Prince's Butler
“You dropped your spoon,” the stranger says as he grabs it. “I’ll go get another,” and the stranger goes to fetch another.
When he gets back, Gianni is clinging to life because of his hunger. He is barely managing his posture. Quickly, the stranger gives the spoon to him. But as soon as it reaches the latter’s trembling hand, it falls to his bed sheets.
“I can’t hold a spoon,” Gianni is despairingly disheartened.
Moments of silence fills the air until the stranger’s warm hand holds Gianni’s chin open.
“Open your mouth,” the stranger says as he feeds him with a spoonful off bouillabaisse.
Surprised, Gianni feels the luxury of comfort once more. The stranger’s hand is so warm and comforting. He could not help but feel shy and embarrassed.
“I’m sorry,” Gianni silently says. “I’ve caused you too much burden.”
“It’s no problem,” the stranger wildly smiled. His smile makes Gianni’s heart throb faster than a fleeting flame.
“You should regain back your strength,” the stranger continues feeding Gianni, “so that you can repay your debt with your life.”
“With my life?” Gianni gulps and coughs. The revelation completely surprises him. “What do you mean?”
“Your family disowned you. You have nowhere to go. You do not have any money on you nor any possessions to repay that service that I have done for you,” the stranger explains. “Thus, you shall pay back by serving as a butler."
Gianni suddenly becomes the butler to the prince, who develops an interest towards the latter. How will their relationship blossom and unfold in spite of the challenges and rivals that rock their world?
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Chapter: Song of the MoonlightHidden at the base of the left magnolia tree is a wooden chest covered in dirt and dust. Julien blows on the surface, revealing a gold-plated iron chest. He snatches a key from his necklace and opens the compartment. A flute and a harp—utterly clean and new—were inside."These belonged to my grandfather and my grandmother," Julien retrieves them both from the small compartment. "The harp is one of the symbols of our family. My grandfather carved this himself from the trunk of a giant tree that grew at the heart of the Capital. With the instrument, he used to gallivant as a prince, singing songs love and fervor in his youth. Oftentimes he would get in trouble with the king and the royal staff.""He sounds like a free soul," Gianni walks toward him. He touches the smooth surface of the harp's arch. "This is well-carved.""My grandfather became the Bard Prince, later the Bard King. It was during his rule in Gallia that the arts and sciences flourished.
Last Updated: 2022-08-24
Chapter: Yellow BudsThe coalition army continues its march southward after taking back Posseth in a day. Their successive victories—due to the queen's marvelous employment of tactics—kept morale sky high. The army knew the terrain well, which kept their fatigue to a minimum. The enemy's incompetence in the environment was the centerpiece of the queen's strategies. From flood sections of the city by blocking entire rivers to setting up multiple ambush parties in unexpected groves, the Essenians stationed in Posseth threw their weapons within a day."We should be at Grandiflora by morning tomorrow even if we stop here," Prince Julien traces the road from Posseth to Grandiflora on a map he held. His horse whinnies as he subtly tugs on the reins. "Another day and we'll reach Magnolia.""Two days and all this farce will be over," the queen grabs a fan—one of her servants was using to cool her—and violently blows it on her face. "Let's make sure we grab the enemy commander alive, so that we can sue for peace,
Last Updated: 2022-08-21
Chapter: All I Ask"Are you sure this is the place? The prince's banner is not in sight," Gianni looks over the rows and columns of tents that fluttered, not the markings of Prince Julien. "Golden carnations—the queen.""Indeed," Leon remarks, "the queen has joined the battle. Now we are unstoppable.""Stay here, I must report to the queen." Gabriel says, riding off before Gianni can react and say a word."Report to the queen?" turbulent questions turn his mind to turmoil. "Since when has he served in the army?""He's a butler like you, correct?" Leon replies before giving a look of suspicion. He rides following Gabriel.Gianni dismounts, tying the horse to the branch of a thin birch tree that appears to have had its share of the war. The cuts and slashes of weapons on its bark and trunk are a memory of its part in the war. Gianni sits down on its base, leaning against the slash-glazed body.Meanwhile, Leon follows Gabriel to the queen's tent. The two bow down before her presence. She sat on a birch cha
Last Updated: 2022-08-13
Chapter: Think of Me"Loose," an archer captain lets an arrow fly as dozens of other archers follow him. "Quivers, aim, loose."The high-walled city is built to keep invaders out, and it is solidly fulfilling its purpose. The irony is that it keeps its liberators out while the invaders are in. The moss-filled slippery cobblestone walls prevent infantry from scaling the city using ladders. Garrison tactics from the invaders on the ramparts are also making life difficult for the prince's forces.The arrows that they let loose bounce against the walls, with a little or none reaching the top—some are missing their targets entirely and a few finding their flesh marks. The fight has been disadvantageous to Prince Julien's forces so far—the forests around Calcister made for great ambush sites, which they well received, the narrow forest roads make it difficult for their large numbers to pass through quickly, delaying their entire plan, and the difficulty of taking back Calcister from the enemy.The Essenians the
Last Updated: 2022-08-08
Chapter: Menace from the EastPrince Julien orders the drums and horns of war be sounded. He gestures his right hand, and the entire army forms an array. Before them the Essenian army forms an array of their own. The blue banner of Essenia covers the entire horizon. Nothing could be heard from the barren plain where they face off, except for the silent howling of the wind. Although not so silent, that the deaf could hear it tremble. The banners flutter overhead the shining steel and iron. The sky gazes down the two forces as they meet face-to-face. “Must you do this, Your Highness?” Gianni runs towards the prince carrying a pack of bandage and herbs. “There must be another way to settle this. Our forces are much larger, and we can defeat them without putting yourself in too much danger.” Julien can see the worry in Gianni’s eyes. He places his gauntlet-covered left hand over Gianni’s head calming the subtle trembling of the latter. He takes a deep breath, tapping Gianni’s shoulder.
Last Updated: 2022-03-07
Chapter: A Touch of Relief and GoodbyeA town called Isqu marks the border between Basille and Macreigh. Beyond the river lands of the Basille Domain, a meadow called Metouche Pas, as it is known to the locals, marks the entrance of Macreigh from the north. The narrow road that cuts into the verdant emerald grass snakes left and right. The prince strictly orders the soldiers to go through the road, not touching the vegetation. The army snakes around the wide meadow. The iron and steel armors of the soldiers contrast the sea of green. Gianni and Prince Julien who are at the rear of the van, sees the army move like a snake. The spears and poles, where the banners hang, appear as spikes of the great silver creature. The differences of the soldier’s heights also affected the overall appearance. “Why did you order the army to use the road, Your Highness?” Gianni asks. “If we cut through, the army would save time and travel faster.” “That’s because, this is Metouche Pas,” Julien replies shifting his gaz
Last Updated: 2022-03-02
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