Day 1. Curiosity

Hello!

Welcome to a new edition of Royai week 😀.

This time, I decided to write a mini-fic with the 5 themes that were released, maybe some of them are not as related as I would have liked but in the end this story came to life and got a little out of control in the last theme.

I thank Golden very much for helping me as always to review this story.

I hope you enjoy it.

Regards,

Flame

Riza

I was doing my homework in the living room while listening to my mother talk to my grandfather about hiring a new housekeeper. I had had enough of the large number of ladies that came through here. They were always coming and going, not to be trusted, stealing things, or just couldn't keep up with the pace my parents imposed. At my young age of 12, I had already realized that my parents were not easy people just like the last housekeepers, yet I could hear how my grandfather insisted on giving an acquaintance a chance.

"Come on, daughter. You won't regret it. She is a hardworking, responsible, honest and very intelligent woman. She will be very good to Riza. So much so that I'm sure she can help you with your duties when you can't." I heard my grandfather say.

"Why your interest in helping this woman?" My mother asked. "If she's so good why don't you hire her?"

"Because you know we already have a housekeeper and you're short one. My interest in helping Chris is because she is an old friend of your mother's, well not so old because she is your age, dear. The family she used to work for has moved up north and she can't travel up there because she doesn't want to change her nephew's school."

"So it would be accepting her and her nephew?"

"That's right, but he's a good boy who even helps his aunt a lot. The poor boy lost his parents in a terrible car accident when he was 7 or 8, so Chris has taken him in. He's Riza's age, maybe they can even become friends."

"Oh, come on dad. You know Riza can't just hang out with anyone."

"Sophie." I heard my grandfather scold my mother. "Don't teach Riza to judge a person by their social standing. Your mother and I didn't raise you that way."

I heard my mother sigh. "I know, Dad, but you have to understand that because of Berthold's position, Riza can't be rubbing elbows with just anyone. Besides, we expect her to marry the Archer heir later on."

My grandfather sighed. "She's a child, Sophie. Besides, in the end she should choose who she marries just as you did."

"We won't argue about that... Okay, tell Chris to report on Monday, I'll give her a week's trial. She and her boy can stay in the former housekeeper's maid's room, it has two beds."

"Thank you, daughter. I know Chris will prove to you that she is just the person you need."

As my grandfather and mother had agreed, on Monday Mrs. Chris and a red-haired boy about my age arrived at the house. They both introduced themselves showing their kindness and politeness. The boy introduced himself as Roy and I couldn't help but be curious about him immediately because the moment our eyes met I could tell that he seemed to be an interesting boy, he was very different from the other boys I had met so far.

Just as my grandfather had promised, Mrs. Chris passed her probationary period with no problems and quickly won over my parents for her good performance not to mention that Roy was helping the gardener and making repairs where needed.

However it wasn't until after 6 months that I first had the opportunity to speak with Roy on an occasion when I had decided to go down to the kitchen for a glass of water in the middle of the night. He was sitting at the table that was primarily meant for the servants.

"Miss Hawkeye, good evening." He greeted me standing up immediately in surprise at my appearance. "Can I help you with anything?"

"Don't worry, I just came for a glass of water." I poured myself the glass of water and looked over he had a book open on the table. "What are you reading at this hour?"

He started scratching the back of his neck nervously. "Color theory."

"Don't you think it's already too late?" I asked.

"Possibly, but between school and my homework at home sometimes it gets complicated for me." He said apologetically.

"Doesn't your aunt mind you staying up late?"

He grimaced. "Yes, but I do from time to time." Suddenly he tensed. "Am I disturbing you? If so, please excuse me-"

"Don't worry, it doesn't bother me. I'm sorry if I gave you that impression, I was just curious to find you in the middle of the night reading." He breathed a sigh of relief and again when our gazes met I couldn't help but keep that eye contact for several seconds. "Why are you studying color theory? Sure, if you don't mind telling me-"

He was quick to shake his head. "I don't mind at all. I study color theory because when I grow up I'd like to become a good graphic designer, do advertising campaigns and all that stuff. I want to be the best so that one day I can earn enough money so that my aunt won't have to work anymore." In his look there was determination and a lot of conviction.

"That sounds interesting, I have a feeling you'll make it if you keep trying hard." I said smiling slightly. I couldn't understand it but even though this was our first conversation I found it easy to chat with him.

He smiled and his gaze brightened. "Thank you very much, miss. I hope so."

I finished my water and when I was about to wash my glass he immediately wanted to. "Don't worry, I can do it even though everyone thinks otherwise." I said winking at him. After finishing I looked at him to say goodbye. "I'll see you later, young Mustang."

"You can call me, Roy, miss."

I smiled. "Only if you call me Riza."

"I can't do that, it would be disrespectful of me."

"It doesn't bother me, although maybe you shouldn't do it if my parents are around which doesn't happen often." I said with a knowing smile. "See you tomorrow... Roy."

"Get some rest, mi- Riza."

After that first conversation with Roy, inevitably whenever we passed each other we would start talking. Undoubtedly, talking with him was pleasant, as well as with his aunt, who soon realized the birth of our friendship.

"Riza girl, if at any time my boy is rude to you, please don't hesitate to tell me." Mrs. Chris said to me on one occasion.

"Thank you, ma'am, but I really don't think it will happen. Your nephew is a good boy."

"I'm glad, but if it should happen don't hesitate to tell me."

"I will although I don't think it will happen. Do you know when my parents will return from their trip?"

"I'm afraid they will be a little longer. They told me in the morning that they would take another week off and to tell you they would call you in the evening."

I sighed. That was what my parents were like, usually absent, which made me sad no matter how used to it by now. "I see."

However, Mrs. Chris always encouraged me and her company along with Roy's helped me not to feel alone. I had never felt this way with the former housekeepers.

"They will be back soon so next week they will be going on vacation." She told me with a smile.

"Thank you." I looked at the time on my watch. "Could you ask the driver to take me to my grandparents' house? I want to spend the day with them."

"Sure, when you need to come back call me and I'll ask him to come get you."

"Thanks."

After about 20 minutes I arrived at my grandparents' house. Whenever my parents were away and that I could, I liked to spend time with them. Despite being wealthy my grandparents were simple and kind to their servants. My mother was sometimes like that but most of the time she played along with my father who was more demanding and sometimes a bit rude to those who were not at his level. Although I had to admit that at least with Mrs. Chris and Roy he was behaving somewhat kindly, perhaps because Mrs. Chris had demonstrated her good work and she was a woman with pride who had made him see that although she had no money she was not going to let herself be humiliated by anyone.

"What a pleasure to have you home, Riza." My grandparents said to me.

"Thank you for always having me."

"Don't mention it, dear." Said my grandfather.

"Let's go to the garden for some lemonade." My grandmother proposed.

"Sure."

After being in the garden for a few minutes, I saw Roy was trimming a tree at one end.

"Is that Roy?" I asked my grandparents.

"That's right, the other day when I was chatting with your mother I saw that Roy was helping in the garden so I offered to help me here for a little while while our gardener returns from vacation." Said my grandfather.

"Oh, I see. I've noticed that he puts in a lot of effort and helps his aunt a lot."

"Yes, my dear. He really is very dedicated. We'll definitely have him around whenever he wants to and can." My grandmother commented. "How do you get along with him?"

"We get along well, we're already friends." I said with a smile.

My grandparents smiled. "We're glad to hear that you don't follow your parents' prejudices."

"That's thanks to you. Although I must admit that in front of them we treat each other formally to avoid trouble." I looked at Roy who was gathering the dry leaves into a bag. "Do you mind if I talk to him for a moment?"

"Not at all, my child. What's more, Roy deserves a break."

"Thank you."

I walked over to where Roy was standing. "Hello, Roy." I greeted him with a smile.

He turned and looked at me with a smile. "Hi, Riza. I didn't know you'd be with your grandparents today."

"Neither did I, I was bored at home and decided to come spend the day with them. I didn't know you were helping them too."

"I do from time to time, my aunt didn't need me today so I decided to take your grandparents up on their offer. It never hurts to have extra money." He winked at me.

I couldn't help but frown as something crossed my mind. "Don't my parents pay your aunt well?" I asked worriedly.

"Oh, no, nothing like that." He replied nervously. "Don't think that my aunt and I are a couple of ingrates, in fact with your parents is where my aunt has done the best so far. It's just, I know how hard she works so hard for me and whenever I can I help her even though she tells me it's not necessary for me to do extra work." He looked to the side. "I'm saving money because my aunt would like me to study for a college degree and I also want to but colleges are not cheap at all so it's better to save whenever you can" He looked back at me with a determined look. "Even though I know my aunt is saving for it I want to help her as well as I also try my best in school so that when the time comes I can earn a scholarship."

His gaze shone brightly. "You love your aunt very much, don't you?"

He nodded. "She took me in when my parents died and has taken care of me ever since. I know a lot of times she doesn't buy things for her because of me. She's working hard and I want to have a career when I'm an adult that will get me a good job that I can get her out of working and buy her a nice house."

I smiled. Roy really was very different from the boys I knew, he really cared about his aunt and didn't think only of himself. The kids at my school, and especially those who were the children of my parents' friends, were the opposite. They only cared about themselves and didn't have the slightest intention of striving to get the things they wanted because they already took it for granted that when they grew up they would inherit their parents' businesses and/or money. I would probably be the same way if it weren't for my grandparents who taught me not to wait for everything to fall from the sky, that I had to work and earn it, as well as telling me never to judge a person by their social position. I was extremely grateful for those teachings because thanks to them I had been learning to differentiate who were good people and who I could really consider friends, Roy being one of them.

"You're a good boy, I know you'll make it."

He blushed slightly. "Thank you, Riza. I'll try my best."

"Come with me, my grandmother has lemonade on the table."

Roy looked at the bag with the dried leaves and around him. "I really appreciate it, Riza but I'm not done yet and it's not appropriate for someone like me to be sitting at the same table as you and your grandparents."

I sighed. I didn't like that many people treated their servitude as beings inferior to them, unfortunately that included my parents and I couldn't understand why my mother had become like that when my grandparents taught her otherwise as they came from humble families.

"Don't worry, my grandparents said it was fine and that it was in fact your time to rest." I looked at him hesitantly. "Roy, my grandparents are not like my parents, come on."

"Okay, thanks." He said as he took off his work gloves and wiped his sweat with a handkerchief he was carrying.

"Come on, Roy, sit with us for a while. A hard working boy like you deserves a nice lemonade." Said my grandmother as she handed him a cold glass of lemonade.

Roy obeyed and we both sat down with my grandparents. "I really appreciate it." He said.

We had a very nice chat with my grandparents and after half an hour Roy excused himself thanking us for the lemonade before retiring to resume his duties.

"He's certainly a different boy than the ones you're used to, isn't he, Riza?" My grandmother asked.

"Without a doubt, Grandma. I'm sure my classmates don't know how to do half of what Roy does. His aunt and him are hard workers."

"I have an idea, how about tomorrow you and Roy spend the day here at the pool? I think you'd both have a lot of fun." Proposed my grandfather.

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea, but if my parents find out-"

"We won't say anything." My grandmother interjected.

Whenever they could my grandparents helped me to have a normal and simple life and without a doubt this was a way for me not to forget that not all of us were fortunate to have a lot of money and that this should not be a determining factor to avoid living with other people because of their social status.

"I like the idea, but I don't know if Roy will accept and if his aunt will allow it."

"We'll take care of it."