Welcome back, my invisible thoughts.
If we go on to continue the story from where we stopped the summary need to be quick. I have a lot to tell you.
Most importantly, I got mister bunny back.
After an exhausting speech, I was finally released.
From prisoner to guest, now I could finally wander freely. I was bathed by the maids in rot water and dressed in clean clothes. A white pyjama nightgown. Finally, in the place, I should have been from the beginning. Resting and enjoying my newest room as an honored guest.
On a soft cotton bed … red like everything around me.
My body is finally light, warm, and most importantly, finally clean!
Sincerely, think about it. A mere child spends all his fortune travelling for two years without any comfort in poor lands. Just to save the enemy country because he knows it is the right to do. Does He receive a medal? No. He is locked up like a criminal and interrogated before the king himself!
Well, at least I had my consultation with the king and his advisers in advance. Now that they are aware of my plans, it is only a matter of time before I have a place to call my own for the rest of my life.
But I can't be silly! If my plan works out I still have a few things to worry about!
Having been locked in the dungeon had only one positive point. I could hear many rumours and precious information from the guards and maids talking at my cell door.
It appears to me that the new princess has the constant company of her godparents, General Ronald, and made chief Moli. With their high offices and attachment to the princess, it is essential to assure my future that I receive their approval. The real heart of the matter is the Crown Prince, gaining the approval of a spoiled brat is a bigger challenge than it seems. How do I know? Because he can't be more spoiled than me.
It is very common for spoiled brats to have unbelievable rumours about them all over the castle. Like the one I could see in the future, do you remember?
Anyway, which child of my age has not yet decorated the ABC, but can jump over walls and deal with elite guards? Simply ridiculous!
Well, at least I don't have to worry about the princess herself. At least until she learns to speak and walk.
I observe my new room again from more near. Things are getting more and more blurred. It even looks like there are iron bars on the windows. Wait, those are real! Is this just a more comfortable cell?
I look at the walls and see many more unusual things.
There is no normally overblown gold decor or pictures.
The number of windows was my personal preference, but they didn't even give me a simple candlestick!
It's comfortable, that is for sure.
I think it's better to stop creating theories on my own and just enjoy it.
I'm starting to get paranoid. There have been four long years since I set myself on the road to such a big goal. Being so close to victory seems so strange.
Everything is according to the plan.
Too perfect to be true.
I focused so much on what I was doing… Learning bureaucracy and etiquette, has been taught by Rômulo 24 hours a day… I didn't stop to think about what I would do next.
Living the rest of my life in a castle being pampered and eating goodies? It doesn't look bad, but it would be very tedious. I need to keep myself entertained. Unfortunately, none of these castles would have enough books.
So, I think I have to make it my goal to get enough books on my own. It is exactly everything I need to do. A library, bigger than any other. My future residence.
The sound of knocking on my bedroom door destroys my fantasy.
— Please, enter as you may. — The rude tone I used was deserved by anyone who dared to destroy my rare happy moment.
— Sir, the council has not yet made its decision, I was instructed to inform you that there are no predictions when a consensus will be reached. —A slender maid with brown hair says while doing what I said. She invades my property at her pleasure.
Okay, this is what I have to do now, nothing. It is everything too perfect to be true, at least I'm still one… Wait, what did she call me?
— Please, “miss”, I have a high rank, and it bothers me to be called the only sir. I would be grateful if I changed the treatment pronoun you use with me. And one more thing. Why would I take a council made up of men so wise for so long to make a simple decision? — I didn't even get up from the bed to look into her eyes, I continued to look at the ceiling while I spoke.
I heard that it irritates the Castilians a lot.
But she doesn't seem to be bothered by it or the way I was addressing her. Her scarlet red dress didn't seem to bother her eyes either, although it irritated my eyes. Is it because I am a child?
— I'm afraid that the case of the “knight” has been rescheduled. The “knight” will have a lot of free time from now on, would you like me to show “your nobles” the surroundings? —Knight. It is a treatment of the slightest respect. I was demoted. There it is, never trust the plan too much. That must be why they gave me a red room and a barred window. I get up and look her in the eyes. She is quiet and composed.
— So that's what I was demoted to? A free man with a horse and some rights, a part of the low nobility?
— Was it a rhetorical question “knight”?— Is she kidding me? I swear I saw a smile form on her lips.
— Yes, it was. And what position would the audacious “miss” take?— I want to see her answering this. In the end, everyone regrets overestimating the cute child.
— I am the madame of the first heir Melinda to the chief servant, you can call me Moli. As for my post, well, I can say that currently, it is higher than that of the “Knight”. I came here not to inform you, but to start my work as it was given me your custody. Would you like to have some tea? — Now her posture had changed completely, a confident smile decorated her face while her straight posture and raised head intoned her current superiority. As if she were just waiting for this moment to show her true intentions.
“Moli” is one of my first goals from now on, gaining your confidence would be very beneficial for my plans. It won't hurt to try, will it?
— Thank you for the sincere answer “housekeeper chief Moli”, I would very much appreciate a walk around this magnificent castle, some tea, and cookies would also be good. I would be delighted to share this beautiful afternoon with Madame and the Crown Prince.
— Well then. I kindly ask you to get up, so I can dress you up, sir, in a few minutes the Crown Prince will be here. Luckily for me, he can already dress alone. —I'm going to pretend I didn't hear the last part.
I was offered two pairs of new clothes that fit my body perfectly. But honestly, they are both simple and a horrible screaming red which makes me feel like I have a white blouse like any villager's, but stained with fresh blood.
For this reason, I was satisfied by wearing my old, but freshly washed and repaired, blue and white Kreg set decorated with black and gold details.
A simple coat, a white scarf around the neck, navy-blue shorts, and a simple black pantyhose. Much better than the clothes I was offered.
— Now, do you feel presentable knight? — she said with the same polite and mocking tone simultaneously as soon as she finished dressing me.
—I could have done it alone —I complain in vain.
—I've heard that a lot today, but what are you ashamed of? You are a child. Do you know how many children I have dressed? — This woman is certainly enjoying playing with me.
— Are there good manners here, housekeeper? My room has no light source, I have to leave the door open to be able to read, at least I would like a little privacy. — I may have sounded a little rude, but she started it.
— Candlesticks in closed rooms would not do well for your delicate knightly lungs, moreover, the daylight is strong enough. Everything is for your own good. — Her smile looked like a wall, cold and calculated to be kind, with not a hint of hesitation.
— Going into the subject of strong light sources, I hope that this “tour” will be reduced to an exhibition of the ballrooms because I refuse to walk through a wall or simple square on this bright morning.
— We are aware of your allergies, for this reason, we ordered from France a device that can help you overcome this small limitation. — Overcome a limitation? It is the same as saying “find a way for him to stop enjoying his benefits” This woman is doing this on purpose and does not even try to hide her intentions!
— And what would it be?
— A parasol, originally from Eastern countries, is an ornate tool that protects the high class from tanning their skins. — Her tone of voice seemed as serious as that of a merchant selling her best silk if it weren't for one detail, which made me sure she was making fun of me.
— A parasol, I think you refer to the item that the ladies of the court used to decorate themselves? Are you trying to make fun of me in broad daylight?—
— Well, I am only trying to help. The knight can walk exposed and return to bare skin if he prefers. — A good argument, I must admit that I don't have much choice I doubt that a simple “knight” can have a personal carriage that takes him where needed 12 hours a day.
— In that case, I suppose there is no other option, so would you do me the favour of introducing the parasol? — I may have let out a little frustration in my words, but look! I'll have to parade around with female beauty props until the council finally makes this damn decision!
— Of course. It matches the size and liking o the knight. It is not red, has only simple details, and contains the colours of the Kreg flag. — She could be a great saleswoman, her voice was calm confident and very convincing, but I will never be satisfied with a female prop. Especially one made particularly for me! Is there greater embarrassment?
She presents me with a parasol that has been lying by the door the whole time, I just hadn't noticed it. She was just as the housekeeper had described her. Simple and ornamented with black and navy blue. Simple gold ribbon lines, she had no lace or ruffles, taking the cable from her hands, I noticed that it was mere white painted wood, comfortable, and suited my height perfectly. But it was still shameful.
With the parasol open on my shoulder, Mr Bunny on my bag and all the servants watching me, the housekeeper and I left the dorms to meet the prince. Or was that what I expected. We did not go to the Prince, we went to meet him.
At first, I was surprised that we had been walking for so long, but when I asked the housekeeper where exactly the prince was, she answered a simple, somewhere.
Do you know the worst? I just realized that this castle is a circle of rooms surrounded by the walls with the courtyard inside. A circle!
We left the dorms and passed through the long corridors of the castle's craft workshops, the housekeeper calmly explained to me the purpose of each room and the meaning of the rare statues that decorated the walls. Castile Castle was much larger than any other fortress in Kreg, but, on the other hand, it was simple and objective. As I said before, some statues of knights and masters of the craft were the only decorations in the immense corridors. The workshops were practical and designed only to assist the craft master in his tasks. The red carpet, in contrast to the white clay brick walls, was the only thing that always reminded me that we were still in a nobility enclosure.
After many curves and doors, the corridor opened on a stairway that led to a large party room. It was so big that it would not be an exaggeration to say that all the residents of that castle had room to spare. In addition to being immense and red, this one had paintings that covered the entire ceiling and half of the walls. I mean. Those were no fresh realistic paintings, they were more like a register of facts made by an amateur painter.
In vivid colours and the typical rustic art of Castela, the paintings told the whole story of the foundation of that country.
The housekeeper was finally silent as we crossed the halls as if performing a ritual of respect. She did not utter a word the entire way. The paintings told their story by themselves. The first hall had a cold and serious atmosphere, depicting Kreg's abuse of its citizens and the formation of resistance.
The second hall had lighter colours and a lighter atmosphere. Revealing the creation of the “paradise” that was nothing more than the resistance barracks in the north of the island in an abandoned castle where we are today. The villagers were attracted by the promise of freedom from the ancient lords.
The third room was the largest, and much redder. The 2-year battle between the resistance and the lords was emblazoned with bright colours and the figure of important generals leading troops formed by nothing more than peasants and farmers against Kreg's armoured soldiers. Terrible and, at the same time, beautiful. The end of the hall that led to the next room showed the coronation of the young first knight king, Theodor.
The last hall was not as big as the rest, but also not smaller than the others, it revealed the death of the first king and the coronation of his cousin Arthur first in addition to the construction of the capital around the old castle as well as the improvement of the same, taking a total of five years and a beautiful fortune of imported materials.
My feet were already hurting, and I was reaching the limit of how much a man can be humiliated when the housekeeper decided to stop by the bakery to get our tea and cookies before we went down to the castle courtyard.
The courtyard was tremendously huge, bright, and, red. There were plants with red leaves, glass decorations, red. Red statues decorated the garden. In other words, unpleasantly Castilian.
And so far, not a clue as to where the prince might be.
The housekeeper did not seem bothered or at least impatient, she was merely tired. Heading over to a stone table, she left the tray of tea and cookies there and, surprisingly, uttered a loud call as she looked toward the trees.
— My little prince! I have tea and cookies, come and eat!
I was trying to calculate the effectiveness of such a strange action when suddenly a big red shadow fell from a tree right in front of me.
— I refuse! — Shouted what was now identifiable as a boy my age wrapped in Castile's stark red military uniform.
— There you are, you're late for tea with Kreg's knight. — Said the housekeeper as calm as always as if she had foreseen all that.
— I refuse! Cried the boy again, still full of leaves on his blond hair, unhygienic, expected from a prince from such a barbaric kingdom. Let's test this boy with some questions.
—Would your highness do the honour of answering that mere knight for the reason for the sudden revolt?—
— To everything! Your presence, your plans, your weird way of speaking, to your bunny baby toy, and your very existence!—
This will be a long, irritating, and uncomfortable discussion.
Warm light warms my skin. It's already day! I open my eyes, take a deep breath of the cold morning air. And I'm awake! I jump out of bed and stretch as far as I can. The birds are singing, the sun is rising, and the whole day seems to be smiling! Turn to my bench, a bowl of freshwater rests in it. I observe my reflection, how happy I look today! Can't stop smiling! Wash my face. How cold is the water! For sure, I am well awake now. Turn to my wardrobe, start to dress myself up. I need to button the buttons right! Tie the knot in the best possible way. And still, need to be careful not to wear anything inside out! Why are clothes so complicated? Tock tock I hear from the door. —Come in! — I answer right away. —How excited your highness is this morning! —The familiar voice exclaims. —Moli! Help me out! I am stuck!— I give up trying to stick my head in the jacket. —Well, it is already a breakthrough!— She says pulling me out of the jacket. I can see again! —Are you looking
The reddish first rays of sunlight of the day finally reached the windowsill, illuminating the red pillows that covered almost the entire surface of the room. The cool morning breeze from the window refreshes my tiredness. If I lean over the window I can see the cold, black view of the solid walls. Slowly, the landscape beyond the walls is illuminated and reveals the hot and busy landscape of the capital of Castela, Camelot. An astonishing view as always. There is no painting I could hang on my wall that would compete with the view I have from this window. Smoke rises from the chimneys and the smell of freshly baked bread reaches me, renewing my energy. Just in time, I hear the familiar knocks on the wood coming from the open door. In front of my door, a slender woman with curly brown hair and a penetrating look was waiting for me. Dressed in the colors of the flag and holding a tray of freshly baked bread and fruit, she was someone I would trust my soul with if I could. — Good
So did you come back to make fun of me? Yes! I admit. I missed it. You already knew that? Who cares, I already counted on this result. Even the sun in my head hurt more than losing that bet! I merely wish I hadn't made myself so silly in front of all royalty. I feel like I am waking up from a nightmare. I remember being woken up by the housekeeper and filling my pathetic chest with arrogance as I let the maids dress me in new clothes. I put mister bunny in my bag, that baby toy, as the heir would call it. I displayed him everywhere for everyone to see, still under the illusion that the old man put me, that it was a token. How shameful! Before the hole real court! As I always used the lame excuse of my fragility for one of the servants to carry me to the council room. How pitiful! I had not looked down once while headed for the council room. I even got to enjoy the fresh morning air! Pathetic! I remember I still had a disgraceful smile on my face when I was seated in the
I must confess, the king's idiocy bothered me so much, that for one day I was beside myself. Fortunately, baths serve not only to cleanse the body, but also the soul. The shame that had been eating away at me is now in the past. Plan A didn’t work, but deep down, I was already counting on it. Time to put Plan B into practice and if it still goes wrong, we have C. The way back was easy since it is still early. The city could stay like this forever. Quiet, dark, and pleasant. I was still a little confused when I got home. Completely relaxed, but still, something bothered me. It was the sight of Naukar that made me remember what had happened this morning. The breakfast was postponed (again) the instant I remembered it. I took out my notebook and started to leaf through my notes. They were abstract, but clear enough. I packed my little bag with everything I needed and left again. I need to catch up. Soon the sun will rise and honestly, I already had enough yesterday. Rômulo's offic
The sun is rising beyond the horizon line, I forgot my umbrella at home. My legs are short, my steps small. The person I am looking for is probably inside the castle that I am looking at. What else do you want me to describe? As soon as Rômulo gave me the name I wanted, I left his shop. Starting my way towards the castle walls. Did he want to say anything else to me? If he did, I don't care. The square is no longer so silent, merchants start to come and passers-by go. The light makes everything more irritating. Things get hotter and the red colour that spreads through the skin is more vivid. And now here we are. Being in front of these walls still gives me a strange feeling. The first time I passed them, they seemed like a strange place for strange people. The time I was kicked out, they seemed horrendously strange to me. Now they just look weird. As they are always tall, and made of imposing white bricks. What bothers me are the flags with engraved gold letters, the words tha
—Because it will be better if you tell the story, my prince. Rômulo thinks it will be good for the link between you and the Kreg knight to be rebuilt. — She continues to use the sweet tone and caresses the heir's head. Even so, those words make me sweat, this is confirmed, my worst nightmare.—What link? There was never one to be rebuilt! — The so-called little prince protested in fury.There goes the heir's pure innocence once again. Can I strangle my supposed relative now?— You are brothers, my little prince. — Naukar's sweet and calm tone almost convinced me that the idea was not so bad. The same did not seem to apply to the heir. Your Highness stared at her with open mouth and moist eyes about to start a waterfall, as if Naukar were an angel
So how should I begin? Well, let's just write the basics for now. It happened in the sixth week of the war. Castela was at its peak, victory seemed to be in your hands, we conquered a new city every day. That meant, of course, the slaughter of the other side. War is a brutal means taken when people enter in despair. Soldiers become nothing more than assassins, Kings become Tyrants. But for some reason, we kept marching, as if we were still humans. And someday, we will hopefully forget this once happened. In one of these attacks, we found a deplorable village. Houses made of dirty covered the landscape, but no one was there to bock our passage. An hour before the attack, as a pious act, we sounded the trumpets. The people ran away without thinking twice. Poor, rich, soldiers, there was no one left to fight. It was not cowardice, we were tired to fight too. It eased your conscience when we managed to enter without taking any lives. Even so, everyone stayed alert. It could be
I look at the clock the red eyes is pointing to. —I am late! — I run to the door, but then I remember. —We are not done, ok? I will come back! — I look at him, he is not listening to me. Anyway, I will come back. I wave a goodbye to Naukar and leave the house. The sun is already at its peak and the square is full of merchants and costumers. The sky is clear and people happy, it is a good day. But I am late! I run across the square as fast as I can. I run into a lady and trip over her fruit basket. Now there are pears juice in my boots. I get up, I can't be late! The guards take too long to open the gate. I jump to a low wall where I can grab a roof railing. The lady I ran over is still chasing me and now shouting bad words at me. I deserve it. But Daddy has only 45 minutes to hear me! I balance myself, and jump to the window sill of the guardhouse. The lady screams in fright and trips over her feet. The guards will help her, I have to tell Dad about my trip plans! I enter thr
To your dearest Majesty,As your majesty favoured my last report I choose to start to report regularly in diary form.I apologize for missing the little prince hunt ceremony, I know how important of an event it was for your majesty.But the crowds would not do Harika any good in her actual state of health.I wish you majesty good luck with the international affairs.I assure your majesty that the princess will be in a safe place when the day comes.Castela is a country of warriors that will always resurge if one of them is left standing.My sincere regards,Ronald,Son of the first general of Castella,13° knight of the royal guard.27th MarchFrom now on, my training is over, and I shall be with the princess in integral time.I don't judge 4 days of training as enough, but I trust Melinda's judgment.If she thinks I am ready, then I will do my best from now on.It isn't as if I were completely alone, but please understand that the pressure is much bigger.Even though the responsibili
That nice Soldier let me off his shoulders once we approached the plaza and I pridefully started to pull my card with that gigantic board on top.As expected, I was welcome with people applauding and calling my name.I'm starting to think this was worth it.Game and food stalls had sprung up in every corner of the plaza, and Castella flags hung all over the walls of the houses.The king himself was amid the public.With a crying prince in his Majesty's arms?Don't tell me he didn't manage it?It was so easy! For a beast, like himself, that should have been a piece of cake.More glory for me, I guess.His Majesty lets the crybaby in ah maid's arm and comes in my direction.He looks at my boar, who still has the big nail on his neck.-Well done boy, you completed the first step on the path to becoming a man.- He says patting my back. This man is much bigger from close…Wait.-First step?-
Those days had been very busy, but also very nice days.Busy means less study and more time out.I was helping the merchants move their heavy loads in the central plaza when father came out of the nothing.Everyone was startled, giving awkward greetings and clearing the way.Father does not usually leave the palace.The merchants released me from the ropes and said I could go meet him.I thanked them and ran to my father.He picks me up and lifted me in his arms.He talked about how I was already a big boy and those things.Then suddenly, he spoke about us having a last festival together.Those days, he has been somewhat strange.Always tired, and with that strange look in his eyes, as if he was seeing everything for the last time.I asked what of a festival it would be.He said, wait, he said…My first coming to age festival?!I jumped out of h
Don't get me wrong, I did not have a sudden change of heart.I was just playing a bit like any child my age.Think about it. My life is not in danger anymore, I have a splendid new plan and an even more wonderful back up here in Castela as a knight if something gets wrong.I was just appreciating a good ride through the capital at almost 11 am! When was the last time I got a chance like this? With my build and sun allergy, never!The wind was good. . . His shoulders were very comfortable too…Yes, I am talking about the past, or do you think you had gotten the chance to see my soft side for more time?I would never allow such humiliation!So, let's forget that ever happened and get to the present at once.What can I say about my actual instance?The muddy ground is dirtying my bots. I am still half away from the Forrest, and I'm already out of breath.Should I consider getting some training? ... Forget it, I will never waste one entire hour of my life on getting tired.Anyway, the rea
To your dearest Majesty,I was appointed once again the duty of writing a report about the progress of my new delegated tasks.I thought long about how and from where I should begin.From the moment your Majesty left? From the moment I fell truly into my role?I chose to follow my heart's desire and write everything until the last detail, to begin from the simple and genuinely beginning.Please don't mistake my world. It is not my intention to be rude or disrespect your Majesty.In my opinion, the priority here is not to write a fact-to-fact document. But a letter from a friend to a father.Even though I must admit, It resembles more a novel than a report.I did get carried away while writing.The royal scribes greatly praised my abilities.My ambition is to make you as close as possible to the princess, so you can feel as if your Majesty were beside her. When she grows into an independent little girl, you will know her as well as I do.I don't mean to rush anything, of course. For no
The first volume of Strange Short Stories is now available on a****n as an ebook and physical book! Why should I buy it if I can read for free here? -The book on a****n has an extra chapter and illustrations that are not available on wenovel or goodnovel. The book on a****n contains corrected and improved versions of all the stories, leading to a whole new reading experience! (I'm sorry to leave you with the old version, but I preferred not to get rid of the originals!) Overall, reading the physical version of a book is always a more rewarding and comfortable experience. With that in mind I decided to publish the physical version of the book for those who feel that way too. Unfortunately, paper and ink are expensive. Anyway, hope you enjoy my work. By buying the book on a****n you will be helping me finish the second volume faster!
—Forward the coming-of-age festival? Are you sure, your majesty? —An agonized Rômulo asks in a desperate but still formal tone. The king, pacific as always, gestures for Rômulo to sit and calm down before making a statement. — You know the little prince, you know as much as I do that he is more than capable. If he is not ready, then we have time to prepare him to try again after years. Rômulo doesn't respond, I don't say anything either. I never bothered to study the Castellans rituals, now I feel they will be more relevant to me than I thought them to be. Rômulo sighs and relaxes in his chair. —And your majesty assumes that the little knight here will also be able to?- I knew he would be involved in this sooner or later. The king's sweet gaze turns to me and asks: —Zadkiel Alamex of Kreg, Knight of Castela, can you chase, capture, kill and dissect a wild boar? —When such a calm voice speaks such violent words, I am reminded that this is also the man who with his hands killed ma
The cold marble floor was wet, full of splashes. The noise of a child playing in the water catches my attention. No one was supposed to be here at this hour. Interestingly I walk towards the sound. When I manage to peek into the huge bathtub I see it. . . Him? Did he come here at this hour on purpose? The unnecessary sight burns my eyes. I don't scream, grab my clothes and silently head to the next room. The splashes continue. He doesn't seem to have noticed me. I quietly close the door behind me, locking myself in an uncomfortably small space. Desperately I stare at the door. You can't understand a thing of what is happening right now, can you? Well, I don't think I can do much right now, so I'll tell you exactly what happened. Yesterday I said I would enjoy my peaceful moment. And that's what I did, completed all the research and planning for the trip and took a good shower in the public bathroom. Unfortunately that was all the hours of sunshine allowed me to do. You already
I wake up to the always sweet voice of Naukar mentioning my name. —Good morning, Zadkiel, it's time to wake up. Well, it's eight in the morning. I let you sleep three more hours because you looked tired. Did you have sweet dreams? — I make an exorbitant effort to open my eyes and sit on the bed. I still not looking at Naukar, I say. — If I had any, I just forgot them. — I hear a tray being placed beside me. The smell of freshly baked bread helps me to wake up. I yawn and stretch as much as I can to try to get myself out of sleep. A little more awake I start eating from the breakfast tray that was brought to me. —I'm on my way, if you need anything, tell me now. — Naukar declares while messing up my hair. I can get used to it. Honestly, I would like her to dress me up, make my bed and brush my teeth. But I think it's time to leave some luxuries behind and work on becoming more independent. —No, thanks, I'll do it myself.— I answer still a little sleepy. No, —Then I'll go, take care