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He typically awoke before the sun did, making his bed the moment he left it.
These early morning moments were some of the rare ones Vishnal had to himself. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he allowed his mind to wander as he spent some time tiding up his room.
I told her it was alright if she wanted Clorica to wake her instead, or to even for me to refrain from waking her in the morning at all if she wanted…
He could still see the curl on Frey’s lips.
“I like seeing you at the start of my day every morning… if that’s alright, I mean. I don’t want to be a bother.”
He had insisted heartily that she was the absolute opposite of a bother – one didn’t improve without training, after all.
“I’m glad, then. I want to get better, too. I’ll grow more things for you to pick up, and we’ll be able to help each other that way!”
An airy chuckle escaped Vishnal’s mouth and he shook the thoughts from his head, watering the small planter on his windowsill with care. The flower was but a sprout, and he smiled at the new growth. He combed out his hair and donned his pristine uniform, smoothing it out.
“It’s my job to help you,” he murmured aloud, buttoning his cuff links.
He couldn’t remember at what point he had begun brewing her a cup of tea every morning. It gave them a little extra time to talk each morning, and he delighted in the expressions Frey would silently make as she contemplated the flavor, attempting to guess the mystery tea of the day. He quickly learned that she had an impulsive side to her that loved surprises, and she had frequently taken to asking him to “go on adventures” with him lately, as she had worded it.
Vishnal started the kettle, his eyes tracing over which brew to treat Frey with that morning. Darjeeling was one of her go-to favorites, and he chose it with care, allowing his mind to drift back to their adventures. Whether it was facing foes, foraging for wild herbs and mushrooms, or even just walking through town, he enjoyed their excursions. There was something thrilling in not knowing what laid ahead.
Ah, b ut a good butler should have a mind for a tidy schedule…
He thought of the last time he accompanied Frey through town. They were shopping at Blossom’s store. Knowing Frey enjoyed browsing, he stepped back and allowed her to shop at her leisure, eyeing up some vegetable seeds on his own.
I should try growing something more challenging. Maybe try cooking with it, too… Ugh, if I can manage to make it edible...
When he turned around, though, he couldn’t help but notice that her lively green eyes were locked onto him, emitting a sparkle he hadn’t seen before.
He blinked in surprise. “Ah, can I accompany you in any way, Princess?”
She shook her head, her hair swaying about. “I’m just glad you’re having fun, too. Have something in mind you want to grow?”
He looked at the seed bags he had been holding in his hands. “I’m thinking of something that’s going to give me some more practice growing things. I want it to be versatile in the kitchen, too.”
“How about something for curry? I know how much you like it.”
“Well, it is true that onions and carrots are practical and work well in containers…”
Frey’s face lit up. “Emery flowers. Royal curry. I can even help you make it!”
His heart leapt, but immediately sank. “But they’re so expensive. I have to make sure I have enough money to send back to my-” Vishnal’s voice left him as Frey took his hand – so naturally – and escorted them both to the cash register.
“I’ll buy it, and you’ll grow it. I want some of that curry, too!” she chirped. “You’ll be getting a cooking lesson from yours truly!”
“I-I couldn’t possibly… I mean, are you sure?” At her pert nod, he grinned. “Yeah! You’re right! Let’s do this!” He felt himself getting fired up as they paid for the seeds and made their way to the flower shop.
Vishnal snapped back to reality as he promptly removed the kettle from the heat at the first sound of the whistle, lest he awake anyone.
Tidy schedules make for more free time. For… adventures.
He thought of the sprout growing in his bedroom and wondered why the steam of the boiling water was giving off so much more heat than usual.
He placed a fresh scone on a china plate and added it to his serving tray while the tea finished steeping, not a crumb out of place. Tannin-rich tea with no accompaniment could cause a stomach ache, after all. He added a delicate cup and matching saucer to the tray, and he deftly set to procuring some honey and cream for her to add to her drink.
After all, isn’t Royal Tea befitting of a Princess?
Vishnal added the tea to the matching teapot, hand painted with dainty purple lilacs. He had half a mind to see if he could find some accompanying flowers for the tray, but the time on the clock kept him from doing so. A tidily folded embroidered napkin would have to suffice. Gracefully donning a formal pair of gloves and draping a tea towel over his forearm, the butler gathered his tray and quietly walked toward Frey’s chambers.
He never bothered to knock on the door because she was a heavy sleeper. Still, as he was accustomed to, he took a deep breath, checking his posture and putting on his most professional demeanor before silently opening the door.
The spring sunlight had begun to stream through the window, playing at her loose pale hair, which tumbled across the pillow. As usual, her luxurious blankets and bed sheets had been tossed in every which manner as she had no doubt tossed and turned in her sleep once more. He studied her brow and neutral position of her rosy lips with a doting smile. Her chest slowly rose and fell with deep breaths; it almost felt cruel to awake her.
Vishnal’s heart thumped in his ears as he realized his eyes had been lingering. Focusing back on her morning tea, he silently placed the tray on the bedside table.
Frey’s arm was outstretched in his direction, almost as if reaching out to him. He recalled the way she had taken his hand in the store. Even through her gloves, there was warmth in her touch. He admired her long fingers and gulped when he realized he was silently cursing the clean gloves he decided to wear that day, wondering what her bare fingers would feel like laced between his.
His mind was focused on that moment in the shop – those shining green eyes. What had that look meant?
Vishnal’s heart was in his throat as he realized he had taken her hand between his and gave it a gentle squeeze. His voice was soothing as he kept it low.
“Good morning, m-my Princess.”
His eyes widened in horror as he felt his face flush all the way to his ears.
That was most definitely not a professional greeting!
He snapped his attention to the bed when he felt a soft squeeze in return. Frey’s pretty lips were turned up into a smile as she blinked a few times, adjusting to the morning sunlight. “Good morning, Vishnal.” Her voice, albeit groggy, was cheerful. She sat up with a yawn, rubbing her eyes. When she looked at him once more, they were gleaming the same way they were the other day.
He nearly tripped over his own feet as he retrieved a lap tray, setting it on the bed along with the serving tray. “Your morning tea.” He poured the first cup with shaking hands.
“Thank you.” She wasn’t looking down at the drink. He wasn’t sure if it was a trick of the light or if her own face had become rosy. “You’re a really kind person, always taking such good care of me and offering me company… I was, uh… well… I was wondering if you were available to talk this morning.”
The words had barely left her mouth when he pulled a chair alongside the bed. “Is something the matter?”
She shook her head, clumsily stirring the condiments into her drink. “Not at all – I was just hoping we could spend a little extra some time together.”
Vishnal’s heart began to pound once more as their eyes locked for a brief moment before he quickly averted them. “I’d be more than happy to, my Princess.”