Chapter Four: Friends of All Positions

Elesis was quite content that Chung was a fast learner. He had not said a single ignorant thing since she got her point across to him. However he spent the entire trip to Velder asleep to the point that Elesis requested Raven to stop the carriage so she could sit next to him as they traveled so she could have some decent, respectable company. They were in her home territory now, and Elesis sighed as she breathed in the fragrant smell of the fields and trees around her. Such a beautiful place. You would never think to imagine the wars that have occurred on this very soil.

"So Raven…" Elesis began to speak, "How long have you worked for the crown?"

"I have been Chung's personal butler since I came of age. I was trained in the ways of service since I was a child." Raven said nostalgically.

"Is there anything I should know about Chung?" She asked.

"I know little, after all Chung does not interact with others that much or even that well. However, I do know he has a very tedious relationship with his father, however I can't fathom why."

"Really?" Elesis was surprised. Helputt seemed like a great father who would get along with anyone. Aside from the moment Elesis had said she wanted to take Chung to Velder he was nothing but loving to Chung.

"Indeed." Raven replied. Elesis looked into the distance and sighed.

"Finally home….." She breathed. Every time she saw the grand, well-guarded gates of her city she couldn't help but smile.

"Welcome home princess!" A guard welcomed her back. She began to wave, and continued it as they slowly passed through the city. Mothers hanging laundry on the lines outside their windows waved with bright smiles, children playing in the street chased after the carriage. Elesis noticed a group of elder citizens trying to reach her.

"Raven, stop the carriage please." Raven did so, reigning in the horses. Elesis slid off the seat onto the street and walked over to the group following after her.

"Princess, we are so pleased you are home." An old man said hazily.

"Has the prince come with you?" A woman questioned.

"Yes he has." Elesis sighed, "And I am very displeased with him."

"Oh dear….." The old woman murmured.

"I'm going to have my work cut out for me I am afraid. I looked forward to meeting a potential husband, not having to meet the raw material to turn into my potential husband." Elesis said light heartedly.

"I know you'll whip the young lad into shape." The old man who spoke before said.

"I am not as certain as you are." Elesis sighed, "As much as I would love to stay and chat I must be going, mother will only wait so long."

"Welcome home princess." They all said. She smiled, the love of her people giving her renewed confidence.

"Thank you." Elesis said, and walked back to the carriage. She went inside rather than sitting next to Raven, and saw that Chung was awake and looking at the city in discomfort. The crimsonette's eyebrow twitched but she restrained herself, "Problem?"

"I feel…..out of place here." Chung said honestly. Elesis blinked. This wasn't an insult, but sounded like a confession instead, "I'm so used to the open air of the ocean. I feel…..I don't know, trapped?"

"You'll get used to it." Elesis said, honestly feeling his pain. When she went to Hamel she didn't show it but Elesis truly felt exposed and vulnerable.

"Anyway….umm….." Chung seemed to be trying to search for something to say; his father's words hung heavily on his shoulder and yet he couldn't find anything. He just gave up in a few seconds and slouched in his seat as he got comfortable. Elesis sighed. He was doing so well too.

"We will be at the castle soon. You will let me do the talking." Elesis explained.

"Whatever." Chung said.

"Hah…..indeed." Elesis sighed, wondering if she herself would be able to last long enough to get through to this idiot. She looked out the window and saw they had just passed through the castle gates. She turned to her fiancé, "Get up." She ordered plainly as she got out of the carriage.

"Elesis?" Her mother had come out to meet her as the guards said that Elesis had come home, "Why are you here? Was Chung not satisfactory?"

"Absolutely not." Elesis said, surprising her mother, "That is why I have brought him home to begin molding him into a suitable husband." Camilla looked at the carriage and saw Chung get out of it, accompanied by Raven.

"I see. Well, I will not intervene." Camilla said, hugging her daughter, "Welcome home, regardless."

"Thank you mother." Elesis said, and watched her mother walk back to the castle. The crimsonette turned to face Chung, "As of now you will be under my constant scrutiny. Everything you do will be judged, so you best be careful."

"Hmph." Chung just scoffed.

"Mi'lady, might I have the name of the head of service?" Raven asked abruptly.

"Aisha Dewmont is the head maid. Ara Haan is the head chef." Elesis said. Raven bowed and walked off, possibly wanting to find the two in question and learn about the facilities. Elesis turned her focus back to Chung, "I am going to be relaxing until Dinner. You had better stay on your best behavior before and during that time."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Chung said, much like a child trying to end a conversation with his mother. Elesis needed a break. Spending four days alone with that brat had taken its toll and made her doubt her ability to change him. Perhaps she would track Aisha down for a chat.

Walking through the castle halls Elesis noticed the maids were as busy was ever. They ran to and fro as they cleaned and sorted and monitored just about everything. Elesis had no clue as to where Aisha might be at this time, and just decided to head out to the back courtyard for a walk through the stone maze. After returning to the main hall she opened the back doors and proceeded down the short hallway to the fountain that was right in front of the windows of the dining hall. She was lucky as Aisha was sitting on the fountain reading a small book.

"Aisha." Elesis greeted as she walked up to the maid.

"Oh, Elesis?" She was confused.

"Chung was perfectly disgraceful." Elesis sighed as she sat down next to her friend, "So I've brought him home for us to test him."

"Test him how?"

"To make him into a proper husband." Aisha blinked then smiled.

"I see, smart idea. Well, any ideas on where to start?"

"I've told him to behave for the time being until dinner at which he will join us."

"So just an observation for the time being?" Aisha inquired and Elesis nodded in reply.

"Also, for each time he makes a major screw up, and I do mean major, you or any others helping with this have full permission to slap him as hard as you can with the back of your hand."

"Okay. But uh…why?"

"I struck him on the carriage ride home when he insulted my citizens. I then got the idea for a way of punishment. He has one strike at the moment, and should he get nine more or nine more slaps he will fail and be forced home."

"But won't you-."

"I will then marry the prince of Altera instead." Elesis concluded.

"Well, this is a matter entirely up to you." Aisha said as she receded back to her book.

"Oh, have you met Chung's butler?"

"Butler? No, no servants have come to me today."

"Well if you see a man with long black hair with a patch of red you should talk to him. He asked about you and Ara and probably wants to get a grasp of how things work around here sooner than later." Elesis sighed, "Chung, from what I've heard, just treats him like a tool." Aisha twitched at this. Since Chung was staying in the castle he would be able to ask the maids Aisha watched over for help.

"Permission to deliver a strike each time he takes advantage of my maids' hospitality?" Aisha asked coldly. Elesis just smiled.

"Granted." Elesis consented with a hint of affection for the maid in her tone.

"Well, I believe I should track down this Raven fellow." Aisha said, standing up, "Maybe you should check in with Ara before dinner?"

"I think I will." Elesis agreed. The two went their separate ways.

Elesis made her way straight to the kitchen and was confused as she saw a group of maids bent over and staring through a crack in the door to the kitchen. Elesis cleared her throat and the maids all jumped and looked at her.

"Might I pass?"

"S-Sorry majesty!" The senior maid of the group quickly apologized and opened the door. She now understood why the maids were spying. In the kitchen Raven was there. Ara was as well, and Raven seemed to be teaching her how to prepare the dish Elesis loved so much when she dined at Hamel.

"Not too much garlic or it will mask the shrimp." Raven said.

"I see…." Ara mused, making mental notes as she worked alongside him.

"Found Ara I assume?" The two turned around as Elesis spoke, walking up to him.

"Oh Elesis, welcome home. Raven here already told me all about your plan."

"Yes but there are a few other things. I don't feel like repeating myself after saying them not long ago so when you find Aisha she will tell you." Elesis glanced at Raven and smirked, "Seems like you've become quite the hit with the staff."

"I don't understand what you mean." Raven said, turning back to the food, "The fish is burnt."

"Ack!" Ara quickly removed the tuna that had been ruined from her distraction and tossed it into the trash before preparing another one. She paid much more attention and Elesis felt it best to not distract her. As she left the kitchen she couldn't help but look forward to dinner. The food was already good enough, but Ara always ended up adding a little oriental flair to her food when she cooked so no doubt the dish would become much more unique than it already was.

"Ah, majesty." Elesis was walking down the west wing hall when she heard someone address her. She turned to see Rena, who was accompanied by Elsword, walking up to her.

"Hello Rena, Elsword."

"Back so soon and I see a prince walking around. Care to indulge us?" Elsword prodded for information. Elesis smiled and explained everything from her plan to test Chung to her giving them permission to slap him should he cross the line.

"I see, this sounds as if it will be a hard task." Rena mused.

"Well we'll find out at dinner." Elesis said dismissively. She wanted to relax and not bother with the prince for right now.

"Well, I have to get going. Mom's dragging me to the clearing for some practice." Elsword sighed. Elesis felt bad for him, Camilla was a very violent woman and did not pull punches. She wouldn't be surprised if Elsword didn't come to dinner tonight.

"Well, hopefully mom doesn't break any bones or cut off any limbs. I need your help after all." Elesis joked, sadly Elsword was even more scared now.

"By the way, dad wants to talk to you." Elsword said.

"Where is he?"

"Said to meet him in the observatory." Elsword said, walking off to his room to get ready for his mother to butcher him.

"Shall I accompany you?" Rena asked.

"If you want, but I honestly think Elsword could use some encouragement." Elesis said. Rena bowed and walked after Elsword. Elesis took a deep breath and began to walk to the observatory. Dinner was going to be completely unpredictable.