Prep.

[ Letter ]

Captain of the Chivalric Knights,

Time has indeed passed since we last saw, Captain. So, I would like to give you a short notice of my arrival at your location. I want to visit the manor for a day and talk with some old friends. I would also like o to discuss with you some things regarding swordsmanship and some other subjects. I will be arriving on Phoenix fifteenth. I would also like to request a Jian sword but a lightweight and durable one. I will bring a sufficient amount of money on my way for the payment. See you soon, Captain.

-Sincerely yours, Lawrence Kingsley.

[ End ]

He finished making the mail after seeing Julia out. He placed it in an envelope and stuck a mark on it. A unique stamp of royalty. "Emilia. Call a messenger, an adequate one," he commanded.

"Understood, your highness," she replied.

Lawrence stood from where he sat and walked towards the balcony. Staring at the Garden of Roses, he remembers Estella. 'I wish you were here. Not a single day did I stop thinking of you, Momma.'

"Your highness, I've arrived with a messenger." Emilia came inside.

'Well, that was fast.' he thought. Lawrence turned around to see a woman with emerald hair and an excited face. It was someone familiar. Julia. Lawrence kept a straight face and walked towards his desk. "Introduce yourself."

"I'm Juliette Petvona Balabanksar, your highness," she answered.

"Pssh~!" Lawrence laughed. He composed himself by acting as if he had a sneeze. "Excuse me," he said.

Julia, in the face of embarrassment, tilted her head, gazing elsewhere. Lawrence scratched his nose gently and coughed. "I want you to relay a message to Gavin Pierson on Jule Household. I want it personally given to him. This mail is an important notice so, make sure not to delay it." he explained, giving her a pouch of silver coins.

"That should be sufficient, correct?" he asked- given a response of a nod.

Lawrence stood and handed the mail. Julia blushed in embarrassment and went out. "Your highness, pardon my curiosity, but may I ask a question?" Emilia asked.

"Go ahead."

"Was she someone you knew of, your highness?" she asked.

"No, I don't know her at all,~" he smiled. "How are the preparations?" he asked, changing the topic.

"The meals and desserts are now being cooked. The maids are doing their tasks preparing the dining table as well as the props. The garden caretaker and some other servants are doing their tasks in the Garden. A few hours from now, the preparation for the banquet will be ready, your highness." she explained.

"Then shall we head to the city to buy gifts?" Lawrence asked.

Emilia's eyes widened, "Excuse me, your highness. But did I hear correctly? You asked if we should go to the city?" she asked, flustered.

"Yes. Shall we? Prepare my wear." he said.

"I- uh- Yes! Yes, I shall, your highness. Can I call for some other servants too, your highness?" she requested.

"No need to make a deal out of it. Just do what you need to do." Lawrence said and headed right to bathe.

"Yes, your highness!" she hurried out of the door, calling some other servants.

Lawrence dipped himself into his bath, relaxed. The aroma of the bath was different. It had a light floral aroma and a hint of cinnamon. As he enjoys the relaxing, soothing bath, Lawrence slowly falls asleep.

Emilia and some other servants busied themselves, opening the closets of Lawrence. Finding the right outfit for the youngin as he enjoys his sleep in the bath. Emilia and the servants picked a little too stylish outfit for Lawrence one by one with exaggerated designs on them.

Thirty minutes passed, Emilia woke Lawrence from his slumber. Lawrence yawns and stands, covering himself and going out of the bathroom. He rubs his eyes, and as soon as they opened, various outfits too stylish and outstanding - out of sight - were placed on the bed. Lawrence's jaw dropped at the embarrassing clothes that had remained inside his closet, nevermore utilized.

Lawrence facepalms and peers at Emilia - who looked awfully excited - bewildered. "Are you kidding me?!" he asks Emilia.

"Hm?" Emilia's circle eyes of innocence, "Your highness, you must be in awe to see such extravagant outfits. I'm sure you'll look cute and admirable with each of these clothes." she explains with a gist of eagerness.

"Throw all of them away. Now."

"Hm?" Emilia's circle eyes of innocence once again, "I knew you would like- your highness?! Throw all of these expensive things away?!" her change of emotion mid-sentence made Lawrence frown.

"Yes, Emilia." Lawrence frowned. "These clothes are too... you know... childish," he explains out of embarrassment.

"Not at all." Emilia's circle eyes of innocence replied.

"Don't make me repeat myself." Lawrence looked straight to Emilia's eyes, who had been avoiding his gaze, glaring.

Emilia stubbornly did no movement and avoided the gaze of his highness, smiling and looking elsewhere. "Emilia..." Lawrence called out.

"Your highness~" playfully, she replied.

"I'll wear formal attire for my visit to the city. I don't want to outstand among the people," he explained.

Emilia sighs in sadness, "Yes... your highness." she answered with no energy.

"You can have these little outfits if you want to. Give it to your brother or child or something."

"Really?! You mean it, your highness?!" her eyes glimmered in excitement. "Thank you, your highness! I'll give this to my little brother!" she replied.

Their conversation was at pause, and the preparation for leaving the manor was ongoing. Lawrence wore his classic outfit. Emilia prepared their transportation and balance, calling guards with her and some other companions. Lawrence went out of his room and walks through the corridor before going down the stairs.

As if the servants' eyes glimmered when he dramatically goes down the stairway. Their eyes told how they envy and adore the youngin. He smiled at the servants and spoke, "Thank you for your hard work. The banquet will be perfect even if the preparations are late. I'll make sure to give you a good salary." he announced.

The crowd of servants and maids cheered gently, "We'll be leaving the manor for the time being. If any guest that arrives earlier than date, then please, escort and take care of them." he asked.

Emilia and two guards went with Lawrence to the city. Bringing a common carriage with them, they looked ordinary and did not outstand. Emilia wore a maid outfit, but a decent one, and the two guards weren't at all wearing any armor. They've traveled the city without attracting any attention.

Lawrence remembered his last visit to the city. It was when he had his birthday. The travel continued as they reached their final destination. It was a jewelry shop. Lawrence realized that the guests were more women than men, deciding to give the group jewelry.

"I humbly welcome our guests." a man approached Lawrence, bowing respectfully. 'Fancy clothing, a maid behind him, unique appearance. He must be a noble from a wealthy family.' the jewelry man thought.

"What would be good souvenirs to gift at a rare banquet?" Lawrence asked, holding his chin up while looking at different jewelry.

"We have a variety of souvenirs from foreign countries but rarely have souvenirs made out of gems. May I ask when does this nobleman need the souvenir?" the man asked.

"Tonight," Lawrence answered.

"I'm afraid I can only offer you one variety, sir." the man said. He called one of his men and whispered something.

"Sir, may I please escort you to the VIP room?" the man added.

Lawrence nods as they follow the jeweler. A man gestured to Lawrence for him to sit on a comfy chair. The curtain door opened, and a man holding a pillow approached Lawrence. On the fancy pillow comes a sculpted gem to shape like a tree.

"This jewel. Bring me twenty of these kinds." Lawrence ordered. His eyes were pleased to see the jewels and thought of them as satisfactory.

'This indeed is a masterpiece.' he thought.

Emilia handled the payment and a small drawer filled with twenty jewel trees in it. The goal of getting the appropriate gifts had finally finished. It was already afternoon when they continued to go to different places in the city. When an unexpected guest was met-