Chapter 4 - The Orange-Haired Princess

Part 4

Lazy Gil

Estate of the Auryls

Sometimes, Life is more than unfair or should I say the universe as a whole. Some enigmatic entities have something to offer in all of us that make the meaning of our existence. Or perhaps, we accepted that kind of ambiguous reasoning or meaning and tend to believe that is the purpose of our existence. We are contented with it. Nothing more than to make us feel better.

Sometimes, it seems everything we do is free and under our own will but the prevailing truth is that the universe has given us no choice. We have no freedom. From the first breath, perhaps even we are not yet born, the stars already wrote our fates. Our role has already been decided since the beginning of time.

And that piece of the damn is what the universe had offered to us. Or should I say, forcefully put into us - The feeling of freedom when we're under one will.

Not that I care though.

Not that I could do something about it.

As long as I am doing what I want, I have no problem with it. Even it's a façade and my truest desires are all design by something enigmatic.

I don't care as long as I am fulfilling something especially myself.

I just want to live my life, even I was already written by someone who I could not comprehend. Period. I just want to continue living while reading these books in my small and dirty room, which I am assigned. I am just your humble gatekeeper who comes from the other world.

But by what fate, I am indeed misfortunate today. Fate has given me another job to do. Can't be helped then.

That is to guard this timid orange princess. Timid, huh? More likely sly orange princess.

But perhaps, that's the main purpose of my life. To guard this room and to be an escort. No, from a broader perspective – we, my other selves – the purpose of our lives is to serve this family, to comply with what fate has given with us. We are to serve this family, said the Council of the Glass Mansion.

***

Lazy Gil

Estate of the Auryl.

Everything in the morning had passed without a hitch.

One of my other self already washed the dishes and Master Butler, still, my other self who usually wears an unexpressive face was currently accompanying the princess as they spending the afternoon inside Johan's office. Samantha picked a book from a shelve out of nothing to do. She sighed as she read the title of the book.

My other selves were roaming around the mansion doing some basic chores.

That's our daily routine in this mansion. We are the mansion keeper. However, we ensure no one except the ones living this mansion witnessing me and my other selves at the same time. It would be a problem if it were to happen.

Though, I'm a little bit special since I don't like cleaning here and there. My other selves, especially the Master Butler, understood me. He's my self after all. We're all one after all.

I am not fond of the idea of eavesdropping but I, or we, heard last night that Samantha, our Young Miss, had something to be finished before Johan comes back from her journey. Something called assignment, which was all about learning a thing or two about His Highness.

I know this Sly/Timid Princess very well and I know she was thinking it was a bothersome business dealing with His Highness, even though, she still had the urge to complete the assignment given to her for the sake of competency. I know she's thinking that. If her instructor told her so, she needed to finish her task for she had no reason to refuse.

She's that kind of a person. She does not want others to see her incompetency.

That's something I am lacking. The strength to push through even you don't like doing things. Even though you just like to lay in your bed and open a book.

But don't get me wrong. I am not jealous. I am just simply admiring the Princess by having that kind of strength.

Moreover, it is the duty of the next queen to be knowledgeable and well educated and learning from the current ruler would be a great help for her, I guess.

His Highness was not on this mansion and during this time of the day, her father is busy doing administrative work as a king of the nation.

I had the feeling that Samantha was not planning to be a disturbance but she could not directly say this to her father the reason for her attendance was for her to answer the assignment Johan had left for her.

In addition, she's a timid princess, weak against the stares of the crowd. If she would have given the choice between staying in this mansion her whole life and facing the crowd as the queen, clearly she would choose the former.

All the same, she had to face this. My Poor Princess.

Samantha once said mingling with other people was sure a headache but fate had given her no choice. She knew it was as important for her as the next queen to learn how to socialize with the outside world. She had to face this cruel world. I could not wait for the time to come that she's facing the crowd below her throne while they are cheering for her.

Ah! Such event! I am excited to see the bitter smile forced into her pretty face.

No, no, no... let's not think about that. She's our princess. Let's respect her.

That's right. She's the only princess next line to the throne. Therefore, nothing can be done about it.

Samantha sighed. She put the book she was holding. She looked at her escort and said.

"Take me to my room."

"Certainly, Young Miss."

The Master Butler Gil bowed and quickly opened the door to her room.

She went inside her bedroom to don her formal white dress with orange hems on the skirt, glued the insignia on her left breast. No one could ever step inside her room except for Johan. My other selves and I are off-limits.

She turned around as she was examining herself on the full-body size mirror.

"Yup, this is fine"

Then, she walked near to a door on the corner of her simple yet homely bedroom. Knocking twice, she said –

"To the royal palace"

On the other side of the door, she heard a reasserting cough, caught by surprise and Inquisition.

"Come again, Young Miss?"

That was me. I was on the other side of the door, wanting to reassure I heard the right words. I was caught off guard by Young Miss. How strange. The day had come when Samantha knocked on the door connecting to the Royal Palace. How strange.

'This day is surely busy, eh?' I thought.

"I know... Johan had given me an assignment and going to the royal palace has something to do with it."

She explained reluctantly.

I already knew about it and she didn't have to be shy about it.

I know everything after all. We know everything about this mansion.

"I deeply apologize, Young Miss. I understand but give me a second."

Bad, this was bad. I could not let a young princess see how messed-up usually my room, which is the portal way to the Royal Palace. Though His Highness and Johan never mind about it, I doubt a maiden such as Samantha would be bothered.

After I said those words with the scent of hastiness, rumbling sounds of clashing kitchenware and broken glasses, etc. were heard. The brown door opened and dust and dirt were still settling down on the messy floor. Some dust clouds even managed to invade Samantha's room.

I opened the door.

I was standing next to the doorway tapping my black and white attire to swipe off some dirt on my shoulders.

"Good morning, Young Miss." I bowed and smiled.

She did not answer.

Dining set on the right with minimal chairs, a small desk with some unclosed books in the opposite, and a small bed on the other side. All showed a quite carefree life. My sweet little paradise, my room.

"Don't look around too much, Young miss. I know I am the laziest of all the Gils working here and it's even a greater sin knowing I am but isn't it the reason why I am assigned in here, guarding the gateway between the royal palace and the mansion?"

I, who was on the princess side, made an apologetic bow. My face showed an apology but I had no plan to completely apologize for my doings. I am innocent after all. I intended it so she could read into my face the slight irritation.

"It's okay. However, I am different from Fa- His Highness and Johan. I think you must keep things in check."

As expected, she was bothered.

She said with arm crossed, eyes closed. Sooner, she made a peek into me by slightly opening her right eye.

This princess... She may be timid but she's also perceptive. She saw right through me. I unconsciously made my tongue click.

"Yaaah~ my mistake, Young Miss. Let this pass by and it will not happen again."

She smirked seeing me a little uncomfortable. She must be having a good time seeing the face of the usually stoic Master Butler Gil being flustered.

I scratched the back of my head as I was trying to laugh as the princess's smile was still on her pretty face. However, that was fruitless and futile. She was a wall to be reckoned.

Silent fell into the small room for a moment. While I warily stared at the princess, finally she gave me a cute and reserved chuckle.

'Ugh~ this princess...'

"I just can't get enough of your other selves. Surely, it is interesting, your Grandio ability: One for all, all for one. But I like you better than the other Gils."

"Ha-ha... It's a pleasure being liked by Young Miss..." I know where this conversation is going. Therefore, I had to change the subject immediately. "Hmm... Young Miss, you're going to the Palace alone, where your escort, my other selves? Master Butler?"

I paused realizing something on the princess's little smile. "Don't tell me..." as much as I thought... I just dug my own grave.

"Yes... as I said... I like you than your other selves, more than Master Butler Gil. Therefore..."

"O-of course, young miss." I sighed.

I dejectedly shrugged my shoulders, surrendering before the undeniable smile of the beautiful princess while I went to grab a masque of black on the small table that only covers around the part of my golden eyes.

"But Young Miss is quite energetic today, aren't we?"

"..." She smiled.

Figuring she's not going to reply me, I hurriedly opened the door for her and bowed. As I touched the door, the knob glowed in gold.

"Astral Attribute: Dark Divinity Door - Royal Palace." Before speaking again, I looked back to the princess who's waiting for me to usher her way. "Then, this way, Young miss."

I had to be composed since I was her escort for the day. Furthermore, we were going to the Royal Palace and it's more reasonable to be formal.

Goodbye, my beloved bed and books. Don't worry. I'll see you very soon.

***

Royal Palace Ferrell

Narrator-kun

As Lazy Gil the door opened, bright light splashed her orange ruby eyes.

Sooner, her eyes received line of the slender pillars like the curving waist of a woman. They were on the west edge, next to the glass wall of the royal palace without hours of walking thanks to Lazy Gil's teleportation skill.

The transparent wall of the west part of the palace allowed the hallway flooded with natural light and lustrous floor reflected the hue of the sky. Chandeliers also lined up on the high ceiling above and were like crystals or stars.

The place was golden since it was still mid-afternoon. The sun's yellowish ray made the cloud tinted with light orange to yellow. Shadows of the curving pillars cut the shining floors of the hallway.

The door teleported them to the west side of the Grandiose Royal Palace, exactly to where it should suppose to take them.

The only ones who could step on this sacred part of the Royal Palace are the members of the Royal Family, Samantha and His Highness, and their trusted assistants, Gil or Gils and Johan.

For now, no one would distress the princess here, but sooner it would begin, as she would pass through that double door sitting right at the end of the hallway. That door will lead them to the busy main hallway where the royal guards on their shining armor would line up to bow for her and nobles would have to stop their feet to greet her politely.

For her, the guards doing such operose yet only for ostentation was nothing but an infliction.

For her, the nobles doing their pleasantries is nothing but a sham.

Once, she censured the royal guard and some noble that there's no need to have such formal curtsy for such a thing would only embarrass her. Well, actually would only a bother to her.

However, nothing can be done. They insisted, they must and it's their duty to show their unwavering reverence to the Royal Family.

What a pain in the neck.

She thought, hearing the patters of the tucked footsteps behind the doors while her sandaled feet brought her nearer to the door each step she took.

The Lazy Gil, being her servant of the day made a foot ahead of her. He was on the front of the double door waiting for the princess.

"Young Miss, I'll open."

Gil diligently read the sour expression on her pretty face and patiently waited for her reply. Even he was not the 'Gil' that usually tailing on her back, he, the 'Gil' she was with at, cognized about the princess timidity. Therefore, he let her take her own time to get herself fix up.

She made a deep breath, deep enough that Gil turned into the princess as he heard her.

"Yes, I am ready, too. Now, open the door." She said calmly.

As soon as the door made a thud and a creak, it signaled the royal guard assigned to stand before the door to tighten up. Their shining, golden armors made a lively crackle.

As the guards straightened up, it effectively gathered attention that the passing nobles on the main hallway stopped and had their eyes into the big double door that had opened. The royal guards genuflected as the image of the future queen had lain before their eyes.

The Princess and her escort walked on the main hallways towards the King's audience.

The people dressed in fancy clothes Samantha and Lazy Gil came across made a way and bowed before her politely. They greeted to princess with their eyes looking down into the floor. Even they are high nobles, they could make their selves anything more than to greet the timid future queen without her approval.

They respected the princess in spite of knowing the fact she is timid. They respected her for they knew who she is. Not only the daughter of King Nero but the bearer of the Fire Deity. They knew she is an Archon. And her existence similar to the First King Miral is being seen as the like of a God. She is seen as a Goddess.

However, one of the nobles had enough thick face to have a mundane conversation with the princess. He's not a fanatic after all. He did not care if she's a real deity or not. For him, she's the princess who will sit next to the throne.

"Ephemeral as ever, Your Highness."

His High-pitched voice was an irritation into one's ears, especially for the timid Princess. This came from a certain noble with servants and a squire behind him.

At least the laudatory words were true in its own, even without coming from his filthy mouth, Lazy Gil thought.

Before making her response, she threw a look at her today's retainer. Lazy Gil smiled and nodded encouragingly.

"I am honored by those words, Marquis Fallenstyne. You look good as well today" She answered back with the same curtsy the High-Noble gave to her.

"Hehe... I am pleased though I am not worthy of the praising words of the future queen. By what fate to see you the princess here. Indeed, it is heaven's made to see you, my princess."

Samantha's ear twitched in irritation, her hands clenched, holding herself up.

Certainly, it's one of a million chance of seeing the princess roaming around the royal palace. It was common knowledge not only to this kingdom but also to its neighborhoods, that the princess Samantha had fetishization of locking herself inside the mansion of Auryls, the mansion that her mother's family owned.

For her to step inside the Royal Palace, she must have some important business with His Highness. And as for the Marquis, for him to witness such rare occurrence was truly catching twice the lightning under the cloudless skies.

Today was vicious Marquis's lucky day. Almost everyone on the noble realm was not fond of him. He had a murky background to begin with and his face was saying he was planning something behind the scenes.

Taking advantage of Samantha's royal position, the next queen of the kingdom, he surely wanted to get his skin close to hers as possible. It would be a jackpot if she would marry his 10-year-old son. No, his crook fascination of power to rule had reached to the point she would kill her wife to remarry the princess himself for good.

She knew his notoriousity. That's why the princess made a sorely smile as she was unlucky to meet him here.

"Enough from exaggeration, Marquis Fallenstyne. However, if you will excuse us, I'll take my leave. Have a good day."

Before an unworthy man, she bowed curtsying. Her pretty face became sour though she did let anyone see especially the Marquis on her front.

"Of course, my princess, of course. Although it's only a hint of my little mind, His Highness is in his office waiting for your arrival... "

"He – His highness know I am here?" She glanced over to the servant behind her who was scratching the back of his head.

"Yes. I implore that the princess should announce her arrival before so that the palace could prepare. The Princess is already here anyway. I was within an important discussion with His Highness but His Highness said it was all for today even if we just started our topic. Now, I see..."

"My gratitude. I'll take your advice about announcing my arrival next time. Then, I shall take my leave."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

Then, she bowed again but this time not with the raising of the hems of her white dress again. She took her time to leave and when they were far enough to the bowing Marquis. She sighed heavily.

"Another portion of your happiness had passed out, Young Miss." Lazy Gil casually commented.

"I am quite unlucky today to meet the infamous Marquis... Moreover, why did you tell him?"

"I am just doing my duty, Young Miss..." Lazy Gil smiled bitterly.

He was still two steps behind the princess. Perhaps he did not want to be seen by the princess since he felt a little guilty telling His Highness about the arrival of the princess inside the royal palace.

"Did you know what we're talking last night on Johan room?"

She suddenly brought up after thinking that her objective coming her might have been exposed already.

"Aaaah~ about that... a little, Young Miss but certainly I was not eavesdropping – I mean, my other selves were, not me."

"Sigh... I am still astounded by the fact you and your other selves could share information with each other minds. Hmmm... indeed, the strangest skill that I know... But His Highness do know nothing about my assignment, does not he?"

Gil forced a smile.

"He doesn't. I assure you, Young Miss."

"Good..."

****

Royal Palace Ferrell – King Nero's office.

"So, what is it?" By asking her without hesitation, he welcomed her daughter.

There, His Highness was on his lengthy and busy maple-brown desk skimming some paper. In his left, a butler with the same uniform and the same mask of Lazy Gil is wearing was standing with his hands hiding on his back. If one were to see the two butlers facing together, he would think the butler was facing a mirror. They had the exact similarities that one would think that they were the same person. Of course, that's exactly the case. He is another self of Gil who escorts King Nero wherever he goes. Serious Gil.

"Good Afternoon, His Highness... I am deeply sorry for bothering you even His Highness is busy. I would like to – "

Samantha said, with face down, not wanting to see his father's facial expression.

"Yes, I am busy. Spill it out."

"Y-yes, His Highness. I .... I just want to see...my Father works." She paused and timidly looked at his father burning red eyes. "I like to request to accompany His highness even only in this afternoon...if His Highness permits."

Their eyes met. In the next moment, His Highness' eyes lowered back to the piece of paper he was holding.

Her hands dropped on her sides expecting her father was going to reject her.

"Do as you like then."

She heard from him his permission that made her sigh quietly not letting her father hear.

She was nervous he might decline but now, inside of her, she was smiling.

****

Royal Palace Ferrell – King Nero's office

After she spent half an hour sitting to the corner just observing her father while he was busy reading and signing some documents, her legs became numb considerably. Looking around the King's office room, bookshelves almost covered the walls.

She decided to skim some books.

"Oh, the same atlas Johan has... Hmm... Laws and International Treaties... Worlds and its deities..." she chuckled a little. "The great dove God?"

'What's this?' She asked herself. Samantha is no religious fanatic, she does not consider herself a deity, but she knows that the religion the Holy Nation of Theopolis spreading across the neighboring kingdoms of Ferrum worshipped only one God, The God of Holy Light. To see another entity surely actuated her mind.

Piqued her interest, she started to pull the book out of the shelves but then another title caught her eyes again.

"The Enigma and the Retainers? Let's see – by G. Greyer."

Immediately after reading the title and the author, the two butlers, serious Gil near at His Highness and Lazy Gil who were standing to the corner, jerked off.

"Ahem!"

The Lazy Gil who accompanied the princess all this time approached the curious princess. He hurriedly walked closer to the princess, in the edge of running, as any other word the princess would read would make them suffer more with unbearable embarrassment.

He laughed, mocking his own before speaking to the princess.

"Young Miss, aren't we going astray from our main purpose why we're here, are we?" He said, smiling nervously at the princess. At the moment, Lazy Gil lost his composure.

"Ah, sorry about that. You will tell me about this, however – "she went tapping the book twice, smirking when she found the discomforted expression on Lazy Gil's face. "Next time, right?"

"Ahaha... O-of course, Young Miss."

"Alright... assignment... alright..."

As Lazy Gil reprimanded her princess, she went back to her sit to observe again his father while he was working. She was becoming bored but fortunately enough, something came up.

Serious Gil who in the side of his highness bowed asking the permission to speak,

"His Highness, an envoy from Sicily has come. He's requesting an audience of His Highness at the reception room."

The butler had the same monotonous voice of Master Butler Gil on the mansion.

His Highness nodded.

"Take me there."

His Highness said putting back the paper he was currently reading. Then he stood behind Serious Gil who was opening the door at the corner of His Highness' Office.