Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32 LUKE *dream* "Lucas" I look up to see my father. His face resembles mine, with a few wrinkles here and there. He pats my head and smiled down at me, "Let's go." "Where?" my voice echoed, I look around to see the vast ocean. I am lying on a piece on wood, floating while he is up the ship. "To your grandfather, of course. We need to go, now. " I reach out with my hand but I slip. I tried to resurface but the waves seems to swallow me. I cough out and tried to pull myself out of the water when someone took me by my coat. I breathe heavily as I tried to catch my breath, my coat drenching. I open my eyes to see my father and a man looking down at me. His blonde hair so much like mine and my father. Though his eyes are blue, like Grandpa and me. He looks like a male version of my grandmother. "Uncle Laurent." He smiled at me, scratch the back of his neck and chuckled. "Lucas, we don't have much time left..." Father says, handling me a box. I tried to open it but it was locked. "How can I open it? It's locked." father shook his head and push uncle towards me. "You go tell him Laurent." My uncle sigh, giving me a piece of paper. "You'll find this in a bottle. It is a poem. The last words lead you to a room, where all lost things is found. Remember, the key is the answer." He wink at me before my father slowly lower me down and I was swallowed by the water once again. *end of dream* The spattering of the rain woke me from my dream. The dawn is about to break in the distance. I quickly close the balcony and look myself in the mirror, remembering. His reflection resembles me, it was like he's my twin. I will never forget the look in his eyes as he sent me back. My father's life is only a continuation of mine. I am living his life, his fate. I am doing what he has done and he is hoping that I am not going to repeat the mistake he have made. I wanted to cry at the sight of my reflection. I can now remember his face so well and every time I see myself, I couldn't help but see him though with the same eye color of my uncle whose life was ended quickly. It was like I am both a resurrected version of him and my uncle. I am living their fate; an ill fate that I am trying to change. I sat down on the carpet and tried to remember what he said. It felt important; the box, the ship and uncle Laurent...all of it seems to be pointing me into something big, something that will help me. I sat up and start to scan the book given by my grandmother. It is about my father's adventures with my uncle. Some of them is about changing the old ways and implementing a democratic way of leading the people. It will help me but I think, I am missing something greater. I headed inside the bathroom and decided to change into some clothes before rummaging my things. I saw the box I brought back home from Canada. I took it out and empty the contents of the small box which holds my past. The pictures of my childhood were spread on the floor along with my mother's locket, my flute, Elle's ribbon. Even my toys are there. It is consist of toy soldiers, a small ship and a bottle. It rolled down, I snatch it and remove the lid, taking the paper inside. I unroll the paper and was surprise to see a different handwriting, it's not of my father but maybe of my uncle. * In the horizon, a new world opens. Hiding, undisturbed a quite unusual place. Night of sorrow lingers while Tomorrow is at stake Wander in wonder, eyes open to yonder Memory of tragedy kept to rust A reflection of the past that hold the keys of forever to last. Truth of death, buried in the sand The chosen refusing to stand. Escaping the fate a firstborn has to take Passing the crown he have outgrown. The second will become the one Suffer the fate of being left behind Hoping to see the best of the new life And seeking the joy beyond strife. Greed resulting to the tragedy of the one Broken promises forced in his mind And leave the nest of mountain and the sea To die in the hands still unknown to thee I long for you, blood of my blood, My companion to a greater life Rest and take my hand as I care for your son I will forever remain in debt of your plan. .TRENT. * I can't understand this. The paper appears to be new and unsoiled. If it has suffered the same fate of my past, then it should be worn. And the handwriting, how odd it might appear I will recognize it wherever, whenever. It was my adoptive Father's handwriting. I look back on the poem and recognize the sign. Trent. It was his name. Could it be possible that he is also my Uncle Laurent? I snatch the book given by the queen and compared them. There is no mistake. They are the same. No matter how much I tried to find some oddities, there is none. I can't believe this. I went out of my room and took the paper with me. I ran down, heading towards the third floor. Though before I made it towards my grandma's study, I saw the king coming out. He stares at me, his eyes full of emotions. "We've been waiting for you. Come inside, we have to talk about a lot of things, " I put the paper back in my pocket and got inside only to be shocked. Sebin and Fleur were sitting next to the queen. I settled on the chair next to them and face my grandfather. "I know that you might be wondering why they are here, " the king sigh before continuing, "His family have called to confirm that Sebin is really here and I said yes. They wanted him to go back and manage their business since he is the last of the descendants of their dynasty. I have agreed to let him go and called him to my office last night. Though his revelations somehow shocked me." Sebin look at me before bowing his head. "He told me about his feelings and that he wanted to marry Fleur. He ask for my permission but I couldn't grant it since I am still rooting for the both of you, " he huffed and run his hand on his face, disappointed. "Then, morning came. The queen told me of the situation and how Fleur wanted out of the engagement. Are you happy?" he ask me, glaring. I held his gaze, and said, "No, your majesty. For I know that you are not." He nods at my answer and sigh, "I can't believe it. I can't believe this for it's like something you will do to make me yield and accept your decision to choose Neola. Then, this girl comes in and tells it all." He pointed at Fleur whose head is bowed down. " She just burst inside here, pleads me and ask to marry Sebin. Game over. I am done. All my plans went down the drain like a useless junk..." The king slap his hand down on the table and we were all silent. "So, I loose?" He suddenly ask making us look at him, "Does it make me a fool now?" grandma stood and walk towards the king. She put her hand on his back, saying "You are not a fool, Jason. Sometimes, things just don't happen the way you want them to be. You have to accept it, Jason. You cannot control the world." The queen's words were softly spoken but they weigh more than that. The queen signaled the two to go out of the room and I watch the both of them scurry out. I look at the king and queen to see him crying. "I am not a good king, am I?" "Shh, " The queen pat his back and brush his hair back, saying, "You are. Though sometimes you make bad decisions for you are human. You are bound to make mistakes." I bit my lip, took the paper out of my chest pocket and smoothen it down on the table. I was about to go out the study when the kings words halted me, "Where do you think you are going Luke?" I gulped and look back at them. The king took the paper and read it. The queen's eyes glisten as she pulled me towards them, "This handwriting, it's Laurent's. Where did you find it?" "It was inside a bottle with the things I brought from Canada. I believe it has some connection with the past." Grandma took the paper from the king and her eyes were flooded with tears. She carefully held the paper and said, "I think there is only one room that held all the answers to our questions." The queen lead us out of the study. We waited by the hallway for the elevator to arrive. Grandma push Grandpa's wheelchair inside the elevator and selected A. "I thought that was off limits? " I commented, looking at my grandma. "To the likes of you, yes." The king nodded his eyes glinting with unshed tears. The door pings and we went out to an unlit hallway. Thunder rumbled as the rain intensifies. This day has been a gloomy day, I wish the weather will improve soon. The queen leads us towards the end of the hall and brought out a key. She inserted it, turn it three times then push it open. I look around the dimly lit room. Toys were piled up in one corner while the other side is filled with maps. "It's been decades since I last entered this room." The king took the bunny stuff toy and sigh. The queen rummage the top of the door and revealed some matches. She use it to light up the candle by the door. I took it from her and explored the depths of the room. "This is dated forty years back. It was a letter from Uncle Laurent, two years since he have been lost." I showed it to them and the king cried out, "Oh Lord." He took it from me and read. The queen sat on the small bed and take another bunny from the floor. "He loves this stuff toy so much, he even sleeps with it." The queen did not bother on how filthy the toy is as she took it in her arms. "Grandma, Grandpa." They both look at me at the same time. I showed the bunch of letters and the box. "It was all dated after the accident. I believe uncle Laurent is still alive." I check the box but it was locked. The keys nowhere in sight Grandpa took the letter from me and flip each of it, scanning it before finally stopping on the last one. He scan it, sigh before giving it to me. * Blood of my blood, I have settled in. The Canadian Royals are so welcoming. They allow me to stay and tend to the horses. I met a girl. She was a beauty. Her name is Belle, Belle Vin. An unusual name for a girl. She was from Quebec. I'd love to introduce her to you. You would love the food she makes. She is a great cook. TRENT * The blood was drained from my face. Trent? It was my adoptive father? He is my Uncle? Is that why he cared for me and have converted my name to Luke when my real name was Lucas? He knows the truth which is why he gave me my things. He knows that I need to tell his parents. I look at the king to see him crying, beating his chest. "He is alive, Monica. After all these years we haven't even tried to search for him. It hurts a lot...I should've, I should've been a better dad. What have I done?" Grandma hug him tight as he howled. I sat back on the bed and lied down on it. I took their picture, noticing how they look almost the same. My father smiles as uncle Laurent put his arm over him. When I put it down, I was surprise that something jingles. I remove the back of the frame to see a key. Grandma was surprise as I took it and insert it on the box. The small box creaks as I open it. I pull the letter out with the picture of my uncle Laurent and a bunch of documents. "To my mom, and my dad, If you are reading this then, Jacob have made it. We have finally met after years of my absence and I have given him the pass to this box. I haven't contacted you for years because I fear the responsibility. I hope to not return to my old life. So if you are reading this, please let me be. Let him choose the girl he desires. Don't force him and if he ask to rule alone, let him be. I have attached a picture here. I finally married the love of my life. She was my everything. I hope Jacob will find her happy ending too. Don't be so hard on him dad! Love you lots, mom and dad Your son, Laurent" I finish reading it, take out the document and smiled, grateful. I am finally free. 계속 Well, what can you say about that?