Visits
2793 Words
Seven days after his hospitalization, he got discharged and was able to attend school again. He can still use the portrait ability but in moderate use. Meaning he can use the portrait ability in school, not for traveling and personal use.
In the school cafeteria, Andrea and Howe are waiting for someone to come. Who might that be?
“He sure is late huh?”
Andrea said while tapping her feet and resting her chin in her right hand said lifelessly.
“I’m sure that he will come, he promised us anyway,” Howe assured.
It’s been thirty minutes behind schedule and they are still waiting for him. What happened to him and why is he so late?
The reason why they are having a meeting in the cafeteria is to discuss the new assignment that they have been appointed by the king and their father. The job was not simple since the prince that they’ll be teaching is a prince that can become a king.
There are benefits if they successfully teach the prince. They can have special positions within the king’s circle and the popularity of the family. That’s why they are waiting for him patiently. They have no choice after all.
“Thank you for waiting” A man’s voice sounded from behind.
“Eh?”
Both startled after they turned their heads towards the source of the voice. It was Gerald who was sneaking discreetly from behind. Maybe wanting to surprise them?
“How long have you been waiting? I’m sorry for being late since I have been called by an aerospace company for the structural integrity of the F-15.”
“F-15?”
“Sorry that is classified, only a handful of officials only know what that's about. But I can assure you that it will strengthen our air forces.”
He explained not wanting them to ask more about this stuff. He’s tired of explaining things to someone who will not understand the concept eventually.
He thought of it as a waste of time.
“Okay, now that you’re here why not you take a seat?”
Howe said, tapping the chair beside her for him to sit.
Gerald complied and sat beside Howe, he then pulled out something on his sling bag. It was a book and a pen and he placed them on the table.
“Now, let’s get started. So, first of all, can I ask the legitimacy of the capabilities that you can teach me a handful of things that will make me win the right for the throne?”
Gerald placed his hand together as if he became suddenly serious in an instant. The atmosphere around them turned into something like an office interview.
“Let me go first.” Andrea said, “The reason why you need the two of us is that not all princes know what they are doing. The prince may lack something that is needed to become a king. That’s why as your advisors we fill those gaps and make you near perfect as possible. You may not believe it but I’m a talented military strategist and was involved in many wars. I also called the tyrant princess of the Empire and a prodigy. I’ve been in the frontline before but most of the time I’m in a war room to strategize battle plans. The reason why I’m amazed and liked you because of your flawless battle plan you drafted in the rebellion. It was perfect as if you know what will be the flow of the battle.”
She ended her introduction with utmost praise and Gerald turned his head to Howe who was listening at her introduction.
“I have this called photographic memory and I can memorize the charter in less than a day. I know all the written laws, statutes, government flow, and so on. Rest assured that my cognitive abilities may help you win the right to the throne. I can give you political allies and supports from all around the Empire.”
“So meaning you will handle the campaign right?”
“That’s right.”
At the end of their introduction, there are two things that he understood while listening to them. First, even though the two are young they are experienced in a specific field. Second, Howe’s photographic memories can appoint her as his secretary to do tasks that are needed to fulfill his plans. It’s very rare to have someone who has photographic memories in this world.
If he can just give her a modern textbook, she might be able to memorize it and become his personal google.
“I see, then why don’t we start at the end of our class? How about in my place? I have a workplace there that can serve as our study room. It has a lot of books inside of it and most of my invention plans are also there.”
Gerald offered, the two can’t help but feel delighted at the offer. The reason because is that they were able to enter the Royal family’s residence. The Royal Palace is known throughout the world and entering it is a huge privilege even for a duke and nobles.
No one can enter the residence without the formal approval of the King or his chamberlain. Even if you are a noble’s daughter, a duke's daughter, or even a Duke. You need to write a letter to the Residence and tell them your preferred date and time of the visit and they will be the one to decide if they will approve it or not.
Catarina is an exception since she is the fiance of the royal prince. She can choose to live in the residence if she wants to but Catarina denied the offer. The king changed her clearance by being able to enter the residence anytime no matter the reason.
“That would be nice, your highness. It is a pleasure to both of us to enter the royal residence with your permission”
“I agree as well”
Seems the both of them agree on the idea of studying at a royal residence. Gerald nodded and smiled gently.
“Ok, it’s settled. By the way, I’ll be the one to cook dinner if I may ask your permission to taste it? My fiance hasn't tried it but I want it to be perfect after I got your honest opinion about the dish.”
Their eyes open wide once more. Gerald’s dish! What might that be? Anyway, it would be a pleasure to eat the food cooked by royal highness whatever the taste is.
The both of them drool after he offers them a taste of his dish. Of course, that will happen later but it seems like both of them acts like the dish has been presented.
“Here,” He said softly and offered a handkerchief to both of them, “It’s not the proper way of how the lady should act in front of a man you know? It will turn them off.”
“Eh?”
With those harsh remarks of Gerald. Andrea and Howe bow sadly. Clearly regretted the way they acted. What’d he said is true, it will turn off a man's interest in a lady who acts carelessly like that. Especially if a man is exalted as Gerald.
“Uhm, how about we continue on with our lessons? We will give you an outline on the subjects that we will tackle in the future.” Andrea said trying to change the topic and reducing this awkward atmosphere.
“That would be nice.” Gerald meekly replied.
“Eh?”
…
Another thirty minutes have passed and finally, the outline of the teaching subjects is already in Gerald’s textbook. It was divided into two. The Military Strategy and The Fundamental Knowledge of Politics. Both are broad topics and can be taught in a university that specializes in this area.
But, thanks to both of them, it seems like Gerald doesn’t need to attend a school and waste three or four years just by learning this roundabout lesson. After all, this lesson was tackled in his high school and college days back in the modern world.
“We will teach you the lessons listed there, it’s one step at a time. The MIlitary strategy can be learned in this university so you may have some prerequisite knowledge making this an easy course. But, in politics. It seems like you might have a rough time. Politics is not your forte after all.”
Andrea was straight to the fact. Gerald doesn’t like Politics but if he wants to become a king and prevent his brother from taking the throne. He must put all of his efforts to learn about politics.
“I will teach you how the government works later at your residence.” She looked at his arm and saw the time in his watch. “Look, you have five minutes to attend your military class! You must hurry.” Howe said.
Gerald looked at the watch to validate that it was true. And it was indeed true.
“Shit...I need to go! See you later!” And rushed to his class like running in a marathon.
…
Four hours later. The night has descended upon this earth, giving a chilly air in the environment. The night sky is full of twinkling stars and most of the time, locals are bustling in the park to stargaze.
In the Royal Palace, extravagant lights shone brightly. A pinnacle of all palaces created by genius engineers, architectures, and talented workers. Exquisite street lamps are standing on either side of the road with an interval distance. A lavish car most likely owned by a rich person mockingly rode in the paved road of cobblestone. A maid was standing at the entrance and not just one maid but a row of made bowing in the direction of the incoming car.
The doors of the car opened and two beautiful ladies stepped out of the lavish car. The royal maids bowed at the revered females that were approaching them.
“Good evening, Princess Andrea Wales and Princess Howe Wales! My name is Anne, personal maid of Prince Gerald del Stuart. It’s an honor to meet you here.”
The woman who claimed to be Gerald’s personal maid was quite a beauty and on par with the two. There was a hint of jealousy on both of the duke’s daughters swirling in their eyes. How can this maid be so beautiful? There’s no way that Gerald won’t hit this maid.
“I will escort you to the dining hall. Prince Gerald is waiting for the both of you. He prepared something.”
The maid said Andrea and Howe figured out what it was. It was a dish that is personally cooked by Prince Gerald. What an honor.
“Okay, please lead the way.”
Andrea said with a respectful tone. She doesn’t want to put a fight on this maid even if she’s jealous of this maid being around all the time with Gerald. If she leaves a bad impression on this maid. Then it would give a bad impression to Gerald.
Anne lifted her hem once more and escorted them to the dining hall.
At the dining hall of the Royal Palace.
There were a lot of dishes presented on the table all of which seemed to originate from another country. The dishes are well presented and it will feel like it was prepared by the professional chef.
But Gerald, who was already in the dining hall, saw a group of maids bowing to him, and behind them were two beautiful ladies in their casual dress. Both of them elegantly walked at the side of the big table leaving their sweet scent of perfume. Andrea was speechless at the dishes and began to drool once more.
Her sister patted her in the back. Andrea got irritated but remembered something. She realized why her sister hit her in the shoulder. She then removes the saliva from the side of her mouth with the back of her arm.
“I’m glad that both of you came! So, let’s sit and allow me to present you the dishes that I prepared for the both of you so you can both have the energy to teach me the lessons that you’ve prepared.”
The two sisters sat on their respective seats and the maids began to present them the dish personally cooked by Gerald.
“This fried chicken? It seems like it has a peculiar smell different from other fried chickens. But it’s charming and arousing.”
“There is a secret ingredient that I used to make it smell better. Also, I suggest that you dip it first in this gravy here. This gravy is also crafted by me and has special ingredients as well.”
“Then, let’s eat.”
Andrea took a bite of the fried chicken. The moment it went through on her mouth, the chicken skin crackled.
“Delicious! I’ve never eaten something like this. It’s a fried chicken but the skin and the meat is juicy and sweet with a little spiciness. Adding the gravy, it made the flavor of the chicken grow even more!”
Looking at Andrea’s genuine reaction. Howe can’t help but took a bite as well.
Then a crackling skin can be heard on her closed mouth. He saw the two with a satisfied look on their faces. Gerald smiled at them thanking them that both of them liked it. He used a cheat code once again. Those chickens are inspired by KFC. He happened to read a secret book given to him by the current CEO of KFC as a reward. There he unlocked the real ingredients of their delicious and juicy chicken.
“It seems like you're having fun, brother?”
A cold voice entered the dining hall, the mood their suddenly changed after hearing the word so familiar.
“Roland? How’s the campaign of yours doing?”
Gerald said coldly. Since he was acting so seriously, he responded with the same degree.
Roland approached Andrea who is enjoying her fried chicken.
“That chicken looks delicious, but you know what’s more delicious?”
His face is so closed that Andrea can feel his breath.
“What is it? Andrea responded with a shivering voice.
“You!”
His voice is so soft and alluring but he made a big mistake. Roland licked her face in an instant.
“Ouch!”
Roland felt something hit his face.
Then noticed something on the ground.
“Apple?”
Dumbfounded he looked in the direction of where it was thrown. It was Gerald.
“Can you place your filthy actions off to my guest? You’re being rude and pervert.”
Gerald was not acting but genuine anger grew inside of him. He picked a handkerchief and rubbed it to Andrea’s face.
“So disgusting, what happened to you?”
“Brother, why are you being disrespectful to the next king?”
“Next king? Are you really certain about that?”
“Brother, all we know is that the nobles favored me to become the successor, you have no fighting chance since all you have is the committee of science and technology.”
“It’s true that you have the charisma of the king. But what you don’t have is something that I have and that is superior knowledge.”
The atmosphere of the dining hall was now tense. A fight is going to break off between these two brothers. What changed this man a lot? Gerald seemed to turn a blind eye on his brother and failed to notice the change since he’s not watching him a lot. He thought that his behavior was something to be an assurance but that is not the case here. He changed. It feels like doom is coming and the thirst for revenge is growing once again.
This emotion was in its deep slumber and it is now going to awaken.
- Writer
