The Romantique Times

Chapter 12 - The Task

Chapter 12 – The Task

Victoria's POV

It was the first day that I was reporting to work in the castle I stood in front of the medical room and cleared my throat.

I'll be fine. I thought to myself and took in a deep breath before knocking on the door. Almost immediately, I was asked to enter by a clear voice.

"Ah, good morning, my assistant!" Doctor Charles greeted me with a wide smile on his face. He was already laying out herbs on the table and noting things down on a notebook.

"Good morning, Doctor Charles. Thank you for allowing me to help you," I bowed slightly.

"No no, the pleasure is all mine," he said, looking at me briefly and then going back to the herbs. His brows were knitted together as he looked from the herbs to the notebook.

"Is something the matter?" I asked.

"Strange. Quite a huge amount of herbs are missing but it's not noted in the book, and they said that everything is taken down in the book," he said and scratched his head with the pencil in hand.

"Maybe the previous doctor didn't record down the last usage?" I suggested.

"I guess so... I think I'll have to visit the town to restock up on some crucial herbs," he said as he started putting the herbs back into different herb drawers with labeling.

"I don't mind going in your place," I said without hesitating.

"You would?"

"Sure! Anything on my first day of work!" I said cheerfully.

"I guess you could. Here, I'll write down a list of herbs for you. Just visit the Harrison's Herbs and pass the list to anyone at the counter," he said quickly as he scribbled down the names of unknown herbs quickly on a piece of paper.

"Alright. I'll see you soon," I said after taking the list and walked out of the room.

I held the basket I took from the room and set out for my first task.

~

"And that is all on the list, young lady," an old man said as he placed the last of the many packets of herbs neatly packed into my basket, filling it quickly.

"Thank you sire. How much would it be?" I asked out of impulse.

The old man chuckled and said, "The amount will be paid by the royals."

"Oh! How did you know that..."

"That you work for the royals?" he smiled, showing all the wrinkles on his face.

"Well, all the herbs on the list are only the finest herbs, and according to way you dress as well as the way you speak, I believe that you are a royal servant?" he said.

"Well... I suppose you could call me a servant. Thank you again, sire. I'll be leaving now," I said and bowed slightly before heading out.

Servant huh... Maybe I am nothing different compared to a servant.

I was walking back to the castle when the sound of trotting hooves came from me behind and I instinctively moved to the side of the pavement. However, the sound started to slow down and before I know it, a carriage stopped right beside me.

Straightaway, I recognized the carriage. It was the same carriage that I rode in not too long ago. Soon, a smart looking young man came down from the carriage and I curtsied as I greeted.

"Good morning, your highness."

Wilfred's POV

"Good morning, my lady. Why are you out here on your own?" I asked.

I have to say, meeting Victoria in the morning really brightens up my mood for the rest of the day.

"I came to town to collect some herbs missing in the medicine room," she said, still not rising from her curtsy position. I held on to her hand and raised her chin gently so that she would look at me.

Those beautiful eyes...

"You could've had a servant came down for such a chore," I said quickly.

"It is part of my job now after all. And it's good to come to town once in a while," she said and smiled at me.

"I see... Devoted to your new job?" I said and chuckled. She nodded and smiled even wider.

She is definitely one of a kind. Most girls that I know would take the advantage of staying at the castle and ordering people around. But she was so different...

"Now then, would you like to travel back the castle with me in the carriage?" I asked and held out my arm, hoping that she would take it.

But she didn't.

"I'd like to walk around for a little while. Thank you for your offer, your highness," she said and curtsied slightly.

"Then I'll follow you," I said, but was immediately interrupted.

"Your highness, you have a meeting back at the castle at noon. I'm afraid no time must be wasted for preparation for the meeting with Prince Martin later," Andrew butted in immediately.

Sneaky old fox, eavesdropping on my conversation.

"It'll only be a little while," I bargained.

"But your highness..."

"Your highness, you really do not need to follow me. Good luck on your meeting later on," Victoria said.

I sighed. Maybe she really didn't want me to accompany her...

"Very well, my lady. Have a safe trip," I said before taking her hand and kissing it on the back. I turned as she curtsied and went back onto the carriage.

"Andrew, get one of the soldiers to follow her without her noticing. I want her safe. If anything happens to her, you will be punished severely," I said when the carriage had not started moving.

"Yes, your highness," Andrew replied and instructed a soldier nearby.

As the carriage started moving, I looked out to see Victoria walking slightly in the opposite direction with the soldier casually following behind her. Only then did I heave a sigh of relief and returned to the castle with a light heart and a clear mind.