73: Rafal In Trouble

Rafal In Trouble

"Isn't this your little brother?" the butler asked when he followed Luke's line of sight. "Your family are truly close with each other."

"Greetings, Mister Kahlil." She first bowed to the butler. "I hope I'm not disturbing you, but uhmm, Mister, may I speak with you?"

"Go ahead," the butler agreed.

"Can I ask if you are in need of more servants? If yes, can you consider hiring me as well?"

Luke frowned at Oriana. "Are you not busy?"

"I have finished my things and have nothing to do. So I was wondering if I can get some work here and make good use of time instead of idling around and depending on you for my expenses."

"I can take care of both of our expenses—"

"But still." She looked at the butler with puppy eyes. "It's wrong for me to depend on others when I can also work, isn't it? I am no longer a child."

The butler, Kahlil, nodded. "Fair point. What kind of work can you do?"

"Anything will do. I can do chores or run errands. I can read and write, and I can also count. I learn fast and you can also make me carry stones—"

"Orian."

"Don't worry, Luke." The old man smiled at the two. "Your brother can work here. Both you and Ken are trustworthy. Your good skills must run in the bloodline. Orian, isn't it? I won't give you construction work, but some inhouse work. What do you think?"

"Really?" Oriana exclaimed. "Thank you, Mister Kahlil! I can start anytime. What work are you giving me?"

"Third Young Master will be staying at home after a long time of traveling and we need more people to serve him. I will assign you the job of keeping his residence clean, and depending on your performance, we can give you other work."

"Of course—"

"He is clumsy," Luke interrupted her. 

"No, I am not." She looked at the butler. "Please don't listen to him. If I make even a small mistake, you can throw me out."

"Alright. You can work here," the butler replied. "Call me Head Butler from now on."

"Yes, Head Butler! I can start right away," Oriana said, ignoring Luke' warning gaze. 

"You can follow me." 

Amused by this pair of siblings, Kahlil  walked towards the residence where Rafal was temporarily staying. 

"Orian," Luke called coldly. 

She offered him an awkward smile "Please, Luke, I need to work." She then followed the butler under Luke's unhappy gaze.

—-

After visiting his father, Arlan returned to his residence to process the work that had accumulated in his absence.

His personal aide, a scholarly-looking man in his mid thirties, medium built with light gray eyes, blond hair and a face that was easy on the eyes, started reporting to him about the affairs in the capital.

Lucas Warren, the second son of the Royal Chancellor and the direct descendant of the prominent Marquis House of Warren, was one of the Crown Prince's most trusted aides along with Roman Chadwicke.

While Roman was his personal attendant and his butler in charge of palace affairs, Lucas was his administrative counterpart who focused on handling the tasks delegated to the prince by his royal father, as well as monitoring the movements of the aristocracy within Karlin.

Lucas was one of the rare few who kept track of Arlan's businesses, from his whereabouts to the secret information of his trips to the dark underground forces he handled. Every communication went through Lucas' hands. 

"... about the slavery in the northeast. We are keeping an eye on the viscount's second wife and the evidence she will be providing. 

"In the last royal court session, the territory dispute between Count Ahren and Count Morris has been settled, with Count Morris giving up three farmlands and retaining the mountain with the ruby mine, and Count Ahren receiving a stake on the earnings from the mine.

"About His Majesty's health, the royal physicians are doing their best to convince the King to undergo rehabilitation, but the King insists on continuing work until the arrival of Physician Erich Winfield."

Arlan nodded. "He shall be arriving in about six days. Till then, make sure to tell the Head Royal Physician to check Father's condition as often as he can. Send the soothing tea I got from Wimark to the King's residence and change the incense to the one the King of Abetha gave to improve Father's sleep."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lucas left to delegate tasks and returned to the study with Imbert in tow. 

The guardian knight saluted. "Your Highness, the knight that Rafal ordered to follow Herbalist Orian is asking for an audience. He is currently waiting in the reception room."

"Send him in."

Rafal entered the study with a knight belonging to the Count's family. Both paid respects to the Crown Prince.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness," 

Arlan put the scroll in his hand on the table and leaned back in the chair "What did you find out?"

The knight kept his head lowered as he reported, "Your Highness, I followed that boy, Orian, since last night under Sir Rafal's command. That boy came to Karlin with his older brother, a young man called Luke. They also have an older cousin working as a furniture worker at the Ahrens."

"An older brother?" Arlan mumbled. 'Must be the son of that relative who raised her.'

"According to the statements I gathered, his older brother came to the city for temporary construction work with their cousin's recommendation. Orian is currently staying at their cousin's house, while his brother stays in the prepared lodging for the workers. This morning, Orian  went to an herb shop called Nature's Apothecary. He seemed to have been searching for the owner for days."

"Who?"

"It is an apothecary called Wayndell," the knight promptly replied. "I bribed one of the servants to eavesdrop on their conversation. Orian seemed to be desperate to meet another apothecary called Cenric."

'Desperate? Is there someone sick in her family?'

"The shop owner was said to be Apothecary Cenric's apprentice, and he told the boy that Cenric is coming to the city but has been invited to stay in the palace. Since Orian urgently needs to see this apothecary, Wayndell suggested that the boy get permission to visit him in the palace once their master arrives from Abetha."

When Arlan was in Abetha, he personally invited an esteemed person to treat his father, but it was not some small apothecary but a physician renowned in many kingdoms. Arlan looked at Lucas. "Is Apothecary Cenric another name used by Physician Winfield?"

"Perhaps. Erich Winfield is known for roaming around the continent while helping people in need of treatment, but nobles often try to keep him occupied and monopolize his services so the possibility of him hiding his real identity is high."

"So our guest is who he is seeking for."

"Seems like it, Your Highness," Lucas agreed. 

Arlan looked at the knight. "Anything else?"

The knight continued, "After leaving that shop, that boy went to the Ahrens and asked the butler to hire him."

Arlan tapped his fingers on his desk, his mind at work. 

'Shortie shouldn't be lacking funds. The only explanation I can think of is that she plans to use the Ahrens to meet  Erich Winfield. She must be pretty desperate, but a nobody like her cannot enter the palace. The only connection she knew that is closest to the royal family ought to be the House of Ahren.  That girl sure is smart. She doesn't like to waste time, does she? This confirms my eye for talent—she would perform well as my aide.'

There was an amused smirk on his lips which everyone noticed and wondered what their liege was thinking.

"What work was assigned to him?" Arlan asked. 

"Head Butler Kahlil has appointed that boy to work as Sir Rafal's housekeeper."

Dead silence ensued as Arlan's gaze slowly landed on his vice-captain Rafal who gulped, knowing this was not a good sign.

Sadly, his family knight didn't know what was going on and continued to explain. 

"The boy will be doing household chores for Sir Rafal, like washing clothes and cleaning his residence, however, if his direct superior, Third Butler Smith, sees him performing well, Orian will be promoted to becoming Sir Rafal's valet responsible for his clothes and appearance as well as getting his food. He will be paid fifteen to twenty silver coins a week depending on his work until Sir Rafal is next dispatched outside of the capital and—"1

"That's…that's enough of an information, Ren," Rafal immediately interrupted the knight before the expressions on their master's face turned more grave and the Third Young Master of the House of Ahren lost a part from his precious body. 

"Your report is commendable. Your service is no longer needed," Imbert told the knight. The knight serving the Ahren Family hurriedly thanked them, and finally sensing the change in the room's atmosphere, departed in a hurry.

Rafal felt like hiding behind Imbert to save himself from Arlan, whose gaze turned icy cold, as if daring him to work that boy to the bone. Rafal felt guilty even though he did nothing wrong. 

'Oh, wait, I did.' He cried at his stupidity. 'I should have listened to Ren's report first before bringing him in front of His Highness. It's all my fault!'

Arlan tilted his head a little, an evil smirk gracing his lips. "So, you need a personal valet, Rafal?"

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