Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21 LUKE I am bored out of my mind. I twirled the pen on my hand, spinning it as the budget secretary rambles about the latest budget. Oh, come on Kurt! Stop this boring act and get to the point. Pft. I couldn't focus on the task at hand. I can see my grandfather glaring at me from across the room. I clench my jaw and decided that I should run this my way, "Mr. Hobbins, how do you expect this plan will work out for years?" my stare made him nod at me. The cue is finally on. "I have looked upon it and it seems they have done it at Quebec. Their royalty have a very influential power towards preserving old buildings." Kurt Hobbins looks at me, glasses glinting. "I believe that if you will do the same thing. This will help us greatly." I raise my eyebrow at him. He's a good actor. I can nominate him for Oscars. I look at grandfather to see him nodding in agreement. This is my chance. This is my final shot to make this work. I have to do it, one way or another. I will never get a moment like this. Running my tongue on my lips, I stood, " So, what are you suggesting I should do?" "You have to go there, your majesty. It will be great to make a visit and see to it that the plan had work. It's better to see it with your own eyes, " Kurt nodded his head, his bald head shining. He adjusted his eyeglasses before he looks at me. "I guess, " I look at my grandfather to see him weighing the words, the wheels turning in his head. "But I have a lot to do. I have to prepare Lady Fleur for the ball. Grandfather liked that she came from a noble family. I am debating whether I should break the engagement with Lady Loisa since grandfather favored Fleur. It won't be fair for me to go now, should I?" Kurt adjusted his eyeglasses again. His sweat dripping on the sides of his head. Relax, Kurt. Everything is under my control. Grandfather sigh as he looks at me. The other court members looks at us, frowning. I have to make the king believe me. I have to make him do a decision that felt like he is the one who is doing it, not knowing I plotted it. The king looks at me, torn. He knows that Neola is in Canada. He knows that the risk is high of me meeting with her. He can't allow that. He wanted Fleur for me. Having Neola is like accepting a class A product. She is not good enough for him. Noticing the doubt in his eyes, I look at my grandmother. She is the only allowed woman inside the room. She sat there, silent. Though we haven't talked much, she cared about me dearly. She loved and protected me like how she did with my father. She won't allow my plan to fail. Brushing her hands on her ever perfect hair, she laid a hand on my grandfather's shoulder. "He's right. He has so many things to do. We can just make someone go there. I guess, the royal family is not expecting a visit from us. I would love to send my gifts to them through our grandson but he's busy. Don't you think we should send Argus instead?" The queen smirks at me, her lips forming up with that unqueenly manner. Grandfather scratch his head, his crown now on the side. He fix it up with his hand before leaning back. "The ball can wait. Fleur can wait. Everything can wait, " he sigh. He looks at me, eyes cold. He knows that I am going against him but the kingdom matters more than anyone of us here. He loves it dearly. "You should go. This plan cannot wait another year again. We have been waiting for you for the last two decades. We can't postpone this again." His grip on his armchair is the only indication of his annoyance at me. "As you wish, your majesty, " I bowed towards him and watch as he leaves the room with the queen. * "Father, " I bowed down and take his hand. He put a hand on top of my head before pulling me in for a hug. "My boy, its been years since you came home." I tighten my hug on him and rejoice of being with my adoptive father once again. "Why did you choose to stay here, Father? London is better than here." "I guess, I got tired of the rain…" He laugh and pull away from me. He sat down on the chair and lit his tobacco. "The sceneries ought to change as years pass." We both look at the lake, both occupied of our thoughts. "How many years has it been since mother died?" He look at the lake, his eyebrows drawn together over his blue eyes that resembled mine. "About eight years this July." He sigh and look at me. "I am glad I found you. You are really my son…" he slap my back and laugh. I shake my head at his silly ways. In the past, people always mistake me as his real son for we have the same features. As I grew older those features became blurred and only my eyes and hair resemble his, our hair appearing golden in the sunlight every time we fish. "You just turn fourteen when we took you in. You speak Dutch and I had a hard time understanding you since I am a French native speaker, " his eyes wrinkle as he reminisce the memories. I sat down beside him and we both look at the lake. "But we blend well. You love to fish as I do, we do trekking and most of all, you are great at sea. " He laugh, the smoke of his tobacco spreading around. I smiled at him and couldn't help but miss my adoptive mother. Her kind smile and outstanding cuisine is the best. "Oh, who are those lads waiting by the car? Call them in, " I stared back to see Edam waving his hand with Jace. Those fools, I told them to stay inside and wait for me. I motion for them to come and they quickly went out of the car. "okay, you wait here while I get us some food." Father went inside the house and I glared at the lads as they seat around the table. "I told to wait inside!" Jace shrug while Edam smirked, "We were inside. We just wave our hands to your father, your majesty…" I kick his feet and whispered, "Don't call me that when we are here. Father doesn't know yet." Edam chuckled before he stood by the bank. "Here you go, " I look up to see a variety of muffins on the tray. Father put it down on the table and the fools dive in. "Easy, easy…there is more than enough for everyone." Father laugh at us and I couldn't help but smile at how silly they were. They are far from the knights I have known for the couple of months. I took the cheese muffin and settled next to my father. "By the way, here are the things you left. You might be needing them in the future, " He winks at me before taking the tray inside the house. I ran my hands on the engraved box and huff. * "I know you want her." My tone is cold as I speak with Edam. He huffed. "You misunderstood, your majesty. I treat him like a sister." I raise an eyebrow at him as I eat the burger. I am so hungry, any food is fine. There's no time for me to look for steak. Edam bit on his burger like I did. He looks funny on his casual clothes, specially Sebin whose hair stood in the cold air. Jace sits there, his burger already finished. He snatch some of the fries before he dip them on ketchup. "How I miss the French foods, this is not like it. We do it, differently." Jace sigh before he put it inside his mouth. We sat there, thinking of our next move. I watch as the three of them wolf down the fries. I haven't got an appetite ever since we landed down. I am anxious. "The prince" Simon's voice rang loud and clear. My heart skips a beat, I watch her as she looks around for me. I quickly dodge down. The other two ran the other way while I went for the souvenir shop. "I saw him, Tata Nela, " Simon scratch his head, adjusting his beanie before pushing away the man that was holding him a while ago. "He is the prince. I saw his picture in your phone. I am sure!" Edam slides beside me. He looks at me, his eyes wide. We are going to get caught if me and him will hide here. I tried pushing him but he looks at me with puppy like eyes. Shit. Neola looks at Simon and the man, "Lyle, let's get this little boy in the bus. He's probably tired of rounding about." "But, I saw him Tata Nela, he's just there." I duck, leaving Edam. His eyes widened. He quickly, crouch and hide beneath the clothes. I crawled and tried to fit behind the rack that holds the souvenir. Sliding between the cages of animal souvenirs, I throw a blanket over me. I peek through the small space, " Simon, he is not here, look…" Neola pulled the stuff toys and was about to head on my hiding place when the little girl on her arms cried. She soothes her back to sleep and take the little boy's hand. "Let's go Simon. We are going back." "But I still want to see the show, Tata Nela, " Neola looks at him, brush his cheeks before he gives the little girl at the man. "Alright then, no more running away." Simon nodded. He waited for them to go before he looks around at the shop and crouch down. That's when he saw me staring at him. "Shh, " I signaled him which made him nod. He took a whale stuff toy and held it towards my direction. " I want this." We made eye contact to each other. He was desperate. He signaled money with his little hands before smiling. I sigh and give him fifty euros. He smiles at me, ran to the counter before he went off to catch up with Neola. Sighing, I stood. Edam got out from his hiding place, his face unreadable. Geez, should I follow them? Making my decision, I snatch the seal's head from the stall and wore it. I watch as Edam did the same. I paid for it at the counter and blend with the crowd as we went towards the show. * It was cold outside, I regretted not bringing some gloves. I got myself some popcorn and sat beside Edam. My breath hitch as Neola sat right there in front of me. She looks at the man and said, "Lyle enough of this already." "Neola, give me a chance please. I know you still want me deep inside, " Neola looks down at the boy as they happily clapped. She tucks her hair on her ear before looking at the man. "We can't do this, okay? We can't go back to the past." "I know. But let us start now, I want you to be my future." I clench my jaw. My grip on the box tighten, making it give away. I watch as Edam stole it from me. He hastily put it down as Neola glares at Edam. I gulped. I almost risk our disguise. She sigh before looking back at the man. "Lyle, I can't be with you." She snapped, before she shows her ring to the man. "I can't be with you because I am already engaged." Her voice trembles. I couldn't help it as I let out a fist bump in the air and said, "Yeah!" Oops. 계속 * Next chapter, next week. Stay tune my babies. 사랄해! ㅜ.ㅜ