In just a few days, the boundary walls, the entrance, and the interior walls of the royal lodge were completed. More than hundred workers worked day and night to erect the structure as fast as possible. They worked under one architect who had been an experienced builder. Nikolay kept a sharp eye on the progress of the work. The men were paid through Nikolay who held the funds given to him by Ismarus. By the time, the royal visitors moved into their new residence, more than a week had passed. Nikolay and his family proved themselves as trustworthy friends. Calysto became so fond of Nikolay and his beautiful daughter Elena that an evening did not pass when the two had not been invited to give company to the royal visitors. The jester had a flute. Nikolay played the harp. And Elena sang to the royal audience. Often the audience included friends of Nikolay and Papyrus. Stories followed the session of music and poetry. For being a natural story teller, the task of entertainment through stories, usually fell on the shoulders of the old jester who had years of experience, entertaining the late king and his courtiers with his fabulous stories. He told a variety of tales, some made the audience cry, some made them die of laughter, while others taught them valuable lessons in life.

As the jester narrated the tales, one particular soul was more interested in watching the prince from the sideline. The young lady watched the wretched prince when others had been busy listening to the tales. She would try to imagine how it would feel to have the love of the poor prince. Elena would not miss the opportunity to dress herself with the best attires in her collection, neatly braiding her silky brown hair, and washing herself with lemon dipped water, before attending the session. She would sit next to Calsyto, and away from her fiancé. The young man who had been courting the young lady, noticed the change in Elena. Every now and then, he stared at Elena’s eyes, trying to figure out the object of her attention. Soon it appeared to Papyrus, she was no longer committed to their relation. However, he could notice, no such interest whatsoever, on the part of the renegade prince. Privately, he fumed at Elena for being unfaithful to their vow. At times he thought of leaving the village. All day he burned in this flame of anguish emanating from the perceived betrayal from the one he loved. Privately, he conveyed his misery to some of his friends as well. His friends advised him to renege on his promise to marry Elena.

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One day, Papyraus conveyed to Nikolay his decision to step back from his earlier vow to marry Elena. At the beginning, the decision baffled the village chief. He knew, the young man deeply loved his daughter. Albeit the village chief pressed Papyrus to reconsider his decision, the young man was adamant. He won’t even disclose the reason behind such unexpected decision. Upon consulting with his wife Velma, Nikolay began having a watchful eye upon his daughter during their visits to the royal residence. It did not take long for the village chief to discover his young daughter’s infatuation. Immediately, he stopped allowing the young lady to the sessions. Instead, his wife would accompany him to those sessions. First couple of days, Calysto paid little attention to this change, thinking perhaps the young lady had been sick. When days turned to week, one evening, Calysto asked Nikolay about his daughter’s absence. Being a father, it was an awkward moment for Nikolay. He found it almost impossible to disclose the truth. At first, he thought of an alibi, but the next moment he changed his mind.

“They look up to me as trustworthy friends,” Nikolay said to himself. Then he cleared his throat. His eyes drooped. His countenance gave out signs of the helpless situation he was drowning in. “Your highness,” Nikolay paused to breathe.

Calysto was perplexed. “What on earth could make such a jolly soul so uncomfortable?” she asked herself. Being certain, the chief needed privacy, she gestured to everyone to leave. Then, very gently she said, “I understand your unease. Sometimes when something very personal is the source of great embarrassment or pain, either it requires a confidante for sharing the experience, or it’s better to leave it as it is, unheard. If you prefer it that way, I will not press you.”

“Since you have asked, I feel obliged to share it with you, your highness.”

“Then go ahead. I promise you, I will not share it with anyone, without your consent.”

Calysto had been sitting on a throne like seat, crafted especially for her by the village carpenter. Before her, a few feet away, Nikolay sat on a smaller stool. A gust of cool southern breeze brought about some sort of relief to both the would-be speaker and his royal audience. The breeze could not deter the flames inside the glass chimneys of the two lamps, burning ceaselessly on either side of the wooden throne with brass edges. The villagers had done a splendid work. The whole setup, somehow gave out the impression of a royal court.