Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24 (Days before Neola returns to France) LUKE I took a deep breath, my head hurts because of the jet lag. I took the hot tea prepared by Gigi and carefully sip. "Agh, " I sigh, relaxing on my chair. "So, you are back?" Grandpa's wheel chair whirred as he entered the dining room. He looks at me, eyes gleaming. He seems to be in a cheerful mood. I stared at him and wait as he settle on the head of the table. Grandma is right behind him. She sat across me beside the king. Her expression solemn as she looks at me. "How did it go?" Grandpa's tone is light but his eyes has a tint of seriousness in them. He took some bread and spread it with butter. I cleared my throat, "The prince of Canada is very welcoming. They expect to see progress with our project. He would love to visit here soon." The king laugh, his chest heaving as he let out a loud snort. He took his napkin and wipe the sides of his face. Gigi gave him a cup of tea and he sip on it. Grandma sat on his other side, nibbling on some biscuits. "I am glad they welcome you with such hospitality, " she said in a solemn voice, making me look at her. "Yes, grandma. We decided to meet next year before spring." She nodded, nibbling on her biscuit. Grandfather looks at the both of us before he took another bread, "That's good then. Let us make the preparations before Christmas eve and have the ball by Christmas. You are taking Fleur as your bride, right?" his question made me choke on my drink. I cleared my throat and said, "I am not certain of that Grandfather. I still needed time." The king shook his head before glaring at me. I lower my head and notice grandma holding his hand. "He has the right, my dear. We don't want a repeat of the past, aren't we?" The king looks at me, his eyes full of emotions. His grip on his napkin tighten, he bowed his head and sigh. "I don't want a repeat of the past which is why I am giving him option, my dear." "But you are pressuring him. What is the use of an option if you keep on telling him what to do?" I watch as they both have a stare down. The queen's glare weigh more than the king. He pouted his lips and bowed. "Alright. I know, I know but he should decide as soon as possible. I have to pass it all to him before my time comes." His words somehow pinch my heart. The queen looks at me and caught my eye. I sigh. "I know, my dear, " she caress his cheek and continue, "But you are not going to leave just like that. I won't allow you." The king sigh before taking the queen's hands and kiss it. "Grandpa, " the both of them look at me. I stared down at my food before saying, "Are you really not well?" He hold my gaze before he sigh "When your father died of the shipwreck, I am so devastated I couldn't sleep every night. I spent most of my days in my office. It took a great toll on my health." He bowed down his face torn, "for forty years I've been in treatment and the blockage on my heart has thickened. I only have a year of life expectancy, if it's not for your grandma, I wouldn't have survive this long, " he smiled at the queen before he kiss her hand. He looks at me and take my hand, holding it tight he said, "Which is why I am desperate for you to reign as king before I leave. I have to see you there, sitting at my throne. I want to leave when you are fully capable." "But grandpa, " I held his hand on mine and stated, "I can rule without a wife. I have studied our royal commands and nothing on it says that I should marry before I am appointed king." He looks at me and shake his head, "You really took after your father. Always seeing the hole in my plans, what are you, a prosecutor?" I stare at him and sigh, "Grandpa, if you really wanted to see me stand on my own and reign as king, then teach me from now on. Don't just focus on finding me a bride. I can do it on my own." He shakes his head and let go of my hand. "Nonsense. I wanted you to marry not because you can do it on your own." His eyes held mine as he continue, "I have to know that you will have someone with you and that you will have an heir to follow through. I have to take the assurance to my grave. I want to make sure that you will have a family of your own and settle down here." I shake my head, not believing his logic. Standing up from my seat, I bowed before leaving. * Day 349th of me appointed as the crown prince I wish my brother Laurent hasn't been gone. It has been a year since he's gone missing. They think he is dead but I thought otherwise. The days of torture is long. I spent most of my days in my quarters, just looking at the sea. They haven't found Laurent's body so I believe he is still alive. How I long to sail on them and look for my brother, see the beauty of the world. It would be a great reward to be freed from this cage and explore. I wish he didn't go. I wouldn't have to suffer this much if he is here. If the water hadn't claimed him, maybe the king will allow me to sail. He will let me go. For the water remains as a friend, my companion when the world is just too sinister. It provides me comfort. I guess my brother Laurent is dwelling in the water for it appears so. He comforts me every time I feel alone. Mother hasn't come out from her quarters. It has been a year since she began lamenting. She still longs for her son to come but Laurent is gone. To where, I do not know. It seems like he choose not to come back. She blames herself for letting my brother go. She cries every night and it pains me to hear her. I will spend most of the dawn, crying with her, as I sat there at the attic. When the weather is great, I can see her smiling bitterly as she let the flower petals fly by her balcony. Waiting for her son. I hope I can ease my mother's pain. She have suffered so much for us. She will do anything in her power to protect me. I wanted to do the same to her, to fight for her. Tonight I will let the lanterns fly and hope they will reach Laurent on the other side. * I turn the page of the diary, anxious to find something that can help me. Something to comfort me in this desperate times. I needed a reassurance that I am not alone in this and that somehow, my father had gone through the same thing. * Day 714 The king hasn't stopped on pestering me. They keep on pushing me to marry Genevieve. I don't like her one bit. She is the epitome of evil. She loves to pick on the maids and would torture Argus. I hope the king will see how evil she is. I hated being a crown prince. Argus help me on doing a disguise. I freely roam the market, wearing casual clothes and a silly smile. I spent my day at the sea first, helping the fishermen. After that, I ask them to let me sell the fish they caught. They have agreed, giving me some change so I can buy food. I met a girl today. She looks so beautiful, her hair the colour of russet and her eyes, a pretty shade of green. She was one of a kind. She smiled so sweetly at me I choked on my drink and sputtered like an idiot. She went, laughing at me as she took her basket of threads. I long to hold her hand and kiss her beautiful lips. I hope to meet her again and talk to her. I wish to know her name, someday. * Day 775 I thought this day wouldn't come. I finally met her again. She smiles at me like the last time and like an idiot, I was dazzled. I stumble and fell in front of her. She help me stand. I am still astound of her beauty, I couldn't speak. Her laugh echoed in my heart that it thudded quickly. Her name was Joanna Rosabelle Jacques. Her family live near the sea. She was a noble and that is great. She likes me as I do to her, but his father oppose me. He denied to have me eat with them during dinner. Oh Joanna, I hope to meet you again soon. * The entry was short but it was enough to make me feel the emotion. I know that he is talking about my mother, his one and only true love. * Day 921 I can't believe it. My father have locked me in. My mom had cried a lot and I wish I can comfort her. I hate to make her suffer like this. When they deliver my food, I was surprise to see her there. Mother took me to her arms and cried. She held me like how she used to when we are still young. But what she said next startled me even more. She ask me to prepare. She will help me escape tonight like how she have done with my brother. She will let me be. In exchange, I will come back after ten years and I promise her that. I made it and therefore I shall keep it. She hopes for a better future and I am praying for that too. I hope my father will stop being a king and treat me like his son too. For I love him so much, I miss him terribly so. * The entries stop coming. It was the last of them all. I ran my hand on the journal and sigh. It has been three days since I went to Canada and saw Neola with the guy. I remember how the guy kissed her so easily like he's been doing it in the past. I clench my jaw, my hand forming into a fist. I wanted to punch the guy and hurt him. Yet I know that Neola knows him. If it's her only chance on having a normal life then I will allow her. I'll let her be. I look down at my Father's journal and carefully tuck it in between the books. My father's entries is the only thing that connects me to him. It is the only way I can hear and understand his thoughts, know his feelings and perceive his life. Somehow, his entries give me the courage and comfort I longed for. Sighing, I went towards my closet. I took my boots and wear my hunting gear. I am going to have some fun at the forest today. I went down to the first floor and was shock to see Fleur. She was glaring at her hands. I went towards the direction of the stable and was surprise when she and took my hand as she stood next to me. "Where are you going, my prince?" She lean in to caress my chest and my cheeks. I stood there, my face blank as I say, "I'll hunt." "Take me with you, " she clings on my arm. I have this urge to push her but thought otherwise. I rode on Midnight while she chose the other horses. We rode towards the forest with Sebin as our royal guard. We tied the reigns of the horses before I settle and prepare my traps. Sebin watch the perimeter while Fleur sat there, looking at me. I made some fire next to her as she sat, " I'll be going up to the mountains to hunt. Will you be okay here?" She shook her head no and said, "Can't you take me up there?" "It is too dangerous for a lady like you. If you like, Sebin will stay here with you, " Sebin looks at me, his eyes almost grateful. I wink and smirk at him while Fleur fixes the wagon next to the fire. "Alright, then. I'll stay with him." I smiled at her and pat her head. I went out to set up more traps. I look up and sigh. I am far enough. The road leading up to the mountain is so steep I choose to stay at the foot. I took my journal out of my satchel and smiled at Neola's portrait. My gloves is frozen making me refrain from touching her picture. I miss her so much it hurts to even see her image. What would I do to win her back? She is right. I made a terrible decision of letting her go. I shouldn't have done any of that. I stared up and decided to go back to the castle. I need to tell the king. What suppose to fall as flurries ended up like piles of snow. The wind blew harshly, I have to cover half of my face with my leather coat. Midnight swiftly reach the castle. I tied him inside the stable and march up the castle, I have to tell the king about my decision. I have to let him know that I love Neola and that, I am ready to take her as my bride if she would allow me. I hope she would allow me. I was surprise when I hear the ambulance. I swiftly ran up the stairs only to see the medical team taking my grandfather away. I remove my hunting gear and prepare to ride with them to the hospital. Though someone caught my eye. I look at her, shocked to see her here. My mind went blank. My heart ran wild. She is back and she is going out. Wait, what? 계속 Hello, a bit delayed update but still an update. So how are you doing guys?