Visiting the House of Belmont
2240 Words
The day has come. Getting out of his carriage a maid from the Belmont residence meets him. Gerald is carrying his drawing storage tube. Blueprints that have the fuselage, engine, interior structure, and the like are kept inside.
Escorted by the maid he can clearly see a neatly cherished garden, a big house, and a fountain. As expected from the duke whose net worth is worth ten million florins.
Florins is a naturally occurring metal and fiber located anywhere in the world. These florins served as the currency of the Western continent.
To give you a perspective on how rich the family of Belmont is. His net worth is two times the yearly budget of a small country.
He entered the residence and was amazed at the spacious hall in front of him. Of course, the royal palace is bigger than this but the cost of this house must be super high.
Now, he wandered his eyes around the house and saw Catarina in his sleeping dress. It was 8 a.m after all. Seeing Catarina again made his heart Doki. To him, Catarina is his source of strength and motivation. He’s a simp.
He joyously waved his hands to greet Catarina. She waved back and approached him.
“Good morning your highness. Are you here to present your proposal for a new aircraft?”
George was surprised that she knew his purpose of going into their house. Well, she overheard his determined proposal to his father.
“Yep, I am 100% confident that this design will move your father.”
“Your highness, I would love to see your proposal here.”
“Huh? Do you really want it? It's full of jargon, complicated calculation, and drawing. I mean it's okay to me but can you keep up?”
“My father is a famous engineer in terms of aviation. As his daughter, I must follow his path to become a renowned aeronautical engineer in the future. Well since you warned that I will not be able to keep up then I will not.” She said.
“Sorry Catarina, maybe next time. By the way, don’t call me your highness. Call me by my name Gerald.”
“But…”
“G-E-R-A-L-D”
George insisted and Catarina has no choice but to smile and comply.
“Then, Gerald. Let’s go to the dining room. My father is preparing himself. Our maid is making cookies and choco milk.”
She grabbed his hand and took him to the dining room. Her soft hand made Gerald blushed and his heart was beating at a fast rate. It’s been a long time since she held his hand like this.
On their way towards the dining hall, Gerald saw a number of musical instruments such as piano, guitar, and violin. That’s right, she’s a music enthusiast and loves music.
In his previous life of Gerald, never once held a musical instrument while his brother does. He was defeated by Roland in terms of musical instruments.
When Gerald was in the modern world, he studied various musical instruments that suit his musical taste. He mastered three musical instruments: Piano, violin, and guitar.
He stopped for a moment.
“Can I try playing the piano?” He asked.
“Uhm, I’ve never seen you play the piano but if you want to practice then…”
“Nope, I was practicing secretly, so I can make you smile. That’s why I’d like to try it”
Gerald gave an energetic face.
“Okay but with one condition.” She said, “Let’s eat breakfast first.”
But he already ate breakfast in the palace. But it’s Catarina we’re talking about. He can’t turn her down especially when she is making a cute face which was a rare and unique sight
“Okay,” He sighed.
At the table, a lot of cookies and muffins were presented elegantly. The way the maid presents the cookies increases his appetite again.
“Please taste our cookies.” She said while she is making a cute face again.
This is rare, in his previous life. She’s not keenly making this face before.
For the sake of Catarina, he’ll take a bite. Just one cookie. It was delicious, he took another cookie again and again and again. The muffins look delicious and so he took another one and another one.
Catarina gave out a smile after she saw Gerald took a liking to their homemade cookies and muffins.
“I wished I brought a basket so I can take it home with me but sadly I have not.”
It was a compliment.
“You really liked it?”
“Of course it's delicious! Ahh… If Lady Catarina baked me a cookie. I will definitely try it!”
Catarina’s face turned slightly red at his remark.
“As of now, I will practice baking cookies for you…”
“Eh?”
He saw her twiddling her index finger together and adding her cute bashful face. He was charmed again. But she is still a child. Just wait when she grew up. She will be the most beautiful girl on the planet nope. The universe!
“I’ll look forward to it Catarina.” He smiled charmingly.
He grabbed another cookie and placed it near Catarina’s mouth.
“Here. Take a bite...Say ahh”
When the mood is right and he’s feeling it. He will take the opportunity to make a move. If it increases their intimacy then it’s a win for Gerald.
After their somewhat romantic breakfast. Gerald went to the piano to try it. He then readied himself and played the piano.
*Insert river flows in you.
The harmony and melody completely aroused everyone within. The maids and Catarina heard a beautiful song that didn't exist nor was composed of any known musicians in the Empire or even the world. Did the prince compose it himself?
“Beautiful…” She placed her right hand on his ample breast. “Did you compose it yourself?”
Oops. How can he answer this? He just played a song from the modern world. If he were to claim it then copyright strike. But since he’s in another world. A lawsuit will not chase him here.
“Sort of…”
Then he proceeds in violin playing *insert A thousand years and guitar *insert perfect two.
The maids had gathered in the hall to listen to his beautiful composition. They were completely charmed by Gerald's talents in music.
“It's a really beautiful Gerald-kun. I would love to learn all of it.”
“Then instead of coming here why don't you come to the royal palace. There I can teach you better since my personal piano is very fond to me.”
“Okay.”
Another cute and lovable face again. Ah, he can’t wait to conquer her heart in the next seven or eight years.
“That’s a good song for your highness. Did you compose it yourself?”
Suddenly, he jumped out voluntarily when Catarina’s father appeared from behind. While he was playing the piano. Ivan had imperceptibly been watching behind him.
“Sir Ivan, you surprised me there. By the way, I have the blueprint regarding the aircraft I was talking to you about.”
Ivan gave him a dubious look.
“This fast? How?”
“I think it's better for you to see it.”
He picked his drawing storage tube resting in the piano's leg and gave it to Ivan.
“Instructions on how to make it, the materials needed, the overall cost and also I conducted a feasibility study regarding the new aircraft that I will name ‘Hercules’.
He also gave Ivan a bunch of files that he already created upon his arrival. If he were to wish what aircraft he wants to introduce here? Then that would be the C-130. And so he conducted the feasibility study beforehand to make it look realistic.
“I got to tell you, they are not created in one day. I conducted the feasibility study beforehand just so you know.”
“I see,” He chuckled, “Then I will have to take a look at your new aircraft.”
If it's a nonsense drawing, he will throw it. If he’s not a royal he might have scolded him for belittling how arduously aircraft blueprints are made.
“Help yourselves while I and Catarina will take a walk outside.”
“Okay, your highness.” He bowed and headed to his office.
…
Catarina’s father left and Gerald and Catarina used the time to explore their backyard.
The backyard is full of beautiful flowers and plants that you can see the care of the gardener in it. Catarina took her to the place where she said was her favorite spot. There was a stand-alone screened porch made of expensive woods and there is a round table inside of it. It is surrounded by a variety of exquisite flowers and plants on par with the royal castle backyard.
She held both hands, heads high, and closed her eyes as if she were praying something. She exuded an aura of an angel while Gerald can’t help but gaze in admiration.
“Don’t just stand there join me.” She said and Gerald complied.
“What should I do?”
“Easy, just hold your both hands and close your eyes and wish for something you’d like. Of course, you don’t need to say it out loud. You can keep it to yourself.”
This was unusual again. The way she explains enthusiastically contradicts her past behavior. She was expressionless and meek but when it comes to something she likes. She becomes enthusiastic.
“You know my mother and I used to take care of this garden. We spent so much time together to the point that I want to stop the time. It was fun. This is our favorite spot when my mother is telling me new stories whenever she gets home.”
“Your mother seems lovely.” He said but not wanting to break the space.
He wanted to space out but this is an opportunity as well.
“I clearly remembered her last word. She said that whenever I feel sad thinking of her. That will make me cry and feel hopeless. She told me that I should just talk to the flowers and garden that we cultivated. She said that when she passed away. She will just stay in the garden. This is also the way where I talk to my mother. But she’s happy in heaven now.”
He doesn’t want to interrupt. He wants to listen to her stories. If things would stay the same as this. If only he could slow this moment where she is opening herself.
“That’s why you haven’t seen me since my mother died. That is because I was always here playing the violin and guitar.”
“I see.”
He said softly and clenched his hands. Her mother dies also of a disease that is not yet known. It was too late when the medical researchers found out the disease. It was pneumonia. A disease so deadly and shouldn't be underestimated. The royal doctors and the medical researchers conducted a joint project where they will synthesize antibiotics in which they did.
“Gerald, cherish the moments when your parents are alive. Especially to your father who is visiting foreign countries and fighting wars.”
With her word of wisdom. Gerald made an ultimatum, to save his family from their doom. Catarina doesn’t want him to suffer the way she does. Losing a mother is painful especially to a child like her.
Catarina, I promise that I will do whatever it takes to save my family. Even though I hate my brother so much, I can’t let him fall to his doom. Even if they hate me in the process. Even if I look stupid introducing new concepts and technology. I will bear it.
He nodded to her advice. It was a solemn atmosphere. He mouthed a prayer in his mind thanking the Gods for giving him an opportunity to hear Catarina opening herself to him.
“Let’s return.” She offered him her hand and Gerald graciously accepted it.
On their way back to the house, they casually exchange words with each other. A maid blocked them and was panting heavily.
“Uhm...Is there a problem?” He looked to the maid who seems to be exhausted.
Did she run?
“Your highness! The duke wishes to see you!”
Okay, the duke must have a lot of questions regarding the modern techniques on plotting and designing an aircraft. If there was a software that would help him design. He could have designed a lot of things.
“Catarina, let’s go and meet father.”
He literally said the father.
“Hm.”
- Writer
