Over the days, Airin's worries did not lessen even after her mother's comfort, rather, the ominous foreboding brewed continuously and boisterously in her mind. To such that the young maiden felt her mental state tilt to an unhealthy line, becoming pessimistic and depressed over the littlest of things and all things.
Airin often finds herself lamenting over everything she can, from the accidental spill of water, the dread of not having maids to help with house chores, her father who had left her mother and wandered off with a mistress, Airin's mind would needlessly and endlessly brew on things of the past, present and future.
'Winter will soon come, and thinking about the biting cold leaves me exhausted. Mother needs new clothes, and Isolade needs new books--we can barely feed ourselves thrice a day. The house needs thorough cleansing, but recently the price for soap has soared! Everything increases at this time of the year. The grasses in the backyard needs to be cut, lest a snake finds home in it.'
'Isolade is wasting paper again! Can a commoner afford to be an artist?'
The lamp in Isolade's room is brightly lit, Airin can see her sister's figure through the open window. Isolade usually draws and practice her artistic techniques at this time of the day, reusing old paper and sometimes sneakily using a new one.
'Merely buying paper is enough to leave one wrecked for days. Stupid child-!'
A hand was placed on Airin's shoulder. The teenage girl jolted out of her thoughts as she turned her attention to her mother who looked down at her with worry.
"You seem worried."
Airin shakes her head, breathe in deeply and exhale. "Just the usual, ma."
Eren stares intensely at her daughter, before shifting her attention to the distant surrounding. It is a quarter past 6pm, and most of the townsmen are rounding up their day. Except for the taverns and inns which are now ushering in their peak activities.
Airin sat upon the trunk of a chopped off tree, a few feet from the house. A place where the young girl can calmly gaze into the distance, be entertained by the distant songs from the inns, and drown in her thoughts yet be distracted from it at the same time.
Eren knows her daughter only do this whenever she has something serious to mull over. But Airin claimed it was nothing big, which leaves Eren slightly puzzled. Eren is assured her family isn't facing any serious crises, so what could be her daughter's plight?
"Is it a boy issue?" The brown-haired woman blurted.
"What?" Airin is taken aback.
"Where-" did this come from?
"-You... You normally stay out here when there is something serious to think of. But you, your sister and I, we have nothing to worry about. Nothing difficult, I mean. But your behavior right now is unusual... and I cannot help but wonder."
"Mother-"
"I've been thinking of it. You're of marriageable age, and a face like yours is quite popular. Jonathan in the third street has had a crush on you for six years now and-"
"What? Mother!"
Unfazed by her daughter's abashed expression and discreet look of contempt, Eren continues her rant.
"That boy is ready to be your footstool if you please, but I know darned well you're already making him do your dirty business. That isn't fair of you, Airin. You cannot take and take and take in a relationship--well, it would be worth it if you both got married in the end and become good lovers after all the wooing."
"Mama! First of--I do not make use of Jonathan's affection for me to do anything. Nor do I intend to, or as a matter of fact, be in a relationship with him. Where did you get this idea?! And secondly, ma, I'm not ready for marriage. Lastly, I am sitting out here because-... because I wish to. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Really?" Eren casts a doubtful stare at Airin.
"Yes!" The young girl let out an exasperated sigh.
"I don't believe you."
Airin clicked her tongue and kerp her lips sealed. Her mother is stubborn beyond words, whatever magical conclusion she had made, she'd believe in it even against the King's decree. Talking further is a waste, listening further is torment.
"I'm going to study."
"Okay." Eren smiles at her daughter who stands up from the trunk and walks towards the house.
She follows her daughter's quick departing footsteps as she further concludes in her mind on Jonathan's and Airin's supposed love story.
Eren feels saddened for Jonathan. The lovesick boy would be greatly disappointed if he fails to marry Airin. That she is assured of. Eren admits to herself that she has to further educate her daughter on the importance and benefits of marrying a devoted man.
Yes, she would take on this task and encourage Airin to accept Jonathan's subtle courtship. There is a high chance it would work to their benefits.
Eren nods in determination, staring at her daughter's slender back.
.
.
.
Few days later, the family completed their preparation and boarded the carriage to the Capital, along with other chosen seamstresses and their assistants. Leading them was the Chief's son, Asahin.
"Wish you luck, Eren!" Mama Oma shouts from afar, waving excitedly at Eren and her daughters who sit next to the open carriage window.
"Thank you!" Eren and Isolade yells in unison. Airin waves back with a smile, peering through the window and staring at the village which gradually turns distant as the horses begin moving.
'If I ignore the illusionary fear, this trip is one of fortune, an eye-opening experience and a chance to brag that I've seen the capital. And maybe I might get the opportunity to eat luxurious meals and get luxurious treatment at the nobleman's house. Let's try to ignore the fear.' Airin thinks determinedly'.
.
.
.
...Two weeks later. Worchester, Naza's Capital Territory.
"Golden silk shawls! Get your beautiful silk here! Ma'am, young miss-"
Airin tunes in to her world, effectively drowning out the noise of the bustling street.
'Worchester sure is different.'
The journey to the capital was an arduous and tiring trip. Though the paved roads made for smooth travel, continuously sitting in a carriage and being on motion left one feeling sick. Plus the discomfort faced living outside of one's home.
Even Isolade, who was at first immersed in the excitement of traveling beyond familiar places, soon lost the earlier excitement due to the tiring journey.
It took more than three weeks, following the fastest route by road. All travelers in the various carriages on their way to visit the nobleman are now feeling listless. Thankfully, arriving at their destination brought some light to their eyes.
"We're finally here!" Mrs. Sillia exclaims, taking in the view of the beautiful and lively street through the open carriage window.
"Yes!" Eren nods. "The journey is finally over. I can barely feel my arse!"
"It sure was stressful." Elizabeth agreed.
"But the pay will be worth it," Mrs. Sillia added.
A total of five seamstresses and 10 assistants. All boarded three carriages, five in each carriage.
Isolade, Eren and Airin were paired in one. Along with Mrs. Sillia and one of her assistants- Elizabeth.
The carriages moves to the County of Viscount Rosenberg. And everyone took the period before their arrival in the county to rejoice over the journey's end, and admire the advanced infrastructure of the Capital. It is vastly different from the simple town of Astar, located in the Capital's neighboring state; Evergreen.
Astar is one of the least advanced towns in North of Evergreen, so seeing the developments of Worchester made the rural people feel amazed.
The carriages pass through a large black gate made of sturdy iron, and pulled before the entrance of a beautiful Manor that looks like the house of ancient nobility, greatly different from that of new nobility.
'This is the house of ancient nobility. Those carvings and engravings on the building's wall belongs to the century before this. The designs used in building new houses are significantly different from those of the last century. Ms. Romania talked about this during class session. Viscount Rosenberg must be one of the few standing noblemen of ancient lineage, not like the new-age noblemen.'
'No wonder he is connected way back to Astar. Astar is an old existing town.'
"Impressive." Airin mutters with amazement as she steps out of the carriage, fully appreciating the beauty and grandeur of the house.
The employees gather in a small circle and stand before Asahin who has a solemn expression etched on his face.
"Listen, everyone. The Capital is not like Astar. And living in a nobleman's house is not like living in your house. Any mistake or show of disrespect can lead to serious punishment for you, your family, and the people here. So do your best to follow instructions, okay?"
"Yes/Okay/Understood."
Everyone gave various signs of affirmation, downing a serious face.
Asahin's eyes flickers around, scanning everyone's face.
"Remember to follow basic courtesy and etiquette. Lastly, I wish you all a good holiday!"
The seamstresses and their assistants smiles and wished Asahin a happy holiday in return. Amidst the small discussion, a middle-aged man in black uniform along with several maids walk towards them.
The small group became quiet the moment they noticed the man and maids' presence. Asahin moves forward and stands at the front.
When the man walked close to the group and stops, Asahin bows his head in greeting The seamstresses hurriedly follow his actions, bowing together. Straightening their posture at the voice the man.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Herald Simon. The Viscount's butler. On behalf of Viscount Rosenberg, I welcome you all to the Rosenberg County."
"Thank you, Mister. We are honored."
The Viscount's butler nods at Asahin's words. His gaze scan the team of seamstresses, lingering on Isolade's and Airin's face for a bit, before he continues.
"Your presence here is not just to create traditional attires but to represent the existence of the Viscount's origins. A reminder of his humble background. Due to certain reasons, he is unable to entertain you all. But he hopes to have a meeting with everyone here this evening."
"I know the journey was tiring, so these maids have been assigned to lead you to your respective rooms and take care of your needs." The butler gestured to the maids behind him. "I hope to meet you all well rested this evening."
Asahin and the seamstresses bow once more and thank the butler, praising the Viscount's generosity with slight flattering.
After the brief introduction, the butler--Herald, leaves the group through the manor's main door. The maids then direct the guests to their residence following the manorr's back door, which leads them to the servant's quarters.