Wrapping a luxurious shawl around her shoulders, Maxi walked down the stairs accompanied by her maids.
His heart was beating heavily in his chest, and his back was covered in cold sweat.
She was about to welcome her first guest as Lady Calypse.
The fact that this guest was Princess Agnes only added to his agitation.
Maxi wondered what kind of person the princess would be.
Would she be as arrogant as Rosetta?
Would you look at Maxi with disdain for being so inadequate?
Maxi wiped her sweaty hands on her skirt as she stared at the wide open front doors.
For a time, it was only their voices that reached them.
Soon, a group of people dressed in fine attire began to climb the castle steps.
Maxi immediately identified Princess Agnes.
The princess looked like the model of dignity as she walked towards the great hall.
Two young ladies-in-waiting, half a dozen male escorts, and knights in silver armor followed in a long procession behind her.
They were accompanied by the White Dragons.
Riftan walked alongside the princess, acting as her escort.
Maxi was so surprised that she forgot to bow.
The princess was dressed in men's pants, high boots, a knee-length purple tunic and a cape.
Her golden hair was loose and loose over her shoulders.
A relaxed smile spread across her sun-kissed face as she walked towards the castle.
The princess looked so uninhibited and vibrant, nothing like Maxi had imagined.
She wore no jewelry; her dazzling blue eyes seemed to be impressive enough.
Maxi greeted her, feeling a little disarmed.
“I am very happy to meet you, Lady Calypse,” said the princess.
“I’m Agnes Drachina Reuben.”
“It’s… an honor, Your Highness… I’m Maximillian… Calypse.”
Maxi's greeting was slow, but she managed to respond in a restrained manner thanks to the hours she spent practicing in secret.
“I hope you… enjoy your stay here… in Anatol.”
As Maxi opened her skirts in a curtsy, the maids behind her did the same, their heads bowed.
Princess Agnes gave him a smile that managed to be relaxed and refined at the same time.
“Thank you for welcoming us so warmly with so little notice.”
Riftan approached Maxi as if to block the princess.
"I will show the knights to their quarters.
I leave it to you to show Her Highness her room."
With his back to the light, his shadowed face looked more serious and imposing than usual.
His dark blue tunic and silver breastplate seemed to enhance his robust figure.
“I…will,” Maxi replied, looking up at him.
She expected him to give her a light kiss on the forehead or cheek, but Riftan only looked at her from a respectful distance before turning to the knights.
“Allow me to show you to your rooms.”
He started walking towards the back door that led to the annex.
The royal knights and an equal number of their attendants followed him.
Hiding her disappointment, Maxi ordered the maids to show the rest of the royal party to their rooms.
The servants promptly began moving the luggage.
"I have prepared a room… on the second floor of the great hall… for you, Your Highness.
Your companions… will be on the same floor… I hope this is to your liking?"
"Of course.
I appreciate your attention."
“Then… allow me to show you the way.”
Maxi turned and started up the carpeted stairs.
The princess walked beside him, her eyes roaming the interior of the castle with interest.
"What a splendid place you have.
I must say I was surprised when I saw it was bigger than I expected."
Maxi gave him an awkward look.
The princess spoke in such a welcoming way that Maxi didn't know how to respond.
Despite the long journey, the princess did not look tired.
She walked up the stairs excitedly and seemed to be taking in everything: the richly decorated banquet hall, the high ceiling, the rustic columns, and the ornate windows – a classic form in ancient architecture – through which sunlight streamed in.
"I heard that Calypse Castle is older than Drachium Palace.
It seems very well maintained."
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Maxi found himself unconsciously adopting a servile tone.
Even dressed as a young man, the princess emanated an overwhelming royal authority.Maxi watched two steps behind as the princess ascended the staircase, inspecting the large hall without any sign of self-consciousness.
At 5 kevettes and 2 henches, the princess was tall for a woman, and her arms and legs were as long and thin as a deer's.
More than that, she wasn't the classic beauty Maxi imagined she would be.
Princess Agnes radiated a provocative charm, unlike the delicate and impeccable beauty of Maxi's sister.
Full lips that seemed too big for her face; almond-shaped eyes slightly tilted upwards, giving the impression of a haughty cat; a thin, sharp face with a straight nose.
She looked more beautiful than beautiful.
“It seems like I landed in a Roem Dynasty fortress,” commented the princess in a calm voice.
"Could I bother you for a tour of the castle later?
I'd love to explore it more."
She turned to Maxi, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Although his expression was friendly, his blue eyes were piercing.
Maxi instinctively shrugged and nodded.
“O-Sure.”
"Thank you.
But first, I'd like a shower and a change of clothes.
Could you show me my room?"
Ludis, who was following closely behind, stepped forward with a bow.
"This way, Your Highness.
Please follow me."
Princess Agnes smiled.
“Well, I’ll see you later,” he said, pivoting gracefully.
Maxi watched the lithe princess follow Ludis.
It was only their first date, and she already felt like she had been swept away.
“P-Prepare the baths… for the guests… and be… especially attentive… when attending to Your Highness.”
“Yes, my lady.”
After giving instructions to the remaining servants, Maxi went down to the kitchen.
Preparations for the welcoming banquet had already begun, and the place was buzzing with activity.
As Maxi checked the servants' progress, his mind kept returning to the image of Riftan and the princess side by side.
It was a magnificent sight worthy of bards: the golden-haired sorceress who shone like the sun itself and the formidable knight, tall and elegant, beside her.
It's no wonder people want to see them together.
Maxi anxiously bit his lip.
Was there really nothing between them?
Although the princess seemed eccentric, there was no doubt that she was extremely charming.
If Maxi found her attractive, then how much more attractive must she be to men?
“My lady, we are about to sacrifice a lamb for the banquet… will you watch?” the servant asked him cautiously.
Maxi was looking at the open door.
She turned around when she noticed the lamb tied to a post and a man with a thick black beard sharpening a knife.
Not having the courage to witness such a scene, Maxi gave the servant an awkward smile and hurriedly left the kitchen.
In the sunny hall, the maidservants hurried about with their arms full of linen.
Others, their sleeves soaked, carried buckets of hot water from the steam room.
The sound of wood being chopped echoed from the back gardens, and even the stables were busy feeding and fueling the guests' horses.
Maxi gave clear and methodical instructions to ensure guests had everything they needed before heading to the banquet hall.
First, she gave directions on how to prepare baths and provide soap and clean towels.
He then instructed the servants to bring wine, biscuits, and preserved fruit if refreshments were requested.
She organized a group of servants to place two long tables in the hall for that night's banquet.
Then, together with Rodrigo, he chose the tablecloth, candlesticks and crockery.
Gold, silver, and glassware were subject to theft, and it was her duty as lady of the castle to keep tabs on how many were willing.
Expensive gold candelabras were brought from storage, and Maxi recorded the number of silver trays, plates, and cutlery in a ledger.
She reviewed the balance twice before confirming the quantities of candles, firewood, produce and wine that would be used that night.
It was unthinkable for a banquet to run out of food or drink, but it wouldn't do to waste good ingredients by preparing an excessive amount.
The trick was to prepare just enough without overdoing it…
“My lady.”
Maxi was busy recording the number of wine barrels when she saw Ludis approaching with measured steps.Maxi gave him an inquisitive look.
"What is it?"
"The princess wants to know if you could show her around the castle now.
What should I tell her?"
"Now?"
Visitors usually rested once they arrived at a castle, but Princess Agnes was apparently still full of energy after traveling all over Wedon.
Maxi quickly finished recording the numbers and handed the book to Rodrigo.
As she exited the banquet hall, she saw the princess heading towards her, now dressed in a deep blue dress.
"Thank you for preparing such a lovely room for me.
The tapestry is especially beautiful."
“I-I'm glad you liked it, Your Highness,” replied Maxi shyly.
The princess smiled.
"You don't need to be so formal.
Please call me Agnes.
I would also like to call you by your name.
Is that okay with you?"
Maxi felt stunned.
His mouth opened, not knowing how to respond to the torrent of requests.
She nodded blankly.
The princess's lips curved into a satisfied smile, and she took Maxi's arm.
“I would like to see what is outside the great hall.”
With that, the princess began to pull Maxi down the stairs without waiting for a response.
Feeling like a buoy in a storm, Maxi followed.