The idea of working as a gardener in the duke's estate had piqued Oldman Dunn's interest. It could be an excellent way to get closer to the inner workings of the ducal household without arousing suspicion.
After all, a gardener would have access to various parts of the estate, making it easier to gather information discreetly.
He cleared his throat and politely interrupted the conversation of the nearby group. "Excuse me," he said, catching their attention.
The people at the tavern turned to look at Oldman Dunn, slightly surprised by his interruption. "What do you want, old man?" asked a man in the group.
Oldman Dunn responded, "I overheard your conversation, and the idea of working as a gardener in the ducal estate sounds intriguing. Can you provide me with more details?"
The woman who had been discussing the duke's daughter, Sarika Klover, spoke up, "Are you interested in applying for a position?"
"Yes, I am." Oldman Dunn nodded.
The woman smiled, sensing Oldman's genuine interest. "Well, as far as I know, they have openings for various positions, including gardeners. The work may involve tending to their beautiful gardens and grounds of the estate. It's said to be quite a demanding job as they take great pride in maintaining the beauty of their surroundings."
Another man added, "Yes, and if you're lucky enough to get hired, you might receive certain perks and privileges. The duke's family is known to take good care of their employees. At least, the main family won't abuse you."
Oldman Dunn raised his eyebrows, and he leaned in to listen attentively. "What do you mean by 'abuse'?" he inquired cautiously.
The man glanced around, making sure no one was eavesdropping. "From what I've heard, some of the members of the branch family can be quite cruel to their staff," he whispered. "They abuse and mistreat those who work under them. It's a well-known secret among the folks, but not many dare to speak openly about it."
"I see," Oldman replied thoughtfully.
He can roughly guess the disparity in behaviour between main and branch families.
Perhaps because the member of the main family is small in number, they are in dire need of allies.
And the nearest and most accessible ally to obtain is the simple-minded commoners—a bit of kindness and their praise all over you.
Logically speaking, people with high social status and power won't do something like that if there's nothing to be obtained.
Exiting his own thought, Oldman Dunn asked another question, "And how does one apply for such a position?"
The woman explained, "You can visit the ducal house and inquire about employment opportunities. They have a steward who oversees such matters. You'll need to demonstrate your skills and experience in gardening."
Oldman nodded gratefully, "Thank you for the information. It was very helpful."
As he was about to leave the tavern, he couldn't help but overhear the hushed conversation of the group of people he had been sitting with.
"Do you think he will survive?" one of them asked.
"Nah, an old man like him would probably get bullied. We will hear about him soon," another responded.
Their words stung but made him curious at the same time.
Oldman Dunn set off towards the ducal house, following the direction told by the people on the streets.
His legs take him towards the north direction.
The city streets gradually transformed into a more opulent and refined area.
The grandeur of the buildings increased, and the houses became more spacious, exuding an air of aristocracy.
He eventually arrived at the majestic gates of the ducal house.
The gate, like any other wealthy people, was adorned with intricate designs to give a clear testament to the wealth and power of the Klover family.
Oldman Dunn took a moment to collect himself before approaching the gate. He needed to present himself as a genuine gardener seeking employment.
He straightened his posture and adjusted his unimpressive attire, wanting to make a good impression.
The guards at the gate eyed him cautiously as he approached. "State your business," one of them demanded.
"I'm here to apply for the gardener position," Oldman replied calmly. "I heard from the people in the tavern that there might be an opening."
The guards exchanged glances before one of them spoke again. "Wait here. I'll inform the steward."
Oldman waited patiently in front of the gate.
After a few minutes, a well-dressed man with an air of authority approached him.
He introduced himself as the steward and look at Oldman Dunn up and down before asking the old man about his experience in gardening.
"I have learned gardening from my father and have worked as a gardener for several estates in the past," Oldman said with a steady voice, spouting a fake backstory he can think of. "I take great pride in my work and have a genuine love for plants and landscapes."
The steward nodded, seemingly satisfied with the response. "Follow me," he said.
Oldman Dunn did as he was told and followed closely behind through the grand entrance.
They entered the vast and expansive ducal compound. The estate was indeed grand, stretching out over a large area with several luxurious mansions within its boundaries.
The main mansion, which belonged to the duke's family, stood as the centrepiece of the compound.
Surrounding the main mansion were the residences of the branch family members, each mansion an impressive sight in its own right.
The location of each mansion was thoughtfully planned, ensuring a sense of privacy and seclusion for the various members of the ducal family.
In between the mansion, gardens filled in the blank, together with fountains and marble statues scattered. Interconnecting pathways formed a network that weaved through the gardens and allowed easy access to different parts of the estate.
As Oldman Dunn walked through the compound, he noted the distinct differences between the main mansion and the branch family residences.
Meanwhile, the steward explained a bit of the responsibility of a gardener at the ducal estate and the standards they upheld for their grounds.
Oldman listened attentively, mentally taking notes of the information.
They reached a picturesque section of the unkempt garden, belonging to one of the branch family mansions
The steward said to the old man, "Before you, there are several other people who applied for this job. However, as we don't need so many gardeners, we need to test everyone's skills."
He then pointed at the array of gardening tools neatly arranged nearby and continued, "Show me your skills, old man."
Oldman Dunn took a deep breath, steadying himself, and then stepped forward to inspect the gardening tools laid out before him.
With a keen eye, he assessed each tool, noting its quality and condition. As aspected of the ducal family, the tools they're using were top-notch.
"Very well," Oldman said, his voice calm and composed.
He selected a pair of pruning shears and softly throw them in the air to feel the weight of the tool in his hand.
He then approached a nearby overgrown bush, its branches tangled and untamed.
The old man carefully positioned the shears and began trimming away the excess foliage with precision.
As he worked, he revealed the natural beauty of the bush, shaping it into an elegant form.
Next, he moved on to a bed of wilting flowers. Oldman gently tended to each flower, skillfully removing any damaged petals and ensuring they received the care they needed.
He watered the plants, nurturing them back to health.
Throughout his demonstration, Oldman Dunn's expertise was evident.
The steward observed silently, his eyes attentive to every move the old man made.
When Oldman finally finished, the once-overgrown garden section had been transformed into a picturesque display of beauty and order.
The steward nodded, impressed by the old man's skill. "Not bad. You have shown remarkable talent," he said. "It is clear that you are a skilled gardener."
Oldman bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you," he replied. "I take great pride in my work. As my late father used to say, even plants have emotions. Once you take care and communicate with them properly, they would bloom beautifully."
"That's a wise word." The steward glanced around the garden, his gaze thoughtful. "I will consider your application carefully," he said. "As I mentioned earlier, there are others who have applied for the position. The decision will not be made lightly."
"I understand," Oldman replied, his expression unwavering. "I appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities."
"Do you know how to write?" the steward asked.
"Yes," Oldman confirmed confidently.
"Then, leave me your name and address on this paper." the steward said, handing him a sheet of paper and a quill.
Oldman quickly jotted down his name and address, handing it back to the steward with a slight smile. "There you go, sir steward."
The steward nodded, accepting the paper. "I'll inform you once I made my decision."
Oldman nodded in acknowledgement. "Thank you, sir steward. I will patiently wait for the result."
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