𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

𝟎𝟎𝟐

It wasn't until the next day that your father finally scolded you for your bad conduct.

"I was going to introduce you to the Emperor," your father hissed, "the Emperor! And yet you decided to run away again. Where were you, Y/n, when I was trying to speak with him?"

You didn't know if it was a good idea to tell him. Did Silas ever mention that he didn't want anyone else to know of his activities in the garden? But either way, you suspected that your father would be less than happy to know that you had met someone in the palace. And especially now that your father was in a foul mood, you were convinced that he would forbid you from traveling to the palace. And that would mean that it would be impossible for you to meet Silas again.

"I got lost," you said feebly, trying to wriggle out from his vice-like grip, "I was trying to find you, Daddy!"

"Lost," your father repeated, indignant, "I told you to memorize the map and layout of the palace! When your future master wants you to relay a message, are you telling me you'll get lost?"

Your eyes burnt with unshed tears."There were a bunch of baby birds, and..."

A few days ago, you were meant to pore over the books detailing the interior layout of the palace and to study them well. But you had heard a broken chirp from afar — and after you ran to the outside, you had discovered a little nest that was dangerously close to edge and was at risk of falling. How could you possibly ignore that?

"You take after your mother." Your father said coldly. "Such traits are wonderful in a wife, but less than pleasant to be in a boy who is meant to be the emperor's future butler. Kindness hinders your duty."

"I'm sorry," you whispered. "Will I — will I get to go to the palace today?"

Your father gave you a disgruntled look. "I told you yesterday that we would be visiting the palace again, to make up for your incompetence yesterday. Must you still ask?"

You cheered up a little. At least this meant you could see Silas again! In the satchel, your mother had packed apples and fruits to bring along for a snack. But you had sneak looked through the larder, and to your surprise, you had found a few cookies left in a jar. Surely Silas had a sweet tooth, right? All little kids — including you — liked desserts.

"You're dressed up and ready to go, right?" Your father asked you frostily, tugging you towards the direction of the carriage — "let's go. His Majesty will be displeased if I'm late."

A question popped in your mind. "Don't you have to stay in the palace? Why are you allowed to stay here?"

"Because I have a family," Your father said impatiently, "In normal circumstances, the butler would reside in the floor below the Emperor's. I gave you books to read, Y/n. Really, you're such a wilful child..."

Wilful...your mother certainly spoke of you in a different way. She called you apple-cheeked, for in the moments after you finished running along the undulating hills, your cheeks would redden and turn into the color of ripe fruit. And on separate occasions she called you honey-tongued, for from your lips, compliments would drip down readily and easily. In general, your relatives from her side of the family were bubbly, constantly calling you a ray of sunshine.