Midnight Royale

Chapter 32: Intimidation and Respect

My smile fade away as I realize what is Lazarus talking about. This... is far from expected.

"Please. Can you tell me about the person who teaches you about the castle?" I am the one who is pleading now. If Lazarus were the one to continue, he will just lose it.

I am shocked when someone just throw a water where I am standing. I took a step backward and manage to dodge the water. Oh god, that was close!

"Genevierre," Lazarus attended to me. "Are you okay?" He asked me.

I nodded my head. "Don't worry. I am fine."

"I said we don't know anything about that man, child! He is just wearing a big cape covering his face. But one thing is for sure—he is knowledgeable about the unruly way of the castle!" Then he glared on us. "What kind of clothes are you even wearing in this kind of street? What a noble person." Then he shut his door on us.

That was the fifth time someone reject us. Everyone was rude and angry towards us which I do not know why.

"Why are they so rude?"

"People here hated the rich. They think rich people is all greedy and manipulative."

Eventually, Lazarus face and my face aren't common to people in this area and to add the fact that no one should look at the prince straight to their face.

I think right now, we are just a noble man and woman who is looking bad because we are looking the good one. Why did suddenly everything changed!? As if I really do something bad!

Everyone is glaring at us hard like a criminal.

"Do rich people take advantage of the poor here too?"

"Yes," he answered. "We should get back first at the carousel."

I also agreed to do that because if we didn't come back, I'm sure someone will throw egg to us.

I realize something while walking. The education system was improved, but power tripping against the weak survived and got stronger in my century. How I wish I can do something about that.

"See? I told you, it's hard." He told me and laughed.

I sighed and think of a way how could I get their heart and let them talk?

Should I empathize with them? But how can I do that? I pouted and shook my head. I am even wearing extra clothes...

"That's it!" I beamed. Lazarus stopped from writing something with his secretary.

"What?"

"I think we should change how we dress. The way to get someone's heart is to empathize with them! But we are wearing fancy clothes and I think, that is not a very good idea.."

Lazarus and his secretary nodded in awe.

"So you are really thinking of something, princess." Lazarus nodded his head. "Then we will do that—"

"Changing clothes is not enough. We need to disguise ourselves." I told him. The reason why is so obvious so he just nodded at me.

"I see. They already saw our face..." Lazarus looked at the guy next to him. "Bring us to the market where we can find clothes that fitted to where we are going."

After a few minutes of ride, we are already in the busy market. I thought Lazarus would hate the mess, but I think he is not minding it at all.

It was easy finding a pair of clothes and shoes but... the way how Lazarus walk is the problem. He still looks like a noble person because of his fair skin.

"You should get a mustache... and I should let my hair fall down." I commented after changing into a brown dress.

"Okay," Lazarus nodded his head and we both try to find our style.

"Hey," Lazarus called again his secretary in the carousel. "Do we still look like a noble?"

I even pull my own hair to make it look dry! This is too much effort!

"You both look far from a noble person." He answered politely.

Lazarus smiled, satisfied. Then he looked at me.

"What's next?" I couldn't help but to ask him.

He smirked on me. "Don't worry, I know how we will make them talk. But first, we should wait for midnight."

My forehead knotted. Why would we wait until midnight?

I did nothing in the carousel but to play outside, enjoy the forest, and hear Lazarus talk like an intelligent guy.

I just love how the way he speak for the kingdom and his plans for the day.

"Princess," Lazarus called me. I glared on him.

"Why should we wait until midnight?"

"Don't be impatient," he chuckled. "Do you want to know who is that guy already?"

"Yes. To clarify too! I am guessing he is a great person because people on that place seems respect him so much." I shared on him.

It's really true though. The way how the villagers protected him and push us away is something that made me curious who is he.

"When intensions is pure, fortune will come after. I also think that the villagers love that man and they are willing to risk their life fighting with someone who is a noble."

I sighed and shook my head. "What's with the hierarchy in this palace? Respects comes from position, and I think that is just sad." I told him.

"Why would you feel sad? Don't you feel happy because everyone loves you and they are intimidated to you?"

My face wrinkled on his statement. "Are you going to be happy if someone is intimidated to you?"

"Why not? If that's how I can have their respect," he told me nonchalantly. I think he is just trying to pick a fight with me!

"Then that's not a kind of respect that you will feel good and peaceful. I think respect should be given genuinely. Intimidation or from power will just do harm to someone so I do not agree with it."

"You really do sound like a different person, princess."