Preparation (2)

3rd Person POV;

Seraphine wakes up early in the morning, the maids greeting her, her morning ritual begins again, being bathed by the maids, scrubbing her and putting on oils and lotions on her body.

Afterwards, they dry her hair, body, then clothe her with a bathrobe, Elinna this time could not be of assistance since she will work on the clothes that Seraphine asks for, Elinna measures her body, while she stands still.

"Please open your arms, princess"

Seraphine cooperates with her, she writes down her measurements.

"I'm sorry if I'm not assisting you, right now"

"It's fine Elinna, go and make the dress I asked you"

"Yes!"

She nods, bow and exits the room going to the two seamstresses that were introduced to her yesterday.

"You are in good hands with us princess, you do not need to worry"

Seraphine nods at Mary Ann, they clothe her with the clothes she chose, not the attire that the maids want her to wear, and what she 'should' be wearing.

The Victorian Era clothes consist of a dress with a metal hoop inside so that the dress puffed in a balloon shape.

Seraphine doesn't like the idea of wearing something uncomfortable every day. She complained that it was too heavy to move around freely, her choice of clothes were commoner clothes that are light, plain and simple.

Considering that royalty must wear extravagant clothing, and Seraphine not following, is already breaking royal protocol, but it seems that the Emperor is letting her be, even though he knows she's breaking the protocol.

Even the maids that follow palace rules strictly, do not oppose her any more, they did try to reason with her, but it was futile, Seraphine is firm with her decision, and being an Armaclei that is well-known for their stubbornness did not help.

"Now you are ready to begin the day," Mary Ann says.

She wore a short black, tulle dress, that is backless, and exposed a bit of cleavage, her hair tied into a ponytail, some strands framing her face. She also wore flat doll shoes, at her request of course.

Her face had a light, simple make-up that suits her, the natural beauty of her face came out, her blue eyes were well noticed.

"We are most honoured serving you, Princess Seraphine"

"What's with the sudden statement and bowing?"

Seraphine gave an awkward laugh, a knock diverted the four maids attention that is tending to Seraphine.

"Now, who could that be?" Seraphine asks, "Come in!" She answers.

"Sorry for the intrusion, your highness"

"O-Oh my…"

"That voice!"

Three of the maids blushed and swooned even though the speaker outside hasn't even entered the room yet.

"Behave ladies" Mary Ann scolded.

The knob twist and a pale brunette haired man enters, his red eyes are strikingly noticeable.

He was wearing butler attire, he strides forward, his eyes locking on Seraphine, the female looked astounded at the brunette haired man.

"It is an honour and a delight in meeting and serving you, Princess Seraphine, soon to be, Crowned Princess"

He takes Seraphine's right hand to his, he bends and kneels, kissing the back of her hand, a blush rose on her cheeks, the maids containing their swoon.

"N-Nice meeting you, um" Seraphine stumbled on her words.

"My name is Zeno Remis, I will be the one serving all your 'needs', princess"

Seraphine couldn't help but notice the emphasis on 'needs' she raises a brow but straightens her expression.

"Thank you...but I already have Elinna-"

"You need your personal butler Seraphine"

The maids bowed, Zeno also stood up and gave a bow to the owner of the voice.

"May the Morning Sunshine give Blessings upon his majesty, Emperor Cailum"

The servants said in harmony, Seraphine gaped at his Uncle that entered the room.

"Good Morning Uncle"

"I told you I have a gift for you yesterday, did I not?"

"Yes, you did mention it"

"Zeno is my gift to you"

"Um, but, a butler is too much…"

"Do you not like him?"

"I-I do! But-"

"It seems that I am still lacking"

Zeno looked away in shame, the maids muttered an 'oh, no' in which Mary Ann glared at the three young maids, Seraphine gave an awkward laugh.

"I don't think that you're lacking but-"

Seraphine, stepped forward pulling his uncle's arm, the Emperor gave a hum, and leaned down, complying to her niece's action.

"Is this necessary?" She whispered in his ear in which the Emperor found cute and amusing.

"It's necessary since the young Countess is still a lady-in-waiting trainee, you need a proper, formal, servant too"

"Isn't Elinna a proper servant already?"

"Proper yes, formal not yet" he whispered back "Zeno is my aid's niece, he excels at everything Seraphine, he will not fail in serving you

Cailum stood straight smiling towards her, his niece looked at him with a blank expression.

"Take care of my cute niece Zeno"

"Of course, your majesty, thank you for giving me an opportunity for serving, milady"

"Haha...milady" Seraphine mused.

"Let's have breakfast shall we?"

-Palace: Dining Hall-

Zeno follows Seraphine everywhere as well as the four maids, but Seraphine felt a little uncomfortable, with Zeno for some reason.

Zeno assists her with what she is going to use at the dining table, even a bit of smudge on the side of her cheek got wiped away by Zeno. The butler is attentive to the princess.

"Thanks, Zeno" Seraphine nervously says.

When Breakfast is over, Seraphine walks around the Palace Halls, she did not want to walk at the Rosé Garden any more since she is afraid that the Honey Hornet might chase her again or what's worse, meeting the King of the Sky Kingdom ACCIDENTALLY.

"This reminded me of something" she puts a hand on her chin giving a thoughtful expression, "Luke the Chancellor told me that there is more than one palace here?"

"Yes, you are currently inside the main Palace, the Sun Palace. our royal guests are residing at the Core Palace. the Political Parliament and the Empress Palace is at the Corona Palace. the Prominence Palace houses the Knights it is also their training ground."

"Ah, I see, thank you"

"It is a pleasure, giving you knowledge"

Seraphine cringes at the word pleasure, she shakes her head and continues her walk, but she stops when she meets a Female Knight.

"Zeno!"

Seraphine looks shocked at how, she is blatantly ignored by a Knight, the Female Knight runs towards the aid of Seraphine with a blush.

"I was looking for you"

"..."

Zeno looked at the female Knight with displeasure, the female Knight rambled on how she was going to flip the Castle upside-down just to see the aid.

"I am on duty, Alicia, if you want to chat we should do so on a later date"

"But I just saw you"

Seraphine couldn't stand the childish personality of Alicia, 'The girl is completely infatuated with Zeno' Seraphine thought, she then walks away with the four maids following behind.

"I am currently occupied with her highness-"

Zeno stops to look at where the princess is, he looks stunned when he sees her walk away without him.

"Princess!"

Zeno catches up with her in no time, Seraphine shrugs 'I thought I was going to lose him, it's okay if he stays and chats with Alicia'

"I apologise for my lack of manners"

"Zeno!"

Alicia's voice echoes in the Halls, Seraphine stops and so did her entourage, she inwardly sighs.

'I don't want to get caught in this Drama'

"Alicia stop it." Zeno says with annoyance in his voice.

"Do you really need to follow the Princess all day? She has four maids, she can handle herself"

"..."

A sharp noise echoed and rang inside the hall, Seraphine flinched, pursuing her lips, the four maids were utterly shocked and the Knights that were stationed at the side looked neutral, holding their professionalism.

"Z-Zeno?!"

Alicia held her now red and swollen cheek, she took a step back, tears threatening to fall.

"You didn't even greet her highness when you saw her, her highness is too kind, but I will not tolerate this disrespect towards her any further"

'I thought they were lovers for a second' Seraphine thought. widening her eyes, looking away.

"Go and be a responsible Knight Alicia, and I will not apologise for what I did"

'In layman's term, get out of my face already'

Alicia ran away, Zeno straightens his jacket and looks at Seraphine with an apologetic expression.

"I apologise for the discourtesy and disrespect princess, this will not happen again, I reassure you."

"O-Okay" She gave a nod.

After walking around. Lunch is about to start, the entourage guides Seraphine to the Dining Hall again.

-Palace: Dining Hall-

"That's strange, uncle isn't here"

"His majesty has important business to attend to princess, you can go ahead and eat"

"Really?"

"Of course."

Seraphine went to where she usually sat and was served her meal. She ate alone which made her a little sad. and frustrated since she can't cut her steak.

"Do you need help?"

Zeno asked, she immediately shakes her head in response. The aid chuckles and leans forward, he holds Seraphine's hand and helps her cut the steak into pieces.

'He is really making me uncomfortable, maybe because he's a man? No, I'm used to being around men, Gabriel, Phil, Max and the Knights! Even, Doctor Edgar! So why am I feeling uncomfortable around him?'

"Princess…!"

Seraphine jumps at the voice of Zeno, who is calling her, she looks towards the side, her eyes widened when she realises that their face is dangerously close, the tip of their noses touching.

"Are you alright?"

"No!"

"What?!"

"Are you not feeling well Princess?!"

"I will get the Royal Doctor at once!"

Mary Ann and the three maids panicked, Zeno looked concerned.

"STOP!"

The Princess shouted as her voice echoed inside the Dining Hall.

"I'm fine" she clarified 'I just need personal space, Zeno is too close for comfort' She added inside her thoughts.

"That's a relief"

Mary Ann says, the three younger maids gave an inner sigh of relief at her answer, Zeno backs away, standing behind her again.

"Princess, Marchioness Vivian will arrive after your meal, your etiquette, lesson will begin then, I just wish to inform you of this."

Zeno tells her, she nods continuing eating.

'Lessons again, well the Marchioness is interesting to talk with, plus she's also kind. I hope she talks about politics again.'