Castle Of Thorns [Mature] The good 'ole Gardener

[Verzyne Duchy - Marxstein Castle]

After walking for a while, Raven finally finds what seems to be Mister Bartholett's home at one corner of the castle.

Knocks on door.

Young Raven (ML)

Excuse me, Mister Bartholett?

Jared Bartholett

Who is it?

A deep voice of a male can be heard from inside.

Young Raven (ML)

Sir, I'm here to deliver food from Madam Brinsley!

The door swings open. A middle-aged man comes out from the cottage.

Jared Bartholett

An unfamiliar face! What holds back the Madam?

Smiles awkwardly.

Young Raven (ML)

Good day, Sir. The Madam is swamped with work. She asked me to help her deliver this.

Jared Bartholett

Hoo, dear cousin succeeded in snatching the job, after all.

Young Raven (ML)

???

The old man scoffs at Raven's confused expression.

Jared Bartholett

Nothing your pretty little head should worry about. Just a joke among relatives. Come in and have some of those pies, boy.

Raven hesitates for a moment before he follows the elder man inside.

Jared Bartholett

The name's Jared. No need to call me Sir, I'm just a good 'ole gardener. The real sirs around here may feel offended.

Young Raven (ML)

Yes si.. I mean, yes, Mister Jared. Where should I put this?

Raven points to the basket.

Jared Bartholett

The table's in the corner. I'll get us some plates and drinks.

Raven puts the pie basket on the dining table.

The cottage is small. It consists of a main room separated into seating and dining area, a small kitchen, and a small bedroom. Nevertheless, it's comfortable and looks inviting after a long walk from the village.

Raven goes to the kitchen then helps Jared set up the plates. Once set, Jared cuts two pieces from the pie and puts one in each plate.

Jared Bartholett

Eat, boy. Have some juice as well. It's homegrown.

Raven takes a sip of the orange juice. It's fresh and tasty. He immediately gulps down some more to quench his thirst.

Young Raven (ML)

It tastes good, Mister Jared!

Jared laughs happily.

Jared Bartholett

I'll give you some to bring home.

The old man and the boy continue to eat while conversing about their daily lives.

Young Raven (ML)

So you've worked here since young, Mister Jared?

Raven asks as he savors the pie.

The pies are delicious. It was crispy on the outside, but the meat inside is tender and rich in taste with a hint of sweetness.

Jared Bartholett

Yeah. I came here when I was twenty or something. My uncle, Julia's father, asked me to help with things around the garden. He's the castle's previous gardener.

Young Raven (ML)

Julia?

Jared Bartholett

That Madam Brinsley of yours.

Young Raven (ML)

Oh.

Jared Bartholett

It gets lonely around here sometimes. The maids are kind, but always feel distant. The cook visits me once in a while whenever she needs some spices.

Young Raven (ML)

Are the guards nice?

Jared Bartholett

Raul is nice. He's the gatekeeper. You probably see him when you entered the castle.

Jared Bartholett

The higher level guards and the knights can be a bit snobbish sometime; some of them do have ties with noble families.

Young Raven (ML)

What about the Duke and his family?

Jared Bartholett

Bah! There's no way someone like me could ever see the Duke! He's the top of the top here. But I've seen the little lady several times before.

Young Raven (ML)

little lady?

Jared Bartholett

The Duke's only child. I think her name is Serafina or something. Such a darling little angel she is; I heard she's very nice to the people around her.

Young Raven (ML)

You never talk to her before?

Jared Bartholett

Only her close attendants are allowed to talk to her. The princess is basically raised like a prized rose in a glass house.

Raven recalls the lonely gaze of the little girl as he left the greenhouse earlier.

Young Raven (ML)

Must be lonely to live in a place this big without many people to talk to...

Jared Bartholett

Ah well, peasants like us can never fathom the thoughts of the nobles. Let's not worry about them. You should be more worry about the time; gotta leave soon if you want to be back at home before the sun sets.

Young Raven (ML)

Oh, you're right! I better make haste.

The boy wolves down the rest of his pie and drinks what's left of his juice in one go.

Jared Bartholett

Leave the plates; I'll wash it later. Make sure you bring those oranges, it would be good for your mother's health. I hope she recovers soon.

Young Raven (ML)

Thank you, Mister Jared! I'm leaving. Goodbye!

Jared Bartholett

Bye, child. Take care and do come visit me some other time.

Young Raven (ML)

Will do!