Chapter_14: Maiden

The melodious chirping of birds outside Ragnar's window gently roused him from his slumber. The soothing sound of the wind rustling through the trees filled the air, creating a tranquil atmosphere in his room.

For so long, Ragnar had wandered without a true place to call home, often finding rest on the streets or in the peaceful embrace of the forest near a serene pond. But in this moment, as he lay in his bed, a sense of calm washed over him, bringing a newfound peace that he had longed for.

As he lay there, still lost in the realm of dreams, his contented snores filled the room, blending irritation with the natural symphony outside. With a peaceful expression on his face, Ragnar shifted slightly in his sleep, unconsciously turning to face the window before settling back into a deep and restful slumber.

Still in a drowsy state, Ragnar was roused by the gentle sound of knocking at his door. Gradually returning to wakefulness, he opened his eyes and sat up on the bed, feeling the remnants of sleep lingering.

After a moment, he gazed out of the window and slowly rose, using the wooden table for support. Despite his weariness, he made his way towards the door, taking each step carefully to maintain his balance. Finally reaching the door, he opened it slowly, revealing his fatigued expression.

Upon opening the door, Ragnar was greeted by a petite lady in a maid outfit. Her long, dark hair was adorned with a green ribbon that swayed gently as she held a large bowl with a cover. Her kind, green eyes met Ragnar's as she spoke.

"Lady Ana mentioned that the dining rooms will be crowded with visitors, so you won't be able to enter. However, she instructed me to bring you a bowl of food so you can dine here," the maid said, handling the bowl with care.

Ragnar's tired expression vanished as he opened his eyes with renewed energy. "You are welcome to come in, lady. My name is Ragnar Frostpyre; may I have the pleasure of knowing your name as well?" Ragnar responded kindly.

Ragnar graciously accepted the bowl from her small hands and stepped aside to allow the maid to enter the room. With a gentle tone, she expressed her desire for a more tranquil and improved environment.

"It is customary for maids not to disclose their names unless instructed to do so by royalty. However, you may call me Garnette Oakheart. Would you like me to clean your room while you eat?" Garnette responded with a polite question.

"No, I will take care of that myself. Please have a seat while you wait," Ragnar said as he closed the door and set the bowl on the table. He then went to tidy his bed and exclaimed, "It's done," with joy as the maid smiled at him.

Ragnar removed the cover from the bowl, revealing a peaceful and delightful meal consisting of two grilled mackerel, a serving of crisp green leaves, apple slices, pork in a flavorful sauce, and a cup of water placed inside the bowl.

As Ragnar picked up the fork, he enjoyed his meal with great satisfaction. With a delighted expression, he savored each bite of the pork, taking occasional sips of water. It was then that he noticed the maid observing him.

Garnette sat gracefully, smiling at Ragnar with her hands folded in her lap. "Have you already had breakfast, Garnette?" Ragnar inquired as he chewed on the greens in his mouth.

"We maids eat our meals before or after a royalty or a visitor ate theirs," Garnette answered in a soft tone.

"Well, you didn't answer my question. Did you already eat breakfast, Garnette?" Ragnar repeated as he munched on the pork.

Garnette smiled softly and replied, "I haven't had breakfast yet, Ragnar."

Ragnar paused, then, with a warm smile, he said, "Then eat with me, so we shall savor each bite."

Garnette was pleasantly surprised by Ragnar's statement and responded in a gentle voice, "I believe we're not supposed to eat with visitors, but I accept the gesture." Her cheeks were tinged with a blush as she spoke.

Carefully, she lifted the chair and placed it next to Ragnar. Sitting down, she listened as he offered her the cover as a makeshift plate and a spoon. "Thank you," Garnette murmured softly, feeling a bit shy.

As Ragnar continued eating, he placed a large bowl in the middle and spoke kindly to Garnette, "You're welcome to help yourself to anything here, Garnette." Embarrassed, Garnette looked down but felt a sense of peace and gratitude in the simple act of sharing a meal with Ragnar.

"That bowl is perfect for you. Lady Ana prepared it especially for you," Garnette said in a gentle tone. Ragnar smiled warmly at the maid and said, "Please, feel free to choose whatever you like now."

Garnette blushed but didn't say anything. She slowly used the spoon to select the foods she wanted to eat, smiling shyly. As she started eating, she realized something.

"I'll go to the kitchen and get some water for myself. I'll also bring a whole liter bottle of water for you, as I think you might need it," Garnette said as she stood up and left the room.

As she exited the room, Ragnar couldn't help but notice the influx of visitors. It dawned on him that the reason for the increased activity was likely the bestowal of the title of "Royal Guardian" upon Apollo. "I should ask Garnette about the details of the event," Ragnar murmured softly to himself as he savored the last bites of his meal.

Completing his meal, Ragnar rose from his seat and approached the window, drawn to the tranquil scene outside. The sky displayed its usual serene blue color, adorned with gentle clouds. Retrieving his pocket watch from the table, he gently examined the time.

'It's only 7:34 HP in the morning? Quite early for me, considering I slept until lunchtime yesterday.'

Ragnar placed the pocket watch gently on the table and settled in to wait for Garnette. After a while, the door opened, and Garnette entered with a cup and a one-liter bottle of water.

"Sorry for the wait, Ragnar. I had some tasks to take care of while getting these, and the kitchen was bustling with maids and butlers, so I had to go to the farthest one," Garnette explained as she placed the bottle and cup on the table.

"It's no problem at all; I understand," Ragnar replied with a warm smile. Garnette sat down, wiping the sweat from her face, and began to eat. Ragnar carefully poured water from the bottle into his cup.

"Oh, what about the event for titling Apollo as the 'Royal Guardian'? When does it start?" Ragnar asked before he sipped his water. Garnette gazed at Ragnar as she postponed her eating.

"The event will happen tonight at 6:00 HU. But... you're probably not invited... or even prohibited to view the event. Mr. Smith only lets the visitors, butlers, and maids view it, but not you, since you are just a stranger to the royal family, only given permission to rest here," Garnette replied in a disappointed tone.

Ragnar took a deep breath and then said, "It's okay, Garnette. I respect their decision. I'll find something else to occupy my time tonight. Maybe I'll explore the gardens around the estate. Thank you for letting me know." Ragnar's calm acceptance echoed in the conversation.

Garnette finished her meal and delicately wiped the sauce from her mouth with a towel. "There's something else I need to mention," she said, recalling Lady Ana's request.

Ragnar leaned in with curiosity as Garnette spoke softly, "Lady Ana has asked you to visit the farmlands below and compensate a farmer with 5 gold coins for the wheat she purchased."

"Of course, I'll get ready," Ragnar replied calmly. He finished his water, stood up to stretch, and thought to himself, "Another quest; this is quite exhausting."

Garnette rose from her seat and began tidying up the table. After finishing, she held the large bowl and the one-liter bottle of water in her hands. As she prepared to leave, an idea struck her.

Pausing before the door, she gathered her courage and asked, "Since I have some free time, may I accompany you?" Ragnar paused his stretching and beamed with joy, exclaiming, "Really? Thank you, Garnette!"

"It's my pleasure. But please wait for me while I change clothes and put this in the kitchen. Meet me outside the gate," Garnette said with a warm smile.

Garnette quietly exited the room, closing the door gently behind her. Ragnar, wearing a gentle smile, opened the closet and smoothly donned his new trench coat and a brown cap he discovered inside. As he closed the closet, he took a moment to admire his appearance in the mirror.

"This looks quite nice; I think I'll go with this," Ragnar remarked with a contented smile. With a sense of anticipation, he picked up the pocket watch and key. He then proceeded through the door, closing it softly behind him, and descended the stairs at a leisurely pace.

Making his way towards the main castle exit, Ragnar exchanged warm greetings with the nobles and visitors he encountered. Finally, he stepped out of the main castle and found himself in the expansive garden of the property, enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere.

Ragnar strolled through the stone pathway, exchanging greetings with soldiers and visitors as he made his way to the exit. With an eager smile, he stood at the main gate, watching as carriages and people flowed through.

Pushing through the crowded exit, Ragnar finally emerged from the property. As he scanned the area for Garnette, he spotted a wooden bench and gratefully took a seat. "She'll be here any minute now," he murmured to himself, feeling a sense of calm wash over him.

Taking in the surroundings, Ragnar breathed in the fresh air and let the tranquility of the moment soothe his hurried spirit. The anticipation of meeting Garnette filled him with a quiet excitement, and he found himself looking forward to her arrival with a peaceful heart.

As Ragnar waited patiently, the gentle breeze brought a sense of peace to the farmlands. The golden sunlight painted a serene picture, and Ragnar couldn't help but admire the beauty around him. Suddenly, a soft, melodic voice broke through his thoughts, and he turned to see Garnette standing there, adorned in an elegant elisse-colored gown with two vibrant red ribbons adorning her hair.

Their eyes met, and in that moment, all the waiting seemed worth it. The tranquility of the surroundings and the sight of Garnette filled Ragnar with a profound sense of contentment.