The next few days went by like a breeze. The girls did not encounter the royals as the queen and the prince consort were away on official business. Yet, Shenla still insisted that they tidy up her majesty's chambers. Upon their return, the couple brought presents for everyone. Indeed, they were very thoughtful.

It was just in time for her first day off. Most people would go out to see their families but Nuviette preferred to stay in the palace since she had no family. She wasn't as keen on exploring the capital so she went on exploring the palace instead. Once again, she encountered the Prince Consort.

"We meet again, Nuviette of Miriotim." Zyric says.

"Your Highness." She curtseyed.

"Enjoying your break?" The prince consort asks.

"Today is my day off so I'm trying to familiarize myself with the palace just in case there is an emergency. I can get the queen to safety immediately!"

Zyric laughed at the zealousness of the young servant. He had to bend in order to move closer to the short little servant.

"Well, I'm glad that's your way of thinking. If you weren't this cheerful, I would have thought you were a spy." Zyric jests.

"Oh no, Sire. I am not and that will never happen. Forgive me if I am wandering around making you think otherwise." She bent her head with such remorse. Zyric wanted to laugh at the servant's innocence.

"No, I didn't mean to upset you. Of course, I will never think ill of you. I know you are a sweet girl. But I do hope you don't loiter around because the security team might misinterpret your actions. They might not be as understanding as I am.

Anyway, I am heading out to town. Would you like to join me?"

Nuviette felt shy. Zyric saw her awkwardness. He thought that the servant feared the gossipers.

"Well, I am with my servant from Craiine, Methleon. He is my valet. You could accompany him and you can both wait on me. If that's okay with you. I know it's your day off but I'll be quick.

I'll just attend the opening ceremonies of a literary contest at Fliskan University and then we can go somewhere. You can do some sightseeing while I get myself a break. Plus, Methleon has some tourist guide skills you know."

The valet chuckles at his master's jokes.

"Oh, I would love to accompany you and your valet if it's not much trouble," Nuviette replies.

"Of course. Methleon will fill you in. You'll be his companion for this day." Zyric says. "Come on, let's go." He waves to both servants.

She hurriedly followed the prince consort trailing behind him and the valet. Once they were in a large well ornate speed-craft, Zyric settled in with his secretary and another staff to discuss certain matters. The valet was at the side together with Nuviette.

"Hi, my name is Methleon Kenarren. I didn't quite catch your name."

"I'm Nuviette from Miriotim."

"No surname?"

"Yeah, I don't have one. You see I am an orphan. I lost my mother during the Nybian siege. I have faint memories of the past."

"The siege wasn't that long ago. How come you don't remember your past?"

"It's a mystery to me too. Doctors say I have amnesia so I hardly remember."

"I see."

"How about you Methleon Kenarren. I'm sure you're not an orphan." She looked at him with gladness and curiosity combined. She wouldn't admit to herself that she found him very attractive. He was like most Fliskans from Craiine who are dark-haired and blue-eyed with fair skin and tall height.

"Yeah, I have two elder brothers and two younger sisters. Except for my second brither and my youngest sister, three of us serve members of the royal family of Craiine just as our parents have." Methleon said proudly.

"Wow, you have a large family. It must be so joyful to have that many siblings."

"Well, it is very enjoyable but it has its ups and downs."

"I see but I also believe you are good people. You are all loyal for serving the royal family of Craiine."

"I won't deny that. Even my grandparents were palace servants so it runs in the family." Methleon gleefully explains.

"Wow! So, I guess your children are bound to serve the royal children as well."

"Maybe." The valet hesitated. "Too early to decide their fate when I haven't considered settling down yet." He chuckles.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I don't. You know. I don't mean to pry or be irrational. I'm really sorry." Nuviette awkwardly states.

"No harm done here." The valet smiles and changes the subject. "By the way, let me brief you on what is going to happen."

"Once we get to the venue, I will make sure his wardrobe is spick and span before he leaves this speed-craft. Only his secretary, staff member, and security detail will accompany him out there. Once he is done, they will return here and we will proceed to Vetasa, the restaurant where we will dine. It's a nice place. You will like it there."

"I hope so. It's my first time venturing into the capital. I'm nervous but excited." Nuviette was happy and her natural charm grew on Methleon.

He just smiled. Not for long, they reached their destination. As mentioned earlier, the valet prepared his master making sure he does not have a wardrobe malfunction before he left their transporter.

"So, do you often accompany the prince outside the palace?" Nuviette asks Methleon.

"Occasionally. Kartou, the main valet, often accompanies him. When he goes back home to Craiine, he prefers taking me along with him. Right now, Kortio is on leave so I'm the one that the master asked for."

"So, he likes you," Nuviette asks.

"He like everybody. He just prefers to have at least one Craiinian staff. That's why he is very comfortable with me. He says that when he is with me, he doesn't get that homesick. I do feel the same way. He has a shelf in his room filled with stuff and shares some with me so we get to enjoy products from home." Methleon says.

"I see." The handmaiden claims. "He seems like a nice guy though. He treats everyone kindly."

"Well, he is," Methleon says. "He and his wife are both wonderful though they could really be scary when they get mad. Otherwise, they are endearing most of the time."

"So, I've been told," Nuviette claims. She then looks around and surveys the scene telling herself that this is how a university campus looks like. While she was admiring the sights, Methleon observes her and became more fascinated with her. He found her innocence attractive. 

Not for long, Zyric returns. Before he enters the transporter, the secretary and the staff member bid their boss farewell and they were left in the venue. Soon, the transporter left heading for the restaurant.

It was a luxurious place where most royals and businessmen would dine. Though Zyric personally preferred something simpler and more accessible like a diner because he was used to that in Minthria.

However, going to this private dining place would be easier for his security detail to protect him, and going to a diner would disrupt the business owner as well as the patrons dining in it because of his presence. Plus, the restaurant will provide a few minutes of privacy.

The staff bowed to Zyric and one of them rose first before the others.

"Good day, your highness. I hope you had a pleasant journey." Demren, the maître dee greets the prince.

"Yes, Demren but I'm quite famished. I need a bite to eat." Zyric claims.

"We have prepared your favorite menu. Right this way, Sire." Demren leads the way. They walk into the corridor that led them to a vast well-landscaped garden filled with decorative plants, flowering plants, and fruit-bearing trees. There are gazebos scattered all over.

Each client was led to a specific gazebo consisting of a dining area and a kitchen giving all their patrons a relaxing ambiance as well as discretion.

Zyric sat at the head of the table while he motioned for Nuviette to sit on the chair by his left. Methleon pulled up the chair for the girl. Then, he went to the other side of the table and sat next to his master.

The waiters served the narene cabbage which looked like a rose cabbage. It was served with fruit vinaigrette dressing on it.

When they were done, the waiters brought out the main course which was a Craiinian dish called Yanien. It was a sausage made of mixed meat and vegetables served with potatoes on the side.

Nuviette saw that even though he lived in luxury, Zyric of Craiine was simple. He could have ordered dishes with many courses and could have ordered something more extravagant but the dishes he preferred were the usual meals that Fliskans adore. He was just like one of them mere mortals.

After the main course, rose berries ice cream was served. It was the part that Nuviette enjoyed most. Being an orphan, they rarely get desserts in the orphanage unless there is a special occasion.

So how was the meal? Zyric asks his companions

"It was so good sir. Thank you so much." Methleon responds. He was a person of few words but his sincerity and warmth emanate.

"Yes, it's so heavenly, especially the dessert. I don't often get one because, in the orphanage, we only get dessert on special occasions." Nuviette gleefully says.

"Oh, I see. Maybe there should be a law that every orphanage should have a dessert meal." Zyric smiles. His companions laugh. Before he could answer, Demren came.

"How is the food, Sir?" The maître dee asks.

"Yes, it exceeds expectations just like always." Zyric claims.

"Thank you, Sire. Is there anything more that you might want?" He asks.

"We are good. Will let you know if there is anything else we might want," Zyric responds as he opens his communicator to scan if there are incoming messages.

"Alright Sir, thank you." The maître dee bows and takes leave. Zyric then brings out his shopping card.

"Here, get yourselves something from the gift shop while I receive these transmission messages."

"Yes, my prince. Is there anything I can get you?" Methleon says.

"I couldn't think of anything right now. I will let you know. For now, don't keep the lady waiting." Zyric replies.

"Of course,". Methleon bows his head as he rises from the table. Nuviette stands up after seeing him rise. Suddenly, Zyric speaks.

"Ah wait. Get me a bottle of perfume. Any perfume that you think my wife would like."

"Yes, my prince." The valet responds. Then, his hand gesture points toward the door. "Right this way, Nuviette."

The handmaiden follows the valet down the hallway.