Bab 36: Life has many twists and turns.
Safa may have said that Clara can't come with her to meet the queen, but that didn't mean she couldn't join them on the ride.
So while Safa was having her teatime with Charlotte, Clara was enjoying a conversation with Wolfgang as they waited outside the palace.
Denver was with them of course, but he was quite relaxed as he slept in Wolfgang's arms, despite how loud his favorite human was while chatting with Clara.
"Margret told me that when James was a child, he had a habit of sneaking out a lot." Clara said.
"Really? So he was quite the troublemaker." Wolfgang replied.
"I suppose...maybe that explains his friendship with that Joey guy? So far I had no idea that James was pretending to be someone else.
But As far as I know, it's not unusual for Wealthy people to wear a disguise and pretend to be poor when they travel or go to impoverish areas.
It's a good way to avoid being a target for thieves." Clara said.
"Hmm, you are correct." Wolfgang nodded.
"I really hope it's the same Joey...to be honest."
"The one from your neighborhood?"
"Yes, he was so kind and heroic...a troublemaker with a heart of gold." Clara said smiling.
Grinning, "Sounds to me like someone here liked a certain Joey." Wolfgang said making her giggle.
"I won't lie...i did like him a lot." She said.
"Was he your first love?" He asked.
Blushing, "Maybe he was...what about you, who's your first? Is it James?" Clara asked.
Blushing as well, "Actually...no." Wolfgang replied.
Clara gasped, "Tell me! Who is he! Is he More handsome than James?"
"Uh...he... well, I can't tell you who he was, but he was way older than me...and definitely handsome." Wolfgang replied.
"Was?"
"Yes...he died..."
"Oh... did he at least love you back?" Clara asked.
"He never knew I loved him...besides just like with what happened when you and I first met, I was very young when he and I became parts of each other's lives, he just saw me as just a boy rather than a man, and to be fair I was a teenager.
I used to wish I was older...maybe even a woman, perhaps then he would've noticed me...silly right?" Wolfgang said chuckling.
"No, it's not silly... it's sad actually, if only the circumstances were different, you would have been together." Clara replied.
Smiling, "One thing I struggle to understand is how different is the man I loved first, from the man I love now.
James is also older than me, with just few years this time but he acts like a complete child most of the time.
My first love was older, wiser and much more mature, he was also a very honest man who wore his heart on his sleeves." Wolfgang said.
Clara laughed, "Haha! That's like the opposite of James!'
"I don't understand why I fell for James, maybe because I matured rather quickly, I find myself attracted to a manchild now, a really adorable manchild."
"I wish you can marry this manchild...James needs someone like you by his side." Clara said making Wolfgang's cheeks flush at the idea of marriage.
"Do you think...there will be someday...when we can marry whomever we want without society being against it?" He asked.
"I really hope so...it would be nice to be able to Marry whomever just because you love them, and as long as they're not a literal child." She replied earning a chuckle.
"Seriously, how is it okay to marry off a child, but two men can't even hold hand." Wolfgang said.
"I wish I can explain that sort of logic...if there's logic in that."
"Right, there isn't."
Suddenly, "You know, maybe we should go see James after this.
He should be home, it would be like a little surprise for him?" Wolfgang suggested.
"Yes! Maybe I'll get to see This Joey guy too!" Clara replied excitedly.
"Then I'll let Safa know, she would probably also be interested in meeting with her newest addition."
"Coming to think if it, why did she agree to hiring Joey? Safa usually doesn't give in to James's demands that easily." Clara questioned.
"Maybe she softened when James begged her, She said this Joey means something to James." Wolfgang replied, "James did say he doesn't have many mates, I bet this Joey is a really close friend of his..." He added.
"But I wondered, why did james never tell me about Joey?"
"Well, you are a maid Clara...you may have been friendly with James from the start, but everything has limits, James won't be telling you everything about himself.
I don't expect Safa to tell me everything."
"Really? But you guys are almost like a brother and sister." Clara said.
"Yes, but she is also my employer, and while she doesn't like that I put barriers between us due to our relationship as Master and servant, she understands it's for her own good." Wolfgang explained.
"But Wolfgang, you don't have a reason to do that, I mean...Safa doesn't care for her reputation, It's just you two in the house and she doesn't plan to Mary.
You don't have to do this to your relationship?"
"I do actually, just in case one day things changed...things never stay the same forever Clara."
Sighing, "I suppose you're right... although if there's one thing I wish it would last the same forever, is our friendship.
This party of four, You, me, Safa and James, I want it to last forever." Clara replied.
"Me too...although as unrealistic it may be." Wolfgang said, "Life is so unfair sometimes..." Clara replied.
...Meanwhile...
"Your majesty."
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you a question? It is not Really something I usually find myself asking or even caring about, but I just wish to know your opinion." Safa said.
Raising an eyebrow, "Now I'm curious, go ahead." Charlotte replied.
"Your marriage was arranged."
"Yes, it was."
"But you eventually fell in love with your husband."
"Yes, I did."
Sighing, "Forgive me, but do you believe that love is best when it comes before marriage or if it follows after marriage?" Safa asked.
"Love Isn't some magic spell, Love is a choice you make, dear Safa." Charlotte replied, "But My parents, they fell in love before they married...how can that be a choice?" Safa asked.
"But they chose to cling to that love, did they not?"
"They did..."
"Even if you love before marrying, you still have to fight like hell afterwards to keep that love alive." Charlotte said with a smile.
"I see..."
"But why did you ask such a thing?" Charlotte wondered.
"It is just that I have a friend, they seem to be looking for love in order to marry...to be honest they are under strong obligation to find someone of equal background to marry soon, but luckily for them they are given a certain amount of freedom in their choice.
A freedom that would allows for a love match to flourish." Safa explained.
"Let me guess, this friend of yours despite their desperation to find a spouse, they still wish to find love before marrying?" Charlotte asked.
"You can say that...the problem is...I am afraid they might be falling in love with someone outside the lines of what is allowed for them.
It is just a tiny possiblity, a speculation really but just in case it is true, what would you advise them to do?" Safa questioned.
"Hmm, well in my opinion you should advice your friend not to Chase what is not for chase.
It is for the best if your friend focused on finding a suitable match, then learn to love them, instead of following Their heart where it might lead them to a really dark place.
Love matches are rare, and most of them sour with time because just like I said, you need to keep fighting for that love.
But often those in love matches, think their love would last on its own, until it doesn't and each one of them begins resenting the other and their marriage falls apart eventually." Charlotte replied.
"So you think my friend should engage in an arranged marriage."
"I think yes, assuming that your friend might be someone of prestigious background, they should worry less about finding love and more about strengthening their family's name and power."
Smiling softly, "Thank you for your answer, your majesty, I will be sure to tell my Friend about your advice." Safa replied.
...Sometime later...
As their rather large and spacious Luxurious carriage came to a stop at James's residence, "On second thoughts...do you think it's really a good idea to just barge in on him uninvited?" Clara asked.
Frowning, "Why would it matter, I still deserve to see this new man that would be taking from my money." Safa replied.
"WOOF!"
"I think Denver is excited to be here, it's going to be his first time in James's house." Wolfgang said chuckling at his puppy.
"Enough chattering, help me out of here already." Safa said, she was annoyed just by the fact that she was still sitting in her chair while inside the carriage.
"As you wish my lady, Clara hold Denver please!" Wolfgang replied handing the dog over to Clara while he descended from the carriage, and pulled Safa's chair towards him, he picked her up still sitting in her chair, and safely placed her on the ground outside.
"See that? Your Father is really strong." Clara whispered to the dog.
"Woof!"
"Hehe!" She giggled.
"Hey Clara, Are you coming down, or do you need me to pick you as well?" Wolfgang joked, "I wouldn't mind it." She replied.
Shaking his head, "Whatever, come here." He said and picked her as well with the dog in her arms.
Clara let out a loud laugh as Wolfgang carried her out of the carriage.
"Woof! Woof!"
"I think that's dog for 'do it again please!'." Clara joked, "We'll play some other time, for now let's get Safa inside, she seems really annoyed." Wolfgang replied.
Frowning, "I can literally hear you!" Safa said, "And yes! I am annoyed! I am about to meet the imbecile who costed James his money! And mine!" She added.
...Meanwhile...
"No we're not talking about this anymore, James."
"But Joey!"
"I can't do this I can't face her everyday while knowing the truth." Joey said adamantly.
"I am doing this to protect her!" James replied.
"Listen to me, she deserves to know the truth." Joey said, "It's not up to you to decide that." James replied.
"It's not your decision either?!"
"I had to, I still have to, I can't tell Clara and I will never do."
"Then I'm outta here!" Joey said and headed outside the study room.
"Joey, wait!" James followed him.
"Don't worry, I'll never tell her myself because it's not my business to tell, but I can't work here while keeping a secret." Joey said and continued on his way.
James still followed him, "Joey please, I need you by my side, I can't protect her on my own anymore."
"I'm sorry but I can't help you."
"You loved her, didn't you?"
"I did, but I have Mary now."
"Joey, do you have any idea how much money I lost because of you?!" James nearly shouted, stopping Joey in his tracks.
"Are you threatening me?" Joey asked.
"No, I'm just stating the facts, you owe me more than I owe you, but so far I have pretended it was the opposite because of my gratitude towards you."
Furious, "James, you're truly insane! You know what! You don't deserve to be making decisions for someone else.
I will remind you one last time, Clara deserve to know she's a Teaton too." Joey replied.
"I'm...what?" A voice came behind them.
James's eyes widen as he saw Clara standing nearby.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
QW_JiHi
QW_JiHi Fun fact: A carriage is sometimes called a team, as in "horse and team". A carriage with its horse is a rig. An elegant horse-drawn carriage with its retinue of servants is an equipage. A carriage together with the horses, harness and attendants is a turnout or setout.
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