Chapter 10 - III - 

 

Twenty gold coins.  To be honest, I’m having second thoughts about accepting the generosity of the monarch of Nerfes.  However, Sir Simon convinced me that refusing it would make them feel bad…

 

But come on man, you already spent money to save me before!

 

However, in the end, I accepted it.  I’m having goosebumps counting it.  Though I may not know the actual value of the money that I had in my hand, I’m getting the vibes that this was an enormous amount of money.  Well, I wonder how much was this if converted to U.S. Dollar back on Earth…

 

“Master Kuro!” it was Senshee; he’s excited, “With that amount, you can buy a small house in Arles!”

 

Hmm…now that he mentioned it, Eris told me before that a small property in Arles is worth 15 gold.  But no, I didn’t want to buy a property in a place where I ran into trouble.  Senshee’s former master seemed to be a regular there, anyway.

 

“…”

 

On another matter, there’s something else that was bothering me…

 

“…”

 

“You know guys…” I spoke, “Isn’t it a bit cramped in here?  I mean, my room is too big for you guys to be sitting beside me all the time.”

 

I was talking to the maid Eris, who sat to my left, and Senshee, who sat to my right.

 

“Eris is fine with this.” she replied to me, “Eris was exhausted after bringing your food, and she feels relaxed when she’s with Mister Kuro.”

 

“I am my master’s slave, so it’s natural to be beside him all the time,” Senshee answered.

 

Come on, Senshee! I’m telling you you’re already free!  Besides, you’re a boy, this will make a big misunderstanding!

 

“Well, I don’t feel fine about this.” I broke free from their grasp and stood up, “Senshee, you’re a free man now, so don’t cling unto me like that.  If you have nothing else to do, eat your food in silence.  And Eris, please mind yourself a little more; you’re a girl and I’m a boy, for god’s sake!”

 

“My apologies, Master.”

 

“Eris is sorry, Mister Kuro.”

 

“As long as you guys understand…” I patted their heads, “Well then, you may go around and do as you like.  I’ll just do something with the money I received.”

 

“Yes, Master.” Senshee stepped aside and began chomping down on the food Eris brought into my room.

 

Meanwhile, Eris kept me accompanied, “Are you going to do a budget, Mister Kuro?”

 

“I do.” I was surprised by how sharp her observation skills were.

 

“Want some help?”

 

“Nope, thanks!  I think I’m fine.” I politely refused her offer.

 

“Mister Kuro is really intelligent as Eris have heard, huh?” she commented as she watched me count, “She also learned that Mister Kuro did some alterations to the healing area’s magic circle and made it much efficient and effective.”

 

“Oh, that?” I explained to her what I just did.  How I tweaked a few lines to increase effectivity and efficiency, and Eris listened to me with glowing eyes of curiosity.  Well, I’m not confident that I could elaborate on Eris well, but I think she understood me in the end.

 

“That’s odd,” she said after my explanation.

 

“Hm?  What is?”

 

“Her Holiness said that the king of Nerfes would have to stay here for a few days for his wound to be cured.  Usually, curses like his would require five castings of the healing spell to be healed, and it is the most severe case.  And if Mister Kuro increased its efficiency and effectivity, it should take at least one casting or the most is four castings for it to work.”

 

“Hmm…you may be right.” I realized what Eris was insinuating, but well, I think it’s Her Holiness’ evaluation that bears weight in here, “Anyway, I guess we shouldn’t look into it too much.  So yeah, I’ll be budgeting the money I received from Sir Simon then.”

 

“Eh?” the young maid became interested once again, “Did Mister Kuro say Simon?  The second prince of Nerfes?”

 

“Yes, he’s the one who gave these coins to me.” I answered, “Didn’t you see him when they arrive?”

 

“Eris is busy fixing Her Holiness’ bedsheets, so she didn’t see them come.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“So that’s how it is!” Eris clapped her hands; it seemed she had finally understood something, “Although Eris is not supposed to know this Her Holiness has been in love with Prince Simon for a long time now.”

 

Ahh…so that’s what is behind those meaningful stares being exchanged between them.

 

“Of course, it’s a secret.  But almost every servant in the Holy Palatial Gardens knew of it.”

 

Haha…talk about having an ‘open secret’.

 

“However, there’s a problem with their relationship.”

 

“Which is?”

 

“Her Holiness tries her best to keep her feelings at bay.” Eris shook her head, “She’s so dutiful in her responsibilities as a saint that she wants to avoid getting too close to the royal families of the human kingdoms, or tragic consequences could follow.”

 

True.  Having a powerful being allied with your country would attract the jealousy and anger of the others.  Ahh…politics doing its usual stuff, I guess.

 

“…”

 

Even so, when I thought about it, Her Holiness was a human girl—being a saint and her duties set aside.  Of course, it wasn’t strange that she’d want someone who’d make her heart flutter.

 

Damn, that’s one pretty fucked up situation.

 

 

A little while after I finished doing my budget and some other matters, I decided to breathe in some fresh air, so I got up and went around the palatial grounds to take stuff out of my head.

 

It’s pretty quiet around this time since it’s supposed to be ‘night’—the time in which the residents of the Holy Palatial Gardens were sleeping.  I encountered a few patrolling guards along the way, but aside from them, I had my tranquil ‘evening’ walk.

 

I knew I’ve said this before, but then again, I couldn’t help but wonder how big this place was.  Compared to my old home, this was an entirely different world…

 

Well, this is another world.

 

“…”

 

Haa…I missed that place.

 

“Oh, it’s Kuro!”

 

“!!!”

 

I was surprised to hear a familiar voice some distance away from me.  I turned around and saw Her Holiness standing beside a magnificent fountain, with a small paintbrush and something that looked like a canvas.

 

“Your Holiness!” my voice couldn’t hide my surprise, “I thought you’re sleeping now!”

 

The Saint laughed softly, “Well, I should be.  But be quiet, please, or I’ll get a scolding from Lily.”

 

“Err…sure.” I went over to see what she’s been doing, “I didn’t know you’re a painter of sorts.”

 

“I am trained to do art before I became a Saint.” she explained as she began her first strokes, “It’s part of the aristocratic education that I received from my house.”

 

“I see…” I nodded in agreement.  Looking around her ‘study’ canvasses, it seemed like her training wasn’t just for a show.  I mean, she painted some nice portraits of people…

 

Is this King Rambo?

 

“It is.  I’m planning to give these paintings to them as a gift while they are here.”  Her Holiness proudly explained.  Of course, it’s normal; I mean, for something that you did wholeheartedly, it wouldn’t be strange if you’re proud of it.

 

“I like the combination of colors that you put in this one.” I commented, admiring the piece that she did, “And the subtle play of the light and shadow improves King Rambo’s appearance I didn’t recognize him at first!”

 

“I can’t blame you!  Nowadays, he’s so grim and serious, a far cry from his weak, crybaby younger self.” the Saint laughed, “By the way, his name is James.”

 

“Sorry about it, Your Holiness!”

 

“Ah, don’t mention it.  That muscle-head is protective if it comes to me, but I still can’t tolerate the way he treats other men, especially when they are around me.”

 

“…”

 

Hmm…if I follow the logic of various anime and manga that I’ve read, it sounds like something romantic is going on with that King Rambo and the Saint…

 

“A-ahem…” My train of thoughts dissipated when Her Holiness cleared her throat; I also noticed her slightly blushing.

 

Perhaps I shouldn’t think of matters that do not concern me.

 

 

Anyway, I guess I should continue on my way?

 

“…”

 

I got up from where I was sitting and was about to take my leave when Her Holiness grabbed my shirt.

 

“You’re going now?”

 

“Well, if I may take leave, Your Holiness?” I replied, “I wouldn’t want to disturb you while you’re painting…”

 

“I do not mind your presence.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Really.” Her Holiness continued as she slapped her brush against the canvas with vigor, “I wanted to hear your feedback on this work I’m doing, if you have time to accompany me.  Those comments you gave to me earlier tell me you have an eye for this kind of stuff.”

 

It’s my turn to laugh, “Haha!  More like an eye, I’d say I taught art before, in my old work.”

 

“I see…” Her Holiness looked at me with admiration.

 

“Yep.  And I could tell, that work you’re currently doing is for someone close to you.”

 

“…” the Saint fell silent, and her face was red.  She asked, “W-What made you say that?”

 

“Well, it is written all over your face, that amount of seriousness and focus you’re giving off is different.” I explained, “Besides, you even asked me to stay so that I can immediately give feedback to your work as it progresses.  These prove how important to you that painting is…”

 

And frankly, I can tell it’ll be the portrait of Sir Simon.  I mean, aside from the information I learned from Eris, one look at those shapes, and it’s him.

 

“…”

 

Oh crap, I shouldn’t have thought of that—

 

“I-I-I-I’m j-j-just making s-s-s-sure it’ll b-be a g-good artwork o-of mine.” Her Holiness was already panicking.  Fortunately, her mind was in total disarray, she forgot to read my entire mind.

 

“Don’t worry, Your Holiness.” I tapped on her shoulder, “If it’s you, I know it’d be good.”

 

“It is?” Her Holiness sheepishly asked, kind of different from her usual conceited self.

 

“Yep, you’re the Saint, the greatest in all of Chersea!”

 

“Hah!  I indeed am!  Just watch me!”  Well, she tried to sound confident, but I could tell that Her Holiness was just bringing up a brave front.

 

Haaaa…love makes people stupid…