It was early in the morning. Sai was painting pink circles on a canvas. ‘Painting is therapeutic, it is simple. It wasn't as stressful as being forced to get married.’
Sai sighed deeply.
Sai had a terrible night of sleep. His mind was filled with question and concerns. In the end he was making plans. ‘I need to get into the Time Chamber and escape the Princess's grasp. As for marriage, I will shelve the problem in the future.’
Mary, a maid, walks into the bedroom. “Sir, the Princess has arrived. She summons your presence to the Guest room,” She says politely.
Sai frowned. He placed the brush down. “Let's get this over with.”
----
The Princess was looking out the window when Sai arrived. Sai made sure to bow his head. The last thing he needed was to be disciplined by the Princess for not showing respect.
“Servant, you must be wondering why I have come to visit?” She said and turned her body to face Sai, "I have come here to ensure that this marriage goes smoothly. You are marrying into a noble family, and it is important that you look your best. I have brought you many clothes that you can wear."
The Princess patted a large chest next to her.
“I understand,” Sai replied.
“Today you will have many visitors. Some nobles and others represent large organizations. Do your best to not embarrass me.”
“I will do my best.”
“Hmmm, there is a gift I will personally give you,” The Princess said while smiling.
The Princess took out a large book that was thick as a phone book, dictionary or thesaurus and handed it to Sai. The book title read Refining Noble Etiquette Volume 1.
‘Is she joking?’ Sai seriously wondered.
“Many nobles are not as humble and understanding as I am. Your behavior and ignorance is atrocious. This will rectify the problem. No need to thank me, it is my pleasure.” The Princess motioned to her servant. “Dimitri will stay and assist you with your guest. Be sure not to disappoint me.”
That was what the last Princess said before leaving.
Dimitiri gave Sai a shaking smile.
----
Sai changed his clothes to match the current era. Which he guessed was more medieval. There were a lot of blue clothes, some of the clothes had jewelry on them. He was definitely going to take the jewels out and sell them.
Sai choosed to wear a loose white shirt and a dark coat with a pair of dark pants. He kept his modern business shoes since they were comfy.
He moved to the guest room, where he was more familiar with and relaxed on the couch.
The guest room had three people including Sai. The maid Mary and Dimitri who was standing in the corner.
"Shall I inform the guest that you are ready to see them, sir?" Dimitri inquired.
Sai took the tea cup and sipped it. It was sweet and had a hint of citrus. “Dimitri, how many guests will I be meeting today?”
“There will be four guests in total.”
“Can you give me the details on who I am meeting?”
"Certainly, you'll be meeting some notable guests today, including Duran Lockstrong, heir of the Lockstrong Merchant Company. Mother Superior of the Fairy Religion. Minister Brian, who is the head of the Sapphire Principality government. Count Willowgreen, who happens to be your fiance's father."
Sai took a big gulp of tea and signaled to Dimitri to begin, "Let's get started. Bring me my first guest."
----
Duran Lockstrong was a redhead with pale yellow eyes. Duran is handsome and comparing him to Sai would be like comparing a diamond to a rock.
Duran wore a silk white shirt and wine red colored vest on top. His pants matched the wine red of his vest.
Duran was armed with a smile that would make teenage girls swoon.
Sai wasn’t fooled though. The reason...
“I hope you enjoy my gift. These apples are delicious,” Duran said with a kind smile.
A basket of apples was given to him.
‘This bastard. He doesn’t like me huh,’ Sai thought bitterly.
Sai leaned back, then asked, “Duran Lockstrong, what do you want from me.”
“I want to meet the man that will marry Jasmine. I find you...” Duran looked at Sai up to down. “Disappointing.”
Sai nearly pitched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. ‘Is this new kind of bullshit I’m going to have to deal with.’
Sai decided to target the heart of the meeting. “You love Jasmine don’t you.”
“Is it really sin to love?I love Jasmine so much that it hurts. When I found out about the marriage. You might as well have stabbed me by the heart with how much it pains me.”
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“Have you talked to the Princess about this? You know, marrying Jasmine?”
“The Princess loathes Jasmine, she would never want Jasmine to be happy. That is why she is marrying a penniless, homeless and pathetic hero.”
Sai imagined himself punching Duran. It would cause far more issues, however that would make him feel better.
Sai sighed and tried to get rid of that particular thought. “Your a rich merchant correct? Do you want to make a deal?”
“I am the Richest Merchant in the Northeast nations. What type of deal do you want?”
“I want a personal loan from the Lockstrong Merchants,” Sai said smiling. “Give me a million coins or whatever you can afford.”
“Pray tell, why should I give you this loan,” Duran asked, folding his arms.
“I could give you a couple,” Sai said while holding three fingers up. “First you will gain the favor of one of the twenty heroes in the world. Second, I can ask someone else for the loan. Third, I will follow a demand as long as it is reasonable.”
Duran went silent, he cocked his head left to right a few times before giving me a bright smile. “Not many nobles will have the finances to give such a sum to a stranger. A hero is only a title, your character hasn’t been accessed. What else can you provide me.”
Sai shrugged. “What do you want?”
“I don’t want you to fall in love with Jasmine. It might be an impossible task, but I can make your life uncomfortable if you betray me.”
“Sure, this marriage is sham anyway.”
“Excellent,” Duran pushed his hand forward to shake. “Million coins is pocket change. We have ourselves a deal.”
Sai nodded happily and shakes Duran's hand. “This is the beginning of a beautiful partnership.”
Sai was ecstatic, ‘It wouldn’t matter if it was a million or a trillion coins. I am going to run away from this place anyway. I am never paying off this loan!’
Duran gave a serious stare. “I warn you though. Duke Galen will try to kill you for marrying Jasmine.”
Sai gave Duran a dry look and thought, ‘Don’t spoil my victory you bastard.’
----
The next guest was Minister Brian Redtree.
The Minister was old, overweight and had a long nose. His beard was long and he wore a gray robe.
“Sai, do you know the best way to deal with Nobles,” Minster Brian asked in a serious tone. “You either follow their commands or slap them in the face. There is no middle ground.”
“Huh?”
“Your going to be the center of attention from all the nobles.They will use every rule in the book to make your life a pain.”
“Ok...”
“Also never accept a kitten with a pink tails,” Minster Brian sneered, “Those kittens look cute and adorable but it is a fortune to raise one.”
Sai nodded his head, “I will keep that in mind, Minster Brian why did you want a hero to come to the Sapphire Principality? It doesn’t seem like the Princess likes me.”
“Well mainly for one reason. So there isn’t a mass exodus by the Fairy Religion.”
“Can you elaborate? I heard of the Fairy Religion but why would the Fairy Religion cause a mass exodus?”
“Where to begin,” Minster Brian stroked his beard. “The Fairy Religion is beloved by the people. The poor would trust the Fairy Religion more than the Royalty, Nobility and every member of the Government combined.” Minister Brian closed his eyes. “The Fairy Religion is worried about the Demon Invasion and without a hero they believe the Principality is doomed. The Fairy Religion would start an exodus to abandon the Principality and migrate to the Holy City or a territory that has a hero.”
“They don’t trust their own government to protect them?”
“The poor don’t trust the Monarchy to rule over them,” Minister Brian shook his head in disdain.
“Right... Thankyou for your answers. Should we stop the meeting here?”
“Oh no boy, I need to tell all the tricks the nobles have up their sleeves. First, if a noble offers you purple plum juice, be sure to slap them in the face or kick them in the shin.”
Sai had a confused expression. “Why?”
“Keep all your question for the end. I have more rules to regale you about. Second, never ride a noble’s horse.”
“Third, do not touch a noble's horse.”
“Fourth, do not feed a noble’s horse.”
“Fifth, do not have a relationship or courtship of a noble's horse.”
“Sixth, do not discipline noble children.”
“Seventh, do not cough more than three times in front of a noble.”
“Eighth, if a noble calls or refers to you as grass, the appropriate response is violence.”
“Ninth, if lady noble gives you an egg, be sure to politely reject.”
“Tenth, if a lady noble wants you to help her with clothes, ask a servant to help her.”
“Eleventh, if lady noble asks you to join her for a walk, reject her.”
“Twelve, if you are alone in a room with a lady noble, get out of the room and if not able, jump out the window.”
“Thirteen, do not stain a noble lady's clothes.”
“Fourteen, don’t explore a noble’s home. Great Fairy forbids you find one of their skeletons.”
“Fifthteen, do not accept any pets from nobles, including Polar Bears, Penguins, Tigers or Great Fairy forbid Horned Dogs.”
“Sixteen, never sign anything from a noble. There are always some clauses hidden there and have it rewritten in another contract and checked over by a lawyer.”
“Seventeen, never ask a noble what level they are.”
Minister Brian the regaled all the tricks and incidences the nobles have caused.
---
Mary wheeled in the next visitor. The Mother Superior of the Fairy Religion.
Wheeze. Wheeze.
A very old woman with white hair was napping in a wheelchair. She wore black dress with white diamond design.
“Mother Superior?” Sai said softly.
The Mother Superior opened her eyes, they looked milky. “Hello child, I am speaking to the Hero?”
“Yes, you are.”
“Good. Good. I only meant another hero, Mitton. He was a good child. He loved the people dearly.”
“Mitton?”
“May his soul find peace... Sai Giri, will you allow a member of the Fairy Religion to make a familiar contract with you?”
“Please elaborate.”
“The contractor will be able to summon you to aid him. We the Fairy Religion will pay a great price to have you at our service.”
‘If I can’t escape the Princess, then maybe I should take the deal. It would be better to be a Fairy Religion dog than the Princess dog,’ Sai nodded. “I can’t accept your offer now, but I might in the future.”
“I hope you change your mind. May the Great Fairies watch over you Sai Giri.”
----
Joseph the next visitor and one that Sai was most nervous about.
He had brown and white hair, with sapphire green eyes. He wasn’t overly fat, but he had a small pot belly. He wore a pastel sachin button shirt with a deep golden coat and white trousers.
“Nice to meet you lad,” Joseph came up to Sai with a large smile and handshake.
“Nice to meet you too. How are you doing?” Sai shook the Count's hand.
“Oh, I can't complain. I've been spending a lot of my time fishing lately. Do you like fishing, Sai?
“I have never tried it.”
“ Fishing is an art, and it takes patience and skill to catch the big ones. Do you know the difference between freshwater and saltwater fishing?”
“No, I don't.“
“Well freshwater fishing is done in lakes, rivers, and streams, while saltwater fishing is done in the ocean. The techniques and equipment used for each type of fishing are different, too.”
“Is that so?”
“Usually I catch trout, bass, and catfish. Have you ever tried any of those?”
“I definitely have never eaten catfish. Typically I don’t ask what kind of fish I’m eating. But I'd love to try them sometime.”
“You should! Freshly caught fish tastes amazing. And did you know that fish is one of the healthiest foods you can eat?”
“Really?”
“Fishing is also a great way to relax and clear your mind. There's nothing like spending a day out on the water, enjoying the peace and quiet of nature.”
“Ah yes.”
“I would be happy to take you out on the water and show you the ropes, son in law. Maybe we can catch some dinner together.”
“Thank you for the offer. Maybe another time?”
“Of course, my boy. Fishing is a tradition that should be passed down from generation to generation. I'm glad to have the opportunity to share it with you.”
“Alright?”
Joseph then gave a bone crunchy hug to Sai.