While Edward would have liked to have had complete control of his own money, it appeared to him that Edin was giving some sound advice. While he might well be a good swordsman and have some modicum of varying trade skills, Edward would have been the first to admit that when it came to numeracy and literacy, he was probably at a disadvantage.
Despite his first impressions that Edin was some kind of sleazy little weasel, Edward felt the man actually growing on him. In all fairness, he had indeed done far more than Edward had expected in organising everything for him. While having somebody like Edin around would probably be a good thing, the man himself had already told him that he aimed to return to his own home now that his task was done. Apparently, he had family in Scarwood and assisted in overseeing part of Lord Oakley’s finances. However, before he was due to leave, he did offer to help Edward select an able replacement, should that be what he wanted.
With dinner over and Edward having had taken about as much as his brain could handle for one day, he eventually bid his father and Edin a goodnight. As had been promised, Edward’s new bedroom had been made good and ready for him. Not as lavish as those in the palace, it was however still far better than anything else he had stayed in. A small fire in the hearth gave off a warm glow as he stripped off his clothes to make use of the washstand. Although his clothes were still packed in trunks, they at least had been carried up to his room, enabling him to put on some nightclothes and put aside something clean and fresh for the morning.
As Edward slipped between the covers of his bed, he rested his weary head down on the lovely soft pillow. Staring up at the ceiling he thought of all the things he needed to do and wondered how Luca was getting on now he was alone at the palace. He smiled as he reminisced at the pair’s first days together, and how they had eventually become inseparable friends despite their difference in age and social status. It felt somehow strange that Luca was now out of his everyday life, having been the focal point of it for the past several months. So much had changed in that time, and with a new and exciting future to look forward to, Edward closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep leaving the lamp beside his bed still lit.
Epilogue.
Luca stood at the window of his royal suite. Peering out across the gardens to the rear of the palace he watched as they flakes of snow slowly drifted down outside. Much of the lawn and garden was already white over, covered by a blanket of soft white snow that gave the place a different kind of beauty. Aside from a few bird prints, the snow had been undisturbed adding to the view, and something he knew he probably would not have appreciated just a year before. Now, however, Luca found himself looking at many things differently to the way he once had.
Wherever possible he always tried to show the staff that served him just how much he appreciated their efforts. Not only did he try to remain polite, but he had also seen to it that many of them did not work the ridiculously long hours they once had. Also, although advised against it, he had given them all a substantial pay rise. While he had been told this money would have to come from the royal treasury, Luca had deemed it a better idea for other people to enjoy their lives rather than the extra money just sit doing nothing in a locked vault. This was just one thing that he hoped would help mould him into the type of king he wanted to be. Although some of the nobility would undoubtedly disagree, Luca wanted to show the lower classes that he did care, and that he understood some of the everyday problems they faced.
Life, since his friends had left the palace, had initially been just as tough as he had thought it would be. However, after a few weeks of moping around, Luca had received the first of what was now a string of letters. That first had been from Nerina. While it was relatively short in content, it was enough to give him a boost, especially as she had ended it ‘Much love, Nerina.’ Furthermore, she had placed several small crosses at the end to indicate kisses, something that had made Luca realise that just because they were not together, it did not mean their blossoming romance had to cease. Quite to the contrary, he had written several letters in reply, mainly just telling her how he was doing and that he was thinking about her. For now, at least, it seemed that things were good between them, and the thought of seeing Nerina sometime in the spring was something to look forward too.
Luca had also received letters from his cousins, Clarissa and Theo, as well as a couple from Samuel Oakley, but that was mainly just updating him on how things were going in a and around the area of Bagley Down. Even Edward had sent three letters, always recognisable by the somewhat poor-looking handwriting. Having only had the most basic of education, Luca knew Edward was at a disadvantage in that department. Nevertheless, it was evidently clear that Edward was getting better, and although the writing was a little scruffy and smudged, Luca could always make out what was written.
Once he had established a daily routine, Luca had discovered life was so much easier. Getting up bright and early, having breakfast and planning his day was much better than merely moping around and getting annoyed by people pestering him for one thing or another. Having taken advice from his sister, Luca had hired a personal assistant to help plan his time, and after deliberating long and hard about the type of person he wanted, he unsurprisingly had opted for a younger man. Having gotten along with Edward so well, at least after their initial misunderstandings, Luca felt more at ease dealing with somebody closer to his own age. As a result, and after several interviews, Luca had eventually given the job to a young man named Jarod.
Jarod was not nobly born, but was quite well educated being the son of a merchant who traded in the city. Not wanting to join with his other siblings in the family business, Jarod had wanted to go it alone and do his own thing. While this had initially offended his father, the fact he had landed himself a job as the King’s Personal Assistant, had soon changed that. At just nineteen years of age, it had seemed to many to be a peculiar choice. Perhaps it was just coincidence that Jarrod seemed to have many of the personality traits that Edward had, or perhaps Luca had subconsciously selected him for that very reason. Quietly confident, Jarod had the same dry sense of humour as Edward and was certainly not afraid to speak his mind when he thought it necessary. While Luca could have hired somebody who bowed and agreed with everything he said and did, selecting somebody who did not do that seemed a better choice. As a result, Jarrod, who now lived at the palace spent much of the day with Luca, helping him organise his time. Being very much in demand it was down to Jarrod to decide who should be seen as a priority, and who could wait.
Luca turned slowly away from the window as he heard the door to his suite opening. Knowing it would be Jarrod he almost instinctively headed towards the table so they could start their early morning chat. A new day meant there would be new problems to sort, but despite all his reservations, Luca had found it easier than he thought. Knowing he had friends out there, and even newer ones in the palace, the life he had dreaded was turning out much better than anticipated. Just knowing that he was not alone helped, and of course, having a possible blossoming romance with Nerina only made him feel better still. As to whether anything would ever come of their relationship together Luca knew only time would tell. For now, though, he was happy and content with the way things were progressing and with life in general.
Thank you for reading.
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The Battle for Endallen Page 23
