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An average height elderly elven man with brown eyes opened his front door and smiled at the young man who was standing in front of him.

“You must be Maxim,” the elf said while gesturing him to come in. “You took longer to get here than I thought. Did you get lost on your way here? I’m sorry if my brother’s directions were a bit umm.. difficult to follow.”

Maxim walked into the house and sat down on the chair that was offered to him. “Not necessarily, I was just familiarizing myself with the place. If this is to be my new home for the next few days, I should at least know the ins and outs of the town.”

“I see, well allow me to formally welcome you to Gavaria, my name is Bertram and I will be your host for the next couple of days.”

Maxim nodded thankfully. “I appreciate that, thank you.”

“Can I offer you something to drink or eat, you’ve traveled far to be here.”

“I’m alright for now,” Maxim responded. “I just need to rest a little before tomorrow.”

“You have plans for tomorrow?”

.....

“I was told that in order to meet the princess, I have to officially declare my candidacy with the royal guard.” Maxim explained. “I’ll have to do that tomorrow and hopefully meet the princess before I lose my chance.”

“I see, you are quite determined to wed her aren’t you?” Bertram commented. “She is quite lucky to have someone travel all the way from Ervelon for her hand.”

Maxim was a little surprised at the man’s comment, it seemed Ronda had not told the man the true reason as to why he had come to Gavaria. It was understandable though, even though in love with Ronda, Bertram was still a citizen of Gavaria and his loyalty lay on the royal family. Giving him too much information about her plan may compromise it.

“Yes, very lucky,” Maxim responded flatly. Lucky was not the word he would have used to describe it, far from it actually.

“if by any chance you require my help during this love endeavor of yours,” Bertram added on. “please do let me know, I would be more than happy to help.”

Maxim remembered that there was indeed a way his host could help him stand a better chance at meeting the princess. If he wanted to pose as nobility, he would need a lot more than just poise and elegance.

“as a matter fact,” Maxim responded. “I do need your help. I have a few coins with me that I can spare to purchase some fine clothing. If I want to stand a chance to win the princess’ heart, then I need to look the part now don’t I?”

“I see, you want to impress the princess and buy clothes worthy of a nobleman.” Bertram go to his feet and just shut his guest follow him down the hallway. They arrived at a door that Bertram opened and lead Maxim in.

When Maxim walked into the room he was stunned. The room was filled with an array of different clothing, shoes, and fine jewelry.

“Ronda may have failed to mention,” Bertram spoke proudly. “But I am considered a lord in these parts of the kingdom. Save your money Maxim, there is enough find clothing, shoes, and jewelry to go around. Some of which I’ve never even worn before.”

Maxim was absolutely speechless, he thought that maybe this man was a mere knight or something of that sort. He had no idea that he was going to be housed by a lord.

“and I understand that you’re trying to pose as a load from Baiviles yourself,” Bertram pointed out as he walked towards one of his drawers. He pulled out a silk shirt and handed it to the young elf. “That story can easily be fact checked, and if they find out you’re opposing, your candidacy for the princess hand will automatically be canceled.”

Maxim took the shirt and looked to the side, his cheeks a little flushed from embarrassment. Did word really travel that fast? How had Bertram known that he was posing as a lord from the far off kingdom of Baiviles?

“As the Lord here, it is my duty to know what is happening around.” Bertram spoke to the young man, as if reading his mind.

“I see, but then what do you suggest I do? Only men of nobility are allowed to contest for the princess’ hand, and I am a nobody, just another elf from Ervelon.”

Bertram walked towards Maxim and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “from today henceforth,” he spoke to the young elf with a broad smile. “you will be known as Maxim Adalbert, Son of Bertram Adalbert.”

Maxim looked down at the silk shirt he was holding, and then back up at the man in front of him. “You would do that for me?”

“I have been in love once,” Bertram explained with a small smile. “I know what it is like to yearn for somebody you cannot have because of status. So if I can be of help to higher your chances of winning her heart, it would be an absolute pleasure.”

The elephant man pat Maxim’s shoulder gently, “come on then, let me show you to your new room son.”

Maxim couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. The reason he was so eager to win the princess over had nothing to do with love at all. He somehow felt like he was not worthy of this man’s help, because unlike Bertram’s, his intentions were not pure. But what could he do? He could not disappoint his sister, nor could he disappoint Ronda.

*

Eira curtsied at her fifth suitor for the day and turned to head back to her carriage. The doorman opened the carriage for her, and she walked into it and found Zhelimir waiting for her with a smile on his face.

“A day of dancing,” The blonde elf spoke sarcastically. “it must’ve been very romantic, being swayed around in the arms of that handsome little man.”

The red head to Drew in a deep breath before extending her arm and punching her cousin right in his stomach.

The impact made Zhelimir snort, and later burst out laughing.

“I can’t believe you find this funny,” Eira grumbled. “I can’t believe that man thought he had a chance! I mean really, he is old enough to be my father. Not only that, he is short, bold and smells like old milk! Do you have any idea how hard it was to keep myself from gagging the entire time we were dancing?! And he was drunk! The audacity!”

Zhelimir shifted from his seat and sat next to his cousin. He could see that this whole arrangement was really taking a toll on her, and even though he found some of her encounters very amusing and funny, he was concerned about her mental health. He could tell that Eira was merely just pushing through all these meet ups so she could get this over and done with. The real person she was hoping she would meet, would probably not even come, and he could see that she was getting more and more frustrated as the days went by.

“Maybe we should call it a day?” Zhelimir suggested. “you have already seen five suitors, a whole person more than yesterday. You must be exhausted Eira, we should go home and rest.”

“No,” The princess responded stubbornly. “just like you said before, the quicker I meet these suitors, the quicker I will get this over with. I still have the energy to meet at least two more, tell the Royal guards to send two more candidates to the palace right now.”

“But Eira..”

“Zhelimir that was not a suggestion.”

The blonde sighed before opening the little window of the carriage and peeking out at one of the guards who was standing by outside. “Send a Word to the Palace, the Princess wish is to see two more suitors for the day.”

The man nodded and bowed respectfully before mounting his steed racing off ahead to the Royal Palace.

“I know I cannot convince you to end the day,” Zhelimir spoke to his very stubborn cousin. “But can I at least convince you to take a little break? There is a bakery not too far from here but my mother loves, they make the finest ginger tea and the warmest softest raisin bread. It is getting cold and you cannot keep this up continuously for very long.”

Upon not receiving an answer to his suggestion, the blonde turned towards his cousin about ready to scold her for being so stubborn.

“Eira..”

but when his eyes landed on her, Her head was leaning on his shoulder, and her breathing has slowed down significantly, in fact, he could hear a little snores escaping her nose.

“Stubborn little princess,” Zhelimir chuckled lightly. “You are exhausted and yet you wish to push yourself.” He put an arm around his cousin, and let her lean into him and sleep. He could only imagine how mentally draining all of this was, doing something against your will just to please other people. That was him when he was younger, so he knew that his cousin needed this little nap. “sleep,” he whispered gently as he stroked her shoulder. “we will continue this organizing task tomorrow.”