New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 53: THE ART OF PERSUASION

Chapter 53: THE ART OF PERSUASION

Owen soon began to join Aristia and Alaric in the training sessions with the captain. He was making good progress.

He was gradually getting acquainted with the Grand Ducal family and the servants, and getting accustomed to living in a grand mansion.

He had also found out that the princess absolutely adored beautiful things, especially faces.

Three months had already passed since he became Aristia’s aide and the restaurant construction was progressing fine, at a steady pace.

Owen had also begun to learn about Aristia’s business. By now, he knew everything he needed to know about the restaurant.

Sometimes, he and Aristia would disguise themselves as commoner children and secretly monitor the progress of the building. They would dye their hair using potions so that they wouldn’t be recognized.

Owen was also being educated on how to perform as an aide.

At this time of the year, all the aristocrats in the kingdom of Amberale were preparing to head to the Royal palace. There was an air of festivity around both the nobles and commoners.

The reason was that the anniversary of the founding of their Kingdom was approaching. The nobles who were in their fiefs would be making the journey back to their residences in the capital. They were preparing to attend the royal banquet hosted at the Royal palace by the king himself as was the case every year since centuries past.

The banquet would be held for three days; the day before the anniversary, the day of the anniversary and the day after the anniversary.

On the day before the anniversary, envoys from other kingdoms would arrive to present their gifts in celebration of the Kingdom’s founding. That would happen hours before the banquet in the evening.

On the day of the anniversary, the royal family would head to the temple. It was the royal tradition ever since the first king of Amberale formed the kingdom and built a temple for the god of this world, Lord Nerin Von Cali.

In the evening, they would attend the second banquet.

The commoners would also hold a festival on the same day.

On the third and last day of the celebration, the last banquet would be held in the evening.

The streets of the capital were bustling with excitement as the commoners would start to set up stalls and colorful decorations of different kinds, and arrange for different festivities. All everyone could talk about was the anniversary. Nevertheless, there was joyous celebration going on around the kingdom.

Aristia was in her room with her mother and brother as Adeline packed her clothes into a chest. They would be leaving for the royal palace where they would stay for about three weeks, almost a month.

All her classes would be held at the palace, since her tutors were the same people tutoring the King’s children.

"Mama, Owen and Linny are coming with us to the palace." Aristia said.

"That’s fine, but Tia, you have to stop thinking about work these three weeks we’ll be at the palace. I want you to enjoy the celebration, just like the rest of the children." Catherine smiled as she lovingly caressed her daughter’s soft cheeks.

"I know, Mama." Aristia smiled just as Adeline placed the last piece of folded clothing into the chest and closed it. "I promise."

"I have completed the task, Madam." Adeline bowed.

"You may leave," Catherine dismissed her, turning her attention back to her daughter.

"Mama, can I bring my book with me to the palace?" Alaric asked, blinking cutely.

"Of course, you can, Allie." Catherine said with a caress on his head, before staring at her daughter proudly.

During these three months, Aristia had found time to make a story book with pictures for Alaric. It took a lot of time and energy because she had sketched the drawings and painted them.

She concluded it was worth the effort because Alaric was very happy with his book, especially since he could read, saying that he could read the stories himself whenever he wanted.

The trio left Aristia’s room after the luggage had been packed.

Aristia had promised her mother that she wouldn’t think about work once they arrived at the palace, so there were still some things she had to do before they left.

She took Owen and Adeline back to the restaurant that they had visited three months ago on the day she had met Owen.

"Good day," someone said when they took their seats.

It wasn’t the same lady as before. Judging from their similar features, Aristia guessed that they were related, probably sisters.

"Good day to you, too. I would like to speak with the other lady." Aristia said, informing her of her reason for coming.

Curiousity flashed in the lady’s eyes. She was curious about what this little girl wanted to talk to her sister about. Moreover, the girl’s dressing, coupled with the richly dressed boy and the young lady standing behind her proved that she was from a very wealthy family, probably belonging to nobility.

"You want to see my sister? I will be right back."

The lady’s words confirmed Aristia’s guess. She disappeared behind the door at the end of the restaurant and came out not long after with her sister.

"Here is the child that wants to see you." The lady gestured.

"Hello," Aristia greeted politely.

"Oh, it’s you." The lady Aristia met three months ago said. She recognized Aristia. "My sister told me that you wanted to see me?" She was also quite curious as to why this child wanted to see her.

Her eyes landed on Owen, and surprise flitted across her eyes. Last time she had seen the boy, he had been dressed poorly. But now, he looked different.

If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought he was from a wealthy family because of the way he was dressed. Was the girl responsible for the change?

"Yes. Please, have a seat." Aristia gestured in front of her. "You can join us." She said, turning to the other sister.

It was funny, seeing that she was inviting the owners of the restaurant to take a seat instead of the other way round.

"My name is Aristia." She introduced herself.

The two ladies followed suit.

"My name is Dahlia." The older sister, the one Aristia was looking for, introduced herself.

"And, I am Dorothy." The younger one said.

They noticed she had the same name as the Kingdom’s third princess but didn’t think much of it.

"Okay, Dahlia, Dorothy." She started with hands folded on the table between them, deciding to go straight to the point. " I want to know if you are interested in working elsewhere with better pay?"

The ladies shared confused glances, "Working elsewhere?" Dahlia asked.

"Better pay?" Dorothy asked.

"Yes," Aristia answered both questions. Then she lowered her voice. "I am building a restaurant and want you to work for me. I have eaten your food and it suits my standards."

"You want us to work for you?" Dahlia asked, flabbergasted. She shook her head, wondering why she was here listening to this child. "You are just a child, and who is to guarantee that we will earn anything?" She said skeptically.

The child was probably a noble child. She could risk anything. But them? They had no money. They were commoners. If they left their jobs here, it would affect them.

"Do not be quick to judge a book by its cover. I might be a child but I am serious about whatever I decide on, and I keep my promises.

[Mostly.]

She wasn’t done yet, she had acquired a piece of useful information.

She leaned back in her seat, assuming a carefree stance. "I know that you take care of homeless children," she gestured with her hands. "Look around this restaurant; it is usually empty. How would you be able to continue to provide for them if you don’t have enough money?" She asked.

She knew they were taking care of homeless children voluntarily, and she respected them for that. Despite their struggling, they still did their utmost to care for helpless children.

She was trying to offer them an opportunity to make things easier for them. However, she admitted that she wasn’t a saint too. She was also doing it for her own benefit.

"Think it through. It would be unwise to ignore or reject an opportunity that comes knocking on your door— or walking through your door, if I might say." She chuckled, before saying,

"Think about the children. I will return in a month, on this day, after the festival. That should be more than enough for you to make a decision. Again, think about it carefully." She advised and left with Owen and Adeline.

"Sister, what do you think we should do? Should we agree? At least on behalf of the children?" Dorothy asked worriedly.

Even though to her, it sounded impossible. But she knew the girl was right. With the lack of customers and therefore money, they could barely make ends meet, much less continue to take care of the children.

Dahlia sighed without saying anything, only seeming to be deep in thought.

***

Outside the restaurant, Adeline praised, "Princess, you were brilliant in convincing them. Princess is so smart," she gushed.

"She does know how to persuade," Owen agreed, then turned to Aristia. "But, are you so sure that they’ll agree?"

"Of course, I am." Aristia nodded, then continued with a sly smirk, "Just as I was sure you’d agree." She laughed when a blush appeared on Owen’s face, and climbed into the carriage.

Turning to Owen who still stood stunned outside the carriage, she waved her hands, "Are you not coming in? Or did you decide to return home alone? On foot." She raised her brow at him and he hurriedly moved his feet to climb into the carriage.

"Take us home, Lucas." Aristia told the Coachman.

He was the same man who first took them to the restaurant and had been her personal coachman ever since. He drove them to different places and was equally aware of her secret identity as the soon-to-be restaurant owner.

"Yes, princess."