The Bewitched Soul 28 Sculpture Garden

Julius woke up early the next morning. He took a stroll in the palace garden. They were servants quarters to the end of the garden. He carefully walked towards the servant quarters, pretending that he didn't know much about them. He looked around as if he was confused. He pretended to be lost. Seeing the old man in such a helpless situation, a small boy poked his back gently.

"Are you lost, Sir? If I'm not wrong you're our guest here for a while. Is there any way I can help you?" the little boy sounded so adorable which made Julius smile.

"Yes, I am. I was walking in the garden but then it seems I lost my way back to the castle." Julius raised his brows in helplessness.

"Oh, I see. I'll help you to get back to the castle. Yes, it is a bit confusing, more like a labyrinth?" the small boy laughed seeing Julius shrug.

"Thank you. What do I call you, little gentleman?" Julius smiled.

"My name is Mathew, and you are?" Mathew raised his little hands to initiate a handshake.

"Julius," Julius secured a firm handshake with the little hand.

"Let's go!" Mathew looked excited as he started to jump-walking.

Thinking this could be the perfect chance to know more about the palace,

"Oh wait, I've come so far now. Can we take a tour of this place? I'm sure you're not in a hurry?" Julius smiled.

"Okay! I'll guide you, Sir Julius. This way please..." Mathew held Julius's big hands as compared to his and started dragging him with his full strength.

Julius smiled as the little boy was too adorable. He firmly held the little boy's hand and followed him.

"So this is the fish pond. There you see golden fis.h.!.+ My mother said that the oldest one is about 40 years old. Strange isn't it?" Mathew spoke as he had taken the responsibility of a tour guide as for now.

"It is. Magic!" Julius laughed aloud as he spoke.

"Haha! You want to take a look at the sculptures?" Mathew looked up high at Julius.

"Sure, take me there?"

"Follow me!" the little boy took long steps to keep with the same pace as Julius.

Looking at the boy struggle to keep up the pace with him, Julius giggled.

"Come here, Mathew. Let me help you." Julius carefully lifted Mathew in his arms.

"Now we walk together!" Julius smiled.

"Thank you, Sir Julius. I'm maybe just too small?" Mathew giggled.

"Haha! Yes, you are. Don't worry you'll grow soon. How old are you?"

"I'm 4 years old" Mathew smiled.

"Too small. Where is your mother?" Julius tried to keep the conversation alive while heading towards the sculpture garden.

"She went for army training early in the morning," Mathew spoke as he circled his little arms around Julius's neck.

"A warlock? Is your mother a warlock?" Julius asked as he tried to know more about the warlocks.

"Yes, she is under training. Master Eliana trains her"

"Eliana is the head warlock?"

"Yes, she took the place of Master David after he resigned from his post," Mathew spoke without stopping himself.

"I see, where is the park? And what else do you know about Master David?" Julius asked carefully.

"To your left, walk straight. Um... I don't know much about it. But, my mother said that something bad happened a few years ago. She said I was too young to know about the bad stuff." Mathew spoke as he pouted which made his chubby cheeks pop out.

"It's okay. You're too young." Julius was a bit disappointed. But, he came to know something very crucial.

"Where is he now?" he asked tactfully.

"Master David? He lives in the master quarters." the little answered honestly.

"It's not that far from here. You see the white house over there? He lives there." He pointed his little index finger towards his right.

"I see. Okay, let us see the sculptures first... we can meet him later." Julius spoke as he continued walking.

"No one meets him. It's not allowed you know..." Mathew whispered into Julius's ear.

Julius was a little frightened listening to the little boy suddenly whisper into his ear.

"But why?" he asked.

"Because he did bad. I told you! You forgot..." Mathew whispered again.

"Okay... let's get out of here!" Julius whispered.

"Yes!" the little boy giggled as he hugged him tightly.

After walking for a while, they saw a giant white rock.

"Here we go! The sculpture garden." Mathew spoke as he pointed his finger towards the giant rock.

"Let me down, Sir Julius, " he asked politely.

"Sure," Julius let down the little boy.

Meanwhile, Alexander was busy reading a book, flipping its pages carefully.