In which Thomas is overwhelmed with duties and requires a reminder.
Please don't forget to eat, Thomas.
The young castle master slumped across his desk and groaned. The stack of documents tauntingly loomed over him. He pressed his cheek into his palm and closed his eyes as the scent of ink on his fingertips tickled his nose. Thomas was beginning to suspect that for every paper he signed, two more sprang up in its place.
But maybe...if I can continue at this pace, I'll be able to take a proper break for lunch soon...
Suddenly the door to his office burst open, and the stack of papers went flying.
"Master Thomas! You'll never believe who—oh...oh dear, oh no, I'm so, so sorry—"
"C-Cecile...no, it's okay," he rose to his feet and began restacking the loose papers.
"I'm so sorry!" she tossed her spear and shield to the floor with a clatter and began grabbing papers mid-air. "Were these in any particular order?"
"Not anymore," he mumbled. "Please just… leave them on my desk. I will take care of it."
She bowed in place and set her fistful of papers on his desk. "Sir Fred Maximillian has returned to Budehuc, Master Thomas! And two more new arrivals as well!"
New arrivals? Although business was doing sufficiently well since the end of the war, Thomas admitted it had been some time since he'd seen new faces, and things had become a bit slow. "Well, I suppose that's good news. Are they here for trade? Setting up shop?"
Her face flushed pink in embarrassment. "I… I forgot to ask…"
"No matter, it's nice to have new guests all the same."
"Oh yes, I agree completely! Shall I get some rooms arranged? Or maybe I can ask Sebastian if he can help. I really hope they feel welcome and decide to stay!"
"That would be perfect, thank you," he smiled fondly. "I'm sure you've already given them a very warm welcome, Cecile."
Her embarrassed blush darkened and she bowed again, her light blonde hair covering her eyes. "As commander of the guards, that's one of my most important duties!" Cecile straightened and immediately set her mouth in a firm line. "I'll get their rooms set up right away! But…" she tilted her head, "Master Thomas, have you been eating?"
The young man fiddled with his hands and broke eye contact. Somehow Cecile always knew. "Ah...I...it's fine," he laughed nervously.
"Are you sure?"
"I promise."
As if on cue, a disgruntled growl slipped from his stomach. Cecile's stare intensified.
"Master Thomas, I hope that promise includes a lunch break! I...I can bring you something if you'd like?" she offered hopefully.
"No, it's all right. I really ought to wrap this up. And if we have new guests, it's all the more important I complete these papers. They may want to set up shop."
"They seem more like travellers, to be entirely honest," Cecile nodded, "I really do hope they stay for a while! Since the war ended, it has been awfully quiet—ah, not that I mind! It's still loads better compared to before you arrived, Master Thomas."
He couldn't help but smile. "No, I understand. Maybe some visitors are just what we need."
"I agree completely! I can't wait for you to meet them! But please be sure to eat first."
"I'll do my best...I just need to wrap up my work here," he sighed.
Cecile hovered in front of his desk. She seemed to have more she wanted to say. It was unusual to see her so hesitant. "If...if you don't come out for something to eat before supper, I will be back to check on you, okay?"
Ah. That's what she's worried about.
"That's all right. I'll be down in a while to properly greet them, and I promise to grab something from Mamie's cafe on my way back. In the meantime, I'm counting on you to help everyone get settled, okay?"
"Of course!" She scooped up her spear and shield from the floor and gave him a hearty salute, then slammed the door shut as she ran out the room...scattering his papers again.
'I...I guess it will be a little while longer then…" Thomas sighed and resumed gathering his documents.
Never a dull moment, I suppose…
The young man couldn't help but smile again. New arrivals after a quiet stretch were always a welcome change of pace. And after all, he did promise to get out more and eat.