章 16: Season 1; Do Not Take An Oath "Lightly" For I Shan't Accept It.
"Greetings to Madam Estella. I am Henry Ducas sent by Sir Kanon Jules, as ordered by the Emperor. I am to work here for the rest of my life and will give my utmost loyalty towards his highness."
"I presume you brought some company behind you?" Estella.
Henry nodded, "Yes, Madam Estella. Fifteen capable female servants and seven capable men. Behind them, twenty guards along with ten chivalry knights. Who are, at the moment, protecting the valuable carriages that hold the gift requested by his highness, Prince Lawrence. Furthermore, there are four carriages on their way to his highness's St. Apple Villa with the precious books and escorts. With them, sixteen royal guards."
Estella looked at the mansion behind. She smiled, "Well then. Would you be able to start working?"
Henry smiled, "Yes, of course, Madam Estella. We wouldn't be happier to serve his highness to our fullest."
Estella was glad to see new faces and figures to handle many tasks she had to do in the past months. As soon as the servants came in, they all bowed and greeted Estella accordingly to her status. She was both a housekeeper and a butler. Not only that but also she had a noble standing before becoming a nanny.
Now that the Emperor regarded Lawrence and showed his utmost sincerity, Estella has now a higher ranking even before becoming an arch countess. Everyone knew of her standing and would not make any mistake of becoming her enemy. After all, she was a well-respected esteemed countess and one of the influential ruling socialites. Estella was also a clever woman.
Everyone was already being ordered around and assigned to places and positions in the house. The Villa was becoming busier throughout the day, and Henry, the head of the new set of servants, had already thought of things that would be beneficial for the Villa and would be appropriate for a place a prince could stay.
Henry approached Estella, who was also helping out cleaning using her Inheritance, and asked if he could speak his mind.
"You may," Estella gave a smile.
Henry nodded and proceeded to suggest, "We will need about seven gardeners and workers to work on many corners of the Villa and some pavements that need further enhancing. To give the place a more soothing atmosphere and appealing environment, we would also need to buy a few furniture sets and other materials like a light crystal. As for the kitchen, Madam, the Cook requested new renovations and appliances, materials for his cooking. It is also advisable to ask for more guards to check the forest within the St. Apple Villa and its gatekeeper. We would also need horses and carriages-" he stopped. "Forgive me, Madam."
Estella laughed gently, "Worry not," she assured. "You are right. I've already known that many missing positions and hands would need in the Villa, but I had never given much thought to it. But You can do as you please. While you're at it, do make sure to make a list of things you've added. I will personally invest."
The worry from Henry's face dispersed as he exploits the most eager expression of the century at Estella, "I will do my utmost best to satisfy, Madam Estella!" he eagerly remarked, as if Henry already thought of it, he had already prepared a pen and papers on a clipboard for the things needed.
Estella smiled, 'I can see why Kanon appointed him to his highness,' she thought. From the entrance door to the end of the two-story foyer, everything has been cleaned and shining. The candle chandelier on top was brilliant, making Estella relief for the Villa regaining its beauty.
"Mum?" There he was in his sleeping garments, on the end edge of the staircase, a boy with an expression of overwhelm and trouble, Lawrence.
"Lawrence?" Estella called out, flustered. She immediately withdrew her Inheritance and left towards Lawrence. "You're awake!" she was glad.
All the servants stopped all their work to face Lawrence. Everyone went to position and kneeled to the Prince. They spoke in sync, "We greet his royal highness with our utmost sincerity!"
Lawrence was startled by the concentrated declaration and felt the need to step back from all the attention diverted towards him. "Mum," he turned his focus towards Estella. "What's happening?"
"It looks like you're quite famous, your highness." Estella giggled.
"We will follow your highness for the rest of our lives and give his highness our sincerest loyalty." Henry, and two other servants, placed their heads on the floor as they vocalize their oath.
Lawrence saw their sincerity but couldn't help but feel bitter. "Rise," he spoke, but this time, everyone felt, no..., everyone saw..., a reflection of a man behind Lawrence, so different yet familiar. Lawrence's voice, no. FitzChivalry's voice echoed all over the mansion, each corner of the corridors, and each room.
Lawrence opened his mouth to speak but couldn't utter any words. Then, he opened it once more, "Your oaths are meaningless." his voice was cold, rough, but lonely. He stared down before the staircase, "Prove to me with your actions, not by words. Until then, I will not accept your oaths." then the image behind him disappeared.
He was angry to see people, humans, just like him, give up their loyalty because of the position he had. It gave him a pang on his chest that fueled his anger. Lawrence neither knew them nor spent time with them. He couldn't understand why they were willing to give their worthless declaration of devotion when they haven't even known him.
He wanted nothing that involved empty words. After all, he lived a life without breaking his principles. And after the mistake he had, he created another. "Do not devote yourself to someone carelessly, emptily. Know them, see all their flaws, accept them, help them, grow with them, and until then, will you ever be allowed to devote yourself. But don't forever show your loyalty to someone worthy. No. You cannot blindly follow someone who, at first, as bright as the sun, but now, dark as a night without the moon. But no. Do not give up on them. Wait, and maybe, just maybe. The moon may glow in the night, and hope rises." this time, his emotions conveyed to everyone in the place. It was scornful but wise. Beautiful as a poem, but painful as rose with its thorns.
Everyone viewed Lawrence as not a kid but a leader betrayed by his most loyal friend. They saw Lawrence as Julius Bedwyr FitzChivalry. But none of them knew who he was and how he was able to emit such presence. All they had now towards Lawrence was admiration and devotion, this time, more genuine, most faithful.
"All hail Prince Sage!" a servant cheered behind the crowd. Then the cheering intensified.
Henry was surprised and felt an overwhelming admiration towards Lawrence, "Must I say? What I see in front of me is not a child, not a prodigy, but a genius." his eyes glowed. He sighed and looked down, almost tearful. Henry thought of Kanon and mumbled beneath his breath, "Old man..., your eyes have failed you. This child is more than what you thought he was. He is more than the Emperor's son..., he is a child of Viola. What you were afraid of has come true. He isn't just a prodigy but might be one of the geniuses of the whole Aqes." he shifted his gaze towards Lawrence and smiled, smiled like there was no tomorrow.
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