Clockwork Maiden, Literally.

Gardia. A Huge City!

--On the Road, 1525 hours--

Four wheels rolls steadily beneath dad’s four meters long steam car. It’s been six hours since I left Helmington with my parents, and I missed everyone back there already, sigh…

“Ooooh… how boring…” I moaned.

“Ah, don’t worry, Eva. We’re going to reach Gardia soon, you’re gonna like the beautiful landscape!” my dad said excitingly. But I dare say that he didn’t notice that he’s been driving for six hours long. Well, not continuously that long, he stopped at some point to shovel coals and add water for the car’s engine.

Have I mentioned that I refused to go to the capital back when I’m twelve? THIS is the reason. I hate long rides. Taking a ride out of town while doing COMPLETELY nothing than sitting pensively on a rather hard seat, and only breezes of wind intercepted my face relentlessly coming from outside.

“Quite unusual for you to not like long rides, Eva,” my mom said. “For a mischievous girl that likes to walk around carefree, that is.” She added while styling her red hair a bit.

“I DO like travelling. But I never liked staying still inside this tin can.” I said with a resigned voice.

“Geez, Eva, buying this car is harder than you think, you know?” My dad complained funnily. “I’ve bought it for like a year of salary. My job is hard and persistently tough. The payment isn’t as much, though.”

“Then switch jobs already.” I and my mom replied in the same time. In return, my dad rapidly replies:

“IMPOSSIBRU! There’s no way I can change jobs now. Being a worker inside the government is like being glued into a pole and you cannot get off from it! You’re still too young to understand adult jobs and you know it! Not only that! Trying to make sure my magecraft works perfectly is harder than anyone could think!”

Arrgh! I forgot that he’s a rapid chatterbox. He speaks like, endlessly. Thankfully, my mom stopped him from barraging me with his endless banter.

“Huff… puff…”

“Here, drink this,” My mom passed a bottle of water.

“Gulp, gulp, gulp, bwaah! T-Thanks,”

I sit myself in the corner back watching him in full amazement. My dad is the world’s best driver. He can look backwards, drinking water, and still drive correctly in the same time. His skill as a driver is the best—wait, being called the best is rather questionable. It’s more like…

Insane. But I honestly liked it. My adrenaline punches out when he drives like that. I smilingly compliment his capability. My mom giggles a bit when hearing me complimenting my dad.

“Harrumph… you’re just like your mother, Eva.” My dad said while panting hardly from overly speaking. “Your mom likes incredible and crazy stunts. About a week ago, I nearly thrashed this car into a river because one of the tires got off. Good thing that the river was not too wide, I can drive over the river and THAT’S because there’s a ramp for evening festival.”

“Ouch. That sounds rough, but ain’t that fun?” I assured myself. My dad looks at me instantly through the front mirror and says, “Heh, funny your head. It cost me three months of salary to compensate the cancelled festival. It cost me two months of salary to fix this damn car.”

My mom suddenly jumps in “Aww, you worry too much, dear. That’s a small price to pay for salvation. Tee-hee-hee.”

My dad says that it will be much more troublesome from now on. Because my mom alone is already noisy, plus me, whose pretty much the same as my mom. Hahahaha, that’s my dad. He didn’t even try to hide his true feelings and I love him for that.

… After having a whale of time speaking gibberish and joking with my parents, which proved to be more fun than I thought, now we’re entering the region of the capital city.

“We’re here.” My father stated. He soars highly of his cool smile. He stops the car at a lavishly guard post near the gate. That’s one expensive-looking security check. In Helmington, that would only be a wooden shack and a fragile chair.

I look outside the window, and what I see is a big majestic city in front of both my eyes.

“Whoa…” said I dumbfounded as my dad’s car moves into the city.

...

--Gardia City, 1540 hours--

I can see the city pretty clear, unlike Helmington which could be hard to see sometimes due to smoke coming out from its factories. The city looks so amazing! I see many citizen houses aligned to one another in an incredible precision, the green pastures filling the region also adds up the beauty of the city. Did I mention the gas lamps filling the streets on every sidewalk? Uoohohohoo! This is exciting! Even they had beautiful flowers planted in the parks!

I can’t stop viewing the region, many wheels of a steam car rolling on the beautifully paved street, lavishly manors and houses on every side of the streets. So many people, men, women, and children walk on the sidewalks dressed in a rich looking cloth. This city is a fantastic eye candy to me, so sweet and tasty to my eyes it scares me. I didn’t even realize my mouth was agape while doing so.

“Haha, you look so excited, Eva. An incredible sight to see, is it not? Uwahahaha!” My dad laughed after seeing my blazing-spirited face on the rear-view mirror. My mom joined the parade of laughter afterwards. Without me realizing, I had dismissed Helmington City.

…

Fifteen minutes later, we stopped in front of a gate leading to a luxurious manor house and a tower next to it. I got nervous all of sudden, where will dad take me anyway?

Shortly, a middle-aged man wearing red tailcoat uniform comes near us. He saluted to us after dad opens his side window.

“Good afternoon and welcome back, Master Chronodia.” He greeted politely.

“Good day, Sir Champs, is everything alright while I’m away?” my father replied and asked.

“No problem, sire… I see you’ve finally brought your daughter along with you at last.”

“Yeah, a special day for us, for our family, and probably everyone else’s.” my dad smiled at will.

“I see. I’ll get the gate open right away.”

“Please do, Sir Champs.”

The middle-aged man opened the gate for dad to drive the car through. Dear me, that man, Sir Champs, was it? His appearance is that of an old person, but heck his strength can compare to the world’s strongest wrestler. He opened the gate with no effort at all, or perhaps the gate’s hinges were quite light for anyone to move? Either way, he looks awesome.

“Have a nice day, Master and Mistress Chronodia. Oh, and welcome to the household… Miss Chronodia.”

Oookay… that was odd. What was that all about, anyway? I never experience being called by my surname before… that felt extremely weird.

The car moves closer into the rich manor house. Dad hums smilingly while driving the car. I dare say he’s the happiest man in town right now.

“Hey, daddy… where are we going anyway?”

“Hm~ Hm~ Hm? What are you talking about? We’re going home.” He said casually.

“Honey, did you tell her about this place yet?” my mom asked to dad.

“Huh? I thought you’ve told her first.” My dad replied calmly.

“Hah?” My mom smugly retorted. “Edward, I told you to tell her— ah, whatever. We’re so sorry Eva. We didn’t tell you about it yet.”

My airheaded self couldn’t catch what were they talking about. Then, my mom explains the utmost unbelievable thing I ever heard today:

“This is your new home, honey. Ah, it’s OUR home. The Chronodia Family Manor.”

I lean back a bit and reply simply, “Oh, cool.”

Wait a second…

…HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH?!

“Wait-wait-wait, this house—I mean, this rich house is… your house?!” I asked shockingly.

“Yes. A pretty palace isn’t she? Ah, you and your mother are prettier, by the way, bwahahahah!” he laughed as he tries to flatter me and mom.

I looked again to the big building, wiped my eyes twice, no—probably I had wiped it four times. I must make sure I am not daydreaming again.

…

Dad stopped the car in front of the manor’s front door. Geez, even the door’s incredibly big… oh, it’s opening up!

Beyond the door stand two beautiful yet gentle-looking maids and a butler leading them both. He opened the car’s door and gave us a warm welcome. I act a bit jumpy and clumsy in this situation because I never get used of being called madam, miss, or even ma’am. Mostly everyone back at Helmington called others by Mister or Missus. Not even once I hear they call people by a richly demeanor.

Walking behind my mom and dad like a scared cat underneath their owner. Oooh… why I never know mom and dad had a big house like this?

Didn’t dad complain about his salary a lot? How he said he can be penniless at any time? Was that all a lie?!

When I look again into the manor, heck, it’s no joke. It is a realistically real rich place. I can’t stop awing at the richness this place gave. It’s a hundred times better than… granny’s... apartment.

Heh…

What am I thinking… granny’s apartment was no different in terms of quality, I shouldn’t be comparing them!

“Okay, then, Eva. I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier, but here it is! Your new home, our new home! Everyone, *PAT*… ” my dad patted my shoulders in front of the gathering maids and butler.

Heeee! This is embarrassing.

“…Allow me to introduce to our beautiful daughter, Eva Chronodia!” he stated cheerfully.

“…”

“…oi, Eva… come on, introduce yourself properly.” My dad nudged me.

“Ueh? Eh? O-Oh! Ow-okay…”

“Um… g-g-good afternoon, everyone! My name is Eva Chronodia… err… I am 17 years old, I will step into 18 this summer, and uh… I hope I won’t be a burden to everyone, nice to meet all of you!” I awkwardly ended the short introduction and bowed down helplessly. I don’t even know what I am doing at this point.

After I lifted my head, I was expecting some disappointment from dad, but NO! It was him! Happy-faced! EH?! You’re satisfied?! That was my probably worst intro ever!

Doesn’t took a second for them to give their best salutations to me. Me, who never receives such grand welcome from anybody, not even my friends in Helmington ever did this.

“Wow… so that’s Edward’s child?” said one of the maids.

“She’s so pretty…” said the other maid complimenting me.

“Ouohh… I thought he was impotent to have a child.”

“Hush, don’t say things like that.”

Yup, I take my words back. They’re saying things badly to me. Well, it is in my dad’s personality to be treated that way, though. Suddenly, a bearded man with a white shirt and orange vest comes close to me and greets me kindly.

“What a gentle and innocent girl… we welcome you warmly, Miss Chronodia, allow us to introduce ourselves.” Said the butler happily, even though I don’t what’s making him happy.

“My name’s Khadim Al-Qadim. I am the head butler for the Chronodia manor. May I be of use for you, milady.” He introduced himself with an Arabic tone. I guess his name was Arabic, too.

“I am Eri Sanders…”

Okay, I’ll just skip the dialogue here. Why? I wouldn’t remember all of their names just by mentioned once. I believe you wouldn’t remember, too! That’s why I think I’m going to ask their names personally later.

Because right now… I’m FREAKING TIRED after a long goddamned trip. Good thing’s Gardia is a beautiful city, it’s beautifulness healed my exhaustion in a jiffy. But it didn't cure it completely. Sigh...

I wonder what this city has to offer, though…

Granny...

Mr. Archie...

Bella...

I hope you guys are doing well in Helmington. Best wishes for you guys.