A GEMSTONE!

BARON'S POV

The smoke of my favorite cigar invaded the scent of the freshly picked flowers on my glass table.

And the dim light illuminated from the moon makes me think of what I should do with my daughter, Violet.

I took the cigar in my fingertips and sip the taste of its smoke, its flavor touches my sensitive tongue.

I have canceled all my scheduled appointments in the afternoon due to distractions over my head. I'm restless.

My gold Rolex watch is telling me it's already 8 pm, Margaret and Violet will arrive by 9:30 pm at my small private airport, it's at the edge of my 120 acres of land.

Seating at my outdoor, glass-covered veranda makes my head calm the waves of anxieties.

I'm puffing the smoke from the cigar.

This is an unusual feeling for me.

I am always sure about myself and my decisions. But this is the most difficult that I have ever made.

Fear and anxieties are not my types. Instead, people feared me and they obey my orders.

I have been in my position as Prime Minister for a decade and never in my life being restless for something that is very small dirt that had been covered for a long time.

It was an old dirty task that was given to me when I was still a member of the Privy Council.

Looking at the glass walls, reflecting my red hair with white streaks, my face showing some wrinkles on my forehead and around my eyes.

I am no longer getting any younger.

All my life, I have been working hard to build my real estate empire, the QuesStar.

The power that I have been as Prime Minister keeps me away from getting a life, a family life.

And Lady Violet Rose is the precious treasure that I have never been in close contact with.

I have been receiving reports about Violet's situation but have never had given a chance to meet her face to face.

I wanted to reach out to her but Amanda is always on guard.

Too many declined calls that I ended up sending packages anonymously.

Amanda keeps her away from me, not even giving me a chance to know her since birth.

She has flown away to Alaska without my knowledge but Margaret stays loyal towards me.

Margaret is her best friend and my only connection to Amanda.

I have my other sources too! Jerry Robert Smithson, whom I talked to in the past when Violet was working as her assistant in a school. William Quest the village headman, whom Margaret communicated when she's not around the village.

And it's painful to see how difficult Violet's situation is, but, I saw myself in her with her great determination amidst the struggles.

She's a gemstone that could be polished to shine brightly.

Most of my life turned around in circles inside and outside Castle Quest and QuesStar.

Thinking about Castle Quest. I'm reminded of our conversation earlier with Mother Queen.

Queen Anastacia Leonor Cecilia, the Mother Queen called me in the afternoon and told me about her troubles with her granddaughter, Princess Xenia Esmeralda, her voice still lingers in my head.

"Mr. Evans, Princess Xenia has been very difficult lately, she wanted to pursue business studies in the US instead of following my order that she should stay in England and study History and Literature for the future of Castle Quest." She sighed and continued, "Princess Charlotte is making her head like a rock. I wanted to throw it away to break it!" I could hear her furious voice and imagined the looks on her face.

"Your Highness, Princess Xenia is indeed a strong character. She's still young and very vulnerable to wrong decisions. Maybe, if she will have someone, the same age as her, who can accompany her around, someone who could help her, and gives her advice. She might change her decision?"

"That's great advice, Mr. Evans! We will then get someone to accompany her before school starts. Do you have any recommendations?" She sighed.

"Yes, Your Highness! I believe that's what we can do. Someone who could inspire her to do things the right way. Please give me a week to prepare someone for her task as Princess Xenia's assistant."

"Alright then, that could be a great help! Thank you, Mr. Evans, you are as always as trustworthy and a family. We appreciate you."

"Your Excellency... Excuse me, Sir... Dinner had been served at the dining." My butler called out to get my attention and bow down his head to pay respect.

"Okay, Thank you, Hector. Please contact the chauffeur, he needs to pick up Margaret at the private airport by 9:30 pm." I responded while checking my watch, it's 8:30 in the evening, the night sky is clear while the moon illuminates on the huge lawn of trees and landscapes that were built and planted five years ago.

"Yes will do, Your Excellency!" His squeaking shoes echoed as he left me at the veranda.

"See you tomorrow Lady Violet Rose," I muttered inwardly.

Meanwhile at the QuesStar private jet.

VIOLET'S POV

"Good evening our beloved passengers! This is your captain speaking. We will be arriving at the private airport on Bournemouth in QuesStar Estate in 30 minutes. The weather is good tonight with a very clear sky, you will enjoy the view of the QuesStar Estate as we descend in the next 20 minutes. Just sit back and relax as we are arriving at our destination. Thank you for traveling with us today!" Then he signed off.

The announcement awakened me from my sleep. I could feel my butt pain for a longer duration of the seating.

I could handle long hours of standing just like in the junction but not seating too long.

I stretched my arms on the back of my head then decided to get inside the restroom.

"Margaret... Margaret..." I wake her up from a deep sleep.

I need to pass in front of her since I am seated beside the windows while she's in the alley.

"What is it Violet, sweetie?" She rubbed her eyes and followed by her yawning.

"I need to pass, I'm going to the restroom." She nodded and moved her feet away.

Then I removed my seat belt, took my backpack, and stood up.

The flight attendant approached me and escorted me towards the restroom.

"Thank you, Mam!" Then, I entered the empty restroom.

The restroom is spacious, in white tiles with gold carvings, and a beautifully decorated black marble sink with gold edges and a gold faucet.

The restroom has a tub and shower, it's grandiose and it speaks so much of money and wealth.

[How could they waste so much money just for a restroom?]

They could have to feed poor people with the amount that they have spent!

I pushed the faucet with my fingers but it's not working.

[Why does a luxury restroom without water?]

I open the door and called out the flight attendant's name "Connie".

"Yes, mam? What's wrong?" She asked in her questioning look.

"I'm so sorry mam but why there's no water in the faucet?" I shyly asked.

"It's okay mam. No worries. You just need to put your hands below it like this." She moved her hands below the faucet and it is working.

[Oh, Gawd! That's shameful of me!] I saw my red face in the gold decorative mirror.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Thank you, Connie!" I lowered my head, I couldn't look at her.

"Hey, that's fine! You do not need to feel sorry. Nothing to worry about." She flashed her friendliest smile then left.

I quickly washed my face with water, took my facial soap from my backpack.

Then I tap my face with some facial tissue and comb my unkempt red hair, tied it up into a ponytail.

I took my powder and dusted my face to keep it away from being oily then wiped my lip gloss to avoid chapped lips.

Then I returned myself to my seat.

Margaret is already awake, she's watching some news on TV.

Then I heard her say something as I seated "We will be staying at the Cliveden spring cottage while your new home is being prepared. It's the place where I always stayed when I'm in England. You will surely love it there!" Her excitement is reflecting in her voice.

"Where am I going to work? Is it near or far from Cliveden?"

"Oh, don't worry about that! A chauffeur will surely pick you up and take you back to the cottage after work." She announced without even looking at me.

"Margaret, do you think that I fit my job in Mr. Evans's company?"

"Yes, of course, sweetie! You are more than eligible for the job. You are hard-working, smart, and intelligent. That is sure enough for your eligibility!" She looked at me sternly and continued, "Stop being hard to yourself. Do not question your capacity and capability, okay? You are more than enough to work for Mr. Evans."

I nodded.

Sometimes, I have difficulty trusting my capacity to work since my mom never trusted me, my whole life.

Then suddenly an announcement echoes, "Hello, our beloved passengers! This is your Captain speaking. We are now ready to take off in 5 minutes. Please lock your seat belts for your safety. Thank you for traveling with us."

"As soon as we landed at the private airport, a chauffeur will take us to Cliveden. We will have our dinner in there, it was booked by Mr. Evans." I nodded and lock-up my seat belt.

I look outside the windows, the white lights flicker from the ground. I'm speechless.

The shadows and lights make QuesStar Estate a masterpiece.

After 5 minutes...

We are already on the ground.

A silver limousine is waiting, on standby.

The flight attendants helped me with my luggage and hand carry bag.

Connie and Romeo escorted us towards the car.

Then, I thank them as soon as the chauffeur took my bags inside the car.

"Welcome to QuesStar Estate Mam!" The chauffeur announced, and he opened the doors for us to get inside.

The interior of the car surprised me, this is the first time that I ride a limousine.

There's a wine bar, music box, and lighting. It's impressive!

I have never thought to experience this luxury lifestyle, and I hope I'm not dreaming.

"Am I dreaming Margaret?"

She shook her head and replied, "Nope, you are not! You're awake sweetie!"

It's been 20 minutes that we are traveling right now.

Then it halted, we finally arrived.

The doors sprung open then I saw the old man opening the doors for us.

Then, he helped us out of the car and took my luggage and my hand carry bag.

We are walking towards the huge lawn, I am following Margaret towards the spring cottage.

While the chauffeur carried all my backs and I say thank you as we reached the front door.

I have never thought that the spring cottage is huge and had a lake in front of it.

The trees surround the cottage-like it's being protected.

"Margaret, Are you sure about this?" She was unable to hear me.

She moved quickly, opening the doors with her key card.

"Welcome home Violet!" She opened the door wide open and tap her fingers on the switch turning on the lights.

As the lights turned on, it illuminated the interior decor in a modern Victorian-style cottage.

The floral sofa set, the floral walls, and some antique collections.

"Are you okay Violet? I could always have our dinner for room service"

"Yes, that would be great Margaret! I'm starting to get tired."

"Alright! I will call the room service then." She quickly took her phone and dialed.

And I decided to have a seat on the sofa while scanning the whole house.

"Hello? Yes, this is Margaret! Does Mr. Evans make some reservations in the restaurant? Yes, that's right! I would like to have it for room service instead, please. Yes, thank you!" Then, she hanged up.

"The food will be delivered in 30 minutes! We better get yourself settled into your room!" She announced and took my luggage, and I followed her.