The Bride's Groom Chapter 3

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My name is Albell Sentnaria. I am a 4th generation boy of the famed Sentnaria merchant family. Unlike other merchant families, my family is incredibly poor. So when someone of high birth offered a large sum to my family in exchange for marrying me to his child, my family jumped at the chance.

Now here's my dilemma. I'm betrothed to the prince of the kingdom, who has a weird taste in brides. Depending on how I seduce him, I will either have him as my bride or he will have me as his bride. To make matters worse, I will have to seduce him, who will be crossdressing as the princess of the kingdom while crossdressing myself as a young girl. Why me?!!!

The Bride's Groom Chapter 3
A tale of crossdressing love between two straight boys.


By Shinieris

“Perfect!” I say to my reflection as I position myself in many alluring and sexy poses, the kind of poses that should not be seen on a schoolgirl.

If I may say so, I look absolutely delicious. With my flowing long brown hair (wig actually), legs that go on forever (all real, with a little help from heels), narrow waist (a little corseting, but it’s negligible), fair-sized breasts (totally fake, but who can tell?) and my gorgeous face, with beautiful Jussinaffian features, I am like an angel who comes to the world below to add beauty to this dreary country. Now, if only there is a real girl as beautiful as me, and if only I’m not contracted to the prince/princess…

Sure, the princess (snickers) is beautiful too, but her beauty is the kind you can find anywhere on Jussinaff. That is still a compliment, though. People often say that Jussinaffian women are the most beautiful in all of Neropa, so being called an average Jussinaffian beauty pretty much equals to being the most beautiful woman in other countries. Because of that, the families of Jussinaffian brides often ask for some very high bride price from foreign men who ask for their hands. I’ve heard some families asking foreign men to pay 14,000 ema in bride price. Mother even said that she received some offers valued at 15,000 ema for me, despite the fact that I’m not a girl and those men were Jussinaffian. Unlike with foreign men, the bride price won’t be as high if the groom is a Jussinaffian, probably because our former king started a ‘Keeping Our Brides On Our Soil’ campaign. From my reading though, I think he’s just a horny man who wants to keep a harem of beautiful brides.

I think this is Ylny’s major grievance with me, despite us being close like siblings. Unlike me, Ylny wasn’t a Jussinaffian. She is now, after living here since birth, but her mother was a slave bought from one of the overseas colonies. Like many female slaves brought into Jussinaff, Ylny’s mother was used as servant, maid and bedwarmer. When Ylny’s mother was pregnant, the mistress of the house kicked her out though she was kind enough to give her freedom for years of services rendered. To cut things short, father found Ylny and her mother and brought them to our home, but Ylny’s mother disappeared one day and never came back. Ylny inherited her mother’s tanned skin, tall frame, big breasts, big butt and high fertility (supposedly). If Jussinaffian women are radiantly beautiful, Ylny’s beauty is one desirable to men’s baser instincts.

Additionally, it is also because of Jussinaffian women that a kingdom as small as Jussinaff is able to survive among its larger neighbours. Such sentiments were perfectly recorded in a song by an unnamed bard 200 years ago:

In a land of the sea,
A lord of the south,
Reigns over a beautiful land
Full of fruits
Full of light
Full of laughter
So musical, those melodious laughter
So fair, those maidens who laughed
So beautiful like the moon in the night
So bright, like the sun in the sky
When the maidens laughed, the world laughs
When the maidens weep, the world weeps
When the maidens smiled, the world is bright
When the maidens plead, so the strongest hearts be soft
Can a man fight such fair maidens?
To see those crying eyes
To ruin those laughters
To shatter those smiles
To make them plead
What tyrant will be so dastardly?
To maidens whose smiles light up the world?

In other words, the only reason we weren’t conquered by the bigger kingdoms was because every other nations would declare war on the invading nations, just so that the invaders wouldn’t be able to monopolize our women. Men are so superficial. To them, a beautiful girl is justice. To steal a beautiful girl is to become a ‘villain’. This ideal has been the sole reason for Jussinaff’s survival. Unfortunately the people of the colonies never heard of this ideal.

I make another pose in front of the mirror. Dear God, I am so gorgeous. This beauty is totally wasted on me, oh God in Heaven. If only this is someone else.

Suddenly there is a knock on the door.

Standing straight, I say, “Come in.”

The door opens and standing at the door is the maid who guided me yesterday, the one called Marea.

“Good morning, my lady. Are you ready for class?” Marea asks with a slight bow, her hands clasping tightly in front of her navel. There is a thin folder in her hands.

“Yes, what time does homeroom start?” I ask, knowing that private schools normally start their day with a homeroom, instead of classes.

“It should start in 20 minutes, my lady. But we must stop at the staff room first so that Miss Rosecca can introduce you to the rest of the class. Are you done with your breakfast, my lady?” she asks referring to the tray of pancakes, a slice of lemon cheese cake and tea on my coffee table.

“Yes, I’m done. Let’s go.”

“Please wait, my lady. You must wear the bell.”

“Bell?”

“It’s the bell that every Duchess Suite resident must wear, my lady. It is to inform others who you are. It’s also for preferential service at the school’s cafeteria.”

“You know, I’d rather that nobody knows I’m a countess. Besides, I don’t need preferential treatment.”

“I’m sorry, but that is part of the rules, my lady. Being a resident of the Duchess Suites brings with it certain duties and responsibilities. As a member of nobility, your actions whether good or bad reflects the general perception of the nobles.”

“My actions? But I’ve only been named a countess for a few weeks, I haven’t even gone through the inheritance ceremony yet!”

“Regardless, others will not see it that way. Even if you have not yet been ennobled, you have a duty to uphold the standards of nobility. Please wear the bell, my lady,” Marea say, still in that position.

I grumble some random words as I wrap the bell’s ribbon around my collar. “Satisfied?” I ask.

“If I may, my lady?” Marea ask as she steps closer. I nod my assent.

She pulls the ribbon tighter, until the bells that were hanging on my chest are tight against the ribbon that every students wear. “Shall we go then, my lady?”

“Sure,” I say as I grab my satchel bag and follow behind Marea, who informs me that a maid will come to take the breakfast tray away.

“Miss Rosecca, here is My Lady, Countess Alya of Maurice,” Marea say with a slight bow once we stand in front of Miss Rosecca.

I’m not sure if I should bow, since I’m a countess, so I just stand there quietly, holding my satchel bag in my hand.

“A countess? Why would a countess want to meet me?”

“The countess is starting her classes today. She happens to be assigned to your homeroom, Miss Rosecca.”

“Really? How come I don’t remember that?”

Seriously? I just met you yesterday!

“Here is a copy m’lady’s file, Miss Rosecca,” Marea say as she hands the thin folder she’s been carrying.

“Oh, OK. Thank you. So… countess?” she asks as she looks at me, to which I nod.

“Come along, then! Let’s not be late for your first day, countess,” she says with a wink.

I wonder if she’s breaking some rules by speaking so casually with me. Not that I mind that much. Still, I’ll have to learn how to act like a noblewoman if I don’t want to embarrass the nobility. Come to think of it though, why would I have to protect those snobs in first place?

Miss Rosecca proves to be a very chatty and friendly woman. From her, I learn that the school has been open for 127 years and is considered the top ladies’ school in the whole Jussinaff, even the nobles of the neighbouring countries send their daughters here. Every year, the headmistress has to reject at least 50 applications to ensure that the classrooms and teachers are not overburdened. She also tells me that the patron of the school has always traditionally been the queens of Jussinaff, which makes the current patron Queen Lastraea Frastuchean of the Felaris royal house. To think that the school is supported by such a powerful person from such a powerful house, it’s amazing.

“And here we are. This shall be your class for the rest of the school year,” she opens the sliding door and walks in as she speaks to me over her shoulder, “Watch your steps don’t want you to trip on your first- hyaaah!!!”

I simply watch as Miss Rosecca tripped on the edge of the raised platform at the front of the classroom, throwing her books all over the raised platform. When I hear the loud sound of her forehead hitting the wooden floor of the platform, I wonder if it’s going to be okay.

“Oww, that hurts…” Miss Rosecca climbs to her feet with her hands on her forehead. The she looks around her, at the classroom the students, and me. “Where am I? How did I get here? What am I doing here?”

One of the girls, a short-haired brunette wearing bright blue armlet with the words ‘representative’ stands up and say, “Miss Rosecca, you are in Class 4 of Elegance. You are our homeroom teacher. You are here because it’s homeroom period.”

She speaks it so clearly and fluidly that I think she must’ve had to say this every morning.

“Rosecca? That’s my name? I’m a teacher?”

The whole class nods together.

“Okay then, let’s start homeroom. Umm, what do we normally do during homeroom?”

“You have a black folder with ‘Daily Agenda’ written on the front cover, Miss Rosecca,” the representative informs.

“Ah, found it,” Miss Rosecca declares as she grabs the thick black folder from the wooden floor. “So, first agenda of the day is, hum, I need to introduce a new student. Where’s the new student?” she asks the class.

Hearing that question, every student, including me, points a finger at me.

“You’re the new student?”

I nod.

“Your name?”

I give her the thin folder that she dropped on the floor without uttering a single word.

“Oh thank you,” she say, looking at the contents and declares, “Let’s have the new student introduce herself.”

I roll my eyes at that, but introduce myself anyway. “Good morning, my name is Alya Belluca Sentnaria. I come from the port city of A’ Tartima in the south. I look forward to enjoying my school days with all of you.”

I become distracted from all the whispering.

Suddenly one of the girls, a redhead with her hair in twintails stands up and asks, “Are you staying in the Duchess Suites?”

I sigh. I knew from the start that this is going to be a problem. That was why I didn’t want to wear the bell. “Yes, I am staying in the Duchess Suites.”

The same twin-tailed redhead raises her hand excitedly and asks another question, “What’s your title?”

“I’m the new Countess of Maurice.”

“Where is Maurice?” the same redhead asks, it seems like she’s the spokesperson of the class.

“It’s a crown overseas colony in the southern seas.”

Soon after I say that, I hear many whispers from the students. I hear words being thrown around, deragoratory words, insulting words. I hear words such as ‘savage’, ‘island native’, ‘uncivilized’, ‘dumb animals’ even the word ‘coconut climber’. To a Jussinaffian, being called a ‘coconut climber’ is the greatest insult, it refers to a person who is descended from the uncivilized natives of the colonies. To a Jussinaffian, being called a ‘coconut climber’ is worse than merely being called a ‘monkey’.

I am tempted to tell them that I’m more beautiful than any of those worthless racist bitches, which means that I am more Jussinaffian than any of them mongrels. Of course, I won’t actually say that. Making enemies on my very first day will be bad, eventhough I’m a countess.

The twin-tailed redhead stands up again. “How big is your county?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never been there.”

“What’s the population?” she asks again.

“I don’t know, I’ve never been there.”

“What’s its main income?”

“Are we still talking about me?” I ask, a little confused.

The class representative stands and turns towards the redhead. “Lesca, we don’t have all day, you can ask more questions after school.”

“You’re such a spoilsport, Aerfean (pronounced air-fee-an). Alright, just one more question. What do we call you, my lady?”

“Just call me Bell,” I say, trying to look friendly.

“Because of what you’re wearing?” one of the girls in the background asks, I can’t tell for sure which one.

I look down at the bell dangling under my ribbon. “No, it’s just my nickname. See, my name is Al-, my name is Belluca, so friends call me Bell.” I try to make the cutest smile I can.

“Is it fine?” the class representative, Aerfean asks.

“What do you mean?” I ask back.

“Letting commoners call you by your nickname?” Aerfean elaborates.

“Aerfean, are you trying to calling me, the daughter of Count Wesfold, a commoner?” the girl who earlier called me ‘coconut climber’ with her friend cries in rage.

“Yea, how dare you! I’m not a commoner either!” another girl with twin drillhair shouts from the back. I can’t help but think that it must’ve taken her a long time to prepare that drillhair.

Before long, the whole class turn into a warzone with those who deny themselves being commoners and those who accuse them of being commoners. In Jussinaffian law, only those with actual titles can call themselves nobles, children of nobles are called sons or daughters of said nobles. They are considered ‘of noble blood’ but not ‘noble’ themselves until they acquire a title. Frankly, I don’t see why it’s such a big deal, but I put the thought away as I was a commoner before grand uncle Adolphus gave me this title. So I admit that I do not know everything there is to know about being a noble.

“Everyone, please!” I say a little loudly. When they all finally stop shouting and arguing, I continue with, “I may have the title of a countess, but we are at school, I don’t want to create a wall between us by hiding behind my title of nobility. If you will accept me, please call me Bell. I would like for us all to be close friends. So please don’t treat me differently.”

“Strange girl.”

Excuse me?

“Must be a mental case.”

Who said that?

“Amateur.”

I’m going to get you someday, Wesfold!

“You get weird ones from time to time.”

I heard that, you sickly silver-haired girl!

“There’s an empty desk there. Please take your seat,” Miss Rosecca points to a desk next to one of the windows.

“Thanks,” I said dejectedly. Why can’t anyone understand my noble attempt to unite nobles and commoners? Depressed, I take a seat and place my satchel bag into my desk’s storage box as Miss Rosecca start talking about the rest of the day’s agenda.

“Moving on, we have… what is this War of the Spears thing?”

The class rep, Aerfean stands up and explains, “It is the annual interschool competition between our school and the all-boys school of Carson Commons in imitation of the War of the Spears. It involves fundraising, sportsmeet and charity. The class that makes the most money for our army will be exempted from punishment if our army were to lose.”

War of the Spears? Didn’t that war end 60 years ago? It was a war of succession between the House Amelorn (current king’s royal house) and House Felaris (current queen’s royal house), if I recall correctly. Are they re-enacting the war?

“Thank you for the explanation… umm….”

“Aerfean Meldoran, Miss Rosecca.”

Meldoran? It is mother’s maiden name and a very rare surname too. Is it possible that Aerfean is my relative?

“Right, so we need to decide on what to do for our fundraising. Each student must accumulate 5 ema, so this means we need to get at least 145 ema for this class. Does anyone have a suggestion?”

“How about a coffeehouse?” one of the girls suggests.

“I’m not going to serve customers!” the Wesfold girl shoots it down.

“How about selling merchandise?” another girl suggests.

“Selling? You want a noble’s daughter to sell stuff?” the Wesfold girl shoots it down again.

“How about performances?” Lesca, the twin-tailed redhead suggests.

“Performing for the commoners? Where is your pride, Lesca Meris Saphicus?”

“Then what do you want us to do, Mainard?” Lesca, apparently also a nobleman’s daughter snaps.

As if it is the most natural thing in the world, Mainard answers, “We collect rent, of course.”

“Rent?” the whole class ask at the same time.

“Are you dreaming, Mainard?!” Lesca drills Mainard’s head with both fists, “What rent? We’re not at your father’s estate! At least put both feet on the ground before you shoot down every suggestion!”

“Lesca…” Aerfean say.

“Aerfean, she’s being stupid,” Lesca whines.

“Despite how stupid it sounds, despite also how imaginative it is, it is still a suggestion. There is no need to be physical.”

“Oouh! You never take my side!” Lesca whines again as she sit back on her chair.

“As I keep saying, Lesca. I don’t take anyone’s side but my own.”

Miss Rosecca claps her hand to bring the class’s attention towards her. “That was all very good suggestions. We still have two more weeks to submit a proposal, so how about we try to think of something this weekend? Alright?”

Just as Miss Rosecca finish her words, the bell rings signifying the end of homeroom. After the customary class salute, Miss Rosecca leaves the classroom.

The sudden appearance of two letters on my desk shocks me. It wasn’t there when I first sat down on my chair. I look around the class and sees Aerfean handing out letters to the students. I see, so it is also the class representative’s duty to deliver mail to her class? But I thought the headmistress told me to pick it up myself yesterday. Does the class representative have the priviledge of picking up other people’s mails?

While thinking about it, I flip both letters to look at the senders. One is from great uncle Adolphus, from my family house in A’ Tartima. Great uncle Adolphus has decided to stay at our house after his retirement, something about missing the house that he grew up in. Ylny and the other servants had promised to take care of great uncle Adolphus just like how they had taken care of my family. The other is from someone called Tobius Markarusafreston from the county castle of Maurice. Maybe this Tobius person is from my new noble household? Thinking that makes me depressed, it feels as if I’m abandoning mother and father so I can be adopted by another household.

I am about to rip open the letter from great uncle Adolphus, when another teacher comes in. She has long black hair and a pleasant, playful personality. Her name is Miss Sofiana Aelther. She teaches language. Apparently she’s one of only three teachers who teach national language and foreign language in St. Carina. She can speak eight different languages, with hundreds of different dialects.

It is during this class that I realize I’ve met the girl sitting behind me before. Her name is Annise, if I recall correctly. She’s a scholarship student, who also works as a groundskeeper. We met yesterday, on my way to the headmistress’s room, while she was tending to the flower garden near one of the school buildings. I greet her as discretely as I can, but all she replies me with is a nod. It seems like Annise is very shy, or maybe very intimidated by my title.

After National Language, it is followed by Miss Rosecca’s Algebra, followed by History, then it is time for Geography. After Geography is the time for a one hour break. I yawn once the school bell rings, signifying the end of Geography. When I look at Annise, hoping for a little chat, she’s already gone.

Aerfean, the class representative appears suddenly next to my desk. She’s holding a thick book titled ‘Treatise of Governance’. “Come with me. As class representative it’s my responsibility to guide you for the first day. Bring your letters too, you can read it during break.”

Being up close, Aerfean looks and sounds very intimidating. So I just stand up, grab my letters and follow behind her without a word. As we walk, she explains to me some unspoken rules of the school. Such as, don’t go to the upperclassmen’s sections unless you have either an important business or a death wish. Such as, don’t pick fights with the upperclassmen. Such as, don’t spit on the suits of armour placed in front of the Accounts Department of the Administration Building. Such as, don’t eat like a glutton. Such as, don’t scream from the top floor like an idiot. Such as… such as… such as…

I’m getting a headache. Meanwhile, my bell rings melodiously with every step.

“Here we are, the shared cafeteria between the Ruby and Sapphire building,” Aerfean says as she pushes open the double doors of the two storey cafeteria.

I notice Collette sitting with a bunch of 5th Grade girls at one of the tables. She obviously sees me, but turns her face away as if pretending I’m not there. Of course, I also pretend that I don’t see her, just to spite her. She doesn’t even care. For some reason, that pisses me off.

The cafeteria is a large building, with about a hundred ornately shaped tables shared between its two floors and hundreds more chairs arranged in the format of two-a-table or four-a-table. The floor is made of marble, or close imitation to one while the wall is made of red stone, arranged in a way to make it look rustic, but not cheap. At the back of each floor, are food counters, which at this moment are being crowded by a mass of students who are not acting at all graceful, elegant or refined.

“Don’t push!” one of the girls cry.

“One roasted lamb set!”

“Give me a roast beef set!”

“Hey, that’s my chicken!”

“I said don’t push!”

The two floors of the cafeteria cater to specific needs. The first floor, and the most crowded floor, caters to the needs of the general population, in other words, meat eaters. The second floor is for those who are too queasy of eating one living creatures, in other words, vegans. I notice that we are climbing the staircase towards the second floor.

“Umm, Aerfean, I’d like to eat some meat…” I wither at her glare that can chill bone, “On the other hand, vegetarian food is great too, lead on!”

Just as we enter the second floor of the cafeteria, a maid, who is picking up empty plates and cups and putting it onto a trolley, stands at attention. She looks at my chest, or more specifically, my bell and makes a slight bow with both hands clasped together in front of her navel.

“Good morning, my lady. Is it a table for two?” she asks.

I look at Aerfean, and she nods. “Yes, table for two, please,” I answer.

“Please come this way, my lady,” the maid gestures as she leads us to one of the table for two beside a window.

“Can I get you anything, my lady?” the maid asks as she takes out a notepad.

“What do you have?”

“For vegetarian food, we have Bean Bolonaise with Mushroom Soup, Fried Tofu Salad with Mushroom Soup and Mixed Garden Salad Stir-fry.”

“With Mushroom Soup?” I ask.

“Yes. As for non-vegetarian, we have Two Piece Fried Chicken with Coleslaw and Mashed Potato, Roasted Lamb Set and Roasted Beef Set.”

I look at Aerfean, wondering if she will feel offended if I order a Roasted Beef Set for myself.

“You’re a countess, make your own choice. Don’t keep looking at me for permission,” Aerfean scolds with a frown, “Will you take my order as well, miss maid?”

“Yes of course,” the maid says with a smile.

“Great, give me Stir-fried Mixed Garden Salad, the mushroom soup and red tea if you have any. If not, any tea that doesn’t smell horrible is fine. As for dessert, please give me today’s cheesecake,” Aerfean orders.

The maid jot down Aerfean’s orders on her notepad, before she turns to me, “And what would you like, my lady?”

“Roasted Beef Set and grape juice. I’d like a lemon cheese cake as well.”

“Thank you for your order, my lady. I’ll have it delivered shortly.”

“Thanks,” I say as she turns around and pushes her trolley towards the back of the hall.

“… You have a very big appetite,” Aerfean remarks.

“I’m a growing… girl.”

“Hum… growing… I see…”

“Rather, I’ve been wondering, your surname is Meldoran?”

“Yes…” she answers as she starts to open her book, the Treatise of Governance with a look that shows she’s bored.

“Then, are we related?”

“… Why would you think that?” Aerfean asks without even looking my way.

“Because my mother’s a Meldoran and it’s not a very common name even in Jussinaff, so I’ve been wondering if you’re like, my cousin or something.”

“… What benefit would I get if I admit or deny that we’re related?”

“No, I mean… it would be nice to know I have a relative here.”

She sighs. “Oh well, mother always told me to make friends with highborn people. Do you remember the time when your family visited your mother’s family in Se Alinop? I think that was when you were 5.”

I looked upwards to the ornately carved ceiling as I tried to recall that particular memory. “I vaguely recall that happening, but I don’t remember any details.”

“Do you remember bathing at a stream nearby the family home?” Aerfean says looking uninterested.

“Ah…”

“Do you remember playing ‘Show Me Yours’ with a little girl about the same age as you by the stream?”

“Ah…” as the memories flow in my mind in fragments, I start to sweat.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone your secret, cousin,” she says, still without any changes to her face, as if it doesn’t even concern her.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m grateful, but why? If it’s because of familial bond, we haven’t seen each other since then.”

“Simple reason, I don’t want to be Aunt Carmina’s enemy. If I foil whatever strange plans you and her made, there won’t be enough land for me to run.”

“You’re that afraid of her?”

“Are you kidding me? Aunt Carmina is the dev-“ Aerfean stops abruptly as she looks left and right, and making sure that nobody behind or outside the window is listening, before she continues with, “For someone who can even send her own older brother to jail for embezzlement of family funds when she was 14 years old, foiling her masterpiece scam will make me her number one enemy, so no thanks.”

“It’s not a scam…”

“Oh? Is it something honourable then? Something good? Something so great that her own child is forced to crossdress for? If it’s not a scam, then what else can it be?”

“Umm…”

“Let’s end this talk. It would be bad if she has ears nearby. Why don’t you read your letters instead?”

I look at the two letters in my hand. The ones from great uncle Adolphus and this unknown man Tobius. The tension from Aerfean’s glare and words almost makes me forget about them. Still, did I forget something at home? Instead of sending me a letter, couldn’t great uncle Adolphus just tell me directly? It was only three days ago that we parted.

Dearest Bell, 
 

I hope this letter reaches you on your first day at school. I’ve never been to an all-girl’s school, so I’m not sure how efficient they are. 
 

How is your first day? Are you enjoying your new room and school? I know that it’s very different from your old school. To be surrounded by beautiful Jussinafian girls day in and day out, I hope you can control your urges. Enjoy it while you can, throughout my travels, Jussinaffian women has always been one of my greatest regrets. But enough of that. 
 

Two weeks before I wrote this letter, I received a letter from my chamberlain in Maurice. His name is Tobius Markarusafreston. I call him Toby. I suggest that you give up on pronouncing his name. Even after working for me for almost 20 years, I still can’t pronounce his surname without twisting my tongue. He’s one a Jussinaffian would call ‘coconut climber’, but he’s a good, honest man, so I also suggest that you refrain from calling him that. Although it is your choice if you want to appoint someone else as your chamberlaine, I strongly recommend that you allow him to stay, as his talent is not only in governance, but also business dealings. 
 

In his letter, he asked me how much your salary would be as I never specified any amount before I left. I have given him an amount that I consider reasonable for your daily expenses. As for the rest, it all goes to your school fees and whatever’s left are placed in a trust until you’re 16. I’m sure you can make do with this amount. 
 

I’m sure you are aware, that us nobles gain most of our income from taxes and rents. We also do that in Maurice. However, we do it a little differently in Maurice. Instead of the noble taking everything from taxes and rents, we take a salary, a fixed amount every month, just like how our servants are paid. Whatever’s left, we give back to the county, in the form of civil and security developments. I know you may have your own way of getting things done, but until you learn more of governance, I suggest that you keep the current system in place. We are nobles, but capable nobles, not corrupt ones. 
 

Toby should be sending you a mail with your monthly expenses soon. If it hasn’t arrived already, please wait for a while longer. If it still hasn’t arrived after a week of your schooling, please send me a mail. I haven’t heard of any ships being sunk lately, but there is still that possibility.  
 

I hope that you make best use of the money you’ll be getting. I can ask Toby to send the money to me, before I send it to you, but I believe that you are mature enough to be responsible with your own spending. This is also a form of training, for the day when you take over as Countess of Maurice, or for the day when you become Princess of Karka. You should also take this opportunity to practice self-restrains, being surrounded by all the beautiful young women. Or maybe you can let yourself go with the princess? Don’t you worry, I won’t tell your mother. 
 

Please write back soon. I have a feeling I will be bored stiff here. 
 
 

Yours most sincerely,
 
 
Adolphus Sentnaria

Great Uncle Adolphus, why is it that I can feel your smirk from reading this letter? And what’s this about being the Princess of Karka? Can’t I be a prince instead?

I shake my head at the thought that great uncle Adolphus most likely find this situation funny. In a way, he’s just like mother, except that he’s more… transparent. But then again, I haven’t known him for long so I can’t tell for sure. I place the letter down on the table just as the maid arrives pushing a trolley that holds our lunch. She places my roasted beef set and grape juice in front of me before attending to Aerfean. Maybe it has to do with social ranking, serve the countess, before the countess’s friend. I wonder where my lemon cheesecake is, though.

“Your dessert will arrive after you’re done with the main course, my lady,” the maid says, as if reading my mind.

“Thank you,” I say as she bows and leaves us alone. Meanwhile Aerfean places a bookmark at the part she stops reading and puts the book to the side as she wordlessly consumes her salad.

“Funny, I imagined you to be someone who reads while having a meal,” I say, attempting to make a conversation.

“Normally I would,” she says as she looks at me straight in the eye, “But I am currently having lunch with a countess. If I don’t observe ‘proper behaviour’, those pesky bluebloods will become annoying. Not that they’re remotely pleasant in the first place.”

“You don’t like the nobles, do you?”

“What is there to like? They taxed us to our drawers, raise the rent until we can barely eat three meals a day, slaps us with trade duties until we suffocate and conscripts our men to die in a faraway place which name we can’t even pronounce. It would’ve been nicer if they’re a little more honest and tell us to just jump into shark-infested waters.”

“Wow, such hate…”

“It’s not hate. It’s cursing my life under the blue sky. To think that I’ll grow up having to suck up to those bluebloods, it makes me want to stab the nearest blueblood around me.”

Slightly alarmed, I quickly grab the steak knife in front of me.

“I can still stab you with a fork,” she says as she wields her fork in a position where she can bring it down to my chest.

“I hope you’re joking, Aerfean.”

“Of course I am. Can’t you tell?” she says as she brings the point of the fork down into a tomato.

Seriously, if this is how she jokes, I will probably need to laugh everytime she brandishes a knife in the future.

I finish the steak quickly. With no point of interest, there was nothing for us to take about. So we simply sat eating our meal in peace. Once I was done with my main course, the maid earlier appears so suddenly it startles both of us. She then proceeds to place our lemon cheesecake onto the table after taking away our empty dishes. Then she refills both our drinks and leaves with a bow.

“She’s very efficient,” I remark as I open the second letter.

To my graceful master, Countess Alya of Maurice, 
 

Greetings, 
 

My name is Tobius Markarusafreston. My function is that of your chamberlain, butler and business representative. If it pleases you, please call me Toby, but you may call me whatever you like. Even if you want to call me ‘dog’, I will abide by your decision. 
 

As you may have noticed, I have also attached the mail vouchers which will be your spending allowance as per the former count’s arrangement. If the amount is less than 30 ema, please inform me and I shall investigate immediately. This amount is for both this month as well as last month, of which I regretfully was unable to deliver to you on time. As per the former count’s arrangement, your monthly salary totals at 90 ema, with deductions already made for your schooling fee while the rest are kept in your personal safe, for the day when you turn 16. Until today, the current total of your personal savings is 280 ema. 
 

The following is my report on your county of Maurice. 
 

The adult population as of February’s census is at 26,882 people within the range of the county. The annual birth so far is recorded at 129 while annual deaths is recorded at 228, some of which from a recent hurricane. The people’s mood is indifferent, they are going through their lives without caring of the change of leadership. The disparity between the rich and the poor is significant, but not alarming. 
 

Economically, our performance is average. The general tax rate is 5% with additional punitive tax for private businesses and mansions. The main driving point of our economy lies in the fishing, sugar, papaya and canning industry. Trailing behind these three industries are beef, banana and shipbuilding. As the countess, you have a monopoly on sugarcane, beef and arms production. As a county, we export fish, sugar, banana and canned products. We currently import timber, iron, coal textiles and tin. We have an abundance of cattle right now. The southern branch of Taros & Lukas Trading Company is currently based in our port. 
 

As for security, we suffer some pirate raids from time to time. Internal security is currently doing well and the citizenry enjoys a period of peace. As to my knowledge, there is no subversive element within your county right now. Unfortunately we have a problem with conflicting fishing rights among the fishermen, but I will handle this matter personally. 
 

Piracy seems to be the most pressing matter as our current naval patrol is undermanned and unable to provide good security over the wide range of our waters. Unfortunately, our funds are tied up in another venture and we can’t afford to commission any more vessels for our naval patrols. Even if we have the money to commission a new vessel, we do not have the talents to man them. Currently, our navy is doing their best, but a solution must be found within a half year or our commercial and shipping sector will receive a heavy blow.  
 

We must also consider what to do with the abundance in cattle. As you may know, my lady, as an island, we do not have infinite grazing pasture. If the amount of cattle increase beyond what our pastures can handle, we may need to put them down or suffer turning the island into a wasteland. I have tried brokering trade deals with some merchants, but it seems like beef is cheap in the mainland at the moment, so the merchants couldn’t justify trading in it. We have an offer from Taros & Lukas, but the price offered is very low, I will only consider this option if we have no other way of dealing with this matter. 
 

We also have a problem with overcrowding in our free school. While it is not serious yet, if we don’t do something, the teachers will likely suffer heavy workloads. The former count has ordered the construction of the second free school, but it will not be ready in four months. It is hoped that this will settle the problem, but until then, the classes will be packed full. If you can suggest some temporary measures, I’m sure it will be received well. 
 

That shall be all from me, my lady. I am sorry for taking too much of your time. If you wish to send me a mail, please address it to Tobius Markarusafreston, Chamberlain, Maurice Manor, County of Maurice. Although we are not connected to the telegraph network, you may also send me a telegraph which will be received by the telegraph office in A’ Tartima, if you are in a hurry. 
 

I humbly await your reply. 
 
 

Your most humble servant,
 
 
Tobius Markarusafreston

My thoughts while reading the letter are as follows, according to a chronological order:

“Dog? Are you actually an M?”

“So my monthly allowance is 15 ema? That’s even less than what some commoners make!”

“What kind of school charges a fee of 75 ema a month? That’s comparable to what an average lower income family spend for food over a period of half a year!”

“So I have 26,882 people I can boss around now?”

“5% tax? Are you stupid? They charge us 20% tax at A’ Tartima! This is going to change!”

“Pirate raids? Why does great uncle Adolphus leave this troublesome thing to me? I want to cry”

“If you have too many cattle, then stop breeding more cattle! Is that too hard?”

“School overcrowding, I know that feeling. The free school at A’ Tartima was overcrowded too. I had to study in a class of 50 people. Maybe I can do something about this.”

The bell rings signifying the end of the one hour break. I can’t believe I’ve been reading the letter until the end of break. I haven’t even taken a bite of my cake.

“Miss maid?” I call to another maid, the previous maid is nowhere to be seen.

“How can I help you, my lady?” she quickly cross the distance between us and asks with a smile.

“Can I have the cake delivered to my room? I’m afraid I haven’t the time to finish it.”

“Of course, my lady. It will be delivered right before your classes end.”

“Thank you,” I say as I finish my grape juice and bolts to my next class, Home Economics. If not for Aerfean, I would have forgotten my two letters and my mail vouchers totalling 30 ema. It may be a small sum, but it is still money.

The day ends with the final bell. I yawn and stretch, releasing all the tension in my muscles. After a few minutes of stretching, I put my books and stationery into my satchel bag. Just as I am about to get up, Aerfean’s voice spoke my name.

“Huh? You called?” I ask.

“You’re assigned to today’s end class duty, Bell,” she says as she reads three other names.

“What do I do?” I ask Aerfean once she’s done calling the names.

“Thou need not do anything, my lady. Thou must be tired on thine first day. Pray thee allow me, I be glad to do thine part,” one of the girls on duty says.

“That’s right, how can we, the commoners, let a countess sweep the floor?” another girl, with short hair and boyish disposition kneels in front of me.

“Or wipe the blackboard?” the last girl adds. She holds my left hand and kisses the back of my fingers as she bows politely.

“Or to clean the windows? Fie it be! Prithee allow us lowly selves to do this for thou, my fair lady!” the first girl says as she also kneels in front of me.

“Eh? Wha-? But-“

“Knock it off, you gender-confused freaks,” Aerfean scolds as she smacks the head of all three of them with her thick book, The Treatise of Governance, “Loretta and Saless, you will clean the windows-“

“I’ve told you to call me Lort-“

“Silence, gender-confused freak number 1! Korena will wipe the blackboard and pick up the trash.”

“Can’t you just call me Korn?”

Aerfean gave a piercing glare.

It’s super effective. Korena escapes from the glare.

“Bell, you’ll sweep the floor. You can find a broom in the storage room in the basement. Be sure to put it back after you’re done.”

“Alright, then I’m going.”

Unfortunately, when I arrive downstairs in the storage room, there is not a single broom in sight. Oh there is actually one, but it’s bald. I mean, it has no bristles, just the handle and remnants of the string once used to hold the bristles in place. Looking around the room, it doesn’t seem like there’s any way I can fix this, but I can’t just give up. I mean, what will I do if people say the Countess of Maurice ditch class duties and has no sense of responsibility?

With that in mind, I walk up to the ground level of the Sapphire building, looking to ask Aerfean if she knows how I can fix the broom. My eyes instead catch the form of Annise, who is kneeling on the ground, sniffing the roses by the side of the building. Looking at her, one can tell that she really loves plants.

“Hi Annise,” I greet her from behind with the handle of the broom in hand.

“Eeek!” Annise squeals before she turns around, still kneeling, and bows at me with her forehead touching the grassy ground before raising it again, “Please don’t hit me, my lady,” her forehead hits the ground again, before she raises it again, “I swear, I didn’t know who you were yesterday. Please find it in your heart to forgive me, my lady!”

This time her forehead remains touching the ground.

“Uhhh… I’m not trying to hit you, you know. I wasn’t offended. As I said in class, I don’t want any special treatment. It’s just that since you’re one of the groundkeepers, I thought maybe you know where I can find something to fix this broom.”

Annise raises her head a little, taking a peek at the broom before she breathes a sigh of relief. “I’ll fix it for you, my lady,” she says as she grabs her satchel bag and holds out a hand in front of me.

“No, it’s fine, just show me where to go. It’s not like I’ve never fixed brooms before.”

Ylny always made me fix the brooms myself, since her fingers are too clumsy to weave the bristles.

“If that’s what you wish, my lady. Please follow me,” Annise says as she leads me to a small shed behind the Sapphire building. “There are cotton twines and scissors inside this drawer, my lady. You can use the straw by the wall for the bristles. Will you be fine on your own, my lady?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine. And please call me Bell, Annise,” I say with a smile as I start to grab some straws and tying them together with a length of cotton twine.

“I am only a lowly commoner, it wouldn’t be appropriate, my lady,” Annise bows before she runs off.

“That’s almost too cute,” I mutter to myself as I start working on fixing the broom.

About 10 minutes later, I’m done. Seriously, for me, fixing brooms are very easy. I’ve been fixing brooms since I was 9. Of course, it won’t be very durable, but the bristles should last for a week or two. After putting the twine and scissors back, I walk out of the small shed, being greeted by the bright afternoon sun.

In front of me, perching on the side of a water fountain is a small dove. I come closer, trying to see if I can catch it unaware. See, I’ve always liked birds. Flying freely in the sky. Not having to care about taxes, living expenses or marriage.

But just as I get within a few feet from the dove, it flew off. “Oh darn. It flew off!” I sigh as I watch it fly in the sky.

“Well, better get back to class duties,” I say to myself as I take a step forward.

But my feet doesn’t seem to be touching anything.

I try again.

Now I realize that there’s nothing under either of my feet.

I look down at the ground.

I find out that I’m floating in the air.

I am floating in the air.

Floating…

“Kyaaahhhh!!!” I cried as I let go of the broom and fell on my butt on the grassy ground, followed by the sound of the broom falling next to me.

“Owwiee… what was that?” I ask myself as I rub my sore butt.

I realize that I’m getting a headache. “No, I couldn’t possibly be floating in the air. Maybe the afternoon sun is getting to me. Maybe I’m sick. I should just go back and rest in my room,” I mutter in a daze as I walk away. 

*I'm a little tired, so please forgive me for not changing the cover picture. I'll just edit it later if you guys don't mind.
**As usual, all your comments and feedbacks are welcomed. Praises helps me puff myself up so I can write faster. Constructive criticisms humbles me so I can do better job at writing.
***This is strange. Why is it that the letter in my blockquote bunched up like that? It was supposed to be separated into paragraphs.

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Comments

she can fly?

giggles.

DogSig.png

Fly

shiinaai's picture

Yeaps. Well at least she can float.

The fudge?!

Why is Aerfean such a transphobic asshole... poor boys...

I know who I am, I am me, and I like me ^^
Transgender, Gamer, Little, Princess, Therian and proud :D

Chocolate fudge

shiinaai's picture

It's like Victorian England. They haven't learned to be tolerant yet :P Thanks for reading.

Witch ?

Good story.

I've read a funny manga with a witch and in this manga she could fly only with one hand on the broom.
That's what made me wondering if he is a witch, especially because he made the broom himself.

Witch

shiinaai's picture

Is that manga about a junior witch to comes to live with her cousin (boy) to gain experience? Does the cousin's little sister also become an apprentice witch later? If so, I've read it. Love the story. Can't remember the name, though. I read too many things nowadays.

Yes

It's that one.

the manga

... sounds like Flying Witch by Ishizuka Chihiro.

Flying witch

shiinaai's picture

Yup, you got it right.

It's fun

The ludicrous nature of the situation allows, barely, a believability.

And the daily juice drink? Methinks its got a healthy punch of estrogen.

Ludicrous

shiinaai's picture

Of course, it will become even more ludicrous and ridiculous in the future. Please keep on reading.

Is she in trouble?

Hypatia Littlewings's picture

Is flying against the rules?
There are so many rules.

>i< ..:::

Flying

shiinaai's picture

Actually, I don't know myself. There so many rules not even I have read it all.

Thanks for reading. Please keep supporting me.