Chapter Fourteen
_ Leaving the Mansion
* * *
The movement in the mansion was quite lively; the servants were in places where they could easily see the outer garden of the mansion as the beautiful child moved enthusiastically and the knights prepared the carriage..
"It seems the young master is ready.."
"I woke up at dawn.."
He spoke with his fists clenched in front of him and his eyes sparkling. Caral laughed and re-tightened the reins on the horses himself..
"Lord Percion! Are you coming with us?"
"Almost; I will oversee the knights surrounding the market."
"..."
"My young lord can enjoy the festival without disturbance.."
"Wonderful.."
Caral's eyes crinkled as he looked at this beautiful child. He caught sight of Celine and asked her..
"Has Madam Harvey not prepared yet?"
"She is coming now.."
The maid stepped forward and placed the basket inside the carriage. Caral sighed, so Damian looked at him, scratching his cheek in embarrassment..
"It's my fault."
"?"
"I only told my mother this morning.."
"It's alright.."
"My mother likes to prepare well for anything."
It was clear from the movement of his hands that he felt regret amidst this joy, so Caral patted his head and said gently:
"The young master thinks too much; try to apologize to her and she will understand you."
Caral did not feel comfortable with Neila, but he knew her importance to his master. When she finally appeared, she was wearing a simple cloak that did not suit the Archduke's mansion. He raised his eyebrow and narrowed his eyes, and when she approached them with her gentle smile, she greeted him elegantly..
"Good morning, Count Percion.."
"Good morning, Miss Harvey,..."
He wanted to ask her about the garment but sufficed with watching as she helped Damian climb into the carriage. Before she climbed up, one of the knights stepped forward willingly to assist her and her maid.
"May I, my lady?"
"Thank you."
She thanked him with a gentle smile. Caral shot the knight a brief look, then looked at the carriage and sighed before mounting his horse and leading the plain carriage that bore no crest..
* * *
The sounds of papers and a writing quill invaded the silence of the place. He looked at the window and saw the main gate closing..
Knock knock knock!
"Come in."
"Your Majesty, the young master departed a moment ago."
Elion looked at the window, then at Victor without words..
"Ahem, Count Percion accompanied the young master to protect the market perimeters, while thirty elite knights will be deployed inside the market."
"Good."
He was speaking while flipping through documents, and although his eyes were on the papers, his ears were with Victor..
"And as Your Majesty ordered, the knights will not obstruct the young master's schedule with Madam Harvey.."
Elion raised his head and looked calmly at Victor, saying after a silence slightly longer than usual:
"Fine.."
Victor narrowed his eyes slightly, then his features returned to normal and he spoke with discipline:
"Today's reports; we sent an exploratory unit to the mountain borders. Distortions have been spotted more significantly in the northern and eastern regions of the mountain than in other places."
"..."
"The monsters were agitated, but our knights are fine, and we have evacuated the neighboring villages."
Elion's grip tightened on the pen until it snapped, and he said in a low voice:
"How much time is left until Ruin and Sir Turia arrive?"
"I received news that Ruin went to visit Taina and I don't know a specific time for his arrival, while Sir Turia will arrive with the third and fourth divisions by tomorrow.."
Elion exhaled calmly and thought, as the broken pen in his hand trembled slightly:
'Little time remains..'
Hans looked at his master who was quiet and saw the trembling of his fingers, feeling a sharp grip on his heart; his master is stubborn, and if he decides on a matter, he will not back down..
'I hope the child's warmth melts his father's heart..'
* * *
The sounds were lively; songs, folk music, the smells of various foods, and even the bustle of children and vendors were enjoyable..
Damian looked enthusiastically from the carriage window but felt something pulling him..
"Mother!!"
Neila smiled refreshingly at Damian's grumbling, pulled the shabby cloak, and playfully placed it on him..
"Caution is better?"
"Okay.."
Damian realized the matter, so he helped arrange the cloak neatly; his clothes were not luxurious, but they were of high quality..
"The carriage stopped.."
Damian spoke enthusiastically, and before he could get down, Celine and Neila stepped out. Despite his frustration, he finally descended and was quickly swallowed by the festival atmosphere.
"What would you like to do?"
"Ah?"
Neila's question was unexpected, so he looked at her thoughtfully and energetically..
"Let's shop a little, watch the performances and... ah, and eat.."
"Good thinking.."
His smile widened. Neila looked at Celine and said:
"You told me you have attended the festival many times.."
"Yes, my lady, for I am a resident of the city.."
"Celine, tell me what is special about the festival.."
Damian's eyes were shining while his ears danced with passion..
"Mostly all festivals are similar, but at sunset at the end of the festival, we throw flowers into the Aileen River. Each flower carries a wish for a loved one.."
"Wonderful!.."
Damian spoke quietly with great admiration. Neila narrowed her eyes:
"Do you want to throw flowers?"
"Definitely! Shall we buy flowers?"
Damian's loud voice, full of energy, was enough to explain the situation, so Neila said:
"As you wish, but do not wander away from me.."
Damian nodded and began to roam here and there with Neila and Celine behind him. He passed by some stalls selling trinkets and strange things, he even pointed to embroidered handkerchiefs..
"Mother, shall we buy a handkerchief for His Majesty?"
"It is better to make it at home; these might not suit His Majesty.."
Damian frowned in disappointment, but she realized.. 'Does he want to buy a gift for his father?'
The idea astonished her, so she said after approaching him:
"What exactly do you want to buy?"
"Some souvenirs, for you, for Mr. Hans, for everyone and... and His Majesty."
Celine felt moved, while Neila smiled with an overwhelming sense of comfort:
"As long as you give the gift with a sincere heart, everyone will love it.."
"Really?!"
"Why not try?"
Damian's diligent search for simple gifts began; a beaded bracelet for Amanda, a necklace for Celine, a watch for Martha, and many other things. He stopped several times to watch performances or some children playing. Damian was not unaccustomed to attending festivals, but he wanted to see the atmosphere of "De Walter", the city to which his parents belonged..
"Damian, don't go far.."
"Okay.. Mother."
When the atmosphere was about to pull Damian into the midst of the unnatural crowd, he felt his mother's hand holding him as usual, so he felt even safer..
* * *
"Hey, Captain, where are you going?"
He was tall and strong-bodied, wearing a simple cloak covered in dust. He turned to him and said while scratching his cheek, with one eye looking at his companions and another at the crowded market:
"I'll wander around here for a bit; go ahead to the headquarters."
The knights were truly exhausted, so they decided to move forward and return to their headquarters without the leader who sometimes acts like a child..
After his companions moved, he walked with wide strides toward the market that was bidding farewell to spring with enthusiasm. When he caught the scent of grilled meat, he felt hungry, so he bought some meat skewers and began eating them while looking around..
'Security is tighter than usual today, what is the reason?'
He realizes that the city's security is strong, but he felt that an important person was here. If it were the Archduke, he certainly wouldn't need this number.. He exhaled in resignation, for he was not curious about what did not concern him..
* * * "The crowd is heavy."
"I almost got lost; is it like this every year?"
"No, the city residents are not this many.."
Neila felt increasing anxiety. She felt that someone was watching her, but she interpreted it as the knights. However, there was a deep feeling in her heart telling her that things did not seem right. She tried to distract her thoughts and looked at the basket:
"The basket is almost full.."
"I apologize, my lady, I got excited too.."
When Neila looked at Celine's embarrassed face, she looked back at the basket and said with a smile:
"Carry this, I will buy an extra one.."
Neila looked at Damian, who was sitting in front of one of the stalls. It was clear that he had bought many things and one basket would not be enough. She approached a seller, and when she bought the basket, she wanted to move on, but a man completely covered approached her and said in a shaky voice:
"My lady, help me, my children are hungry.."
Although the situation seemed normal, Neila's heart felt anxiety swelling in her chest, so she turned to Damian and spoke in a clear voice to her maid:
"Celine, take care of the child.."
"Yes, my lady."
Her heart felt a little reassured, but she still felt the sting. She looked back at the man and started taking out money, but the man grabbed her hand firmly and said:
"Did you deceive me, Neila Harvey?"
"Listen to me, I.."
The man looked at Neila, who appeared frightened for the first time, and said:
"Your turn will come soon."
The man released Neila's hand, and despite the weakness in her legs, she tried to catch him, but he disappeared into the crowd. She turned toward Damian and found him gone; even Celine was nowhere to be seen, with nothing left but her basket, which was clearly dropped...
Neila's heart sank and her legs collapsed. When one of the passersby saw her, she approached her:
"Are you alright?"
Neila's body stiffened and she felt her heart tearing apart. She barely spoke:
"He dis... disappeared... my son has disappeared.."
...... To be continued ......