Chapter 41

Knocking came from my door as I dried off Amelia after the bath. "Artorius~! Rise and shine!" Felix's happy-go-lucky voice rang through the door.

"I'm up already. Are you preparing breakfast?" I asked him while wearing my undergarments. "Yes, flatbread and poultry today." He replied back.

"I'm coming out in a minute."

Without wasting any more time I quickly put on my clothes. As usual, there were many layers to wear but I was getting more and more used to wearing these heavy garments.

"Dark turquoise shirt and a light grey vest? Quite different from your usual." Amelia said as I walked over to the dressing table.

"Don't like it?" I asked her skeptically. "No! Looks really nice! Just looks very different from your usual red theme."

"I felt like a change of theme would be nice, after all, we are having a change of pace for the day."

Amelia's jaws opened wide and her eyes glittered from excitement. "Why? Is there something exciting today?"

Did she forget?

"Don't you remember?" I asked her curiously. Her jolly expression turned skeptical as she raised an eyebrow. "Remember what?"

I facepalm from the memory loss she's experiencing. "You'll see later," I told her as I put on my cologne.

Amelia jumps on my shoulder and snuggles up with my left cheek as I open the doors. I walked outside and found Vincent putting on his gloves while walking down the hallway, on his way to the dining room.

"Good morning~! Did you sleep well?" I called out to Vincent, taking him by surprise.

He turns around in a panic, startled by me. "G-good morning, Master Artorius! Yes, I slept well."

"Good. Have fun with your family."

I walked past him and kept walking the same way down the hallway. We stayed quiet the entire time but I could feel his gaze behind me, drilling holes through me. It felt strange for him to stare at me in such a way.

"Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? You're acting differently." Vincent asked me, breaking the silence. "Nope. Why? What's different about me today?" I asked him.

He stayed quiet for a minute as we walked downstairs. "You're clothing… It's different. Your attitude is different too."

"Would you like it for me to belittle you in front of your wife and children?"

He was taken aback by my answer. "N-no., not really. But it felt too sudden to be treated as such."

"I never hated you and you know that. I just felt like being mischievous with you in a different way."

We entered the dining room where Vincent's family was already sitting, waiting for us to walk in. Felix was, as always, standing next to my chair.

"Good morning, your majesty." His wife said as she stood up. "Good morning, Miss Wikes. You can drop the formalities a bit, I'm not that serious with titles and formalities."

Vincent goes ahead and sits next to her while I take my seat at the head of the table. Food was given shortly after but I was more busy reading the daily newspaper than eating.

"Oh! I just remembered what you were talking about in the morning!" Amelia said as she chewed away at her chunk of poultry. "What is it then?" I asked her enthusiastically.

"Date with mama!"

This dragon…

"D-date? You mean shopping." I told her, furrowing my eyebrows angrily.

"What's the difference?"

"Cut it!" I shouted out in telepathy, clenching the newspaper tightly.

Seeing my distress, Felix became worried and so was the rest of the dinner table.

"A-Artorius… Is everything okay?" Felix asked me as I loosen my grip on the newspaper.

"It's fine. I just got angry at Amelia as we talked in telepathy."

I should've given more thought to that sentence.

"Pardon me but, what do you mean by telepathy?" Vincent's wife asks me.

I forgot that talking in telepathy is not normal in this world, even though magic and talking to deities is. "I- Whatever, since you already heard."

I fold up my newspaper and put it down on the table before looking at the entire family. "Listen, it's not news that Amelia is my bond. But what is new is that she is a dragon. Only the palace staff excluding Alexander, the Damian family's son, knows. So you should know now too that she is indeed a dragon."

Her face turns pale and a shocked expression comes out, as usual from whoever learns of it. The kids, however, were ecstatic about it. Since they were still quite young they were excited and curious.

"O-oh my… I see. I'll keep it a secret as I should." She says in an uneasy voice. "No need to be scared. She's well-behaved. She's still a few weeks old so it's not like she's a fully grown dragon."

"Hey! I'm still strong!"

I sigh and smile at Amelia, "Obviously." I simply told her in telepathy. "Just keep it a secret, okay? That goes for you two as well." I told them all, especially the two children.

"I-I understand! We will keep it a secret!" The brother and sister answered loudly. Seeing their cooperation I smile in relief and start eating my meal.

"Artorius, we haven't found anything about a monster. It seems we can't go out today." Felix says, disappointed about it. However it didn't spoil my plans for today, instead made them.

I turn around to him and smile. "Good. I wasn't planning on going out, not in that sense anyways."

"What do you mean?"

"What's the best souvenir shop? Or a shop where I can pick up good gifts. Also a store for good dresses."

Felix thinks for a moment as I asked him the questions. He scratched his chin and thought deeply before answering.

"For gifts, I'd suggest the artifact store near the centre of the city. For dresses… I'm not so sure." Felix says after an extended period of thinking.

I take a swig from my wine bottle and prop my head on my hands. "I see. I'll figure out the tailor on my own."

"But why?"

"The party is in three days. We are leaving in two days. I need to bring a gift." I answered him.

"And the dress?"

"I don't know. Why do you think? For Miss Serena?" I told him sarcastically. He laughs it off and understands what I mean.

The rest of the attendees at the breakfast were confused and skeptical. Though I was not speaking in riddles they did not understand who I needed the dress for.

"Pardon my intrusion in the conversation. But I actually know a good tailor shop in this city. It's near the city centre too! It's also perfectly next to a jewellery shop if you need that as an option too."

Never thought Vincent's wife would be useful for this.

"Thank you so much, Miss Wikes!" I told her gratefully. "I really needed to know this the most."

She became flustered by my gratitude towards her. "I-it's a pleasure of mine to help the king." She says shyly.

Without wasting any more time I quickly eat my food and grab my coat from my chair. Felix follows me as I walk outside the dining room. He spoke no words but suddenly came up to me with a few leaves in his hands.

"Wha- What are these?" I asked him. I took a good look at them and realised they were mint leaves. "Where and how did you get mint leaves?"

"You may need them if you're going out today." He said with a wink and an annoying smirk.

I chuckle at his comment and take the mints anyways. "Thanks. You would make a good wingman." I told him before munching down on the leaves.

"What are mints?" Amelia asked me as I chewed on the mint leaves. "How do you not know? It's for a fresh breath, it's what they use in toothpaste too."

The mint was refreshing and cooled down my mouth, cleaning away any bad odor with it. I continued chewing on it as I walked outside with Felix.

"I'll be going alone, probably staying out for longer too. Could you give me some extra money just in case?"

Felix was surprised by my request. "M-money? Are you forgetting who you are?" He says in a skeptical tone.

"I haven't. Wouldn't you feel intimidated to go out with a king?" I told him, putting him in a situation. He chuckles softly and nods. "You sly bastard." Felix says before going through his coat's pockets.

He handed me a pouch that was really heavy. "Here. There's about two hundred gold coins. Don't lose them!" He said before turning around. "Keep a spare room ready. Just in case."

I heard him laugh loudly as he entered the palace. Without wasting any more time I spit out the mint I was chewing and walked through the courtyard.

KATHLYN'S POV

"Oh, this one here is a daisy bush. It usually grows near the end of spring so it's in full bloom this time around!"

The customer looked at it and thought deeply. "I see! Do they need much attention?" She asked me as she marvelled at the flowers.

"Not really. You just need to keep the pests away from getting on them and obviously water them. Sunlight is recommended but it can usually survive with low amounts."

She grinned in a joyful smile. "Perfect! I'll have a few of the daisy seeds then!"

Feeling her happiness I smiled and quickly went to the counter to grab the seeds for the daisies. She followed me to the counter and waited for me as I picked up a packet of the daisy seeds.

After rummaging through the shelf of seed packets I finally found them and took one bag. I place it on the counter and ask for the money.

"That will be fifteen copper coins!"

She takes out her pouch and counts the coins to pay. Another customer entered the store and was taken back by the smell, as most do.

"Ah~ Welcome! Please take a look around." I told the customer that walked in. He looked around, taken aback by the aroma.

The customer pays and takes the seed packet with her. I count the money and put it inside the drawer. She walks away from the desk and I give her my farewell.

"Come again!" I told her as she left the store, leaving me and the new customer alone.

The customer that walked in comes up to the desk, looking quite nervous, completely different from what his body would suggest.

"U-um, excuse me. W-what are the best flowers you could give to a special someone?" The man asked in a timid but deep voice.

I understood his situation and gave him a comforting smile. "I understand. Are you looking for a bouquet?" I asked him, hoping to pinpoint the flowers he wants.

"Y-yes… Something you would give as a gift."

I clapped my hands together softly as his answer helped me decide. "Perfect! I have a few bouquets ready for such instances! Give me a minute." I told the man.

He smiled in happiness and in relief. "Thank you so much! How much will it be?" He asked me. "About two silver coins."

The price allured him more to the bouquet. "Perfect! Please bring me the biggest and best one!"

Not realising the bigger ones cost more I nervously tell him the price of the biggest one.

"The big ones are actually four silver coins. Should I still bring it?" I asked him, hoping his hopes weren't shattered.

His expression goes blank for a second. "Oh, it's fine. I have the money." He said, giving me a sense of relief.

"Alright! Give me just a minute~"

I walked into the storage room where I kept the seeds and the bouquets. I turned on the lights and looked for the rose bouquets. It didn't take long to find a big bouquet of roses which were in perfect condition, even having a pink ribbon to tie it up. Perfect for a romantic gift!

While picking it up I thought that a note to go with it might be good too. Though I need to ask him for consent.

I walked back outside of the room and found him with his back turned against the counter, fidgeting with his fingers.

"Here it is! The biggest one I could find." I told him as I kept the huge bouquet of roses on the counter. The man turned around and saw the size and became ecstatic.

"T-thank you! H-here is the money!" He said, completely bewildered by the size of it. "If you want to add a note or something I can arrange that. It won't cost extra." I told him, hoping to add just a little extra to it.

He pondered for a moment, thinking deeply about it. It must be someone special he's giving it to.

"I-it's fine! I already have a letter prepared for her." He said nervously. "I see! Good luck with it then! I hope the person you are giving it to accepts your gift!"

He blushed as I talked more about it. His peach skin turned a light shade of red. "I-I hope so too! Thank you again. Goodbye!"

He took the bouquet and left me the payment on the counter and dashed to the door, trying to not damage any of the flowers.

"Come again!" I told him as he left.

I put the coins in the drawer and closed it. I sigh a breath of relief, taking in the peace of the store and the aroma that is inside it, always filling me and the people that enter the store in a state of relaxation.

"Ah~ young love…" I muttered under my breath, thinking of what kind of romantic story the man would have with the person he's gifting.

It made me feel a bit melancholy as I never experienced something like this for myself. The heart racing moments of being with a loved one, or gifting the special someone in your life. Or being on the receiving end.

Nevertheless I didn't mind my school life not being as planned. It was just fate that had to ruin it, and I came to accept it.

As I thought more deeply about it I saw a shadow on the door approach. I get ready to greet the customer that enters the store as usual but the figure of the person seems… familiar… and odd.

The door slowly swings open and the small bell on the door rings. As usual I put on my happy smile and greet them.

"Welcome to Watson's Garden! Please take a look around."

While my usual greeting left my mouth I recognized the person that entered. The familiar body and clothing style, not to mention his iconic hair and bond. Artorius.

Our eyes locked as he closed the door behind him. I felt nervous and my heart was beating faster. His aura is always intimidating, especially after all I've heard and seen him do. It frightens you yet makes you trust the man even more.

"Good morning, Kathlyn. How have you been?" His softer voice spoke out. "I-I've been doing well. How are you though? Have you been getting enough sleep?"

He chuckles softly and smiles. "Nope. Same old. But I feel much better than before."

Amelia jumped down from his shoulder and sped through the store and around the counter to me. She snuggled with my legs and urged me to hold her. As usual I picked her up in my arms and she held my fingers with her tiny paws.

Artorius walked up to the counter as I played with Amelia. I was curious about his sudden visit, especially so early. "When do you usually open the store?" He asked me, taking me by surprise.

"O-oh, around eight." I replied hastily. He nods from my answer and scratches his chin.

"Well I have no other way to put it but remember I asked you to go with me to the birthday party?"

"Yes, I remember."

"I need you to have a really good dress. A dress that signifies elegance and beauty. Obviously since we will stay at the emperor's castle you can't just go there with the clothes you usually wear."

His words were confusing me. What did he mean?

"Yeah, that's obvious. But I'm not sure if I have dresses like that."

I really had no expensive dress or any dress that makes me stand out. The only one I had was the white one with floral stitching designs on them that I wore at the festival.

Artorius' lips break into a slight smile. "That's where an issue lies. What do you plan on doing for the rest of the day?"

His questions are making me more and more nervous. It's scary. "W-well… Watching the store as usual and going about my daily routine. Why do you ask?"

"Is it possible if you cancel all of that? Let's go shopping, shall we?"

My mind goes blank for a moment and I forget everything around me. I chuckle from his question and smile joyfully. "Yes, that is possible."

ARTORIUS' POV

Thank god. I thought she would say no.

"Great! It hasn't hit noon yet. You can go and get changed or something while I wait here." I told her with a grateful smile.

She hastily puts Amelia down on the counter and looks at me. "Alright. Just give me a few minutes." She said with a bright smile, making my heart race.

"A-alright." I simply muttered out.

Amelia jumped back on my shoulder and I walked away from the counter, glancing around the store. The decorations were really eye-catching and I couldn't help but stare at everything in the store, ranging from the decorations to the beautiful flowers that are in full bloom.

"I can't wait to see what she wears! Her fashion sense is quite bright as well!" Amelia exclaims as I blankly stare off into the wall.

"Really? I won't be surprised if it's a really pretty dress too to be honest."

I take out my pocket watch and stare at it while waiting for her. Since I have nothing to do while she gets ready all I can do is just wait.

"Time…" I muttered out slowly.

Amelia was freaked out by my odd behaviour and looked at me with concern. "U-uhm… Is everything okay?"

"It's fine. I was just bored." I told her, smiling happily. She did not buy it and kept staring at me. "Yeah right. Then why are you just muttering out time while staring at a watch?"

"Just wondering about time. You know, the normal human things to do when you're waiting for someone."

She sighs and shakes her head. "Yep, very normal."

For the next few minutes I stared blankly at the windows of the shop that blurred out everything from the outside and from the inside. The silence in the store was broken by the footsteps of Kathlyn coming down from the stairs.

I turned around and was somewhat flustered. The outfit she wore matched my grey coat in colour, maybe intentional or just a coincidence. Her hair covered her left eye but cleared of her other eye.

"I'm ready! Let's go then." She said in a strangely comforting voice. Amelia gawked at her with her mouth open, lost for words. As was I.

"S-sure. Let's go." I said, stuttering on my words.