Emilio's POV

It has been a month since Emilio came to Farnworth. One month since he became Celestia's servant.

Emilio stood, facing a fancy looking door in the Sterling estate. A palpable sense of hesitation was lingering within him, as he has never taken a step behind this door before.

After a steadying breath, Emilio raised his hand and gently knocked, awaiting the summons that would grant him entry.

"Come in." A voice spoke from behind the door. It belonged to none other than Celestia. Hearing her response, he opened the door and walked into her office.

The door swung open, revealing a lavish and impeccably decorated office. Elegant furniture adorned the room, bathed in the warm sunlight streaming through a sizable window. The walls were adorned with intricate paintings and tapestries that spoke of wealth. A large mahogany desk took center stage, and behind it sat Celestia, engrossed in the task of signing various papers.

"Emilio, what brings you here?" she inquired, setting aside the pen she had been using to sign the documents. There were what seemed like a mountain of papers on the desk. The amount shocked Emilio for a second.

Does she have to read and go through all of that? I suppose being a Countess means you'll be very busy...

"I've brought you your coffee, Lady Celestia." Emilio announced as he slowly approached the Countess and placed the coffee cup on her desk. "I'll be the one in charge of this for a while."

"Hm? How so? What happened to Alan?" Celestia asked, curious what happened to her coffee boy.

"Alan caught a fever, you see. He isn't feeling well, so I'll be taking on some of his duties until he gets better." Emilio explained.

"I see. That's considerate of you, though I assume you'll more busy these upcoming days." Celestia spoke as she took a small sip out of her black coffee.

"Nah, it's nothing really, I'm used to this. Back in my village... I used to do all kinds of errands, both in it and outside of it. This is nothing." Emilio spoke in a soft voice, the memories of his life in Saalnia putting a smile on his face.

Celestia stayed silent for a minute as her gaze turned too the large window. It had a beautiful view on the Mermaid sea. Emilio felt as if she had something on her mind.

I'm sure she's very busy. I wish there was something I could do to make her job easier, but I highly doubt someone in my spot can do much for someone like her. When you think about it, the fact I'm in the same room with someone who's the King's sister in law is nothing short of a miracle. It's very hard to believe.

"Milady, I don't want to take more of your time. Is there anything else you need?" Emilio asked, prepared to exit the office. Celestia turned to him, her gaze meeting his.

"No, nothing specific. I suppose you'll be my coffee boy for a bit now, so I'll be counting on you." Celestia remarked as her attention returned to the papers on her desk.

Just as Emilio turned was about to leave the room, Celestia looked at his back and said.

"And tell Alan I'm wishing him a quick recovery."

"S-Sure!" Emilio quickly responded, getting caught off guard a bit. He closed the door behind him as he left.

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Emilio went on with his day, handling his other duties around the Sterling estate. As he methodically mopped the floor, his attention was drawn to Harold, who stood near one of the many windows in the ornate hallway, fixated on something outside.

"Hm? Good day, Harold." Emilio greeted the elderly man.

"Why, good day to you too, young man. I see you're working hard." Harold responded in his gentle voice.

"What were you looking at?" Emilio asked the question he had on mind.

"Well, why don't you come next to me and see?" Harold offered, an offer which Emilio took.

What Emilio saw from this window was the garden, and more importantly, the knights training in the said garden.

Wow...

The knights, clad in gleaming chest armor, moved with precision and purpose across the garden. Swords clashed, and the air resonated with the sounds of training. Some knights engaged in sparring matches, their movements swift and calculated. Others practiced defensive maneuvers, shields raised in unison as they formed a formidable line.

The sun cast a golden glow on the scene, enhancing the disciplined elegance of the training. Emilio couldn't help but be captivated by the display of martial prowess.

Emilio could see one man giving the knights commands. He was the captain of the knights here who served the Sterling family, and his name was Grayson. Emilio had never spoken to him before, but he had always seen him around.

"Oh wow!" Emilio exclaimed as he witnessed Grayson skillfully draw two swords.

The 35 years old captain engaged in a sparring session with a fellow knight, effortlessly overpowering him. The defeated knight seemed insignificant in comparison to Grayson's prowess.

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"Very talented man, isn't he? It always makes me feel at ease to know a man that strong is serving milady and keeping her safe." Harold remarked with pride evident in his voice.

"Y-Yeah..." Emilio replied, captivated by the display.

Keeping her safe?

Emilio wondered if there were more to what Harold said, but seeing the knights like this distracted his mind from diving deeper into that. Emilio couldn't help but remember his old dream as he watched these knights, the dream of once becoming a knight who served the king.

"You sure seem captivated by them, Emilio." Harold pointed out what was obvious to him.

"Haha, yeah. You see, I once had this silly dream. I was hoping one day I'll get to become a knight who served his majesty the King. I thought I put that silly dream behind me, but looking at these knights might have awakened something in me." Emilio tried to explain himself as he continued to look at the knights training below in the garden.

"I see. I suppose we are similar in that sense."

"Huh?" Emilio turned to face the elderly man. "What do you mean?"

"You see, in my younger days, I was a knight here who served the Sterling family. Being a knight was a dream of mine too." Harold revealed, reminiscing about days long gone.

"Really? I had no idea."

"Well, it's not something many people know about. It was so long ago, nor was I a knight for long. You see, I wasn't very skilled, and I got injured on the job one day. In the end I decided being a simple servant is the way for me. It was the best way I could serve this house." Harold shared his tale. His tone lacked bitterness, yet pride was absent as well.

"I see. That must not have been easy." Emilio said, feeling bad for Harold.

"It wasn't, but it was what made me realize that the dream I had of being a knight wasn't for me. I'd never had known that if I didn't try becoming one, so in a way I don't regret it. Which is also why I don't think you should call your dream of being a knight silly, as you never know what might come out of it."

"Harold..." Emilio wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't sure what to think.

"I think I've taken enough of your time now, no? With poor Alan sick, you have even more duties to take care of."

"Oh, right! I should go back to working! See you later, Harold!" Emilio spoke hurriedly, dashing back to his tasks. However, the conversation lingered in his mind throughout the rest of the day.

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Later that night, as the moon hung high in the sky, Emilio prepared to retire for the day in his shared room with Alan. He began to change into his nightclothes, addressing Alan, who lay in bed battling a fever.

"How are you feeling, Alan?" Emilio asked the sick boy as he took off his shirt.

"Awful. I've been in bed all day. I don't like it." Alan replied, wearied and drained.

"Alan..."

"How did I even catch this fever? Ugh." The sick boy complained.

"I haven't known you for long, Alan, but I've spent time enough with you to know you are very hard worker. You should take it easy every now and then, especially now as you're sick. Don't push yourself."Emilio advised, hoping his words would persuade Alan to be gentler on himself.

"That's easy for you to say, but for me I just feel like a total burden right now. What kind of servant am I if I can't get out of the bed?" Alan responded, sounding more heartbroken than angry.

"Alan, nobody think of you as a burden! In a matter of fact, many are worried about you. Lady Celestia even told me to tell you she wishes you a quick recovery."

"She...did? Lady Celestia said that?" Alan asked, the mention of Lady Celestia seemed to bring a sense of calm over him.

"Yes, she did. She was very busy too, but still found time to wish you well."

"....She's always busy, you know. She works far more than a woman should." Alan spoke in a hushed voice, slowly closing his eyes, succumbing to drowsiness. A small, content smile graced his face.

I see even Alan has fallen for Lady Celestia's spell.

As Emilio settled into bed, his thoughts drifted to the earlier conversation with Harold.

I wonder, should I bring that topic up with Lady Celestia tomorrow?

After taking one last look at Alan to make sure he was sleeping safe and sound, Emilio closed his eyes.

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The next day.

Emilio found himself yet again standing, facing a fancy looking door in the Sterling estate. A palpable sense of hesitation was lingering within him, but for different reasons this time.

After a steadying breath, Emilio raised his hand and gently knocked, awaiting the summons that would grant him entry.

"Come in." Celestia spoke from behind the door. Hearing her response, he opened the door and walked into her office.

"Good morning, Lady Celestia." Emilio greeted as he placed her black coffee on her desk.

"Good morning to you too." Celestia responded, her eyes fixed on the letter in her hand.

Sheesh, look at that mountain of papers! Does she needs to go through this every morning?

It was then Emilio noticed Celetia wasn't looking happy.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, unsure if he should or not.

"It's nothing, just....an annoying visitor might be coming in few days." She replied as she placed the letter on her desk and took a sip out of her coffee cup.

A visitor? Who could it be? Whoever it is, Lady Celestia doesn't seem to be big on them...

"That aside, how is Alan?" She inquired.

"He still has that terrible fever. Harold said he'd summon a doctor to check up on him." Emilio answered, feeling a little concern for his friend.

"I see. I assume it'll be the same doctor who checks up on my mother. He's a very talented doctor, so I know Alan will be in good hands." Celestia remarked as she looked at Emilio with her captivating hazel eyes.

I feel like I could stare at those eyes forever.

"I'm glad to hear that. And....." Emilio hesitated, unsure whether to voice his next thoughts.

"Is something the matter?" Celestia asked. "Speak up." She commanded.

"Lady Celestia, I'm not sure if it'll be okay or not, but would it be possible to maybe join the knights who serve Sterling family?" Emilio finally asked.

Celestia took another sip of her coffee before responding with a simple "Why?"

"Well, you see, I've had this dream of once becoming a knight. I tried to put it behind me when I came here, but...watching those knights train is making it hard, so I thought I'd come and talk to you about it." Emilio tried to explain. He knew he sounded nervous and he did not like it.

"A dream, huh? Emilio, I don't want to get in the way of your dream, but when I brought your here, it was to become a servant, not a knight."

"So it's not possible?" Emilio asked, not looking forward to the answer.

"It's not that, it's just being a servant and being a knight are two very different things. I can make you a servant anytime, but I can't just make you a knight as simple as that. For starters, we'll need sir Grayson to agree." Celestia clarified.

Grayson? Oh, that's the captain.

"You know who Grayson is, right? He's Captain of the knights who serve my family." Celestia explained.

"Oh, yes. I do know of him. So we'll need to get him to agree if I wish to be a knight here?" Emilio queried.

"Yes. It might help if you know how to use a sword or some kind of weapon, but I assume you don't, correct?" She asked.

"....Correct." Emilio answered, feeling a bit of shame.

This isn't going to be easy, is it? Maybe I was over my head.

"I'm sorry I bothered you with this, Lady Celestia." Emilio apologized, his guilt and shame apparent.

"...You don't need to apologize. I'll give sir a Grayson a talk and see what he has to say, for the meantime continue your duties as a servant." Celestia said, which surprised Emilio. He did not think she'd do that.

"R-Really? You will talk to him about it?"

"Yes, but I can't promise anything. Keep your expectations low." She cautioned as she started going over some of the papers on the desk.

"Yes, milady!"