Chapter 23
‘They probably possess knowledge about Travelers that I’m unaware of.’
After a week of reflection, this is the only conclusion he has reached regarding the prince’s reluctance to allow him to leave. The library in the West Wing provided no information about Travelers, and he was certain that none of the prince’s devoted aides would be of assistance.
‘I had considered the possibility of sneaking into the main library of this palace.’
He was skeptical about finding any answers there, yet he believed it was worth a try.
“Is this related to my role in the contract?”
“Indeed.”
Alistair confirmed, his gaze scrutinizing his own demeanor. He felt a wave of relief as he donned his glasses today, as they effectively masked his eyes, which might otherwise reveal his true emotions.
“I will prepare myself then.”
The Head Butler granted him access to the bathroom.
To his surprise, the bathroom was elegantly designed, featuring marble floors and a highly efficient drainage system, a stark contrast to the stark environment he had become accustomed to.
A well-designed shower head was mounted on the wall, and while there was no bathtub, Cielo found comfort in this arrangement.
‘I have always been careful and aware of the potential mess I could create.’
Cielo recalled the numerous occasions he had hesitated to use the restroom in the West Wing. The anxiety of potentially making a mess weighed heavily on his mind, which is why he had never indulged in a proper bath there. The mere thought of water spilling onto the immaculate carpet filled him with dread.
As he ventured further into the room, he noticed a sink and mirror off to the side, their polished surfaces reflecting the elegance of the space. Cielo approached the mirror, his heart sinking as he looked at his own reflection.
His clothes were already soiled, further marred by the mud that Newcastle had splattered on him and the dust from the recent building collapse. Both his cheeks and hands were streaked with dirt.
“I look terrible.”
He remarked aloud, the words escaping his lips before he could stop them.
Alistair chuckled at him.
“Indeed, young master. Nevertheless, it did persuade everyone that you came from the slums.”
“I guess that’s true.”
Cielo placed the freshly laundered clothes and towel on the wooden stool nearby as a voice emerged from beside him.
“Very well, enjoy your shower, young master. I shall return in thirty minutes.”
Alistair announced before gently closing the door.
Cielo stripped off his clothing, finding the heavy fabric a bit awkward to remove. Once he was bare, he ran his fingers through his messy hair, noticing the dirt caught in his strands, and let out a deep sigh.
Taking a moment to collect himself, he turned on the shower, letting the sound of the water flow around him wash away his worries and encouraging him to cleanse himself of the day’s remnants. Afterward, Cielo wrapped a shawl around his head and adjusted his sunglasses on his face.
Before the tour commenced, Alistair offered him some food in the kitchen. Cielo was meant to be introduced to the other servants in the banquet area, where they were currently assembled, however, he chose to decline, preferring to avoid interaction with a crowd of unfamiliar faces for the day.
Disguised as an elderly gentleman named Tree, Alistair guided him through the South Wing, which houses the servants’ quarters. This section is where all the staff of the Haunted Palace reside.
Given the palace’s vastness, Alistair opted to limit the tour to the South Wing for the day, as it would be impractical to explore the entire estate in one visit.
Throughout the tour, he noticed many details, but one thing that stood out to him was Konstantinos’s clear preference for the colors black and green, which were prominently displayed throughout the palace, from the carpets to the curtains.
Even then, his tastes were better than mine.
“The palace has a total staff of more than 2,000, which includes gardeners, stable hands, maintenance workers, and more.”
As they headed back to the last location the man wanted to unveil for the day—the training grounds on the first floor of the East Wing—Cielo raised a point.
“I’ve been pondering something. Why keep such a large staff of servants when inscriptions can be used?”
Using inscriptions is much more efficient, faster, and cost-effective. Additionally, from what he had seen, the prince seemed to prefer being alone. Wouldn’t he prefer a peaceful home to a bustling one?
“Allow me to clarify.”
The number of servants in a palace is a reflection of wealth and social status. Thus, even with inscriptions at his disposal, Imperial Prince Konstantinos continues to hire people to clean and maintain his image as an Imperial Prince.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Alistair chuckled at this comment but chose not to add anything further, signaling his agreement with the sentiment expressed.
“But thinking about it, it is also beneficial as it would create additional employment opportunities for people.”
Based on the information he gathered, the empire was extensive, housing millions of residents. As a result, it is unavoidable that some individuals will be without jobs or will earn very little. However, working within the Imperial Grounds provides a salary that exceeds the average.
“How perceptive, young master.”
“It’s simply a matter of common sense.”
As they arrived at the entrance of the training ground, Alistair faced him.
“I was informed that Dolion has been designated to protect you.”
“Dolion? Who is that?”
“He is the tall knight appointed by the prince to serve as your bodyguard.”
“Oh, that person.”
How did Alistair know this, given that he and the prince hadn’t had a chance to speak? This man is rather scary…
“What about him?”
Cielo tilts his head in curiosity.
Alistair stayed quiet as he opened the door. Once they stepped inside, they found themselves on a balcony that overlooked the vast underground training grounds below. The space was enormous, likely twice the size of a soccer field.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Many people were training down there. Cielo couldn’t tell if they were knights or soldiers, but he easily spotted Dolion among the crowd. Watching how he interacted with the others, it was clear that he either had significant connections or was exceptionally talented.
“I see you have noticed. Dolion hails from a noble family and serves as a vassal to a powerful figure within the empire.”
“That explains why he was being a son of a bitch towards me.”
Alistair sighed as he answered.
“Our ability to influence the situation concerning him is quite restricted. He has been designated as a gift to His Imperial Highness, and it is considered improper to terminate his service. Moreover, he possesses substantial support, which complicates any efforts to remove him.”
“Ah, it must be tough.”
This dynamic allows for the easy placement of a spy within the Imperial Grounds, as no one has the authority to refuse them unless the servants engage in actions that would warrant expulsions.
“I fail to understand why His Imperial Highness has assigned him to you. It seems he is intrigued by the potential outcomes of pairing a commoner with a noble. However, do not misinterpret this young master. He has not previously done so with other commoners, suggesting he acknowledges your distinct position beyond that of an ordinary commoner.”
Essentially, he was using him for his own entertainment.
‘That doesn’t make me feel any better!’
That miserable prince. He almost lost his life just to satisfy his curiosity!?
That said, Konstantinos’s level of curiosity is similar to his own. He might be able to turn this to my advantage, but definitely not while being near Alistair, that’s for sure.
“Regrettably, we are unable to visit the training grounds, as it is imperative to prevent Dolion from spotting you within the palace, otherwise, he may attempt to harass you. Therefore, I advise the young master to steer clear of the knights entirely.”
“Yep, I’ll definitely do that.”
During their first meeting, Cielo quickly noted Dolion’s impressive size and muscular build, leading him to believe that any future clash with the man could end in his own downfall. The intensity of Dolion’s stare as Cielo left with the Imperial Prince hinted at a strong urge for revenge, likely rooted in the humiliation he felt when Newcastle dismissed him so harshly.
Furthermore, several knights, who secured their positions through recommendations, are eager to win Dolion’s favor. As a result, they are likely to listen to his advice and might even resort to aggression against him.
This marks the end of the tour as they head back to his chamber.
Upon their arrival at his room, the clock had already struck 3 in the afternoon. Alistair advised him to rise early the following day and consult a servant regarding the direction to his office, as the Head Butler could no longer provide assistance.
“I made my decision regarding your placement within the palace some time ago. This is merely a formality.”
“You did? You never mentioned it to me.”
At first, he thought his role would involve the typical tasks of a regular servant, such as cleaning and changing the curtains. However, because of his supposed partial blindness, he struggled to perform these duties effectively. Additionally, he was prohibited from entering the kitchen or handling any valuable items, as there was a concern that he might accidentally damage them.
“The young master will serve as an assistant gardener.”
Cielo tilted his head in confusion, wondering why he had been given the position of assistant gardener.
Noting his confusion, Alistair proceeded to explain.
“The garden features a clearly defined pathway and sloped concrete, which will facilitate your movement with your cane. Additionally, gardening is one of the few jobs that doesn’t require a specific uniform, and it’s common for workers in this field to be outdoors in the sun, often donning a hat and a shawl.”
While it might seem a bit odd to wear a hat or shawl inside the palace, Cielo can easily devise a reasonable explanation to support his continued use of a shawl. As long as the Head Butler and the Imperial Prince permit him to wear it, no one else will have the authority to make him take it off.
“Your primary responsibility is to ensure that the gardener is provided with the appropriate tools and equipment. Rest assured, I have paired you with an individual who will facilitate the process for you.”
“I guess it’s not that bad.”
He just needed to familiarize himself with the gardening tools available to him. Just as he was about to close the door to his new home, Alistair walked in to hand him something.
“Here you go, young master.”
Alistair said, extending his hand.
Cielo paused, curiosity piqued.
“What’s this for?”
He asked, taking the item from Alistair’s outstretched hand. Upon closer examination, he found it to be a quill and several sheets of paper. Considering he was supposed to be blind, he wondered why such items were necessary for someone in his situation.
Alistair smiled in response.
“It is intended to assist the young master in avoiding the tearing of book pages in the future.”
Cielo winced at the memory, a flush creeping up his cheeks as he let out an awkward laugh, unable to meet Alistair’s eyes. The recollection was one he wished he could forget—a moment of frustration that led to an unfortunate mishap with a beloved book.
It appeared that Alistair still remembered that incident and would not forget it anytime soon. Just the thought of it made Cielo feel a wave of shame.
“Goodnight, young master.”
“… .”
With those words, the door closed quietly behind him.
Cielo lingered for a moment, the quill and paper feeling surprisingly heavy in his hands.
***
“My name is Jane.”
As he exited Head Butler Tree’s office, a maid greeted him immediately.
She was tall, nearly matching his height, and a noticeable scar marked her neck. She carried herself with an upright and composed demeanor. Her intense gaze conveyed a sense of authority as she scrutinized him, seemingly assessing whether he was worthy of being in the presence of such esteemed company.
“Hello?”
“Good day. Are you Cielo?”
This maid was different from the one he had encountered earlier that morning regarding the Head Butler’s office. Their previous interaction had been brief and awkward. The earlier maid had looked at him with a hint of disdain, her lips curling slightly as she gave him directions, as if he were a bother.
Still, she had given him the right directions, a small mercy in the otherwise daunting palace.
He hesitated for a moment, surprised by her directness. This was the first time someone from the palace, other than Alistair, had taken the initiative to approach him.
“Yes. Do you made—need something?”
He finally managed to say.
“The Head Gardener has asked me to help you find her.”
She responded, her voice steady and devoid of any warmth.
“Okay…”
“Please follow me.”
She instructed, turning on her heel and walking ahead.
The maid led him to the Head Gardener’s office. The walk was peaceful, and to his relief, Jane slowed her pace, enabling him to maintain his act of partial blindness.
“What’s wrong with your eyes?”
Jane asked suddenly, her voice cutting through the quiet like a knife.
Cielo almost lost his balance when she spoke to him directly without looking at him. The unexpected question caught him off guard, making him stumble slightly before he regained his composure just in time.
He focused on her back, a frown creasing his forehead, before he replied.
“I war—was born this way. It appears to ran—run in the family.”
Konstantinos chose not to provide further details about his blindness, giving him the liberty to shape his own narrative.
Jane glanced at him briefly, her expression revealing nothing.
“I see. That’s unfortunate.”
With that, her comments came to an end, and silence settled over them again.
The head gardener had a small office located on the second floor of the South Wing. When they arrived, Jane knocked on the door three times.
“Come in.”
When Jane received an invitation to enter from inside, she opened the door.
The air was filled with the scent of roses. The walls were adorned with shelves brimming with gardening books and jars filled with a variety of seeds, while a large wooden desk, cluttered with tools and sketches of different plants, dominated the room.
At the desk sat a middle-aged woman with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing glasses. Despite the wrinkles on her face, she still had a certain charm. Her appearance evoked memories of his elementary school teacher, bringing a wave of nostalgia over him.
‘She is the first blonde person I’ve come across.’
It almost made him believe that this world was limited to just black and brown hair and eyes. Fortunately, reality turned out to be much more colorful than he expected.
“Ah, Miss Jane. What brings you to my humble abode?”
The Head Gardener’s voice was coarse but inviting. She looked puzzled until her gaze landed on him.
“This is Cielo, the new assistant gardener working alongside Sir Fisher, Miss Shaha.”
Jane said as she ushered him inside.