6 Retainer and Meeting
My name is Matthias von West Vern.
Right now I am at the most important turning point of my life.
"Matthias von West Vern, I appoint you as First Retainer of Prince Elmer de Almerti, third prince of the Almerti Kingdom."
My heart rate went up slightly at the King's proclamation. Rising from my kneeling position before the throne, I spied my father, the Prime Minister of Almerti Kingdom giving me some encouraging looks.
"Do well" his eyes seems to say…
I wish he'll stop…
A thick parchment was handed over. I examined it to see the proclamation of my promotion, the words containing heavy weight. This will perhaps control how my life goes.
Today is just for formality sake. Since a long time ago, I always known that I will be the retainer of the third prince. The third prince that was said to be cursed.
The rumor is false but the fact that the prince behaved and act as a doll unnerved me a little. I, the winner of the Tournament will not cower in front of rumor. I rolled the parchment carefully and turned and bid my farewell to the King.
"Matthias, you know what to do." The King stopped me and said as I turned to left toward the Green Water Palace.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Green Water Palace. It is an imperial villa where the young prince and princess live. The King's children will be raised there or if their mother requested their children lives in a different villa and only then their retainer have to hand them over.
The place is massive with huge gate surrounding the compound. I can see two knights standing guard in front of the gate doo as well as men in group of 4 patrolling along the gate. As expected of the royal family. They strongly protecting the safety of their young prince and princess.
I gave my appointment document to one of the gatekeeper who proceed to verify the authenticity of it. There had been cases of assassination attempts done by people disguised as the employee of Green Water Palace. I'm sure they just want to sure that I am not one. Well, if somebody dares to impersonate a Prime Minister's son is another matter altogether.
Bam!
The gate swung shut as I entered. This is the only entrance and exit.
This place is a fortress where the prince and princess are taken care of. In some way this is a prison. It's that kind of place.
I made my way to the prince's room. A breeze carrying hint of spring float by as I passed the expansive garden leading up to the main building. There another man stood guarding the entrance. For the second time, my appointment document will be checked and finally I will be given free rein in the Green Water Palace.
I noted the huge size of the building but still no Prince Elmer's room to be found. I decided to go to the biggest room first. Surely there will be someone to guide me from there.
Knock! Knock!
"Excuse me, is this Prince Elmer's room?" I asked as the maid opened the door.
"M, Mathias-sama, what can I helped you with?"
"Is this Prince Elmer's room?"
"N, No, this is room belongs to Prince Sveri."
Prince Sveri de Almerti Casariel, the Second Prince of the Almerti Kingdom, older brother to Prince Elmer.
I thanked the maid and tries to find another maid to guide me as the previous mad is ignorant of Prince Elmer's room.
"Wait, do you now where Prince Elmer's room is?" I called to a rushing maid hurrying along the corridor.
She wore the standard maid uniform but carrying the laundry basket that denote her position as a laundry maid that is a step below the previous maid.
"M, Mathias-sama, what can I do for you?" She stammers as she greets me.
Why is she s afraid? Is she flustered at meeting an aristocrat? Living in this palace should accustomed to seeing the royalties and high ranking nobles.
"Would you show me to the Prince's room?"
"Umm, just turn back and walk straight until you find the biggest room. T, that's the Prince's room."
"I don't want to find Prince Sveri's room. I need to find Prince Elmer's room."
"Prince who?"
The maid showed a genuine confused expression at the name of Prince Elmer. Is she a new maid here?
After that, I tried to ask several other maids but while all of them knew of Prince Elmer's name, nobody knew the location of his room.
What is going on? I was about to give up and head back to the main palace when a yellow-green haired maid sought me out.
Snake-like eyes coolly observing me as she offered to guide me to the Prince's room. I noted the decoration in the corridor continues to decrease the longer she guide me. The room also getting smaller as we passes by. The room that I arrived to seem so bleak in contrast with Prince Sveri's room. I can't help but casting a questioning glance at the maid but she just calmly knocked on the door and let me into the room.
The furniture is sparse in the room only consisting of a bed, side table and a couple of bookshelves. On the bed sat a boy looks so ethereal with his glistening silver hair swaying gently from the wind from the opened window. His blue eyes unwaveringly staring at the scenery outside.
"Good afternoon, Your Highness. My name is Matthias von West Vern. I will be your First Retainer starting from today."
The prince showed no reaction at my introduction. I wondered whether the prince even knew the position of First Retainer. First Retainer the person that stayed the closest to their assigned royalty. The person that acts as the companion and guardian to their charge.
Deep down, a pang of disappointment stir briefly in his heart. Since little, I wishes to serve a strong prince that stood above the other. Disregarding my feelings, I look at the prince once more.
With his pale white skin that resembles western doll, and unnerving stare, Prince Elmer deserve the name of the Doll Prince.
I hope Prince Elmer will get stronger or else…
...
"Matthias, I hope you will be able to kill him when the time came." muttered the King as he remembered looking at Matthias's back as he exited the throne room.
