Vrooooom!

The jeep jerked to a halt; the engines coming to a rest.

"Where are we?", Christine asked, as a big yawn escaped her mouth.

"Welcome to Tender Rose", Palmer said with a smile.

"We're here already?", Christine asked.

"Well, you slept all the way here", Palmer said, revealing a grin.

"You'd love it here", she assured, as the doors of the vehicle swung open.

"I really hope so", Christine said smiling, exiting the  jeep.

"Woah", she exclaimed, as the full glamour of the estate came into her view.

"Told you you'll love it", Palmer said grinning, as she dismounted the vehicle.

"Heard you slept all the way through", Falcone said with a cheeky smile.

"Shouldn't have told you", Palmer said with facepalm, as Christine's face grew red with embarrassment.

"You look....", a male voice remarked, drawing attention to Christine's asymmetrical short black spandex gown, with a black peep toe ankle strap platform, which complimented the dress.

"Just say stunning Flint, and making the atmosphere odd", Palmer cut in.

"Well, I love the earrings", he said.

"Long diamond-shaped, with the real stone in there; really suits you, especially your personality", he said with a smile.

"Flint...ugh"

"Nevermind him", Palmer said apologetically.

"Nah, I'm used to him", she replied.

"Could be a dickhead sometimes; typical him", she added, smiling at Palmer, who giggled and nodded in agreement.

"Ahem.. it's almost morning, we wouldn't want to keep Camille waiting any longer; she's been up all night, waiting for our arrival", Falcone said, ending with a nod.

"Let's move", he added.

...

"Wow, how big is this estate", Christine asked

"Who knows..", Falcone replied with a chuckle.

"That woman sure is extravagant", he added.

"I hope you both get along...for your own good", he said in a serious tone, as he walked forward.

"Don't forget to thank her for that gown, she loves compliments", Flint added.

"Moreover, it's a welcome gift from her", he said, moving up to catch up with Falcone.

"Plus, it would leave a good impression of you on her...you should listen to them", Palmer chipped in, as they approached a prodigious white mansion.

"Well, good luck, you'll need all of it", Palmer added.

"Hey Verner, how are you doing?", Flint greeted, as a frail looking old man approached them, at the entrance of the mansion.

"Hey son, how was the trip?", he asked, his voice hoarse from old age.

"Not that smooth, we had a bumpy ride", Flint replied with a charming smile.

"Yo Verner", Falcone hollered.

"Hey chap", he replied with a smile.

"But Falcone is looking pretty jolly, why?" Verner asked, looking at Flint with a sly smile.

"You bought him candy?", Verner teased with a mischievous chuckle.

"Oh really, old man..", Falcone said with a cross look, as both Verner and Flint burst into laughter.

"Hi Verner", a feminine voice interrupted the jolly session.

"Oh hi Palmer", Verner said, returning the salutation.

"And is she?.."

"Verner, this is Christine.. Christine, Verner", she said, introducing both Verner and Christine.

"Verner is the head of the vassals and Camilla's own personal guard"

"So, if she sent Verner to come pick you up or escort you into the mansion, it means you're really important", she added with a smile, nodding for assurance.

"Oh please, she's making most of it up", he said, chuckling.

"We're pleased to have you around, we hope you'll enjoy your stay with us", he said, bowing a little bit.

"I look forward to it", she said, making efforts to return the bow.

"I see, Camille has gotten to you with those extravagant gifts of hers", he said, wearing an unsurprised disappointed look.

"Only this time, she is a bit modest with the gifts."

"That woman..", he added, shaking his head.

"That's about that."

"Now, shall we?", he said, gesturing at the entrance of the mansion.

"Ready to meet Camilla?", Palmer asked Christine.

"Well, it's too late to do otherwise now", she replied, smiling weakly.

"I thought you said you were ready for anything", Flint said; a sly smile spread wide on his lips.

Christine pouted in response, before letting out a deep breath in anticipation.

...

Two guards joined them, as soon as they entered the entrance hall of the mansion, unnecessarily drawing attention to themselves, as they strolled down the hall.

"That must be her."

"She sure is cute."

"I'm sure she must be feeling really big right now.."

"She looks proud."

Whispers flew around from the workers in the mansion, but compliments and not so nice comments.

Including a fan girl of Flint who said, "I just hope she's not all over Flint."

"Looks like you have a lot of fans and people rooting", Flint said softly amidst the whispers.

"Well it's only normal to expect rivalry", Palmer added.

"Right?.."

"Yeah, I guess so..", she responded in a low voice.

...

MASTER COURT

"Re-check the perimeters, and double up the security", a female voice dished out orders.

"Yes, your Grace", the male worker said, as he left her presence.

"Oh, you're here already", she said, looking at the approaching group.

"Just adding the final touches for your arrival", she added.

"Your Grace", Verner said, bowing down as he took her left hand and kissed her ring.

"We've successfully brought your parcel to you", he added.

"I see..", she responded, putting on an air of elegance.

"Ugh..this again?", Falcone groaned, interrupting the atmosphere.

"The air is so stiff", he continued.

"I wonder how she's still breathing..how we're all breathing."

"She's a newcomer, no need to be so tensed", he added.

"So, let's just get on with this."

"Christine this is Camille...Camille this is Christine", he said smiling.

"FALCONE!!", Camilla's restrained anger finally let burst.

"Tsk tsk tsk", Palmer clicked her tongue, shaking her head in disapproval.

"Don't be annoyed, your Grace, he shall be appropriately punished", Verner said, casting an angry stare at Falcone.

"Let him be, Verner", Camille replied.

"I'm afraid you spoil him too much, your Grace", Verner said, as Camilla sighed in response.

"Your Grace...", he continued.

"This is Christine, your new vassal", he announced.

"Oh, I se—"

"New what?!", Christine screamed.

"Looks like I'm the only one that doesn't know what's going on here."

"No one told me I was going to be a whatever you guys call it...what the fuck does it even mean?", Christine said, in an annoyed and completely lost fashion.

All gazes led to Flint.

"I was going to tell her at one point", he said, defending himself from the hostile stares.

"Must have skipped my mind..", he added, feigning ignorance of his actions.

"You all are so unbelievable", Verner spat in a disappointed tone.

Sigh..

"You're all dismissed for today", Camilla said, placing the tip of her fingers on her forehead.

"I just want me and the newcomer", she added; murmurs could be heard, as the group dispersed.

"Verner, you too", she said, referring to the old man who chose to remain behind.

"Thanks", she added, as he shut the door behind him, as he left.

She huffed in mental exhaustion after their leave.

"So, how was your trip?", she asked Christine, beaming a friendly smile.

"Bumpy I guess", she said, borrowing Flint's earlier words.

"Mhmm, was expected", she replied with a grin, as they both giggled.

"Thank you for the gown, I really love it", Christine said, appreciating Camilla.

"They told you I loved compliments, right?", she asked with a crooked smile.

"Hmm—"

"Your hesitation tells it all", she said with a full blown grin.

"I'm not going to lie, you have a lot to learn", she continued.

"But for today, we celebrate your arrival", she said, placing her hands on Christine's shoulders.

"Dennis!", she hollered.

"Yes, your Grace", a male worker came rushing.

"Take her to her room", she ordered.

"Everything you need is already there", she said to Christine.

"Breakfast is at 9:00, don't be late."

"Remember, today is your day", she added.

"Uhmm, I don't know where the dining is", Christine pointed out.

"He'll bring you to the dinning at 9:00", she replied.

"Make sure to wear something nice."

"See you at the table", she said, as Christine and Dennis left her presence.

...

"You think she's really going to blend in here?", Palmer asked, as they walked down the hall.

"She can't be worse than Falcone, that's a fact", Flint said with a cheeky smile.

"Ugh..must you always get on my nerves", Falcone said, crossed at Flint's words.

"I think she would fare really well", Verner said, assuring the group.

"And who is that?", a female voice inquired.

"The new vassal I guess..", a masculine voice replied.

"Huh?", she responded, utterly confused.

"You didn't hear?"

"Camilla Doltana is now the only lady in Dutan to have the complete number of vassals", he added.

"For now..", Verner interrupted.

"Talia, Rai.."

"Surprisingly we have all the vassals together."

"What a pleasant coincidence", he added with a smile.

...

CHRISTINE'S ROOM

Creak...

The door creaked open, as she stepped into the room, after being led the way there by Dennis.

"Woah! Verner was right, this woman is extravagant", she said to herself.

"Do you need anything else, your honour?", Dennis asked.

"Your honour?", Christine asked, surprised.

"Well, you are a vassal to be, and therefore, higher than me in hierarchy.."

"It's only normal to use such term in addressing you", he said with a smile.

"Oh scratch that, I'm Christine..", she said stretching her hands for a shake.

"You are?"

"Oh, I'm Dennis", he said, taking up her hands.

"Dennis, I hope we have a pleasant relationship", she said, giving a charming smile, as he nodded in agreement; returning the smile.

"Well, thanks for showing me my room", she said, expressing her gratitude.

"You're welcome", he answered.

"See you at the table", he added, taking his leave from the room.

"So BiGg...yawn..", she said aloud, referring to the room as a yawn escaped her mouth.

"I'll just take a quick shower and nap for some minutes", she said to herself, as she began undressing.

"I'm so tired..", she added.