Ancient Guardians The Legacy of the Key (20 page)

“Miss Bryant, it is
a great honor to meet you.” The lady looked up at Levi, “Shall I show you to
your usual table, your Highness?”

“That
sounds perfect, thank you.” The table was situated out and away from view of
the restaurant’s other guests. The dining area was simple, and not very large
from what Reece had experienced in the land thus far. She was thankful for the
privacy of their table, as more than one person took interest in them as they
passed. The table sat in a nook of its own, surrounded by three
floor-to-ceiling windows. The view from the windows displayed an enclosed
garden area, complete with a white stone fountain, and pebbled walkways.

Levi pulled Reece’s
chair out for her, and then smoothly pushed it back closer to the table once
she was seated. He took his seat across from her, however, Reece didn’t engage
him in any conversation; her attention was taken by the uniquely crafted
gardens just outside the windows to her right.

Levi helped to ease
her curiosity. “The vegetables and fruits they serve here are all grown in
those gardens. It has always astonished me, how The Anders’ are able to sculpt
their vegetable gardens and orchards so magnificently. I believe they are as
impressive as the gardens of Pasidian Palace.”

Reece looked back
at Levi, “It’s very beautiful.”

Before they could
say anymore, the staff arrived, filling glasses with water, and placing a loaf
of hot bread on the table in front of them. Wine was offered, yet both declined
and opted for hot tea instead.

Reece placed her napkin
in her lap, “So, Your Imperial Highness
,
what’s for lunch today?”

Levi grinned, while
a hint of red touched his cheeks, “Well, Miss Bryant,” his eyes sparkled as he
laughed softly, “that would depend on what you are in the mood to eat this
afternoon.”

She smiled
mischievously, “Ah! They serve hamburgers here?”

Levi’s brilliant
blue eyes danced with humor, “Unfortunately, they do not. However, I can bring
you to a location where they would be able to accommodate that, if that is what
you prefer.” He finished becoming more serious.

Reece laughed, “You
would get up, leave this restaurant, and cause a scene, all so I could have a
hamburger?”

Levi took a sip of
his water. “Miss Bryant, you must understand, at the moment I have only your
best interest in mind. As I told you earlier, I plan to introduce you to one of
our cities the proper way.”

Reece let out a
soft laugh, “Well, this could get interesting.” She stared at him, studying his
amused expression. She exhaled and decided she should probably stop giving him
a hard time. “Well, you’re in luck; this bread smells delicious, and I don’t
really like hamburgers. So, Your Royal Majesty, there’s no need to cause a
scene.”

Levi nearly choked
on his water, and coughed out a laugh.

Reece couldn’t help
but to laugh in return, “I really didn’t think it was that funny.” She watched
him, as regained his composure.

“Miss Bryant—”

“Reece.” She
demanded.

Levi’s eyebrow
arched, “Levi.”

“Fine,” she smiled.
“Levi it is! Now, since we have reached an understanding with our names, when
are you going to cut into that bread?”

Levi
laughed, took the knife, and sliced into the warm bread. She took the piece he
handed her, buttered it, and took a bite. It was a bit sweeter than the breads
that were served at the Palace; however, it was equally delicious.

“This is my
favorite place to dine in the city. Not only for the privacy, but their soups
and toasted sandwiches, are my favorite in all of Pemdas.”

“And all the other
dimensions you’ve visited, of course.”

Levi chuckled, “Of
course.”

“Well, then, I
grant you permission to order for me. Soup sounds like it would hit the spot.
Do you have a favorite?”
      “Yes. I prefer the tomato basil soup above any other they serve here.”

“Tomato basil it
is.”

Levi motioned for
the staff, and gave them their order. Along with their soups came a variety of
fruit and vegetable salads, grown from the garden outside their window. The
intensity of the food’s flavors was similar to the Palace’s, but there was a
unique richness in every bite she took, and she was starting to become full a
lot sooner than she would have expected.

While they ate, the
conversation was kept light. Levi mostly informed Reece about the specifics of
Casititor, the city they were in, and how it was one of the most populated
cities in Pemdas. When Reece inquired as to why the women hadn’t taken her to
this city, Levi simply grinned and let her know that in order to get into the
city by carriage, they would have to travel five more hours outside of the
small town they had taken her shopping in. Fortunately, by horseback they were
able to come into the southernmost part of the city. By horseback, the journey
back to the Palace from this location was only an hour away.

Once Reece had
finished eating, she took a sip of her freshly refilled tea and sat back in her
chair, watching Levi as he finished the last of his soup. She grinned as he
sipped it silently from the side of his spoon.
Poor guy, that soup has got
to be ice cold by now.
He was so attractive, watching him do something as
simple as eating his soup sent butterflies swarming throughout her stomach. He
must have noticed her studying him, as he looked up and grinned at her
innocently.

“Forgive me, I
believe I have talked the entire time, and now I am keeping you while I eat.”
He said.

The sympathetic
look on his face sent her heart racing. “It’s fine. If I didn’t have fifty
million questions for you all of the time, you probably would have been able to
eat your soup while it was warm.” She laughed, “I should be the one
apologizing.”

Levi shook his
head, “If I were in your position, I would not have let anyone out of the room
until all of my questions were answered. It’s perfectly understandable, Reece.”

“Well, good; maybe
you can answer something else for me then?”

Levi laughed as he
took a sip of his water and leaned back in his chair, “Ask away.”

 “This dimension,”
Reece began, “Where exactly is it? I mean, like, in the universe?”

“Well,
we are simply in a different dimension on the planet Earth. Where we are in the
dimension of Pemdas is actually in the same location as what you would refer to
as Western Europe.”

“So we are still on
Earth, but not
really
on Earth?”

Levi grinned,
“That’s one way to think of it, yes.”

“I guess that must
be why, even though it’s obvious I’m in a very foreign place, I see so many
similarities between here and home. It does seem very ‘seventeenth-century
Europe’ here.”

“We do have many
similarities to that time period on Earth, and its culture. There was a time
when the Pemdai and those on Earth were very close, and we shared many
different ideas with each other.”

She set her tea
down and crossed her arms, “That is truly amazing...more than
amazing…mindboggling. Well, I’ve always wanted to go to Europe. I guess I can
cross that off my bucket list.”

Levi chuckled,
“Well, Pemdas is not really Europe…but hopefully it is close enough to satisfy
that desire.”

Reece smiled in
response. Levi’s lips curved up into that stunning grin again, and his eyes
smoldered as he gazed at her.
A few more of those smiles and this guy isn’t
going to know what hit him when the Earth girl impulsively kisses him for no
apparent reason.

“If you don’t mind
my asking, why do you and Harrison choose to serve on Earth, or whatever it is
you do? You’re both royalty, and given that his father is a king, and yours the
Emperor, you’re seemingly next in line for the thrones here, right?”

  “Being a Guardian
on Earth is the one of the highest honors a Pemdai can receive. We are honored
to serve.”

  “Wow, you guys
really are passionate about protecting Earth, aren’t you?”

  “The Pemdai are
very passionate about our love for Earth. It is why you may see so many
similarities between Pemdas and Earth. In Earth’s earlier days, as I just
mentioned, our people were very close with a select few there.”

  Reece smiled,
“That’s pretty cool.”

  Levi laughed,
“Yes, it is very
cool.
”

 
Reece grinned, “Are you making fun of me?”

  “I would never
consider doing such a thing.” He tossed his napkin on the table, “Now, Miss
Bryant—” Levi stopped to correct himself, “Forgive me…Reece; I would like to
take you on a tour through the shops, would you care to join me for a walk?”

  She sat up, “I’m
ready whenever you are.”

As they walked down
the streets that had been recently cleared of snow, they were stopped more than
once by townspeople wishing to meet the Emperor’s son. The people seemed elated
to see Levi; even more than that; they seemed star struck by him. Levi must have
sensed Reece’s uncertainty about how she should act when they were approached.
He kindly introduced her, and told the people that she was an honored guest,
esteemed above all others at Pasidian Palace. She was shocked to see how he
held her in such high regard, considering how Simone and the other women
treated her in public.

 She
watched how patient and generous Levi was to the people who were interrupting
the tour he was attempting to give Reece. His humbleness and kindness were
delightful to witness. He had every right to brush off the people who were
disrupting him, if he wanted to; however, he did not. He was compassionate and
genuine to each person that approached them, and there were many.

As they were about
to enter a silversmith’s shop, they were stopped by a silver-haired gentleman
with two young women at his side.

“Your Imperial
Highness! What a great honor to have you visiting us today.” The man proclaimed
loudly, forcing Levi to stop and turn to acknowledge him.

Levi’s entire
demeanor changed in the instant he turned to answer the man. His body was
rigid, his jaw tightly set, and for the first time since walking through the
city, Reece noticed Levi’s appearance had changed dramatically. He now held
himself with an air of utmost superiority while interacting with the man.

A crowd had
gathered around as Levi spoke, “Mr. Sterlington, it is always my pleasure to
visit Casititor. Allow me to introduce our highest guest of honor, Miss Reece
Bryant, from Earth.”

The man grinned and
nodded to acknowledge Reece, yet he seemed to be analyzing her carefully with
his gaze more than anything else. The two women on either side of him did the
same. They appeared to be Reece’s age; they were beautiful, and dressed to
display their wealth. Reece felt their scrutinizing glares even when she wasn’t
looking in their direction.

Looks like I’m
about to meet the women who are after the most sought after man in Pemdas. This
should be interesting.

  The man nodded
his head toward Reece somewhat dismissively, “Miss Bryant,” he managed.

  Reece didn’t know
much about formalities in this land, but from want she had witnessed thus far,
never once had she been introduced to someone by Levi and received only a curt
nod in return. The reaction by whomever she was being introduced to was not of
importance to Reece; however, after feeling awkward by all of the bows and
curtsies that came with every introduction, the man’s forced gesture made it
plain to her that he was not so enthusiastic about making her acquaintance.     

  “Your Highness, I
am sure you remember my daughters, Annalisa and Susanna?”

  Both women
dropped their heads as they gave Levi a dramatic curtsey.

Levi nodded.
“Ladies.”

  One of the women
spoke, “Your Highness, it is lovely to see you again.” She looked speculatively
at Reece with eyes so mysterious that Reece became curious about who she was.
The woman returned her gaze to Levi, “Forgive me if I am intruding on his
privacy, but…is His Grace, the Duke of Vinsmonth, also visiting the city
today?”

  Reece felt Levi’s
arm tense. She quickly did the math; since Harrison’s father was the King of
Vinsmonth, she assumed that would make Harrison the duke.     

“His Grace is
currently in meetings with our commander, as we have just returned from Earth
this morning.” Levi responded curtly.

  The young woman
smiled, and bowed her head in response.

  Mr.
Sterlington approached Levi, and spoke in a whisper close to Levi’s left ear.
Since Reece was still holding onto Levi’s right arm, so she was able to hear
every word.

  “Your Highness, I
do hope I am not out of line; but I must declare, I am a bit surprised to see
His Imperial Majesty’s son escorting a woman from Earth on his arm. I only ask
out of concern because I believe questions will—”

  Levi backed
swiftly away from the man, forcing Reece to as well. He stood rigid and tall,
towering over the man. His voice was low and purposeful when he responded.