The World Of Sally

Chapter Thirty-Two: The Agreement

THE crown prince understood what she meant with those words. At times, when joyful memories came into his mind, he can feel the sadness and emptiness within. Sally stared at the crown prince who became silent. She thought she just pressed the wrong button which made him quiet for a long time.

“I’m sorry. Did I just awaken a sad memory, your highness?”

“No. It’s fine, rather, it’s the opposite one.” He answered.

‘Then why is your face so sad?’ She wondered.

The royal physician appeared and started treating Sally’s feet. After prescribing medicine to Sally, the doctor excused himself and left the room.

“Rest for now, we will talk again tomorrow.”

“Yes. Thank you, your highness and I apologize again…”

Helios glanced at her smiling face. Her crying expression earlier seemed like a dream when he’s staring at her face at the moment. It’s like nothing bad happened to her before arriving at the palace.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Huh?”

“You can cry all you want.”

Sally’s silver eyes trembled, however, she didn’t cry, instead, her smile widens. She shook her head.

“It’s alright, your highness. I’ll cry when I want to.”

“… Suit yourself.”

The crown prince turned his back from him and left the room, however, he didn’t take another step away from the door. He remained there standing, waiting for what will happen. Then, he heard a faint sound of someone weeping. Despite the feeling of wanting to console her, he chose not to, because he knew she wants to be alone. His hands clenched and the feeling of anger is burning him as well as disappointment.

He walked towards his room and close the door. Exhaustion filled his being as he lay on the soft bed. He covered his eyes with his arm and let himself drowned in random things.

“How pathetic… Everything is starting to get annoying.” Her crying face flashed in his mind and he felt angry again. The desire of erasing that place which brought tears to her eyes rose in his chest but whenever he thought that she might cry even more makes him feel complicated.

The next day, a letter arrived from Felix addressed to the crown prince. The letter goes like this;

To The Crown Prince Helios,

I have heard about the punishment his majesty put upon you. I hope that it will be lifted soon as for the reason that our friend, Ms. Sally Esther, seemed missing. I have come to her house and saw that it was burnt-out, other than that, I saw a grave in front of the burnt-down house which made me even more worried for her. I am starting to investigate and search for Ms. Esther’s whereabouts. If by chance that I will gain something useful, rest assured that I’ll report to your highness right away.

Your friend,

Felix Amadeus Robia

Upon reading the letter, the memories of last night came to his mind. He put the letter on his table and asked Anthony for a sheet of paper and began writing his reply. After writing, he ordered Anthony to deliver the letter to Felix in secrecy. He focused on reading the documents again when someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It is I, your highness.” Capt. Locksworth answered behind the door.

“Come in.” The captain of the royal knights entered. In his hand is a letter from the king. “What is it, captain?” He asked.

“I came here to deliver your majesty’s letter for you, your highness.”

He handed him the letter. Helios opened it and started reading the letter silently. His lips lift into a smirk.

“Please tell your majesty that I am happy by his decision and that I won’t disappoint him.”

“Yes, your highness.”

“You may leave.”

Capt. Locksworth went out of the crown prince’s office and passed by the room next to the crown prince’s room. He halted when a maid went out from there carrying a basin of water and some towels. He recalled the black-haired woman beside the crown prince who was watching the burnt-out house in front of them. The maid noticed him and bowed down in curtsy.

“Good day, captain.” She greeted.

“Good day.” He replied and resumed walking again. He met the butler, Anthony, in the hallway. The butler greeted him.

“I’ll escort you outside, captain.”

“Yes, thank you.”

They walked downstairs silently however, the captain’s curiosity about the girl overpowered him so he asked the butler about Sally’s well-being.

“How’s the lady with the crown prince’s last night?”

“I apologize, Sir, but the lady’s well-being is confidential,” Anthony replied.

He understood the worry on the old man’s face. The crown prince has a lot of enemies both inside and outside since he is the future king. Therefore, those people near him can be in danger.

“I apologize for asking such a heavy question.”

“Ah, no. It’s alright, Sir. I understand that the captain has a heart of caring for others.”

He can’t tell if he does a heart to care for others. All he ever wants is to finish his tasks perfectly. He left the crown prince’s castle completely.

---

Sally can’t walk for a few days, thanks to the healing magic applied to her last night, her feet are getting better. She focused on reading the book Jannette gave her the other time. All of a sudden, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened and the crown prince entered. He looked handsome in his white long-sleeves, grey vest, and a black cravat. His hair is a little messy but it didn’t decrease his charms at all.

“Good day, your highness.” She greeted. “I’m sorry I can’t greet you properly.” She added.

“Don’t be silly.” He walked towards her and sat on the chair near the bed. “How are you feeling?” He asked.

“Thank your highness I am fine now. Maybe after a few days, I can already walk.”

“That’s good to hear… I have come here because I want to have a deal with you.”

“A deal?”

“Yes, after you heal, Ms. Esther, I want you to be my official secretary.”

She looked at him with wide eyes.

“Your highness?! That’s…!”

“In return, you can stay here in the palace. Also, the monthly payment is high so you don’t have to worry.” The crown prince explained.

“I-It’s not like that, your highness. It’s just, that position is quite too much for a commoner like me.” She muttered shyly. “Also, you don’t have to do this, your highness. I received more than enough that I’m troubled how to pay your highness back…”

“Then accept my offer. In that way, you can pay me back.”

Sally stared at his golden eyes. Those golden orbs that look like little suns. She can’t understand why she has the feeling of wanting to stare at those eyes. A smile formed her lips. Her pale face became colorful once again and Helios can’t help but be amazed.

‘Yes, that smile…’

“If your highness is willing to accept me then, I’ll be honored to serve you.” She answered smiling at him. His eyes trembled then became still.

---

A few days have passed and finally, Sally can walk. She can now walk around the palace but not to the main palace where the king and the queen are residing. She heard that the second prince is also in there. She looked around at the palace with a puzzled expression.

‘Why is the crown prince separated from the main palace?’

“Lady Esther?”

She snapped from what she’s thinking and turn around. She saw the butler, Anthony. He always has a gentle smile on his face. She smiled and greeted him.

“Good day, Mr. Anthony.”

“Is the palace to your liking?”

“It’s pretty in here.”

“I’m glad you like it in here.”

The two of them walked upstairs to get the files she needed as the secretary of the crown prince. She’s being quiet when Anthony starts talking again.

“What do you think of the crown prince?” He asked her.

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry, I asked you a question out of nowhere.” He chuckled. Sally stared at him then looked ahead of her.

“… His highness is strong.” She answered truthfully while remembering the times when the crown prince showed his power before her eyes. “He’s intimidating, yet he is someone no one can take their eyes off.” She added.

Anthony glanced at her and noticed the dreamy look in her eyes. A smile formed his lips. They arrived at the said place and took the files. Anthony ordered her to look at the files carefully and arrange them according to their importance, then he told her to review the financial reports from the last two years and deliver them to him afterward so that he can check her work.

“Can you do all of that?” Anthony asked. Sally can sense the challenge in his tone. She smiled at him and answered.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Finish it before dinner.”

“Yes.”

The butler left her. She went to the crown prince’s office. She walked towards the other table on the right side. She sits on her chair and started her work until luncheon. It’s already past one in the afternoon and she decided to skip lunch to finish her work early. She was so focused that she didn’t notice that the crown prince arrived inside the office. Helios stared at her burying herself to work.

‘Did she eat already?’

He walked in front of her desk and knocked on the table. Sally stopped writing and traced the hand on her desk. She met the crown prince's golden eyes and was startled at his presence.

“Y-Your highness! Welcome back!”

“Did you eat already?” He asked.

“Huh?”

“You have a habit of skipping meals that’s why you’re so thin.”

‘He’s insulting me…’ She thought and sighed.

“I am not that thin, your highness, and I ate a lot during breakfast.”

“Stop that and let’s eat together.”

She looks at her work for a while. If she stays here a little more, she’ll finish the financial report and might pass it early to Anthony before dinner.

“I apologize, your highness. I still need to finish this. I’ll eat later.” She replied smiling at him.

“Hah. You’re so stubborn it hurts my head.” He sighed and shook his head.

‘You can eat without me though.’ She thought still smiling at him.

“Oh? I can sense the mockery in you.” He grinned mischievously.

“Of course not, your highness.” She laughed nervously.

“Liar.”

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.” The crown prince said. The door opened and the butler entered.

“Oh, welcome back, your highness,” Anthony muttered while closing the door. He bowed down in front of him. “Your highness, Lady Esther, there are people who wished to see you.”

“I did not expect visitors right now… Who are they?” The crown prince asked.

“It’s Young Master Robia, Lady Robia, and the young master of the Lionel family. They were in the drawing-room.” The butler answered. The crown prince didn’t speak for a while and glanced at Sally. He didn’t see much expression on her face other than smiling.

“Ms. Esther, come with me.”

“… Yes, your highness.”

“Anthony, prepare sandwiches, desserts, and tea for us.”

“Yes, your highness.”

Sally and Helios went together to meet them. He glanced at her and saw her anxious expression.

“You don’t have to come with me if you’re that nervous.” The crown prince uttered. She raised her head and looked at him. A small smile formed her lips.

“Your highness has a point but it’s not like I can avoid them all my life.” She sighed. The crown prince didn’t respond. They arrived at the drawing-room. Sally opened the door and both of them entered. She forced herself to smile in front of the familiar people in front. All of them greeted the crown prince. All of them sit facing each other. Sally is between the crown prince and Felix.

“Your highness, it’s been a while since I saw you,” Felix said.

“Yes. It’s been a while.” The crown prince answered.

The conversation started and the tea arrived with the sandwiches and desserts. Sally stood up and offered herself to serve tea. She put tea in every cup and put the teapot back.

“I heard you became the crown prince’s secretary, Ms. Esther. I am glad for you.” Ethan said smiling at her. Sally can’t get used to his smiles and nice treatment towards her.

‘Maybe because I kept my mouth shut.’ She thought.

“Yes. That is true.” She answered smiling at him.

“I’m glad for you, Ms. Esther,” Felix uttered in genuine bliss. This time she smiled genuinely at him.

“Thank you, Mr. Robia.”

“I, I’m happy for you…” Athena managed to say to her. Sally’s eyes went to her. She noticed her being a bit antsy.

“Thank you, Lady Robia.” She answered still smiling.

Athena stared at Sally and her eyes quiver. Despite her smiling face, she can sense the indifference in her tone. The tea between them is making her anxious and suffocated. She wants to get out but she got a feeling that if she left the table she might not return any more.

Sally knew what she felt but she chose not to engage herself in those types of emotions again. She already had enough of what happened in the academy. While sipping tea peacefully, Anthony entered the room and whispered something to the crown prince.

“I refuse. Tell the queen she can’t come.”

“But your highness…”

“No.” He refused firmly. He stood up from his seat. “I’m afraid we have to leave now. There’s still a lot of work to be finished. Ms. Esther,” He said and walked out. Sally stood up, bow at them, and was about to follow the crown prince when Felix called her.

“Ms. Esther.” She stopped and looked at him. “Condolence…” He said. Her eyes trembled for a moment then became calm again.

“Thank you, Mr. Robia.” She turned her back and left them behind. Surprisingly, the crown prince is waiting for her.

“What takes you so long?” The crown prince asked in irritation.

“Nothing, your highness.” She answered smiling at him. The crown prince doubted her reply but he didn’t ask any further questions and resumed walking again, however, they stopped when a woman greeted Helios.

“I greeted the future sun of the kingdom.”

It was a woman in her late 40’s and she’s wearing a maid uniform. It was the head maid of the queen, Madame Adeline. Helios hated the people under the queen so he didn’t accept her greetings.

“Your highness, I hope you won’t ignore the queen’s wishes. She sincerely wanted to see the new secretary your highness personally picked, that is why she wants to have tea with the lady.”

Sally was dumbfounded. She never expected that the queen wanted to see her. The crown prince scowled at what she said.

“Are you unable to understand the word No?” He asked dreadfully and glared at her. “Don’t test my patience.” He warned before resumed walking. Sally glanced at her before following the crown prince behind.

***