Her day (3/3)

Frederic spent his afternoon in his office, a room adorned with a few paintings and a bookshelf lined with books. His desk was wide and intricately crafted with fine details.

Managing a city and the villages within his lands was no easy task. Every month, he received reports detailing grain production, the number of newborns, deaths, crime rates, and other vital information.

As he read through the reports to decide on necessary measures, a deep sense of unease gnawed at him. What if it's real? What if it's true? The thought plagued him all afternoon.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," he called. The door opened, and the butler entered. "My lord, your daughter Ella requests a meeting with you."

Again?

"I'm busy right now." The man nodded and was about to close the door when Ella suddenly walked past him.

"Father, it's important." She stood in front of his desk.

Frederic looked at her. "Perhaps you've forgotten your manners, Ella. I think you'll need to learn them from the start again."

"The priests want me to spy on you." She ignored his 'threat.' Frederic furrowed his brow and leaned back in his chair. He nodded to the butler, signaling him to close the door, leaving them alone.

"Sit down and explain what you just said."

"Before that, I need to know a few things. That cleric, Robert—was it he who provided the knowledge about papermaking and the printing press?"

"Why are you asking that? That's not important. What truly matters is what you said about spying on me."

"It is important! Is he really a criminal? A sinner? Is the reason you're keeping him here because of his knowledge and ideas? Don't change the subject; I know those two new foods were his creations too."

Frederic watched his daughter for some seconds, pondering what he should say. "Yes, all those ideas and inventions came from him. Now, answer my question."

Ella's lips curled into a small smile upon hearing that. She relaxed and leaned back in her chair.

"I spoke with a priest, and he told me about Robert's crimes. He asked me questions about him—how he was and where he was taken. After some talking, he asked me to pay attention to that man and report back to him. He also wanted me to observe what you were doing with him."

Those damned old men! The nagging question that had taken root in the back of his mind was momentarily cast aside by what his daughter had just revealed. At least for now.

"You did well to come and warn me, Ella. I'm proud of you."

Ella looked at him with wide eyes, wanting to say something but unable to find the words. She felt a sudden urge to cry but managed to hold it back, smiling instead as a thank you.

"So, they want information, do they?" Frederic mused, stroking his chin.

"They want to kill him! I heard them debating whether those ideas should be entirely banned and forbidden."

"Hmm. Of course, we can't allow that. I'll think of something. You may go now."

"Father, is he really as dangerous as they claim?" she asked, rising from her seat.

"He killed a man," Frederic stated, looking directly into his daughter's eyes, leaving her to process that information and form her own opinion. She nodded and then left.

The next day, Rafael woke up in his dark, cramped room. What time is it? he wondered, before deciding it didn't matter and going back to sleep.

Ella was in a foul mood throughout most of the morning. I can't believe he really ordered me to relearn proper high-class manners and habits. Her teacher was none other than her own mother, who felt ashamed after hearing from her husband about how their daughter had behaved the other day.

"We're not finished, and you know it. We'll continue tomorrow," her mother said sternly, conveying how serious the matter was. "I understand, Mother. Thank you for your teachings," Ella replied before walking away.

I should have at least an hour until lunch, so... I could try to speak with him. She searched for a servant and asked if they had seen the cleric. "I'm sorry, milady, but I haven't seen him today," the servant replied.

Ella nodded and continued searching for someone who had seen Rafael. It was the third servant she spoke to who finally told her where he had last seen him.

I should have thought of that... Ella felt a bit foolish after hearing where he was.

"Pardon, milady?" The servant stepped closer, not having heard her mumbled words. "Ah, no, no, it's nothing. Thank you for your help."

Heading to the kitchen, she could smell the food even from the end of the hall. The door was open, so she walked in without hesitation. Pots and pans were on the fire, chopped vegetables and other ingredients prepared nearby. A young man in an apron stood next to the stove, watching the water boil.

Is that him? It doesn't seem... She approached him from behind and raised her hand to touch him, but then—

"Milady! It's you again." She jumped in surprise at the sudden greeting. "Aahh!"

"Oh my God, please forgive me! I didn't mean to scare you, milady!" The chef quickly clasped his hands together, begging for forgiveness.

"I- it's fine."

"Oh, thank you, thank you. So, what brings you here?" The man put on his best smile.

"A servant told me he saw your friend Robert here. Where is he?" she asked, looking around.

"Oh, hahaha, he's just over there behind the divider. Hey Robert, come out! Milady Ella, daughter of Baron Frederic, is here." They heard some mumbling before a young man slowly stepped out of his hiding spot. Ella's eyes sparkled when she saw him. It's him!

"Good morning, milady," Rafael greeted her as formally as he could. ...Why is she staring at me?

Brandyc glanced at Rafael, then at Ella, then at his apprentice, who only shrugged in response.