At Your Service

  The celebration of the Princess's birthday was joined shortly by the Duke, and the lady in black after their  passionate discussion. The Duchess stealing glances from the Duke felt a little hurt at the sight of the young lady and him, together.

But for the sake of her daughter's birthday, she stayed where she was, smiling and entertaining guests who would like an audience with her.

Meanwhile, the Princess was busy dancing with her elder brother and enjoying the music being played while she swirl and turn to the beat playfully. Laughter and joy was painted across her face and the Prince's expression shows how fond he is of his little sister.

The Duke seeing this made him smile, thinking how great it is having his children get along so well with each other but seeing the Duchess with her tired expression, worried him.

He excused himself from the young lady he is with, and walked towards the Duchess who is currently talking with guests. He suddenly put his arm around the Duchess's waist that made her jump in surprise but when their eyes met he only smiled at her and the Duchess couldn't find the right words to say.

"Are you alright, darling?"the Duke asked but she did not dare utter a single word.

The scene she saw in his study room was repeating in her head and everytime it does, the feeling of being betrayed and cheated on was overwhelming her. She wants to get away from him but if she do it now, the Duke might worry himself over her. The mood of the celebration might be even ruined because of her.

She needs to steel herself.

"I'm alright, your Majesty.", And she gently take the hand of the Duke off of her waist. The Duke's expression changed when she did it but she simply cannot brush off the persistent thoughts of the Duke, and the young lady he was with.

It's already painful as it is just seeing him. And, touching him will be much more worst.

"Right... well... let me know if you feel tired."

"I am truly grateful for your kind offer, your Highness. But I'm fine, as you can see. I don't feel the least bit tired at all."

'But her eyes says so otherwise', the Duke thought.

Oblivious of her wife's pain, he didn't ask her further about anything else and instead, he turned his attention to the guests who wants to greet him and congratulate him.

The gardener overseeing the celebration and the inner garden, that is the venue of the party; was bothered by the sad expression of the Duchess. His eyes wandered, and found the Duke stealing glances at the Duchess with a worried look. He dejectedly sighed at the scene.

What ever have happened between those two?

     Three months after, the Duke with the young lady, and their allied troops successfully stopped the uprising by careful analyzing and planning.The rebellions, being cornered, surrendered completely and the villages that were damaged by the rebellions were rebuilt over time and the West borders was in peace once again.

The Duke, after the battle with the rebellions, came back to his usual routine of paperworks and other more things that is needed to be done as the ruler of Emerald City. The young lady whom he had form an alliance with against the uprising was visiting him more often after he gave his permission to her, so that she can visit him whenever she would have the time to do so.

But the young lady going every two days in a week or so in the palace bothered the Duchess greatly. Whenever the Duchess and the young lady lock eyes when they pass each other in the hallways, the Duchess feel a sudden irritation and of course, jealousy towards her.

The Princess was also aware of the lady in black's presence and whenever she would see the young lady, the little girl would hide behind her mother, feeling a little frightened.

Nevertheless, the Duchess only showed patience and kindness towards the young lady and not long after, the two are even sitting with each other for an afternoon cup of tea.

Time marched on and Emerald City is as peaceful as it can get, and on a very particular day when the Princess is nearing her 6th birthday, a person who would be a huge part of her life arrived at the palace's gates.

"Remember, as part of this family, you must always, always be the best of the best. The Princess is young and as her butler, you must do all that you can to assist her and the Duke. The pride and fate of our family is now all in your hands."

The old man who was about to set off and leave a young man behind the palace was seen outside the palace gates. His hands were like of those roots of an old tree and as he fix the crooked tie of his son, the old man tried not to tremble. The boy was silent and he only looked at his father with an unreadable expression.

The Duke walked alongside the Duchess,the Prince, and the Princess to give their farewell to the man who, in such a long time has been a great service to their family.

Upon seeing the Duke and his family, the boy and the old man, deeply bowed in courtesy to the presence of His Majesty and his royal family. From today onwards, he will be of service to the young Princess and when he looked at the said Princess, he can't help but feel dismayed at seeing how young the Princess is.

He thought it will be not different from dealing with an annoying child and try as much as he can, his patience with children is not at all well.

This will be a real challenge for him. And, he can only pray that his patience will last him a lifetime in this palace with a child Princess.

"Your Highness, I can only apologize as this old man is now leaving you and will be no longer of use to you or to your family. But I am truly honored to have been of service to you, and to your father."

"You have done more than enough. Thank you."

The old man's eyes was filled with happiness, hearing the Duke thank him. For the old man, the time he spent in the palace was an irreplaceable treasure and as he looked at the Duke and his family for one last time, he couldn't be any more happier seeing how much the family he have served grown.

The Prince held out his arms towards the old man and hug him tightly with tears in his eyes.

"When I lost my mother you were the one who taught me a lot of things, that my mother couldn't, and I can't thank you enough with how you faithfully supported my father.", the old man was in the verge of tears and when the Prince loosen his embrace he smiled at him. "May you live a happy and healthy life."

"I am honored to have serve you, your Majesty."the old man said to the Prince and when it's finally time to leave, he took a final glance at his son who would take his place in the palace.

"Make our family proud, my son." And, the carriage with him inside, shut it's door close and left. No more words were needed. The young man now in front of the Duke is the new head butler who will be in charge of the Princess.

"I am greatly honored and pleased to have finally meet you, Your Majesty.", he said with his head bowed down.

"Likewise.", The  Duke said as a smile crept up his face and the little Princess who looked at him with wonder also smiled at him.

He looked back at the young Princess.

"It's also an honor to meet you, Princess."and the little girl blush and hid behind her mother, the Duchess, who can't help but chuckle at her daughter's reaction towards the butler.

"Oh, dear. Our little Princess is quite shy, isn't she?"the Duchess said with amusement.

"I hope I didn't scare her. I apologize if I did so, your Highness."

"Oh, no. I don't think it's fear she felt. Don't you, darling?", the Duchess gave a mischievous look towards her daughter who hid in embarassment and still wouldn't show her face to the butler.

Looking at the Princess in her current state the butler can't stop thinking on what can he do with a young pampered brat so that she can be a full fledged Princess in no time.

Only a thorn filled road awaits him and he can only sigh at the thought of how he can teach her how to be a proper Princess but it is his duty nonetheless. So, grieving over the predicament he just put himself in, is useless.

He looked at the azure colored sky with helplessness mirrored in his eyes.

May the heavens help him in overcoming all his troubles because he can only predict it will be a lot, truly, a lot.