Twelfth Night: A Amourshipping and Rocketshipping Story

Chapter 3

Upon Captain Drake's request, Professor Cerise sent word to Duke Satoshi's estate. As fortune would have it, the duke released one of his pages for dishonest deeds and needed a new one. Captain Drake vouched for Serena addressing her as Timothy Durbin, and the head of Duke Satoshi's staff, Brock, agreed for "Timothy" to come to the estate early the next morning to be tested.

Before sunrise the following day, Serena woke up to bathe and put on her disguise. After thanking Professor Cerise for his hospitality, Captain Drake escorted Serena to Duke Satoshi's estate. They stopped at the gate and wished each other well before Captain Drake left to take a ship to Hoenn with his remaining sailors. Serena waved Captain Drake goodbye as he left, then walked to the gate. She knocked on the gate and waited until it opened to reveal a tall tan man. The man had a serious expression, though Serena couldn't entirely tell because he squinted his eyes.

"Are you Timothy Durbin?" the man asked.

"I am," Serena answered in a low voice that matched Timothy's.

"I am Brock, chief of the staff in Master Satoshi's state," Brock said. "Follow me, please."

Serena bowed before she went through the gate and followed Brock to the house. When they went inside, Serena looked around in amazement as she walked down the entrance hall beside Brock. The entranceway was 2 stories high with tapestries hanging on both sides of the hallway, bearing the crest of the Duke of Kanto. Guards stood beside every door, and there were paintings of the duke's stepfather's ancestors. It was all a stunning sight for Serena, for such grandness was something she had only heard about. Serena continued to look around as she walked until Brock cleared his throat to grab her attention.

"Professor Cerise told me that you have skills in singing and playing the piano," Brock said.

"I do, sir," Serena said. "I've spent my life performing."

"Indeed? Do you know any particular songs you could sing and play the piano on?" Brock asked. "The duke is in a melachonic mood and wishes to hear music that matches his demeanor."

Serena looked at Brock confused. Such music was not common for people of nobility to listen to unless they were attending an opera, and otherwise wanted performances that comforted them. Serena wondered if Duke Satoshi's desire for a sad tune had to do with Lady Sonia rejecting him. After a few seconds, she realized she was silent for too long and quickly browsed through the music she knew in her mind.

"I personally am fond of Greensleeves," she said.

"Then when we see the master, you are to play and sing the song for him," Brock said. "Your employment will depend on whether your performance can satisfy the duke's wishes. "

"I understand," Serena said.

Brock nodded and hummed in approval. They made their way to the great hall, where several people, including lesser members of the court and four other pages, stood beside a couch facing the fireplace. They faced away from the couch with uncomfortable expressions with some giving the couch the occasional glance. Who was on the couch Serena couldn't tell for they were lying on the couch on their back and their feet resting on a couch arm. Brock and Serena walked until they stood behind the couch and Brock cleared his throat.

"My Lord, the new page has arrived," he said. "He is prepared to play and sing for you."

For half a minute, the figure on the couch was silent, making Serena wonder if he heard Brock. Then he lifted their hand up and gave Brock a wave signaling him to proceed. Brock turned to Serena and pointed at the the piano by the window. Serena nodded before she took a seat on the piano stand and began to play and sing.