Wandering the streets of the royal capital Tracy, Gianni’s hunger overwhelms his senses. His family disowned him after finishing second at the Gallia Academy of Medicine. He comes from an extended family of doctors who finished first in the prestigious institution.
He traipses along the cold stone pathway and searches the gloomy alleys for food. He has hypoglycemia, which he developed after traversing the streets without eating anything. His consciousness is about to flee him. He searches for anything that might fill even the tiniest space of his grumbling gut. He finds a rotten apple, but its stench kills his hunger. He longed for when he was still a part of his clan, the noble house of House Saint-Amour.
He continues his search, enduring the sheer chills of the evening breeze. He desperately holds on to consciousness as he begs God for food. He kneels and prays that he may find something to satisfy his needs.
With the sudden stream of the southern wind, the starry night sky becomes a dark void. Then moments later, cold rain showers the streets of the Capital. Gianni is greatly disheartened.
What can go worse? He thought. He walks on the stone-cut road, where carriages and chariots ride.
He wishes for his demise. His hunger, the cold, and pain are just too much for him. He kneels and looks at the rain-drenched sky. His ears become deaf, and his skin numb. He can still clearly see, but the rain decreases his visibility.
He shifts his sight from above to ahead of him. He sees a white horse with a rider heading towards him at full speed. He knows the rider will tackle him, but his numbness makes him unable to move. Alas! The rider gets closer. Gianni tries to move, but he has a hard time. He wishes to die, but still, he clings to life. He wants to continue living no matter how painful and difficult it may be. Then, with the last of his strength, he manages to move just in time to avoid the horse.
Gianni falls unconscious, and the rider that nearly hit him comes back. The rider wears lovely clothes. A vividly red tunic embroidered with golden designs. A golden cape flows freely on his back—a cravat with a blue diamond bearing the symbol of the royal family on his neck.
The stranger quickly lifts Gianni and carries him to his horse. He places him on top of the horse and walks towards a specific street. He pulls the reins of the horse under the torrent of the rain. The road to his destination is where Gianni failed to get first place, the street that houses the Gallia Academy of Medicine.
The stranger carries Gianni and goes inside the building. He places him on the nearest bed, calling on the most skilled doctors to attend to Gianni. The doctors knew exactly what to do, diagnosing Gianni with hypothermia and hypoglycemia. They also believe he is severely malnourished, having nothing to eat after wandering the streets of the Capital. They treat him until Gianni feels comfortable.
He regains a part of his consciousness and overhears two people talking.
“Are you sure about this, your Highness?” says one to the other. “He was banished from his house.”
“I’m sure…” the other replies as Gianni loses his consciousness once more.
The other two, meanwhile, continue their discussion.
“He graduated today, Your Highness.” the first person says. “He finished second place in his graduating class.”
“Second place, for some people it can be considered an honor.” the other replies. “But to his family, it is a disgrace.”
“Yes,” the other agrees, “it is such a shame how brilliant minds with passionate hearts fall to the mundaneness of society.”
“Does he have nowhere else left to go?” the other asks, looking at Gianni. His heart feels pity for the man sleeping soundly on the hospital bed. “He can render great service to the kingdom.”
“He no longer has a place to go, your Highness.”
“Then I shall…” the infirmary door slams open. Inside come the Royal Guards and the physicians of House Saint-Amour.
“Are you all right, Your Highness?” the captain of the guard asks. “Are you unhurt?”
“I’m not the one who is injured, he is,” pointing to Gianni. The physicians of Saint-Amour cry in shock. “What is with that reaction?”
“Your Highness, that man must be hanged immediately!” the head doctor says. “He must be punished for his crimes.”
“No,” he replies sternly. “I do not wish to harm someone who has not wronged me.”
The room becomes silent.
“He shall serve me,” he continues. “If he has nowhere else to go, then he shall serve me as my butler.” With this declaration, the guards and the doctors exit the room most properly.
The night passes. The sun slowly makes its way from the horizon. The charismatic redolence of carnation wafts throughout the room Gianni is staying in. His head is still spinning. When he opens his eyes, he realizes that he is inside a building. The comfy pillow that he lays his head on, the warmth of the flannel blanket that covers him, the comfort of the soft fluffy bed he is on. He finally feels inner peace after all the pain he went through.
He closes his eyes and tries to catch a snooze. He suddenly hears footsteps approaching his premise. He plays asleep. As the faint footsteps get closer and louder, he smells the familiar scent of bouillabaisse. A soup that his chef would make for him when rainy days pervade the months. The fragrance of carnation and the smell of the bouillabaisse dance along the corner where Gianni is. The stranger who brings the stew dish places it on the bedside table.
As the stranger places it, Gianni’s stomach rumbles loudly.
“It seems you are hungry,” the stranger says with a silent smile.
“I am,” Gianni stops his acting. He sits on his bed.
“Oh,” the stranger is significantly taken aback. “You are already awake. Have you been awake all this time?”
“I was pretending to sleep until I smelled the fragrance of that bouillabaisse stew.”
“You must be hungry,” the stranger says as he moves the bedside table closer to Gianni. “You can eat now.”
At last, Gianni’s empty stomach is going to be filled. He reaches for the spoon beside the stew, but he immediately drops it as he tries to lift it. It falls on the dirty floor. Its metallic ringing echoes throughout the large room, which they are privately using.
“You dropped your spoon,” the stranger says as he grabs it. “I’ll go get another,” and the stranger goes to fetch another.
Gianni is clinging to life when he gets back 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 bedsheets.
“I can’t hold a spoon,” Gianni is despairingly disheartened.
Moments of silence fill 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 of 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 heartthrob 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.”
“A butler?” Gianni gulps. “Whose butler?”
“The person who saved you, of course,” the stranger smiles. “The crown prince of Gallia, His Highness Julien S. Montmirail.”
“The crown prince?” Now Gianni is eminently surprised. Nobody knows what the crown prince looks like. Nobody ever hears what the crown prince does. But there are numerous rumors of him being a delinquent and causing trouble in the kingdom.
Gianni’s heart fills with great surprise. His life is just too full of melodrama. His mind drifts on and on as the stranger continues to feed him with the stew.
When he finishes eating, the stranger lets Gianni drink water. Then, he slowly moves his head towards the latter, whispering, “The prince has taken a liking to you.”
And with that, Gianni feels a mix of emotions. He feels gladness because of the welcoming reception, sadness from the unexpected turn of events, and thrill as serving royalty is always a nerve-wracking moment.
The stranger stands and goes away. He lets out a faint smile as he goes. Gianni spends the following moments in silence. Perhaps this is going to be his last moment of silence. He looks around and notices the familiarity of the room he is staying in.
This room is perturbingly familiar, he thinks.
The stranger comes back, bringing a black suit with a black bow tie.
“You are going to wear this from this day forth,” the stranger says, “as the prince’s butler.”
With his new butler suit entirely fitting him, Gianni swears in his heart and soul to do his best at his new given chance. “It seems you are ready,” the stranger says. “I am.” “Pardon me for the late introduction. My name is Gabriel Clermont. I’m one of the prince’s butlers.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gabriel,” Gianni smiles. “So, shall we go then?” Gabriel leads the way. While heading toward the exit, Gianni notices that the hallway structure that they are going through is strangely familiar. Strange enough that he would say he saw it in a dream. It is at the tip of his tongue, and he thinks of it until they reach the exit. The front door entrance is now so familiar. When they finally get out, Gianni sees the Gallia Academy of Medicine sign. Surprise colors his face--he stayed at his school. “Don’t tell me you are surprised,” Gabriel smirks while entering the carriage meant for them. Gianni follows Gabriel inside the carriage. The coachman whips the reins and begins their
“So, you are the prince?” Gianni’s face could not hide his eminent embarrassment. “I am Julien S. Montmirail, crown prince of Gallia,” Gabriel, or so Gianni thought Gabriel was, says. “Meet my chief butler, Gabriel Clermont.” “My name is Gabriel Clermont,” the person whom Gianni thought was the prince replies. “I’m sorry if you have to go through this, the prince has a way of doing things.” Gianni stays quiet and looks down. Then, the actual prince, naked up top, approaches him. He holds Gianni’s chin up, whispering, “How does it feel to be spoon-fed by the prince?” Gianni’s embarrassment skyrockets. He blushes redder than apples. He sweats bullets. His knees tremble and shakes. But he stands his ground, acting like he is all right with it. And that he knew it all along. “But it was all right,” the actual prince continues. “I enjoyed feeding you,” he holds Gianni’s right hand and nibbles on his middle finger. “Will you feed me, too?” Now Gianni is sweating rocks. It is all too mu
“Why are you sweating?” the prince greatly wonders as he sees Gabriel’s return.“The great flight of stairs, your Highness,” he replies.“Oh really?” the prince’s curiosity piques on. “It is the first time you are sweating rocks. Something must have happened.”“It is nothing at all, your Highness,” Gabriel answers in haste. “I believe we should go see the adviser now,” he pivots the topic.“Yes,” the prince surreptitiously and silently smiles. “I believe we should go.”Shortly after their small conversation, Gabriel and Prince Julien arrive at the Grand Library for the prince’s lessons. Inside, a sage with a great beard sits at the center of the grand array of large shelves filled with all sorts of texts, manuscripts, books, and scrolls. The old man sits with a sophisticated posture. He studies a large map which shows the great continen
Gabriel enters their room. He slowly and swiftly makes it back. As he holds the steel doorknob, he feels a different kind of heat emanating from his chest. He slowly opens the door, and there he witnesses a sleeping Gianni with a bare top. Before he left, he knew he covered all of him. Surprisingly, Gianni moves a lot when sleeping. He slowly approaches Gianni. He hears the slow and constant breathing that the peaceful sleeper makes for every step he makes. The room is quiet, and only Gianni’s breath is audible. As he gets even closer, he feels warmer. He continues, making his way to Gianni’s bedside. “Gianni,” he clears his throat, “the prince wishes that you take your lunch.” But Gianni does not hear him. He repeats it a little bit louder, but the same result shows. He pats Gianni’s shoulder and tries to wake him up. But Gianni is a heavy sleeper, or so he thinks. This time, he shakes Gianni. His sweat drips from his forehead to Gianni’s chest. He panics at the sight of his moiste
“Let me finish that, your Highness,” Gabriel puts the horseback outfit on a table and wipes the prince. “It looks like your lower undergarments are also wet, we should replace them, Your Highness.”“Yes, you should,” the prince concurs. “Gianni got them wet.”“What,” Gabriel turns to Gianni, “what were you doing while I was gone?”“Nothing,” the prince laughs.Gabriel gets a lower garment from the closet, where he took the fencing suit. The prince bids both butlers to leave the room. And they obey.“What were you doing while I was gone?” Gabriel asks bluntly. “And why were you stumbling on your back the moment I came back?”“I was just wiping his Highness,” Gianni whitely lies. “Nothing happened, honestly.”A knock from the partition then breaks the two’s conversation. The prince finishes wearing eq
After seeing the second prince, Gianni takes a quick peek at the dining hall. He looks for the prince he serves but to no avail. Thus, he heads to Prince Julien’s room.As he comes closer to the door, he notices some maids looking at him, whispering. He thinks something is strange, which is worth inquiring about. But he reserves it for another time and continues his way to the first prince’s room.Upon entering, his olfactory catches the scent of carnation wafting throughout the air. The fresh fragrance of the flower fumes in fickleness. It is a familiar scent to Gianni, perhaps too familiar.As he goes inside, no one is there. But he hears two people talking and splashes of water. He sees the prince’s messy bad and fixes it. He then goes to the source of the splashing sound.Behind the folding screen directly on the opposite corner of the prince’s bed is an open door where the sound is coming from. Gianni approaches the door and h
After eating lunch, the princes, and the princess along with their attendants return to the Grand Library. Beyond the center from the entrance is a space that has chess tables. It is on the opposite corner of the round table and is said to be the most comfortable part of the library according to the librarians.Upon arrival, they see Queen Sophia already waiting for them. She has her maids arrange all the chess tables with their pieces. The adviser and some scholars are also present.“Your Majesty,” all bows to the queen as they approach.“At ease,” she sits on the chess table nearest to them. “Camille, dear, let’s play, shall we?”“Me?” she turns to her brothers, the adviser, and the scholars but all shifted their focus elsewhere. “Fine.”The queen and the princess start their game. Meanwhile, Prince Louis approaches Prince Julien to ask him for one game. Julien agrees and the two p
The door to the prince’s room suddenly opens. The two who are in a seemingly awkward position on the bed pervades with aghast. It is Gabriel who carries a tray with a pitcher full of water and glasses. When he enters, he fails to notice the two on the prince’s bed, as the curtains that hang from its pillar keep the two from being seen from the door. Gabriel places the tray on the prince’s study table.Quickly, Gianni jumps out of bed and closes the buttons of his shirt. The prince, meanwhile, just pretends to be asleep.Gabriel knows something is going on. The loud silence of the room is strange. He checks the right side of the bed and sees Gianni in the act of buttoning his garments.“What are you doing?” Gabriel says as he approaches Gianni.“G-G-Gabriel,” Gianni quickly finishes, “two of my buttons got loose.”“Oh,” Gabriel has his doubts and sees the prince sleeping on his bed, &
Hidden 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.
The 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,
"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
"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
Prince 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.
A 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
“The enemy has abandoned this city, Your Highness,” a soldier reports. “They immediately left after knowing that your forces have begun marching. Surely, your presence in the battlefield would boost the men’s morale.”“Isn’t that strange?” Julien remarks placing his hand under his chin. “This city provides a strategic advantage for any campaign.”“They must have been terrified of your presence, Your Highness,” a well-dressed soldier approaches. “I’m Captain Ian J. Francois, leader of the forces occupying this city. The enemy left the city as soon as they heard of your march. They left all their supplies and weapons.”“Nevertheless, be on your guard, captain,” Julien whips the reins. “My mother always reminded me that danger can come from unexpected places.”The city of Erlain in the Basille domain is the largest city in the central riverlands.
Gianni leaves the academy. He cannot help but feel relief and happiness. Relief for being finally able to face his father without any feelings of remorse. Happiness for the mended bond that they shared that was torn by pride. The winter winds are cold but his heart is warm with joy. He can finally wear a smile as he leaves the academy for the third time because of his father’s approval.He rides back to Chelsea Street and right to Main Street. It is late morning and the fear from the conflict ensues on the streets of Tracy. The snow covers most of the pavements beside the road. The cold snow and the trembling fear of the citizens creeps to Gianni. His smile fades away, like the sun as winter clouds arrive. He hears the paranoia in Main Street.He hurries back to the palace. The more he tarries, the more he feels tense and uncomfortable. On the ramparts of the gates surrounding the palace, not a single knight can be seen as they are all already deployed outside th
Because they are far from the comforts of the infirmary and the hospital, the physicians have a hard time delivering the care that their patients need. They could not give them the necessary treatment because of the lack of supplies and equipment. There are not enough tonics for sanitation and wound cleaning. Feet and hand injuries that needs the equipment from the infirmary end up in amputation. It is the only way to prevent further infection. Since they are in the middle of a cold meadow wasteland, it is their last resort.As the physicians are healing the soldiers, the general wastes no time, and marches back to the Capital godspeed. Gianni is all alone in a cart once more. He just finishes dressing the wound of his last patient. The next one jumps on him as great cuts on his torso he shrieks in pain. He is losing too much blood.Gianni gras the last of the tonics and pours them on the wounds. As he grabs the sterile needle and thread to suture the wound, he touches