He doesn't know what was going on with him. He sat down silently, feeling frustrated. He wondered how a person he just met could shake him this much. This feeling feels foreign to him, so he didn't know how to react. Then he started working normally like he usually was like nothing happened. Suddenly, the door swung open and Sir Calisto walked in.
"How could you just leave like that? It's rude." Sir Calisto was angry with him. However, he just ignored him.
"Lex! Do you hear what I said? It's rude."
Sir Calisto stood in front of his table and snatched his paper away from him so he couldn't ignore him anymore.
"What does it matter how I acted? I don't even know her." He said as he looked straight at Sir Calisto, feeling annoyed.
"She is my friend. You have to respect her," Sir Calisto said.
"She's not my friend," he said while continuing to look at other papers on his desk.
"She's nice, confident, kind and she makes you feel happy just by being with her." Sir Calisto said as he knew how a great person she is.
"You're coming with me tomorrow. I don't want to hear any response from you," he continued as he felt like he had to show him what he saw and felt.
Then Sir Calisto just walked out the door and left him all alone. Even without Sir Calisto said that he doesn't want to hear any response from him, he knew he doesn't have any reason to reject as he also wanted to meet her again.
I woke up with the sun this morning. I changed out of my nightgown and rushed to the kitchen. Just like I planned before, I'm going to make my three sweet potato desserts, sweet potato doughnut, sweet potato ball, and sweet potato burger. I fit all my desserts inside two picnic baskets as I thought one wouldn't be enough. As I finished preparing everything, I went to my room to get myself ready.
While I was getting ready, Laura knocked on the door, asking permission to enter.
"Laura? You're late today."
She was usually on time to wake me up, but today she came a bit late.
"I came to wake you up before, but I thought you were still sleeping as you didn't reply when I knocked on the door."
She said as she continued observing me.
"Are you going out today, my lady?" She continued, curiously.
"Sorry, Laura. I forgot to tell you. I'm going to the town today. I'll be back as usual."
I'm getting myself ready, though it was hard to tie my hair by myself. As throughout my whole life, my hair was always shoulder-length, so I didn't bother to do anything with it.
"Laura, could you help me?"
I asked her while waiting for her in front of the mirror.
"Yes, my lady." She walked towards me and started braiding my hair.
"My lady, you're the eldest daughter of the Duke, you should take care of yourself. If I am not being rude, may I ask why do you always visit the town?"
She continued as she thought that I'm not being the usual me. If I was the one before, I would never have thought of stepping out of the household or even my own room.
"Thank you, Laura. I will be careful. Laura, you were like a big sister to me, so I trusted you with everything. So promise me you won't tell anyone about this," I said with a smile, feeling loved.
"This is only the beginning."
I continued in a soft voice. It's not that I am not confident of what I am doing, but I am afraid that my dreams will burn away before they could light up.
"I always supported you, my lady. I am happy you change, but sometimes I am scared too. I am scared and worried about what might happen to you. All this time you went out, all I could do was praying you will be alright. But what if something happens? I didn't know what I should do or what I should tell the Duke?"
She said in a solemn voice. She's worried for me as she believes that she couldn't do anything for me but simply waiting for me to come home.
"Laura, don't be sad. I promise I will take care of myself. I will tell you everything from now on. Okay? Now give me a smile."
I turn around and hold her hand. I tried to comfort her, as I know I am on the wrong side.
Then she gave me a light smile to lighten up the mood.
"Look how beautiful you are Laura. There's no one who is twenty-eight years old as beautiful as you. When are you planning on getting married, Laura?"
"Stop joking around, my lady. I've never thought about getting married. I am already happy as I am," she said, feeling embarrassed.
"Poor Jason, for how long do you plan to keep him waiting for you?"
I teased her a bit. I heard this gossip from the kitchen staff that Jason, who was the son of a farmer just outskirts of town, who handles delivery to the Duke's household, adored Laura. They were once small farmers that were supported by my family. He was captivated the first time he saw Laura. Since that day, he would personally send the goods himself, and every time he came, he always presented Laura with one rose, which meant love at first sight. He never stopped pursuing Laura until this day.
"W..who told you that? My lady, it's not good to listen to such gossip."
She seemed flustered. I could see that she liked him too.
"Laura, you should act fast. I heard someone likes him too." I tease her a bit.
"My lady~." She tried to stop me.
"I'll be alright Laura. Be happy."
I know why she rejected him. If she married him, she would have to quit being my maid.
"…," she stood there quietly with no response.
"Whatever you choose, I'm happy for you. Laura, I'm fine now." I said as I tried to reassure her.
"My lady how could I leave you alone in this cold place?" Her voice trembled and her eyes glistened with tears.
"Don't cry, Laura. I'm not alone now. I have my father, Chef Thalia, and the kitchen staff," I said.
I know if she was not here, I would feel really sad, but how could I control her life like that. She already gave hers' before, now it's time for me to make a change.
"If something happens I will just run away, ok?" I said, half-jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.
"No! Consult your father if anything happens, ok?" She demanded.
"So now, it means you accepted Jason's proposal right?" I asked with a big smile on my face.
She didn't say anything, but her face turned bright red.
"So my lady, back to what I'm asking before, what are you planning to do?" She said as she turned me around facing the mirror and continued doing my hair.
"I'm going to teach the children how to read, just like you taught me," I told her and sneaked a look to see her response.
"My lady, you know that many wouldn't agree with your action right. But for me, I am proud of you, my lady."
She gave me a smile of approval.
"My lady, I know you just started to get along with the Duke, but I feel like this is a perfect opportunity for you. The Duke will be very proud of you and I believe that he has the right to know. He is your father, he will be very devastated if anything happens to you," she said.
"Ok Laura, I will think about it." I know she's right, so I couldn't deny her request.
Now I am all set and ready to go. I picked up both of the baskets and walked my way to the town. Anyone who saw me would think that I am a seller.
As I was walking down the road, a carriage suddenly stopped in front of me. I walked as fast as possible because I am afraid of what would happen. There's no one else walking around this area but for me. Then I saw Sir Calisto came out of the carriage. He looks handsome and beautiful as always, even when wearing a casual commoner's clothes. I felt relieved that it was only him.
"Deanna, let me help you." He rushed towards me to help carry my baskets.
"It's fine, Calisto," I said.
"Why didn't you ride a carriage, Deanna?"
He asked as we walked towards the carriage.
"Actually… I didn't tell anyone besides my maid that I'm going to the town," I said, somehow feeling guilty.
"You shouldn't do that Deanna. What if something happened?"
I could see he was worried. It's not even afternoon yet I've already made two people worried about me. I felt guilty.
"I'm sorry. It's only about 15 minutes, so I thought that nothing would happen.
Then as I stood in front of the door, I saw a man inside. I turned my head towards Sir Calisto, feeling betrayed. He already promised me he would not tell anyone, but now there was someone here beside him.
"I'm sorry Deanna."
He apologized as he extended his hand to help me.
The man inside the carriage didn't even turn his head to greet me or even look at me. He just stared outside the window. His blue hair was flowing softly with the wind. I remembered that I met him yesterday. The sad looking man.
"You have the right to blame me. But I believe Lex could help us. Although he looks scary all the time, he has ways with children." Sir Calisto said as he felt guilty, but he knows he was right.
I didn't say anything as I was annoyed.
"Lex, introduce yourself," Sir Calisto elbowed Prince Lex gently.
Then the man turned his head towards me and looked straight at me with no expression whatsoever.
"Alexander Nyx Quirinus." Prince Lex said with a flat voice.
"Lex, introduce yourself properly." Sir Calisto looked at Prince Lex, feeling dissatisfied, but Prince Lex just ignored him. He knows Prince Lex since he was small. Both of them were in the same class and always fought to be the best. Though it was just in Sir Calisto's head as Prince Lex just did whatever he was supposed to do with no questions asked.
"Deanna, I'm sorry for his behaviour. As you heard his name, he is a Quirinus, he is one of the royalty. He is the first prince of Quirinus, but you can call him Lex." Sir Calisto introduced Prince Lex.
Prince Lex didn't argue or say anything. So was it okay for me to call him using his nickname?
"I am Deanna Remus, your highness. You can call me Deanna."
I smiled at him and bowed slightly, but he just turned his head away.
"What should we do first when we arrived there?" Sir Calisto asked as he knew I felt uncomfortable with Prince Lex.
"I have already informed them last time, so we should just go to the field behind the building. There's a big tree there, so we can eat the dessert that I bought. Then we can start teaching them how to read." I explained my plans for today.
"To know how to read is the most important thing because I believe without knowing how to read you will forever be lost. Then slowly we would teach them things that they desired to learn. Remember, it's not right to force them to join us. Whatever happens respect and support their decisions. Okay?" I reminded them. I believed we were trying to help them, not forcing them. I wanted to let them decide for themselves. Sooner or later, I would always support them, these unfortunate children.
Sir Calisto and Prince Lex were surprised by my statement. They never met someone like me before and they wondered if their life would be brighter if they met me sooner.
When someone does something they love, they become confident and not afraid of missteps. It's not that they are confident in the first place, but it's their love that makes them confident and dazzled. And that was the reason why both of them were captivated by her.
"Okay, Deanna." Sir Calisto smiled at me as bright as the sun.
We were almost at the entrance of the town. It was alright to enter using the carriage, but I wanted them to stop the carriage near the entrance.
"Calisto can we stop at the entrance. I feel like it will be dangerous for the people and especially children who were playing near the street." I said to Sir Calisto, feeling worried.
"Okay."
Then Sir Calisto informed the coachman.
The carriage stopped and it was a sign that we had arrived. Sir Calisto came out first, followed by Prince Lex. Sir Calisto extended his hand to help me.
"Calisto, I'm going to buy drinks for the children," I said to Sir Calisto.
Suddenly, Prince Lex who was behind me before walked beside me.
"Lex. You can call me Lex." Prince Lex said with the same intonation as before, but he looks somewhat shy.
After Prince Lex uttered the words, he hurriedly walked past me. He looks so cute. It doesn't matter if he finds me uncomfortable because one day we will become friends. I am sure of it.