The Prince of Goara

Chapter Four

XAVIER.

After the night I got attacked, Adira and I was locked up in a storage room and she told me about a tragedy in her past, we went home the next morning and went to work like usual.

Adira arrived at the pizzeria first and I found her and Greysen talking in the serving area. He was so worried about Adira and was fuming mad at what happened to us. He was lecturing Adira for such hours and told her to stay by his side so that he can protect her when something like that happens.

That same day, Greysen and I talked.

" Xavier. " Greysen called me with a straight face.

We were the only ones in the kitchen cuz he asked Desmond and Adira to stay in the serving area so we can talk privately.

" Yes, Grey? "

" I just wanna talk about some matters. " He said and started kneading doughs. We were talking without looking at each other.

" Sounds like a serious matter. " I uttered and checked the pizzas in the oven.

" It's about Adira. " He replied. I turned around and looked at him.

" Okay? " I muttered. He was very serious which is not the usual Grey I know.

" You know what I feel for her, right? " He then looked at me too. He was looking straight into my eyes. " Xavier, she's been with me since we were young. We were together through everything. I faced every fear with her.....She's my safe haven..... And I hope you wouldn't take her away from me. " He added and went back to what he was doing. He said all that looking dead serious.

" I won't. You can trust me. " I said understandingly. I turned my back and took the pizzas from the oven.

After that night, Greysen's coldness was gone. He became cheerful and jolly again.

And that day, I knew right from his eyes that he is in love with Adira. Maybe that was the thing bothering him before and he thought that I would take her from him. I will never do such a thing as that. I know how it feels when your girl is slowly fading in your arms. I'll never want someone to hurt the way I was. Even though I do not have the assurance if I still have her when I come back, I love her still deep within my heart. Her name is imprinted in my heart and it says 'Aila '.

On the other hand, while Xavier is reminiscing his memories with his lover, Greysen was wide awake in the middle of the night overthinking. His eyes are closed but his whole system is fully awake. The words that Xavier said keep replaying in his mind. He said that to assure him but Greysen is still bothered.

GREYSEN.

It's been hours yet I cannot fall asleep. I kept thinking about what I told Xavier. I'm afraid he might tell it to Adira.

I don't want her to know my feelings for her from other people, I want her to hear it from me. I value my feelings for her so much and I wouldn't let anyone or anything ruin the connection I built between me and her. I've always loved her since the day I first met her.

She was this young, cold girl at first. She didn't even want to talk to me that time so I kept on bugging her till I can finally play with her because she never played even when grandpa is bringing us to a park, she just stares at nowhere. She was a very quiet kid. I can still remember the night that grandpa went somewhere and left me in our house then the next morning I woke up next to Adira. Grandpa told me that he just saw her somewhere and decided to keep her cause she has no family to take care of her.

I was just an 8-year-old kid back when I fell in love with her. And yes, it was love. It's the kind of love that children know—pure, genuine, and real. She became my best buddy, greatest enemy, and biggest admiration. And I want to be her protector, her 'once upon a time' and her 'happy ending'.

I want to be her dream come true, her 'everyday wishes', her favorite scent, her favorite coffee in the morning, and her favorite pillow at night. I want to be her sun, not one of her million stars.

Few more minutes and I felt my eyelids getting heavy till my eyes gave up and closed.

" Wake her up, Grey. " Grandpa told me. I went up to Adira's room and tried to wake her. I patted her and told her to wake up.

" Time to wake up, Ads. " I said and turned my back then walked out of her room.

I waited for a few seconds but I didn't hear anything. I decided to open the door and check if she's awake already but I saw her lying on her bed still, looking pretty.

I walked towards her and was about to pinch her nose but I was halted. She looks so tired. I sat next to her and stared at her face. Her eyes are so precious, even when it's closed, I can see the shining soul deep inside her. From her alluring deep eyes, down to the bridge of her breathtaking nose and her captivating soft pink lips. How in this world are you made of? You're just...perfectly beautiful.

" Mhm... " She yawned and opened her eyes a bit. Did I wake her up? I pinched her nose and stood up quickly.

" Wake up, Silly! "

" Hey! Why do you have to do that?! That hurts! " I heard her shouting while I'm leaving her room. I shut the door and did my drills.

She's walking beside me, like the good old days. I looked at her and smiled, reminiscing the memories we shared. It's just nostalgic. I didn't notice that there was a wide smile imprinted on my face already. She laughed it out and teased me all the way to the pizzeria. I wasn't pissed or annoyed anyway, 'cause I love the adorable sound of her laughter. I don't know how she gives off that light feeling every time that I'm with her.

I know that it's not the right time to pursue her heart, so I won't. But I don't want to lose her either.

It was noon when I decided to talk to Xavier. He was wearing his usual white bowling shirt and black trouser. I walked towards him and looked him in the eye.

" I'll be straightforward to you, I love her, and I won't let anyone take her away from me, even if I have to go against you. " I said bluntly. " Keep a little distance. " He was just staring at me, processing my words. " Xavier....I-I know I already talked to you last time. I just think that you're getting a little closer to Adira. " I started.

He looked at me with a blank face.

" I trust you, but who knows? You both might fall for each other. " There was no reaction on his face at first but he then laughed after a minute.

" Okay okay, Greysen. I understand, but to be honest, I have a lover. And I'm deeply in love with her. " He smiled. I bet he meant it. He sounded serious. I couldn't let out a word. I was speechless and a bit embarrassed at the same time. But after all, I regret nothing.

XAVIER.

I closed the door after I got inside the kitchen, here in the pizzeria.

Greysen and I talked a while ago. He's been bothered ever since his best friend and I got closer, it shows tho. That's completely fine with me, knowing that he has feelings for Adira. I'd be like that too if I was in his shoes.

Someone halted me from closing the door, it was Ads. She went in and closed the door. I looked at her, confused. She was wearing a black forthery dress and her hair is tied in a bun while few strands fell. It was her usual look.

She exchanged looks with me and then she arched a brow.

" Are you avoiding me? " She asked. I kept a poker face while panting inside. I knew she would say that but I'm still nervous cus I don't know what to tell her.

Should I just say that Grey told me to avoid her because he likes her? Of course not, geez.

I simply shook my head, denying it. I then turned around to clean the shelves and sink. She followed me and keep bugging me.

" Then why are you not talking to me? C'mon, Xavier. " She said, kind of irritated. I didn't throw her a single look and just continued what I was doing.

" I'm just busy, Ads. It's nothing. " I answered.

When I was done cleaning the kitchen, we were all ready to leave since the pizzeria is closed already. Still, Adira kept bugging me anywhere I go and I can see Greysen glancing at her. He's also throwing me empty looks.

I faced Adira when I got pissed a little cus she's still following me on my way home.

" Look, just stop bugging me okay? Everything's fine, we're good so you may go now. I'm not the only one you're bothering, you're pissing him off too. " I looked at Grey staring at us while waiting for Adira. He looked away.

" Why? Does he have feelings for you? " I closed my eyes sharply and cupped my face with my left hand. She laughed seeing my reaction. Sometimes, it makes me wonder how he fell for this crazy lady.

She walked back to Greysen as I turn my back. 'Til they were gone in my sight.

" Glad you're here already, son. " Ms. Bolivia greeted me as I enter the house. I smiled at her.

" We missed you! " Crimson and Amber greeted me as they saw me, they ran to me and hugged me tightly.

It feels so good as they welcome me warmly every time I go home tired from work. I'm really glad to have them and I'm also thankful for Ms. Bolivia. Her son must be so lucky if he's with his mom right now.

I carried Amber until she sleeps and laid her on their bed.

I sat next to Crimson as I pat his head, putting him to sleep. He slowly closed his eyes. When they're both asleep, I stood up. Ready to go back to my room and rest.

I stopped when I heard Crimson talk.

" I wish that you'll still be our brother in our next lives. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. " I looked back at him and his eyes are still closed. I walked back beside him.

" I hope so. " I replied.

" You won't leave us, right? " He opened his eyes. I was taken aback. So many things and questions suddenly fill my mind. Can I take them with me when I come back to my real family?

He pulled my shirt waiting for my answer. I shrugged and nodded. Followed by a reassuring smile.

There were so many thoughts lurking in my mind yesternight.

I left the house early, the kids were still asleep. I'm planning to hear from my servant about my family in the palace.

As one of the princes, I have some servants but since I left the palace, only one servant was left for me.

He was my best friend, he was my most trusted servant so he's the only one I told where I was going.

His loyalty is mine and I am sure of that. Before I ran away from the palace, I told him to stay there and meet me once at a time to report every uncertain happening.

" How's it going? " I asked Levi.

" Noeru is up for something. They've been collecting the levy which was wrong cus it was originally handled by the ministers. " He reported.

" But I'm sure, there happened a discussion about that with the princes before it was approved, right? " I asked.

" Yes, and your father agreed with it. " He replied. I was taken aback. I am totally surprised to hear that. " Don't worry, I don't think he's one with the dirty works of King Noeru. They only agreed because it was said that the purpose of that was to check tariffs before it goes to the hand of the ministers. " He added.

" And there it was. They didn't want to check it! " I blurted out as I realized something. " I thought he would be a responsible ruler. " I gritted my teeth out of anger.

After I talked to Levi, I went to the pizzeria.

" Where's Desmond? " I asked Adira who was the only person in the serving area which was weird cus Desmond should be here too.

She looked at me and smiled weakly.

" Grandpa's sick. Grey brought him in the physician and he'll come hereafter. "

I nodded. Worried. But I didn't show it cus I don't want her to worry too.

We opened the pizzeria and served.

It was exhausting cus it's a double job for both Adira and me.

Adira was the one serving usually and Desmond is the cashier. I am the one baking the pizzas while Greysen was the one making the orders.

It was kinda tough, especially when there are many customers. It's a rush but I'm glad that we handled it till Grey arrived.

He left Desmond in their house, at first he said that he didn't want to leave him alone but he needs to.

NOERU.

I was sitting with the other princes when the dukes suddenly asked for a forum.

" The dukes called a meeting, your majesty. " A servant mumbled.

" Immediately? "

" Yes, your majesty. " He answered.

" Did the first princes called a discussion again? " Aesoree asked. He was sitting next to me. Airone and Demitri looked at me when they heard Aesoree.

I shook my head and told them that it's a meeting with the dukes. As I've expected, Airone asked me again and again to tell the first princes his proposal to send him in Geuds. He wanted to live there and rule that place. It's just a small place in Goara but he is so anxious to get that. As much as I know, he only wanted to be there because of a certain girl.

Well, according to the rules made by our ancestors. The King can give the rights to a prince to rule a place in Goara. But, I have to ask for the approval of the first princes before I send Airone there. It was a rule they've established before I sat on the throne. I have to consult them first before doing something for Goara since they consider me too young to decide on my own for our world.

" The king is here! All rise! "

As I enter our assembly room, all the dukes rose and bowed.

I'm currently wearing my well-embellished tunic with gold-work thread, pairing my black formal pants.

" What's this all about, Duke Vale? " I asked as I sat on my golden chair along with the dukes on this long royal table.

" We already heard about the stories. " He formally answered.

" Stories? " I confusedly said. Some dukes looked at each other and murmured.

“There is news spreading about you, corruption they say.” Duke Brint replied formally. I tried to keep a straight face even though I’m panting inside. I haven't heard anything about this.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” I said. Some dukes looked at each other and I heard whispers again.

“Of course, I’ve never seen anyone admitting their crime. I’m not saying that the rumors are true but we have people to investigate and unveil the truth, your majesty. “ Duke Vale said looking straight into my eyes.

“Is that all?” I tried to look unbothered and keep my cool but seriously, I have no idea about what they're talking about.

After the discussion with the dukes. I went to my father's room. Any problem that will be reported to me is his problem. After all, I'm just his puppet.

“But you never told me about this!” I shouted. He looked at me and arched a brow. He’s glaring at me like he is going to kill me.

“Shut your mouth and know your place.” He looked back at the sheets he was reading. “Don’t act like you've never done dirty things. You’re just crowned but you know who you really are.”

I gritted my teeth in anger. It’s my image that will be destroyed if this would go public and would be proven by the officials.

“I’m really on that sacrificial lamb level, huh” I walked out.

As I was walking down the halls, I saw Demitri heading on my way.

I greeted him with a mocking smile imprinted on my face. I fierce a look when he got in front of me.

“How’s your day goin’?” I raised the side of my lips when his eyes turned black. Giving his best glare.

“Well, someone said, ‘Ignore shits around you’ but I just can't cus you stink.” He was wild serious. He stepped forward but he spoke before he was gone. “Greetings, your majesty.”

He let out a burst of sarcastic laughter and went away.

“It's either a thread or a knife to shut them up.” The man was just smiling crazily the whole time—making things up in his head of how he will end his brothers, one by one.

He had such sharp beards and thick brows that added weight to his dark eyes.

He is the real ruler behind a puppet—the second prince of Goara, Devmorche.

“Have you.....gone mad?” On the other side of the table, a man is sitting while sweat is running down his face. He is Noeru, the acting king of Goara.

He is scared. All the darkest nightmares are running in his head. He knew the limitations of his father, and there is none. He was blinking and gritting his teeth, teary-eyed.

The second prince has nothing to lose so he wanted to gain everything. And Noeru wants nothing but almost everything is in his hands. They’re total opposites . . .

He looked at me as his grin faded. It’s hitting every bone in my body, I was frozen by his gaze.

“Every one of us has a little crazy side. Some became powerful monsters, and some are just helpless thinkers. But rarely...are those who can control their demons.” He smiled again, still looking straight at me. “Noeru, what am I?”

I was caught off-guard. I am speechless. My mouth can't even mumble a word.

“There are times that we do not have to know the answers.”

We ended our conversation that way. It was suffocating.

He's planning a very dark crime. No one should see it. Nobody should know. It's b****y. . .

He wants to eliminate all the other princes and rule all alone. It took years for him to finally be here. On the ground where no one could stand his way.

THIRD-PERSON.

Whilst everyone is sound asleep, lights are off and the stary night covers the entire face of Goara, one is suffering.

It was such a great time to do something dark, ain't it?

A young man can be seen standing on a wooden chair with a rope on his neck, one wrong move and he’ll probably end his life hanging there—in a cold dark room.

He could not move, he could not resist, and he could not speak, nor ask for help. It's too quiet.

While he was begging for his dear life to all the gods he knows, a man at his age is also in that same place. Standing in front of a trembling man almost seeing his death right in his eyes.

The man is all covered in black. Only his hazel eyes are exposed. He then took a step forward to him.

His sweat is running down his face and he's nearly unconscious. Almost losing his breath. Every second that passes, the tighter he feels the rope on his neck. He can barely move. But still being helpless, he tried to beg once more. Hoping that maybe he can still see another sunshine.

“Please.....”

He pleaded with the smallest sound he can bear. His eyes are closing, slowly.

The man watched him till his final breath. And when the time has come, he kicked the chair and left his dead body hanging there.

He took one final glance at him and stepped out of the room with no emotions.

Soon as he got away from the place, he burst out crying. Tears were gushing down from his eyes. He just couldn't help but mourn. An emotionless eye earlier was replaced with melancholic eyes overflowing with tears.

He wept with a heavy heart.

The next morning was a disaster for Goara. Many are mourning, some are bearing the guilt, and some just didn't know how to react.

It was all over every place, news and papers. It is a headline. Everyone is talking about it. Everybody knows. It's the talk of the town.

PRINCE AESOREE LEWIS WAS FOUND DEAD IN AN ABANDONED ROOM.

Before it even blew out, Xavier's servant rushed to him and told him about his cousin’s death.

“He was found hanging there. The officials are claiming that he hanged himself. His family did not attend any of the discussions. No one has heard anything from them.” Levi reported.

When Xavier heard all that, he was just left perplexed, dumbfounded, and speechless. He can't process any of it. He's utterly shocked. He fell off his knees.

Later on, after a long silence. He felt his tears running down his cheeks.

“W-what do you think a-about it?” He sobbed. He was just looking at nowhere, still baffled.

Levi sat beside him. He talked to Xavier not as a servant anymore but as a best friend.

“I’ve been following Aesoree for the last few days. When I went back to the palace after I reported to you that night, I saw him going to that abandoned room. I followed him, someone was waiting for him there. The only strange thing for me that time was the thought of ‘why do they have to talk inside an old room where nobody is going to’. I didn't hear any of their conversations cus there are guards all around the area but after that, Aesoree went home safely. And since then, he's been weird. He acts strangely most of the time. They were meeting in that room every single night.” Levi explained.

“Do you know who he was seeing there?” Xavier asked.

“Definitely.” Levi said, dead serious. Xavier looked at him. “The king.”

Xavier's eyes grew bigger and he was baffled again. So many questions lurked in his mind.

“W-why? Why do they have to talk in such a place as that? They're together most of the time right?” Xavier replied.

“That’s what I was also thinking that moment, not until I knew something the last night I followed him. Aesoree found out about Noeru's corruption, and he was the one who spread the rumors. Noeru has been threatening him since the time he knew that it was Aesoree.” Levi answered. Connecting and recalling all the information he knew.

“Why didn't you follow Aesoree yesternight?”

“I was waiting for him to come out of their house at nine in the evening because that was the exact time he was meeting Noeru. But nobody went out that night, and I was sure that he was still inside. After waiting for such hours, I went to the abandoned room but nobody was there so I thought that they will not meet so I just went back and rested.” Levi cleared and fixed his hat. “ I just heard from the other servants that he was gone earlier and so I went here to tell you.”

They looked at each other for a few minutes and went on their way.

XAVIER.

I'm on my way to the palace with Levi. I’m wearing a disguise to hide my identity while Levi covered his face too.

We climbed the wall behind the palace to enter. When we arrived at the abandoned room, the discussion with the investigators started so there's nobody in the place.

When checked the whole place and looked at every corner of the room.

I'm currently standing in front of the hanging rope. I saw some traces of sweatdrops on the floor right under the rope.

I had a bad feeling looking at it.

“Levi, something's wrong here.” He stopped looking around and gazed at me.

“What do you mean?” He responded. Suddenly, we heard footsteps coming nearer. We quickly went out and went away.

THIRD-PERSON.

In a dark hidden room, two people can be seen sitting on a small table facing each other. The atmosphere was very serious.

They're both looking straight into each other's eyes.

One is covering his face with a black thin cloth, having his hair brushed down—kinda messy. He has thick brows with dark rounded eyes and a fine pointy nose, he's totally intimidating, and no one would bet to disagree that he's a fine man.

“Levi....” The man with wavy shoulder-length hair started. They're both tensed. “I-I think.....Aesoree—he-he is m-murdered.”

He was stuttering when he let out those words. Just thinking about it makes him feel uneasy. The thought of the possibility that his other cousin might be the one who killed Aesoree.

“Xavier...” Levi doesn't know what to do. His best friend is almost breaking down.

On the other hand, Xavier—with his unusual look. Having a long wavy hair down with a black hat on top. He also had a beard and a thin mustache. Very far from what he looked like when he was in Geuds .

But all of it is fake. Just a complete disguise.

After some moments, Xavier took a deep breath and wiped the tears in his eyes.

Looking back at the scene, Xavier told Levi every little thing that he saw.

How can the chair be so far from the spot where Aesoree was standing...or hanging instead?

The sweatdrops on the floor simply confirm that Aesoree died right there. Tracing the length of the distance of the chair from the sweatdrops—being hanged and tied your neck on a rope would be impossible for the victim to exert such force to cause the chair to fall that far. Which gives Xavier the thought of having another person there to kick the chair and purposely kill Aesoree.

“ Was it really Aesoree who killed himself that night?”

It was the biggest question they had running in their minds all night.

And slowly, as they lie on their beds—still having tons of doubts and thoughts, they both rested their tired bodies and allowed their heavy eyelids to take over the night.

It was indeed, a very exhausting day for Xavier and Levi . . .

Xavier.

As I opened my eyes, I felt a bad headache.

I haven't taken enough sleep last night, because there were a lot of things running through my mind.

The next thing I knew, we’re both back on our business—investigating the death of Aesoree.

This morning, we found out that the officials claimed his death as suicide and published it to the public. Everyone thinks it really is. They said that Aesoree was very depressed and has been acting strangely. They also added that he killed himself for being tired of his royal life. And everyone believes everything. But for me, it doesn’t make any sense. Every word sounded like a lie in my ears, even when I didn’t have much time to know Aesoree piece by piece. But I’m sure I had enough time to know his capacity and strength.

Being in the competition for the crown with him, I had good and bad times with him.

We often fight and argue to even the smallest things in life. But we also shared some beautiful memories, like sharing random thoughts at night when we’re cannot fall asleep, playfully teasing each other most of the times, and there’s this one special night that we had.

We were standing next to each other, breathing the same air. Feeling the touch of the cold breeze thru our skin, we shared a memorable conversation that night.

He spoke, “ The last thing I want in my life is the throne.” He started off.

I asked him, “why?”

“I’ve been seeking validation throughout my entire life. And I wouldn’t want to end up being like that still” He looked at me.

“So I'll support you instead”.