Seeing the sunrise from the window, Ari arranged her papers in the study and left the room. The fragrant smell of breakfast from downstairs tingled all her senses as soon as she left the room.
She walked down the stairs and met an unexpected face at the dining table. Or rather, she knew 'she' would come but she didn't expect her to join them in breakfast.
"Oh? What are you doing here so early in the morning?"
At the dining table was her protegee sitting next to her son. In the background, the two maids were busy making breakfast.
"I came for Earl," Alea told her master straightforwardly. She had changed into a casual attire consisting of a beige shirt and pleated skirts- something rare to see.
"Good morning, mom." Earl followed Alea and greeted her.
"Good morning. Come visit like this more often, Alea. I like seeing you around."
"Of course, Master."
"Did you rest well last night?" Earl asked his mother.
"I stayed up checking the reports for the construction of the academy last night."
"Sounds like it's going well."
"Yes, the dwarves are doing an excellent job. I'll be able to show you all what it looks like soon."
The morning quickly passed with their lighthearted conversation across the table. Alea was able to get along with everyone just fine due to her chummy relationship with Ari and Earl. She was able to relish the taste of Lily and Aria's breakfast cooking.
"I must go meet Teacher now," Earl told the girls.
"Have fun!" They sounded as he left the house.
"I'm coming with you." Alea ran after him as he started walking.
"I expected as much."
"We're going the same way." She nodded.
They walked through the streets of Artasia together. One thing about Alea was that she was not affectionate at all in public. They merely walked side by side with a couple of inches of distance between them. There was no hand-holding. No shoulder nudging. No brief eye contact. Nothing that would bring about sexual tension between the two.
There were many reasons for this but it all boiled down to her being too horny if they were to touch each other in public too. This was a valid reason for Earl so he did not make a fuss about it. This distance allowed him to enjoy hearing her verbal abuses being thrown at him after all.
"Alea look. They're holding hands."
Earl pointed to an elven couple in the distance.
"And?" She asked disinterestedly.
Earl shook his head in disapproval and gestured. "You and I!"
"Vulgar." The princess commented and looked away.
"How rude."
They stopped by a jewellery shop along the way. Earl pointed at a particular ear cuff in a glass case.
"Alea, isn't this pretty?"
"You think so?"
"Try it."
"Okay."
The elven princess ended up trying the ear cuff. Ear cuffs were popular among the elves as they required no piercings. The older elves see their ears as something special so it was generally frowned upon to get piercings.
The ear cuff Earl chose for Alea, in particular, was crafted of gold and shaped like a small life. When worn, it accentuated her elven features. Green and gold are complementary colours. The green in her eyes was brought out more, as a result, making it more beautiful.
Alea looked at herself in the mirror and chose to tuck her hair behind her ear to show off the ear cuff.
"It's lovely." He told her.
Hearing a compliment from her lover made her happy. She spoke with her voice trailing, "If you like it..."
"I've already paid for it," Earl grinned and placed his hand on her head.
Alea smiled softly and remarked. "Doing your job I see,"
"I work for you?"
"Yes, as my husband."
"That sounds difficult. What are the job requirements?"
"Be Earl."
The words of Alea left Earl red in the face. On the rest of the walk to the palace, he found himself constantly sneaking glances at his Elven Princess.
"We'll be parting ways here. I'm off to see your mother."
"I'll be back at the house training under Master."
"See you soon."
"Mhmm. I'll be waiting in your bed," Alea winked.
"Go already!"
"Humph! Fine."
The princess stomped her away from Earl. After walking several paces, she turned back to watch her man enter the palace. The sight of his silhouette made her smile. Her hand lingered on the ear cuff he bought for her. From now on, she would treasure it forever.
"I miss you already, Earl."
Meanwhile, Earl navigated his way through the palace. The guards had already been informed of his presence so his time in the palace was uninterrupted. He made his way up the stairs of the palace and arrived at the Resting Hall.
As the name implied, it was the place for members of the royal family to rest. There were beautifully built seats and chairs which were made of rare wood and velvet. Pillars held up the ceiling and chandeliers lit up the hall.
Earl stepped into the hall and looked around, admiring the architecture of the place. Finally, his eyes landed on the blonde beauty in the middle of the room who had been waiting for him.
"Good morning, Teacher." He greeted.
She looked up and smiled cheerfully. "Earl! You sure kept me waiting."
"Sounds like you are excited to see me."
"Of course. Let me brief you on what you'll be doing today first though."
"Listening."
"First, let me officially announce that you are now the Royal Aid to me, Saryll Venroris- The Queen of the Elven Kingdom from this duration onwards."
"I, Earl Roth, student of Queen Saryll gladly accepts this position. From now, I am her Royal Aid."