C2 The Aristocrat's Butler

With his new butler suit completely fitting him, Gianni swears in his heart and soul to do his best at his new given chance.

“It seems you are ready,” the stranger says.

“I am.”

“Pardon me for the late introduction. My name is Gabriel Clermont. I’m one of the prince’s butlers.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gabriel,” Gianni answers with a smile.

“So, shall we go then?” Gabriel leads the way.

While heading toward the exit, Gianni notices that the structure of the hallway that they are going through is strangely familiar. Strange enough that he would say he saw it in a dream. It is at the tip of his tongue, and he thinks of it until they reach the exit.

The front door entrance is now so familiar. When they finally get out, Gianni sees the sign, Gallia Academy of Medicine. Surprise colors his face, he stayed at his school.

“Don’t tell me you are surprised,” Gabriel smirks while he enters the carriage meant for them.

Gianni follows Gabriel inside the carriage. The coachman whips the reins, and they begin their trip to the palace. On the way, Gianni looks at the city and the people. His mind travels to thoughts about the prince.

“How is the prince like?” he asks.

Gabriel does not reply but looks downwards as if depressed. His blonde hair covers most of his forehead. Some strands even reach the center of his vivid green irises. Now he is looking downward, the blondness is all Gianni could see. The bright green eyes disappeared.

“Gabriel?” he calls out. “Gabriel,” he touches his hair.

“Oh, what happened?” Gabriel’s face fills with surprise.

“You spaced out,” Gianni points out. “You were so deep in thought that you did not hear me.”

“I heard your question,” Gabriel replies. “What the prince is like? Well, he is a person and I’m sure he is kind and pretty handsome, too.”

“Why do you sound like never met the prince before?” Gianni is suspicious.

“Oh,” embarrassment strikes Gabriel. “I just haven’t seen him these past few days. Yes, I forgot because butler work is so bust. Yes, that’s it, I’m so busy.”

Their discussion stops as they arrive at the palace gates. Every guard that the carriage pass would salute, and this makes Gianni even more suspicious.

“The guards are saluting every time we pass them,” Gianni tells Gabriel.

“Oh, that is because they are trained to salute whenever a carriage enters the palace.” Gabriel expressively replies.

“I see.”

The carriage follows the road through the outer gardens of the palace. The sight of a thousand flowers makes Gianni’s eyes shine. The variegated roses of red, white, and carnation. Red and white cycle through the sea of carnation. The carnation rose is the national flower of the kingdom. It follows the royal family’s insignia.

They arrive at the palace doors. Waiting for them is a masculine man as tall as Gabriel, but taller than Gianni. He has brown hair cleanly pulled back, but not so clean as three strands hang on his forehead. His blue eyes are clear and resolute, gazing intently at them. His nose complements his blue eyes and the three strands of hair. He stands straight, calm, and composed. He wears the same uniform as the two.

As they step out of the carriage, the man waiting for them speaks, “Your High…” but Gabriel runs to cover his mouth to prevent him from talking.

“Oh, your Highness,” Gabriel says. “My apologies, I have not seen your face for so long that I can’t help but put my hand over your mouth.” He winks. Gianni’s surprise shows all over his features. How can a lowly butler cover the prince’s mouth?

Is he the prince? Gianni’s thoughts wander.

“What is the…,” the man speaks.

“Introducing,” Gabriel interrupts him, “the crown prince of Gallia, Prince Julien S. Montmirail.” And every kneels except for Gabriel and Gianni, who fails grasp of the situation.

“So, he is my new butler?” the prince asks.

“Yes, he is, your Highness,” Gabriel replies and pats Gianni’s shoulder.

“Your Highness, my name is Gianni Saint-Amour. From this day forth, I pledge my loyalty to you and you alone,” Gianni curtsies. “I shall never waste this chance you have given me.”

“Very well,” the prince answers. “I shall show you to your room, while Gabriel clears everything in the prince’s room and change his clothes.” At that point, everyone’s cover blew to pieces, but Gianni’s grasp of the situation still falls short.

So, Gianni follows the prince, while Gabriel goes ahead to the room of the prince. Gianni and the prince go up the second stairwell on the right and go through a hallway. The path leads to another stairwell leading to a tower, where a room enough for two people rests on the top.

The room has one large bed enough to accommodate two. It has one large window overlooking the western wing of the palace. Everything, from furniture to rugs array the place.

“So, this will be our,” he clears his throat, “your room from now on,” he says in a loud clear voice. “You do not have any luggage, so you need not unpack. There is a map of the castle inside the drawers. You may use it to guide yourself while you are still new to the palace.”

“You will wake up at the first sound of the morning bell,” the prince continues walking towards the window. “You will prepare the morning tea for the prince and will assist the head butler in arranging the prince’s schedule. You will also have to obey the rules of the palace. Most importantly, as a commoner, you are not to talk to the royal family, unless they permit you to or they talk to you. Also, do not maintain eye contact with the king and queen, understood?”

“I understand, your Highness,” Gianni answers in a calm and composed voice. “Can I ask you one thing, your Highness?”

“What is it?” the prince replies.

“Why are you wearing the butler’s uniform, your Highness?” Gianni finally grasps the situation, although too late.

The prince just laughs and exits the room. He bids Gianni follow him to his room. They descend the stairwell. In the left-wing, they go back to the hallway and down the second stairwell. The path takes them back to the main concourse. They ascend the first stairwell to the left. They go directly straight to a large door with intricate designs.

The prince stops before the door.

“As a butler, you have to open doors before the prince,” he explains.

“As you wish, your Highness,” so Gianni goes and hurries to open the door. But as he opens it, he stumbles on Gabriel who is naked up top. Gianni could not help but marvel at his muscles. They are perfect, the well-etched six-pack is what catches Gianni’s attention.

“Looking at these babies?” Gabriel flexes.

“Oh no, Gabriel,” Gianni covers his eyes and shifts his gaze. “I was opening the door for his Highness.”

“Oh,” Gabriel exclaims. “I forgot about that, so you still have not explained it to him huh, Gabriel?”

“No, your Highness,” the prince replies. “It seems the hunger and hypothermia still cloud his mind.”

Was Gabriel the real prince all along? What in the world is happening? This butler is not the real prince? So, Gabriel is the real prince? Did the prince spoon feed me in the hospital? Gianni’s tumultuous thoughts make him blush and feel embarrassed.