First Day Of Work (2)

"Ah, I'm sorry," said Ronan. Which made Arielle look up at the man, confused.

"Why is Your Majesty apologizing?" she asked in surprise.

"For being too nosy." Ronan came closer and wrapped the hood of Arielle's coat more tightly. "I want to accompany you in prayer, but other work awaits. Maybe I'll send William with you."

"No need, Your Majesty! I still remember the way to the prayer hall. I can do it myself," Arielle said, smiling to cover her nervousness.

When she saw the frost rising from the girl's mouth, it made Ronan realize that he had been holding Arielle back long enough.

"Okay, if that's what you want. Let me take you to the Cathedral."

"But what about your work?"

"Walking a few steps won't make my work pile up, Princess."

Ronan stretched out his hand, and Arielle wrapped her arm around the man's arm. Ronan ordered William to wait for him in the study along with the troop of soldiers who were quickly disbanded.

Arielle and Ronan walked arm in arm without speaking. Both of them enjoyed each other's presence. Arielle, who was cold, soon felt the warmth back at the presence of the king. Likewise, with Ronan, who enjoyed the fact that he could be near the girl.

In front of the steps of the Cathedral, Arielle immediately let go of the king's arm. She climbed a few steps ahead of Ronan and saw the man was still rooted to the spot as Arielle turned to say goodbye.

The wind blew and caused Arielle's long white hair to flutter. When he saw that sight, Ronan smiled slightly. That day King Ronan was wearing a half-face mask so that Arielle could see the full lips smiling.

"Thank you for escorting me, Your Majesty." Arielle bowed respectfully before entering the Cathedral.

"With pleasure."

Arielle was not sure whether she should go first or wait for King Ronan to leave first? When he saw that confused face, it actually became entertainment in itself for Ronan. He just tilted his head to give permission for Arielle to precede him.

Only then did the girl nod back as she turned around and finally entered the building. The man did not move until Arielle actually entered through the doors of the Cathedral.

***

Arielle's heart was racing very fast. Every now and then, she looked back and was afraid that King Ronan was following her. She passed a garden of Frostberry trees and slowed down a little. It was her habit to stop looking at the little white fruits as she passed.

Arielle remembered Priest Elis' words about her being able to pick the fruit as she pleased. Arielle looked around to make sure no one was around. Then, she ventured to pick up a Frostberry on a nearby branch. Without waiting long, Arielle immediately ate it.

Along the hall, Arielle hummed happily. She felt that just one Frostberry could make her mood better.

Soon Arielle knocked on the door of Priest Elis' room. A few moments later, the man appeared with his usual big smile.

"Ah, welcome Princess Arielle. What a coincidence, I would actually like to converse with you regarding the task you have to do, Your Highness."

Arielle nodded enthusiastically. "I really am ready, Priest!"

"Alright, then come with me."

Arielle followed Priest Elis to the third floor of the Cathedral. On the third floor there was a long hallway with a row of room doors.

"Those are the rooms of the inhabitants of the Cathedral. Both us priests and disciples, all live here. Princess Arielle's job is to tidy up every room after six in the morning. If any sheets get dirty, you should take them to the basement where the other Cathedral servants would wash them, and they would be dried by hot mana users."

"So my job is just to tidy up the bedroom?"

Priest Elis smiled broadly. He opened a bedroom door, and Arielle gasped at the sight inside.

"Maybe we priests can sleep normally. However… students sometimes lose control of their powers and can ravage rooms."

"But not every day is like this, right?"

"I promise, this only happens once a week, and not all students always lose control. It is just…"

Arielle followed Priest Elis, who opened the room next to her. "Students who have really high curiosity will study in the room without our knowledge."

Arielle pursed her lips when she saw a wet room on each side of the room.

"What happened?"

"He is the owner of geothermal mana. He was always experimenting with trigrams. So when the room gets very hot, he will open the window and cool it with snow from outside the room. Of course, the snow will melt."

Arielle was pensive, and Priest Elis could understand her expression. Maybe Princess Arielle's expectation was to tidy the room and sweep the existing dust? The reality was that fixing a nearly damaged room was an unexpected job.

"If Your Highness has any objections, I won't insist."

"No! I want this!" Arielle said quickly. "I will do this work, Priest."

Arielle rubbed her hands, ready to return the room to its original state. She took off her coat, and Priest Elis offered to take Princess Arielle's coat to keep in his room.

"Wages will be paid every weekend," added Priest Elis.

Arielle just nodded. She scanned every corner of the room. Her enthusiasm grew. She folded the sleeves of her dress so as not to disturb her collecting the trash that got scattered on the floor.

"Let's start!"Arielle cried excitedly.

Priest Elis looked at the princess with a faint smile on his face. It was quite a sight to see a princess with such a blazing spirit. It was something new to him.

The man then closed the bedroom door so that Princess Arielle could freely do her work. Priest Elis only prayed that King Ronan would not find out what was going on.