Chapter 17:
Lucina
I enter the villa.
The three men greet me with improved bows. A subtle but noticeable improvement from their previous attempts. The Monday etiquette lessons have started to pay off—even if just a little.
Maverick gives a slight bow, then busies himself searching for food stocks and other supplies. He leaves me alone with the boys.
I make my way to a luxurious, comfortable sofa. I sink into the soft cushions with a contented sigh.
I observe the boys. They look visibly healthier now. Still thin and fragile-looking, but a hint of vitality glows where there was none before.
I'm glad to see the improvement, no matter how small.
Valendor approaches with a plate of funny-looking pastries in his arms. Pride glimmers in his eyes.
"You made these?" I try to hide my amusement at the peculiar shapes and colors.
"He did." Nikolai answers, looking rather dashing. Silver-rimmed glasses. A white linen shirt. Black slacks. His purple hair is styled in a loose bun—sophisticated yet casual.
"He spent all night on them. We were unfortunate test subjects too."
He adds a soft kiss to the inner palm of my arm.
I raise an eyebrow at his boldness. But a twinkle of mischief lights his eyes. I can't help but find it endearing.
A cough interrupts us.
I turn. Haroun stands there, looking slightly uncomfortable. Annoyance flickers in Nikolai's eyes as he releases me.
I chuckle inwardly at the subtle display of jealousy.
Vale looks downcast. His long blonde hair is styled in traditional elven fashion—intricate braids framing his face. Green robes complement his striking green eyes perfectly.
I sense his disappointment.
I reach out and hold his face gently.
"It's okay, Vale. I'm sure with more practice, you'll get better." I offer a reassuring smile. "It was just a little too sweet, okay?"
He nods sullenly and takes his pastries to the kitchen area.
I distribute the books I acquired from the royal library.
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. They tell me about their respective classes and training.
Maverick brings lunch. We gather around the table to eat.
The food is delicious. I lose myself in conversation and laughter with the boys.
Time flies.
Before I know it, I need to leave. Time to head back to the palace.
*
The carriage glides smoothly back toward the palace.
I reflect on the day's events with a soft chuckle.
Each of the boys has their own unique personality. I compare them to animals.
Haroun — Reserved. Occasionally clingy. Reminds me of a cat. Cautious and observant, always taking in his surroundings before making a move. A quiet charm draws me to his thoughtful nature.
Valendor — A puppy. Eager and enthusiastic. 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.
Nikolai — A fox. Sly wit. Flirtatious charm. Clever and quick-witted, always ready with a playful quip or a teasing smile. An air of mischief keeps things interesting. I can't deny the thrill of his unpredictable nature.
I 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.
Stacy assists me in the bath. Curiosity colors her voice.
"Your Highness, if I may be intrusive... you were gone the whole day. What did you do?"
I chuckle. I hesitate to reveal too much.
"Oh, just playing with a cat, a puppy, and a fox."
A mischievous glint lights my eye.
Stacy's eyebrows rise in surprise. "A cat, a puppy, and a fox?"
I nod. A smile tugs at the corners of my lips.
"Yes."
Stacy's expression shifts—clearly confused. She nods in acknowledgment.
"I see, Your Highness."
*
Over the next couple of weeks, my days blur into a routine.
Lessons. Meetings. 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 in a whirlwind.
Amidst all the chaos, the only bright spots are the weekends.
Time with Haroun, Valendor, and Nikolai.
Those precious moments of camaraderie and laughter are like a breath of fresh air. We gather in the villa, sharing stories of the week's adventures and mishaps. Laughing at Haroun's continued struggles with etiquette. Marveling at Valendor's progress in the kitchen. Teasing Nikolai about his flirtatious antics.
Despite the weight of my responsibilities, those weekends become my sanctuary.
My other source of solace: my communication with Kai.
We exchange messages through enchanted scrolls—a luxury reserved for the wealthy, custom-made by mages.
The process involves infusing the scroll with our mana and drawing blood from our palms to activate it. Once the mage cuts the scroll in half, each recipient receives one piece, allowing us to communicate across distances.
I spend hours pouring my thoughts onto the scroll. Comfort flows through our conversations.
It's like reconnecting with an old friend. Our exchanges soon become a familiar routine—just like with my Kai from Earth.
One evening, I indulge in some fruit.
The scroll beside me shimmers with a dim light. A new message from Kai.
I read his words with a smile. His playful tone carries through the written words.
"Should Your Highness be eating so much, how will you fit into your gown tomorrow?"
I chuckle and set down the fruit.
"You are supposed to find me a designer, Kai. I can't keep up with these corsets. They are from hell, I tell you."
My words dance across the enchanted paper.
We continue our playful banter late into the night.