First salary
After finishing waking the little prince, bathing him and dressing him, it was time for Ophelia to take Averio to the breakfast room.
"Are we ready to go down?" The girl smile widely and stretched out her hand.
"ready!" Averio jumped on his bed, signaling that he wanted Ophelia to carry him.
"aw" The girl lifted the boy even though he was a bit heavy.
Prince of Cobalt was only four years old and he had lost his mom, and his dad was so busy that Averio hardly ever spent time alone with king Cassius.
"Lia mommy, I don't want to see Mr. Vander today" The boy started to fuss.
Mr. Vander is one of his teachers.
"sshh, you have to go to school okay? didn't you say you wanted to be smart boy dear? That's why school is very important"
"But Lia mommy, I just want to play with you"
Ophelia sighed. This boy.
Averio has a special nickname for her, Lia.
The girl herself was surprised because the prince added the 'mommy'.
What if anyone hears this?
What if the butler finds out and reaches King Cassius' ears that his son calls his nanny mommy?
He will definitely be furious at her.
But Ophelia had explained this to Averio many times but still the boy wouldn't listen.
The little prince had irises like his father, and hair color like copper. He must have gotten this color from his mother.
Looking at his cute face at this time, Ophelia could imagine that he was a duplicate of the king.
The more cheerful and smiles a lot version.
She had only been with this boy for a week and strangely Ophelia loved him so much.
It was strange that before that she was not at all sure when she should apply for this job. Because this was only her last chance as a girl who didn't have too much experience.
Ophelia came out of Averio's room with him in her arms when she passed Eva "Let me take care of the prince, the coachman looks for you to confirm your home address"
Eva took over Averio, the boy was a little rebellious.
"Coachman?"
"yes, he's in the front yard"
"Okay"
"But I want to be with Lia!!" The boy struggled in Eva's arms, trying to grab Ophelia.
"I'll be right back" She tried to calm him down.
"You'll see her again, my little prince."
When Ophelia reached the courtyard, sure enough. A large cart has been prepared along with the coachman.
"Is this your address right?" he handed her a paper.
Ophelia read the letter in the piece of paper for a moment then nodded.
"Good. I hope I don't get robbed on the road" the coachman grumbled.
The contents of the wagon was something that seemed a lot.
Is that.... Straw? Wheat? Vegetable and fruit?
Why would it all be sent to her house in Fallside?
"You will be accompanied by four guards" the masculine voice made them both turn their heads.
Ophelia almost jumped up, while the coachman was already bowing as low as he could "Your Majesty"
Cassius surveyed the wagon with satisfaction "is this enough?" He looked at Ophelia. His voice was soft.
Ophelia's heart felt like jumping out "Your Majesty, what is this?"
"What do you think it is?"
Bomb? Her silly thought said. Did the king plan the murder of her family?
"We will see"
Ophelia approached the wagon where three large sacks were tied tightly. She touches it. Hard.
The coachman immediately moved to open one of the sacks with a short wave from Cassius.
One sack opened, Ophelia looked to see what was inside, and....
Oh. my. God.
The girl's jaw dropped.
The words evaporated from her tongue "Your majesty...?"
The contents of the sack were full of shiny gold coins.
And there are three sacks!
Three!
"I believe Your Majesty has the wrong address" There's no way Cassius would send all these treasures to her house?!
Does he intend to feed the entire Fallside?
"No" He replied casually "that's your first salary to pay off your aunt's debt"
First salary?!
Even though she's only been working for eight days?
Well, that amount won't just pay off her aunt's debt. But even enough for them to buy a new better house!
Ophelia paled. She was so scared. Never before had she or her family earned this much.
Cassius watched the girl and furrowed his brows.
Does she not like it? Is there less money?
He imagines she should be happy that some of her problems will be resolved.
Cassius had also sent one sack in the girl's room.
Ophelia should be smiling happily, Cassius really wanted to see her smile.
Actually, the king expected a hug or a kiss from her, ahh.
"You don't like it do you? Is it too little?" He tilted his head.
What? Don't like, he said?
Ophelia likes of course! But this amount is too much.
Moreover it's all gold?
What if her aunt got suspicious on her job?
What happens when the king's money runs out?
What happens if Cobalt goes bankrupt?
Ophelia is so scared
"Your Majesty, how about... if the amount given to me... will make Cobalt poor?"
She said innocently.
Now it was Cassius's turn to dropped his jaw.
What did she say?
So the reason she didn't smile was because she was thinking about the economic condition of his kingdom?
Geez. This girl is really innocent.
The king stifled a laugh.
Likewise with the coachman.
"Your Majesty laughed?"
Cassius chuckle "That will never happen. Trust me"
Cobalt was a rich empire. Bankruptcy and poverty were the most unlikely problems Cassius would face.
Hey, but he's a little amused by this girl's reaction.
"But...if this is given to me...what about the others?"
The point is, will Cassius still be able to pay his other workers?
"Calm down Ophelia. This is for you, take it"
The girl is still not smiling
Huh. Cassius still had to try again apparently.
"Okay, I'll send it again tomorrow"
"No!"
"But you don't look like it?"
"I like it! I'm just worried what will happen to the palace? I mean.."
"hush, that doesn't make sense. Don't underestimate me like that. I don't like it"
"Your Majesty, I'm just worried" Ophelia intertwined her fingers nervously.
Cassius who was almost annoyed now got a new spirit from hearing that.
He approached the girl, she dropped her gaze as the king was standing right in front of her.
He is smell really good.
A faint smile graced his lips "Are you worried about me?"