Epilogue

EPILOGUE LUKE "King Lucas, " the address is still not engraved in my mind even if a year have already passed. The king pass down the crown a week after I came back from Canada, before the year has ended. He was over the moon, happy that finally, he has been free from the responsibility. I can't believe how jolly he is after the exclusive party we've had to announce my coronation day. Uncle Laurent watch the ceremony and together, him and the king gave their blessings to me. Queen Monica, my grandmother, was shaken when she saw my Uncle Laurent. She pepper him with kisses and showered her with hugs in almost every minute. It was startling to see her so intimate. As for Neola, I choose to not tell them about what happened to her. I halted the news from spreading her name. After a week, the rescuers have revealed that the other three passengers has been found. They announce that they will stop searching, but I didn't lose hope. Instead, my desperation has grown a hundred times more. I sent out my own research team, seeking every island nearby and asking if there has been a certain girl who happened to drift on their shore. Gabriel also infuse his power, hiring men to search for his little sister with hopes that she will finally be found. Elle has done her part too, even going to the extent of accompanying the research team and asking people. No one found her and possibly, no one else would. It hurts me that it is only us who knows about what happen to Neola. The king and queen thought that she has been living in Africa doing the volunteer work. They thought that she'll be back before spring comes. I haven't told them the truth for I never want to lose hope. As for Uncle Laurent, he's been so busy, we haven't have the chance to talk. He is usually out of town because he was given the task of checking the status of the people. He also rediscovered his long term hobby of sailing, turning his pale skin, tan once again. "King Lucas." I clench my jaw and look back at Argus who holds a tray. I open it to see a card. " They have sent us the official invitation for the ball this spring festival. We only have about a week to make necessary preparations." I took the card and wave him off, not in the mood for talking. He looks at me, his eyes pitiful but I just turn my back on him and wait for him to get out of the study. Recently, I choose to stay alone here in my study, staring at the mountain and the sea scape. It was a pretty sight but someone is much prettier than what I am seeing right now. If she haven't gone to Africa then, she would've been here with me. We could've been happy. We are probably expecting for our first child. I imagine her waddling towards me, eyebrows furrowed as she holds a bowl of popcorn on top of her protruding stomach. She would've been so cute. I snap out of my dreams and walk towards the balcony. I scratch the back of my neck, turn my back on the railing and lean, looking up at the sky. I breathe in and out. If she was out there, I wonder what she is doing. Maybe she got stranded in a nearby island where not much of technology is use. Or maybe she got a concussion resulting to her forgetting about me. Or she got hunted by animals and she has to keep looking for some shelter to live. I wonder where she is now. Is she still alive? Is she even well? Thoughts of her flooded my mind every time I got distracted. The budgets and the projects are easy. Dealing with people is much easier. But living without her is like I am dying of a disease incurable. I need saving, quick. I bit my lip, straighten up and swiftly went out. I nod at Gigi as she curtsied towards me. She gave me a sad smile on which I replied with a sigh. I headed towards the stables and nod at Jacques. I search for Midnight only to see him lying down. He whines as I walk towards him. "I am sorry, your majesty but Midnight has suffered an injury." Jacques bowed, looking at Midnight who is restless. " I am afraid you have to use Wildfire for a while as Midnight heals." "Alright then, show me Wildfire." I was surprise to see the brown stallion marching towards me, its mane appearing like it is on fire. I climb up and almost quickly it bolted, giving me no chance to say goodbye to Jacques. I directed the horse towards the sea before we headed to the forest and back to castle. He was such a good horse with not much of a fuss, I had a good time with him. Tapping his mane, I smiled before making my way back. I pass by the armoury and saw Edam. "My king, " Edam bowed before smirking at me. "Wanna drink later tonight?" he informally says making me smile at him. I hit his head and put my arm around his shoulder, "Let's start now." We quickly headed up to my study. He called for Jace and Kent while I get us some dried fish and peanuts to accompany our trademark beer. Oddly enough, I have developed a special bond with this fools. I guess it was because they know what I have gone through and experience it with me. They understand my situation and I am thankful for that. The wild knocking in my study is the indication of them finally here. They open the door and we settled on the floor in front of the furnace. Jake put the glasses down on the carpeted floor while Kent distribute the ice. I pour the dried fish on the bowl and put the peanuts on another container. Edam search my vinyl collections and played a mellow song. I shake my head at him and smile. He truly knows what I need. I sat next to Jace and wait for him to pour me a drink. I down it in one gulp and they all stare at me. "Hey, are you really okay?" Kent ask making me laugh. "I should punish you for speaking informally." I playfully glared at him and laugh some more. "Pour me another, " Jace eyes widened at my request and he followed, giving me another glass. They all down their own glass of a beer. I downed the second one quicker that I did with the first. The three of them look at each other making me laugh. "Why are you so shock?" they down their second glass trying to match with me. I smiled and played with my glass. Edam stares at me, his look, calculating. "Luke, this is not you. Tell us why are you being like this?" I smiled asking Jace to pour me a third. I took the glass then down it again. I put the glass on the floor and reckon for Jace to give me a fourth. Edam put his hand over my glass and looks at me. "This is not you, Luke. Tell us what happen so we can help. We are brothers now, remember? I just laugh at them, bowing my head. After a few moments, the three started to pack up. I look up to see Jace taking the beer and fish with him, "Hey, where are you going?" I pulled Jace down and put both of my hands on the sides of his face. "Today, no one leaves this room!" "What do you mean? We already drank two glasses and you are going for more. We can't be drunk, or else we will be reprimanded." I glared at Jace, my hands still on the sides of his face. I remove my hands and shout, "Nope! Don't leave, " I pulled him towards me and put an arm around him. "No one leaves before sunrise!" "What's wrong with this guy?" Jace tried to push me off but I wouldn't let go of him. I tighten my hold before bowing my head. I can feel the tears coming. I sigh. "Hey, what's wrong with him?" Jace ask as he looks at me. "What's wrong with him now?" my breathing is harsh as I cried. Kent sat back on the floor and looks at me. "I miss her, " I whispered as more tears started to drop from my eyes. Edam click his tongue. "What?" Jace ask, still looking at me. "I miss her." Edam brush his hair back and said, "What a wake up call you are. Very sobering, psh." He sat down next to Jace before muttering, "This is a new habit he has that I've been telling you about Jace. He used to stop people from going when he is drunk, repeating himself over and over until he collapse but now he cries and say that he miss her." I bit my lip to stop myself from crying but more tears fell. "He won't even remember everything tomorrow, " "I miss her!" Jace pats my back and glares at Edam who snapped, "What to do? We can't even find her Luke. If you miss her so much then you shouldn't have drunk that much to act like this." I bowed down and continue crying. "He became weird after the ship sunk. It was like he transform into a different person." Jace looks at Edam as he listens, "He will lock himself in his room and stay there. Once he wakes up, he rides to the mountain and sea the sunrise then when it is time for the sun to set, he goes back to the shore and just stare at the ocean." I lie down on the floor and continue to cry. "But when I ask him why he is doing that, he just gave me a smile and say that he also doesn't know why he is doing it ." The guys looks at me as I stood. I went towards my table and finally fell asleep. I wonder. I wonder if I am going to see her in my dream tonight. * I continue to count. Five more waves before I go inside. I wait, staring at the sea. My thoughts scattered in the wind. Spring can be sense on it, I have to breathe in once again and smile bitterly. She would have loved this. I put my mask and proceed inside the venue. The royalties are all projecting different characters, wearing costumes and such. I watch as Elle enters the venue, her five month bump visible from her maleficent costume. Gabriel was sporting a Batman costume same with Jacob. "Uncle Luke, " I smiled at Jacob as he ran towards me. He waves his hand and reckon me to lean down. I smirk at him and crouch down, "What is it?" "Do you think, Aunt Neola will finally be here?" I put a hand on Jacob's shoulders and pull him in for a hug. When I look up, Gabriel was comforting Elle as she wipe her tears. Gabriel gave me a look and I sigh, "Take him by the candy station while I talk with Luke, " Elle nods, pulling Jacob towards the station. Gabriel watch as they leave, he remove his mask, his face serious, "We have finally found a trace." My eyes lit up as I listen some more, "It seems hopeful after a year but it seems that this is a positive sign. We will find her Luke, I promise, " Gabriel puts a hand on my shoulder and squeeze it. We follow Elle and Jacob and was surprise when a little boy was with them, "Uncle Luke, I finally found Simon!" Jacob bounce happily with the kid. The little boy remove his darth Vader mask and smiled up at me, "Le prince, je suis Simon. You remember?" I lean down and brush his head, "Oui. The one who ask for fifty euro and did not return the change." Simon gave me a toothless smile before taking Jacob's hand. They run outside towards the beach with a couple of little princesses trailing them. "They'll be a handful, " Elle muttered, her hands on her waist. "how's the little one doing?" I ask her as I put a hand on her tummy. "Sleeping. She's been restless last night she didn't gave me the chance to catch some sleep." "I told you not to go, " Gabe says looking funny with his mask. "But it is an official invitation. I couldn't miss it and Jacob insisted. He wants to meet Simon again." They both have a stare down and Elle won, unfortunately. I excuse myself and decided to chill by the gazeebo, feeling vulnerable that no one can entertain me more than Neola does. "Le prince, I saw the princess, she is here, " he ran towards me waving his light saber. "She is here. Really. She is wearing white." I scan the room and trusted his words. I proceed back to the venue. People greeted me as I pass. I merely paid attention to them, focusing on his given information. Though, there is no one in this room who is wearing white. I went back to the Gazeebo to find that Simon was back at the shore playing with Jacob. Could it be possible that he is just pranking me? Maybe he just imagine it. I look around and sigh, deciding to join the two kids by the shore. "Raaaa!" Jacob scream as he tries to attack Simon. Simon dodge and playfully hit Jacob. I sat down on the sand and stare at the horizon. Only then did I see someone wearing white. I squint my eyes, not seeing her face. She is wearing a veil and she appears like a bride. "Uncle, that's her. That's tata Neola!" Simon pointed and I just sat there, frozen in place. The girl sat next to me. She took my hand and kiss it. Her face is still covered by the veil. With my hands shaking, I slowly lift it up from her face. My heart is hammering in my chest, the tears kept on flowing as I pull her in and hug her. "It's you." "Yes it's me, Luke, " Neola whispered as she hug me tight. "The one and only Heir's Bride." I smiled down at her, hugging her close as we lie down on the sand, cherishing the moment, smiling as we stare at each other. I couldn't help it, I lean in and kiss her. The sun lit her hair golden in the sunset. Her lips were soft and warm, it is comforting. I kiss her there, taking my time, cherishing her and giving all the love I've stored for a year. The two kids were squealing in the distance while the others are still unaware that she was finally here. After suffering for a year, crying like a fool and hoping that she is still alive while others continue with their lives, I hold unto the memory of our love and dreamt of a future I do not know I will have. I prayed to the gods, hoping they will hear me and they did. And now I know, as I hold her in my arms and lie with her in the sand, that she will be here with me, forever. 꿑