The potter’s day

*Author*

Meanwhile, Saerom sat in quiet boredom, her gaze drifting from the papers strewn across the desk to Duke Zella, who remained steadfastly focused on his work. The room was bathed in the soft glow of afternoon sunlight, casting elongated shadows on the polished wooden floor.

Saerom's fingers traced the edge of a parchment, her mind wandering far from the official documents that demanded their attention. She longed for a break, a moment of respite from the monotony of bureaucracy. Zella, ever attuned to her moods, glanced up from his calculations, his eyes meeting hers.

"Is my pretty assistant already bored?" he observed, a playful glint in his eyes. Saerom shot him an annoyed look.

"I don't know how you and Duke Akai can stare at these papers for more than an hour," she retorted. Zella's smile was indulgent, and he leaned back in his chair.

"Well, my dear," he said, "that's our work. But perhaps we can find a way to make it more bearable."

With papers neatly arranged and inkwells capped, Zella stood up, stretching his arms above his head. Saerom watched him, appreciating the way his shirt strained against the breadth of his shoulders. His next question was inevitable:

"Aren't you hungry?" Saerom's eyes sparkled, and she nodded eagerly.

"Yes, I am. Starving, actually."

Zella chuckled, and together, they descended the grand staircase to the kitchen. Theodore awaited them, his smile warm and welcoming.

"What can I help you with?" he inquired, wiping his flour-dusted hands on his apron. Before Saerom could speak, Duke Zella interjected, his voice teasing.

"We're famished. Any food options, Theodore?"

Theodore's eyes crinkled at the corners, and he gestured toward the cozy dining area. "I've just baked some fresh cookies," he offered. Saerom's glance at Zella revealed sheer delight—cookies were clearly a weakness for both of them.

"And," Theodore continued,

"We also have some watermelon." Saerom's smile widened at the mention of her favourite fruit. Theodore deftly placed a plate of warm cookies and a bowl of chilled watermelon in front of Zella and Saerom, then excused himself to attend to other duties.

In Akai's office, Eveline stood before him, their eyes locking, meeting his gaze, she couldn't help but ponder the rarity of encountering someone with crimson red eyes.

Akai, sensing her silence, tilted his head in concern, prompting Eveline to break the quietude with a soft-spoken declaration,

"I am done cleaning."

As Akai contemplated a reason for her to linger, his gaze wandered the room, searching for an excuse. Finding none, he turned his attention to the bookshelves, a mischievous idea sparking in his mind.

"Well, you forgot the books," he remarked, his eyes glinting with a concealed intention. Eveline, puzzled, inquired,

"You want me to clean the books?" Akai's concealed smile betrayed his amusement as he explained,

"Not quite. I meant organising them."

Eveline's expression remained one of bewilderment, prompting Akai to rise from his chair and select a few books from the shelf. Placing them on the desk, he elaborated,

"You have to organise them according to the alphabet." The weight of the task settled upon Eveline, her incredulity evident as she murmured,

"All of them? This will take the entire day to get done."

Akai, with an air of nonchalance, reassured her,

"No need to stress about that. You can continue tomorrow, and the day after if needed." Though she nodded in acquiescence, a hint of dissatisfaction lingered in her eyes

Eveline meticulously organised the books, grouping those that began with the letter "A" and arranging them side by side. She repeated this process for the entire collection until her hands grew weary. A fact not lost on Akai.

"You can take a break if needed." he offered, his voice carrying a rare note of concern.

Her eyes sparkled with gratitude.

"Really?" Eveline's voice held a hint of surprise. Akai nodded, understanding the effort she'd put into the task. As Eveline glanced around, thirst tugging at her

Noticing her quest, Akai inquired,

"You're looking for something?" Eveline, turning toward him, replied,

"Water." With a nod, Akai reminded her,

"You gave it to the orchid-flower." His words jogged her memory, and she exclaimed,

"That's right, I forgot." As she turned to leave, she glanced back at Akai, asking,

"Do you need something?" Akai shook his head. With a smile, Eveline exited the office.

Making her way down to the kitchen she spotted Duke Zella and Saerom enjoying snacks. Zella, ever hospitable, offered,

"You came at the perfect time. Do you want some?" Eveline accepted a cookie, expressing her gratitude. Saerom, protective of her meal, playfully encircled her bowl with her hands, stating,

"That's mine." Eveline reassured her,

"Don't worry, I'm not going to steal it," as she headed to the fridge she filled a cup with water—a refreshing pause in her day of organisation.

Eveline's exit was swift, yet she couldn't resist grabbing another cookie—a sweet offering for Duke Akai. As she entered his office, the cookies caught his attention. She stepped closer, extending her hand, and said,

"Here, I think you're gonna love it." Akai accepted the cookie, unable to refuse her earnest gaze. He rarely indulged in sweets, but her eyes held a silent plea.

Seated across from him, Eveline nibbled on her own cookie, her delight evident. Akai hesitated, then took a small bite. He saw how Eveline looked at him with a sparkle in her eyes hoping he would love it.

"It's good," he admitted, meeting her expectant gaze. How could he say otherwise when she looked at him like that?

She returned to organising the books, and the clock crept toward 5 PM.

Eveline's fingers danced nervously—a telltale sign of stress. Akai observed her, intrigued. When she approached him, he swivelled his chair to face her.

"Can I leave now?" she asked, her voice soft, yet stressed. "I have an appointment at 6 o'clock."

Akai glanced at the clock,

"Certainly," he replied. "You did a great job." Eveline's smile bloomed, and she nodded him in gratitude.

As she left the room, Akai wondered what this appointment was, about and with whom.

Eveline entered the kitchen. A gentle hush enveloped the room. Saerom and Zella were engaged in a quiet moment, the play of emotions evident on their faces. Duke Zella's gaze lingered on Saerom, his admiration yet his determination to win her over was plain to see, while Saerom, lost in thought, focused on the world outside the window.

Eveline, mindful of their private moment, hesitated to disrupt the tranquility. However, the impending meeting with Leo and Alex at 6 o'clock weighed on her mind, prompting her to gently nudge the flow of time.

But promises beckoned—Leo and Alex awaited them at 6 pm. Zella noticed her presence, adjusting his posture to avoid direct eye contact. His smile, however, spoke volumes. "Watermelon," he said, his gaze lingering on Saerom.

She turned, drawn by her favourite word. Eveline pointed at the clock.

"It's almost 6 pm, Saerom."

Saerom realised her oversight and hastily finished the remaining bites of watermelon, passing the bowl to Zella as she hurriedly made her way out of the kitchen.

Duke Zella placed the bowl on the table and swiftly followed Saerom and Eveline, his playful yet pointed remark lingering in the air.

"Where are you going? You didn't even ask for permission, my gorgeous assistant ," he chided, a touch of teasing evident in his tone. Saerom, her annoyance thinly veiled, retorted as she continued walking,

"My work hours are done anyway, so I don't need your permission."

Zella quickened his pace. He positioned himself in front of Saerom, causing her to halt. Eveline sensed the gravity of the moment. She paused and keenly observed the exchange. Zella, now facing Eveline, posed a direct question,

"Did you ask Akai for permission to leave?" The weight of the moment hung in the air, as Saerom silently conveyed her wishes to Eveline with a meaningful glance.

Eveline found herself at a crossroads, pondering the consequences of her response. A sense of unease settled over her as she deliberated her answer, acutely aware of the potential ramifications. With a deep breath, she finally spoke,

"No," averting her gaze to the side. Saerom's smile of approval surfaced as she turned to Zella, her message clear as she uttered,

"Leave me alone now."

The agreed-upon meeting point lay empty, awaiting their arrival. Eveline's punctuality earned a nod from Saerom, who smiled. A moment later, Alex and Leo appeared. Saerom couldn't resist teasing:

"You two are late this time."

Leo raised his hands in surrender.

"You're right, ma'am. We're sorry. This will never happen again." The girls chuckled at Leo's earnestness. Alex, however, was captivated by Eveline's laughter. He muttered to himself, I hope this time no one interrupts us, recalling past incidents.

Alex interjected, announcing that the carriage awaited them outside. They settled into the carriage, embarking on their journey. The ride seemed interminable until it finally halted. They stepped out in front of an old-looking shop. Eveline's eyes sparkled at the sight. Saerom praised Alex's choice, and he acknowledged her with a smile.

Inside, the shop bustled with people. Children darted around, and one little boy stumbled. Eveline rushed to his aid, brushing off his clothes and patting his head.

"It's okay," she assured him with warmth. The boy nodded and rejoined his mother.

As Eveline helped the child, Alex found himself admiring her. Saerom noticed, but her attention shifted to the apron-clad woman approaching.

"We should use these," she said, handing each of them an apron.

The aprons adorned with cute animal and flower drawings awaited them. Eveline chose one with delicate flowers, while Alex opted for giraffes. Leo took the remaining two, handing Saerom the cat-patterned apron. "You love cats," he observed. Saerom nodded her thanks, intrigued by how he knew her preference.

As they settled around the table, four pottery wheels stood ready. The women distributed clay, and Eveline discreetly activated the wheel with a press of her foot. Saerom took the lead, determined to shape a bowl. Leo couldn't help but laugh at her efforts.

"That definitely doesn't look like a bowl," he teased. Saerom shot him an annoyed glance.

"Well, let's see what you've got, Mr. knight."

Back in the mansion, Duke Zella's unexpected visit to Akai's office drew concern.

"I wanted to check if you're doing okay," Zella explained. Akai's gaze remained sharp.

"Is this the real reason?" he probed. Caught off guard, Zella sighed.

"Well, fine. I'm just bored."

Akai's response was succinct:

"Say that." But Zella had another proposition.

"Do you want to have a chess game?" Akai nodded, and they settled across from each other. As the chess pieces moved, Zella seized the moment.

"I want to ask you something," he began. Akai's gaze remained fixed on the board.

"Yes?" Akai prompted.

Duke Zella's voice was filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Eveline" he began,

Akai's eyes widened ever so slightly, his attention fully captured by the mention of Eveline's name.

"Yes?" Akai echoed, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation, his curiosity piqued by the significance of Eveline's involvement.

Zella, a perceptive one sensed the weight of Akai's sharp gaze upon him, and he couldn't help but brace himself for the impact of their conversation.

Zella's gaze met Akai's unwaveringly, his expression a mix of concern, yet intrigue. He took a moment to collect his thoughts, acutely aware of the gravity of his words.

"Well," Zella began, his voice measured yet filled with an undercurrent of intensity,

"did she asked you before she left the office?"

Confusion etched itself onto Akai's face, his brows furrowing in an attempt to grasp the essence of Zella's question.

"You mean, permission to leave?"

Zella nodded,

"Yes," he confirmed.

"This girl," Zella muttered, recalling the earlier situation.

Muttering about Eveline's actions, Zella told Akai what happened earlier, he continued,

"It was obvious that Eveline lied to save Saerom, but I just wanted to make sure."

Back in the cozy pottery shop, Eveline focused intently on moulding the clay, her hands delicately shaping it into a cup. Alex, watchful, couldn't help but be captivated by her determination. He leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on her creation, and inquired,

"Need some help?" His hand hovered near the pottery wheel, offering his expertise.

Eveline glanced up, a soft smile gracing her lips.

"Well, it's kind of fine," she replied, her voice filled with a mix of determination and a desire to test her own abilities.

"I wanna try making it myself." Her eyes met Alex's briefly, gratitude shining in her gaze.

Alex's hand hovered near her pottery wheel, and he couldn't resist assisting her in shaping the cup, telling her what to do. She smiled her thanks, and his gaze lingered.

As Eveline glanced around the room, her eyes landed on Saerom and Leo, both engrossed in their own pottery projects. Saerom's determination was evident as she attempted to create a bowl for the fourth time, while Leo had already given up on his.

Time seemed to dance away as they worked, their hands shaping the clay and their laughter filling the air. Finally, their creations were complete, and they carefully arranged their pottery on a table to dry. Satisfied with their efforts, they made their way towards the food area, their appetites whetted by the creative process.

Eveline's eyes gleamed with delight as she passed by a display of a strawberry cake, her desire evident. Alex, attuned to her unspoken wish, turned around and asked, "What do you guys want?" His gaze shifted to Saerom and Leo, eager to fulfil their cravings as well.

Saerom surveyed the options, her adventurous spirit yearning for something unique. She settled on a scoop of ice cream with wildfire walnut flavour—a combination that promised both coolness and a hint of fire. Leo, mirroring Saerom's enthusiasm, chose the same indulgence. Alex opted for a simple cup of coffee.

Seated at the worn wooden table, Leo's eyes swept over the offerings. The others seemed puzzled. Saerom asked,

"Do you need anything?" Leo stood, heading to the cashier.

"Salt," he requested, and the girl handed him some. Returning to the table, he sprinkled salt on top of his ice cream—a move that baffled the others.

Eveline's voice cut through the confusion.

"You're gonna eat it with salt?" Leo nodded, taking a bite. Saerom muttered,

"You're a weird one." As Saerom prepared to taste her dessert, an old memory surfaced—a sun-drenched afternoon, grass tickling her bare legs. She sat next to a boy, both holding ice cream cones. The boy pulled out a little bag of salt from his pocket and dipped the ice cream in it. Saerom had laughed, thinking it an odd quirk.

Saerom snapped back to reality as Eveline asked,

"You didn't like it?" Pointing at Saerom's ice cream, she quickly replied,

"Of course I did!" She glanced at Leo, whispering to herself she said

"That's impossible. Maybe they just share the same eating habit."

After their enjoyable break, the group made their way back to the grand palace, each of them holding their handmade creations with a sense of pride. As they traveled, they reminisced about the fun they had at the pottery shop, laughter and light hearted banter filling the carriage.

Eveline expressed her gratitude,

"Thank you for a wonderful day," she said, her voice filled with genuine joy. With a playful gesture, she lifted the bag in her hand, a small act that made Alex smile warmly. "You're welcome," he replied, his voice soft.

As they bid farewell to the knights, Saerom stretched her arms upward, feeling the need to release the tension built up from sitting for a prolonged period. Eveline teasingly remarked,

"Well, at least you managed to make that bowl in the end." Saerom, her pride evident, responded,

"Of course! It turned out to be a masterpiece." Eveline chuckled at her friend's words and retorted,

"A masterpiece? Well, let's just say it's not exactly pleasing to the eye." Saerom, slightly annoyed, was about to respond when Michelle, a passing figure, caught their attention. The girls exchanged nods of respect with Michelle, before she continued on her way.

Entering their shared room, the girls discovered Reem sitting on a chair, engrossed in something she quickly tried to conceal behind her back upon noticing their arrival. Saerom, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, playfully prodded,

"What did you hide, Reem?"

She stammered nervously, "N-nothing."

Saerom snatched the hidden item from Reem's grasp. As the girls saw it, their smiles grew wider. Reem's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Eveline spoke up, assuring Reem,

"There's no need to hide that, Reem. Peter's sewn name looks cute surrounded by the flowers." Saerom chimed in, affirming,

"Absolutely! It's adorable."

Reem's face brightened as she soaked in their words of approval. A sense of satisfaction filled the air.

Eveline carefully placed her newly crafted cup on the window frame, wanting to display it proudly. Saerom followed suit, setting her bowl next to Eveline's cup. With the window open, the gentle breeze whispered through the room.

Suddenly, Eveline's ears perked up at the sound of meowing. Looking down, she spotted Kasper, seeking her attention.

"Kasper, come here," Eveline called out, reaching her arms towards him. Intrigued by her voice, Kasper expertly climbed the nearby tree and gracefully leaped into the room. As he approached Eveline, his tail accidentally brushed against the cup, causing it to fall and shatter on the floor.

Saerom and Reem swiftly turned around, drawn by the sound of breaking ceramic. Concern etched on her face, Reem hurried over to Eveline, asking,

"Are you okay?" Eveline responded with a sad tone,

"I'm fine, but the cup..."

Saerom moved closer, placing a comforting hand on Eveline's shoulder. She reassured her,

"It's okay. The most important thing is that you weren't hurt." Eveline nodded appreciatively, her eyes reflecting a mix of disappointment and gratitude.

Eveline diligently cleaned up the shards of the broken cup, ensuring the safety of everyone in the room. Determined to dispose of the sharp fragments properly, she made her way to the palace's kitchen, Theodore noticed Eveline's downcast expression and approached her with concern.

"Is everything okay?" he inquired gently.

Eveline nodded, her voice filled with a hint of sadness as she recounted the mishap. Theodore listened attentively and then offered words of reassurance.

"Don't worry, Eveline," he said soothingly.

"The most important thing is that you didn't get hurt. Cups can always be replaced." Eveline's lips curled into a small smile at Theodore's comforting words.

"Thanks, Teddy,"

As Eveline walked out of the kitchen, she passed the grand staircase. Akai noticed her. Sensing that something was amiss, he approached her with a concerned expression. With a hint of stress in his voice, he asked Eveline if everything was alright.

Eveline was about to explain what had happened. But, as a group of maids passed by, she hesitated and said, "Yes, Your Grace, everything is fine."

Akai found her response unsatisfactory. He became annoyed at the formalities she used to address him.

Just as Eveline continued on her way, Theodore's voice interrupted their interaction.

"Eveline," he called out. She turned around to find Theodore making his way towards her. As he approached, he greeted Duke Akai, who nodded in acknowledgment. Theodore then revealed that he had something for Eveline. He held it hidden behind his back.

Curiosity sparked in Eveline's eyes as she eagerly asked,

"What is it?" Theodore pulled his hand forward, revealing a handful of strawberries. Eveline's face lit up with joy. Her voice filled with happiness and excitement as she reached out for them.

"Aaah, strawberries!" she exclaimed.

Theodore laughed warmly at her reaction and said,

"I knew that would lighten your mood."

Eveline thanked him gratefully, her spirits lifting at the thoughtfulness of his gesture. Theodore then pointed towards the kitchen, mentioning that there were more strawberries inside.

Akai, observing the scene, inquired about the strawberries. Theodore explained,

"I took a trip to the town today and brought some." Akai issued a directive:

"Bring some to my office as well, and make sure they're always available." Theodore nodded, and Akai ascended the stairs

In the dorm, time seemed to pass slowly. Night had already fallen outside, but Eveline and Saerom found themselves wide awake. They glanced over at Reem, who was peacefully asleep.

Saerom said,

"Let's take a tour around the palace." Eveline checked the time, cautioning,

"We can't go outside now." But Saerom's mischievous smile persisted.

"Well," she suggested, "let's sneak out."

Eveline was unsure about the idea. She worried about getting caught and facing the consequences. But Saerom reassured her, saying they needed to be careful not to get caught. Reluctantly, Eveline agreed,

"Fine, let's go."

The two friends tiptoed down the stairs, their eyes scanning the surroundings. Saerom positioned herself near the entrance, while Eveline hid behind a table. Saerom whispered to Eveline. She assured her that the coast was clear. They made their way outside.

They walked around the mansion grounds. As they went further, they found a new path. Curiosity piqued, they followed the path and soon discovered a spacious badminton court. Saerom exclaimed in surprise,

"Has this always been here?"

Eveline, walking towards the court, replied,

"I guess so. This place is huge. I bet there are more things we haven't seen."

The girls noticed some rackets and shuttlecocks lying nearby. They examined them and quickly grasped how the game worked. They positioned themselves a few steps apart and attempted to hit the shuttlecock with the rackets. After a few tries, they managed to get the hang of it, successfully hitting the shuttlecock back and forth.

Meanwhile, in his candlelit study, Duke Akai bent over a stack of papers. His quill scratched across parchment, mapping out alliances and intrigues. The door creaked open, and he looked up,

Zella, his trusted friend, stepped inside, a bundle of documents in his arms. "Akai" he said, "I've compiled the latest reports."

Akai scanned the papers, his mind already calculating the implications. He murmured. "Nothing that requires immediate action."

Zella nodded. He moved toward the balcony, the night breeze ruffling his fierce red hair. Akai followed, drawn by the promise of fresh air. They stepped outside, the moon bathing the courtyard in silver.

Zella leaned against the balustrade, the papers forgotten. "What occupies your thoughts, my friend?"

Akai's gaze drifted beyond the manicured hedges. There, in the moon-kissed distance, he saw movement—the swift blur of rackets and the delicate arc of shuttlecocks.

"A walk," he said abruptly. "Let's take a walk."

Zella raised an eyebrow. "At this hour?"

Akai led the way, his boots crunching on gravel. Zella followed, intrigued. They rounded a corner, and suddenly, the badminton court lay before them. Saerom and Eveline, flushed and laughing, spun around to face their unexpected audience.

And so, under the moon's watchful eye, the four figures converged—the two friends who had stumbled upon the court, and the two nobles who had discovered something far more precious: a shared moment of joy in a world weighed down by duty and intrigue.