respond, he just stood there blushing.
Suddenly, "Woof!" Denver barked at James, "What? You want a hug too?" James asked the puppy as he picked him.
James hugged the tiny animal close to his chest and said, "Anyhow, I'm off now...so I'm trusting you with Clara since I plan to leave her here with Safa so they can enjoy their time with the modiste.
Honestly, I wish you would join me, having you around might make my job a little less boring but I know you don't have the heart to leave the girls alone by themselves, since no other servants are present today."
"Actually, I wish I could come with you too but like you said... someone has to stay here with the girls." Wolfgang replied.
"Hey wolf."
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes...go ahead."
"What do you wish to do in life, if you had options and you weren't a servant, what would you do with your life?" James asked before he put Denver back on the ground.
Feeling shy, "Truth to be told...I wish to be a famous artist." Wolfgang replied making James look at him with surprise, "I didn't picture a man like you to be an Artist? What kind are you?" He asked
"I won't tell you." Wolfgang replied with a slight frown.
"Why?"
"Because I don't wish to embarrass myself in front of you."
James was confused, "Umm... alright, Does Safa know?"
"Yes...in a way... don't try to ask her, I'll kill you." Wolfgang threatened him.
"I don't understand, why can't you tell me wolf?"
"Simply because...it's embarrassing."
"It has something to do with the basement, doesn't it?"
"Perhaps."
"That was a hint, right?" James said.
"You gave me a hint on your secret, I gave you one on mine." Wolfgang replied.
"If only my secret was as seemingly harmless as yours, I would have traded secrets with you, I would tell you mine and you tell me yours...but I know yours will probably turn out to be something innocent, while mine is just...well...awful." James said.
"Why don't I believe you James."
"Believe what?"
"Your secret...I don't believe you do actually carry such a burden, you always seemed carefree, even now..." Wolfgang pointed out.
"I told you I'm a liar." James said.
"So are you lying now?"
"No, I was and still am serious, I do Carry such burden, and don't plan to share it with you."
"Why?" Wolfgang asked.
"Because you would feel obligated to expose me." James replied.
"Is it really that bad?"
"I promise It's not murde or crime in general, but it's still pretty awful to tell."
Confused, "Seriously...if it's not a crime, then why not tell that person and get it off your chest, don't you believe they deserve to know the truth?" Wolfgang asked.
"I do, they deserve the truth but I can't do it to them...that kind of truth could be earth shattering." James replied.
"Well if it's not crime, you can tell me whenever you're ready James...I don't think I have any reason to expose you if it's not a crime."
"You think?"
"Yes! I mean unless it's something related to Safa, I don't think I would be telling on you!"
"Safa has nothing to do with my secret."
"That's great to hear." Wolfgang said smiling.
"So if I decide to tell you someday, can you promise me you'll never utter a word about it without my permission, in exchange I won't pressure you ever again to tell me about your secret?" James asked.
Nodding, "You have my word!" Wolfgang replied.
"Thank you wolf."
"You're welcome James."
...Meanwhile...
Yawning, "I can't wait for the modiste to arrive!" Clara said happily as she rose from the bed, suddenly she gasped.
"Hmm?" Safa who was still laying in her bed asked, "Is everything alright Clara?"
"No I just realized the modiste must be close by already." Clara replied.
"How is that a bad thing?" Safa asked.
"Well you said you want to gift me a gown...I just realized how much money you would be spending on me." Clara said shyly.
"Darling worry not, I am fully committed to my promise, I do wish to gift you a fancy gown of your own, I believe you would look lovely in one." Safa replied.
"Thank you Safa, really...I just don't feel like I done anything to deserve such gift."
"I suggest you enjoy today the same as you did yesterday, Clara."
"I guess...well can I ask you something, but I hope you don't laugh at me?"
"Sure, go ahead." Safa said.
"I never been to a modiste before and definitely never had one come to me, what is she going to do when she's here?" Clara asked.
"Well, a dress is not made right away you should know that at least, it takes days." Safa replied.
Smiling nervously, "Yes...I know that much." Clara said.
"Good, so when she comes here, the modiste would start by showing us various sorts of fabrics and designs to choose from, she would ask few questions on our preferences and what we want to add to our dresses.
She would then take our measurements of course and once she confirms what we want, she would leave and start working on the gowns later in her shop." Safa explained.
"Oh I see...so I can ask for anything I like, like anything anything?" Clara asked.
Safa chuckled at her, "Anything you want darling, go wild with it." She said making Clara smile happily.
...Two hours later...
"I still can't believe you plan on going to the Queen in your condition." Wolfgang said.
"You are just angry that James had to go do his work and left you behind." Safa replied.
Flustered, "SAFA!" Wolfgang shouted.
Safa rolled her eyes at him while Clara giggled, the trio with Denver were sitting in the drawing room waiting for the modiste to arrive.
"Ugh, whatever!" Wolfgang got up and took the dog with him.
When he left, "You say I'm similar to James but it's you who's similar, you just love to tease people, especially poor Wolfgang." Clara said.
"He is just easy and fun to tease, especially since it is unexpected for a man like Wolfie who is built like bear, to be reacting the way he does." Safa replied.
"Yes... he's quite the emotional fella, he is never as cold as he seems." Clara said.
"You fancied him at one point, it must have been difficult since It was one-sided." Safa replied.
Nodding, "It was, but I've grown out of it..." Clara replied back with a smile.
"Did you... because I believe you still have something lingering in your heart." Safa said.
Clara shook her head with a no, "I don't, not anymore...I know it sounds unbelievable I mean I liked wolfgang very much, but the moment I realized he wasn't the one for me, I found myself able to overcome my feelings rather quickly.
Besides I was just 19 when I met him, I was a much younger and more naive of a girl than I am today."
"You are 21, that is still quite young too." Safa replied.
"But three years can change a person, sometimes a year alone can do that." Clara said chuckling once before Wolfgang came back into the room.
"The modiste is here." He said, "While you ladies have fun, I'll be in the garden playing with Denver." He added.
"Woof!" Denver barked, "Sounds like Denver likes the idea, haha!" Clara said laughing.
...Meanwhile...
The Queen was already seated in front of her chess board, enjoying another game of chess with Lady Danbury as her opponent.
"What a fine day we are having, are we not?" Lady Danbury said with a smile.
"Yes, yes, it is...so how are things with Safa? Any luck with her?" Charlotte asked as she grabbed a piece to move.
"Unfortunately, it is only bad luck so far, and I believe she might be onto you."
"Onto me? What do you mean?"
"The dog, she immediately realized it was a gift from you the moment she saw it, not to mention I might have rushed the matchmaking conversation with her to a point where she asked me to leave her estate.
So it is safe to say she has probably came to the conclusion that you are the one planning to marry her off." Agatha explained.
Angry, Charlotte put the piece she picked back where it belonged, "Agatha! How could you let this happen?!"
"If it is any consolation my queen, the girl agreed to take in the dog, I heard she named him Denver and he's gotten quite attached to her manservant, that young man Wolfgang."
Sighing, "You should have waited few days before talking to her about marriage, what made you so hasty in your actions?" Charlotte asked.
"Perhaps I misjudged her character, she seemed approachable and rather understanding when I first met her as she was conversing with your majesty...I thought she would at least listen to what I have to say even if she did not like it." Agatha replied.
"Well you should be more careful in the future." Charlotte said resuming the game of chest, as she picked the same piece of earlier to move forward, Agatha spoke-up again, she was much more nervous this time "Your majesty."
"What is it?"
"Well...i wasn't sure whether to tell you this, but it has came to my attention that Safa has been ordered by a doctor to use a wheelchair instead of her cane for the next few weeks."
Charlotte stopped focusing on game again, "What?!"
"I think it might have something to do with my visit...I may have pressured her to a point where her health deteriorated." Agatha said.
"Agatha?! I told you to marry the woman not kill her?!" Charlotte nearly shouted startling Brimsley behind her.
Embarrassed, "My apologies, your majesty." Agatha replied.