The Feast Part 1
1225 Words
ONCE UPON THE LIFE OF THE WISE KING
Volume 1
The Birth of The Wise King
Chapter 2 - The Feast Part 1
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“Pull this banner up!”
“Just a bit more to the right!”
“How about this colour for the mantle?”
“That looks great!”
The Luciel Kingdom that King Wenhart ruled, bustled as the citizens made some last-minute preparations for the feast that will be held within a few hours. Meanwhile, in the palace, King Wenhart busied himself in his study, ordering his personnel to make sure that everything is going well accordingly.
“Have you check the invitations?” King Wenhart, who sat at his desk, asked the man before him.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the man replied. “We’ve confirmed that the noble families have received their invitations and all of them gave their positive response to it. They will be arriving in a couple of hours.”
“That’s great. How about the preparations for the ball and banquet?”
“The maids have finished decorating the hall. The musicians have already arrived and are currently setting up their instruments. And the cooks in the kitchen will be done with the food shortly.”
“Hm.” King Wenhart nodded. “Kindly tell my children to prepare and be ready within a couple of hours. Not only they have to attend the majika release, but also to participate in the ball.”
“...” The man had a troubled face.
“What is it?” King Wenhart frowned.
“Uhmmm… Your Majesty. About that…” The man, who had been looking straight to the King, averted his eyes, sweating.
“What is it that you are having trouble with?” King Wenhart prompted.
“Pardon me for this, Your Majesty.” The man bowed deeply. “But, Prince Colin have yet to return from his hunt.”
King Wenhart sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “That kid,” he muttered and remained silent for a moment before addressing the man again. “Please have someone to fetch him. Tell the Prince that the King orders him to participate in this very important event. It is mandatory to attend, especially for him.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.” The man bowed his head.
The King watched as the man gave his respect and left. Leaning back on his seat, he let out another sigh as he looked up.
On the other hand, The Queen had just finished dressing the young Prince, Alphonse. After placing Prince Alphonse back on his crib, Queen Cielisse went to her dresser to pick up a dress that she will be wearing for the event. While going through the clothes she had in the dresser, Queen Cielisse said to herself, “I don’t really have to come and attend the event, you know. I don’t know how to face our people again after failing to give birth to an heir.” She looked over her shoulder, directing her gaze on her son. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, Alphonse. Mother loves you just as much as I love your father and sibling. I hope you understand my role as the Queen of Luciel Kingdom. It is very important to have an heir to be the next king. I just wish one of you could be the heir. Because of this situation, your elder brother Colin has been looked down upon, and now he’s got this recluse personality.”
“Ah bah! Bah!” The baby tapped his hands against his lap.
“You think our people will forgive me, son?” Queen Cielisse turned around to face the child.
“Mm! Ma!”
“Really? You think so? Very well, I shall endure more.” Queen Cielisse nodded and went back to choosing a dress that did not take long. She made haste in her preparations which only took an hour. “Now that I’m done, let’s go see how your father is doing.”
Queen Cielisse picked Prince Alphonse up. She settled the child in her arms and, together, they made their way out of the room and into the hallway, heading straight to the King’s study.
The knocks against the door roused King Wenhart from reading a report. “Come in,” he called.
“Your Majesty,” Queen Cielisse greeted the King with a smile as she opened and closed the door immediately after stepping inside.
Hearing the Queen’s voice, King Wenhart looked up and returned his wife’s smile. “Cielisse, you looked beautiful in your mint dress,” he complimented.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Queen Cielisse replied as she sat on a chair. “How does our little Prince look to you?”
“Of course, he is very handsome in the clothes you picked for him.”
“Ah bah!” the baby clapped his hands.
“I see that you agree with me, huh, young man,” King Wenhart said with a smile.
“How are you doing, Your Majesty?” Cielisse asked.
“I’m doing well. In fact, everything is in place already. We’ll be starting anytime soon; we’ll just have to wait for everyone to arrive.”
“I see…” Queen Cielisse seemed a little sad.
King Wenhart noticed his wife’s mood so he asked, “What about you?”
Queen Cielisse was taken aback, not expecting the question. “Huh?”
“How are you feeling?” The King elaborated.
“... I am well, Your Majesty.”
“Wenhart,” the King said.
“What?”
“Please call me by my name. Wenhart.”
“But, you’re the King…”
“Yes, indeed I am. But then again I am your friend first before I became the king of this land.” King Wenhart said, placing his elbow on the desk and resting his chin on his hand. “So, what is troubling you, Cielisse?” he prompted.
With a sigh, Queen Cielisse relented. “I’m scared… of facing our people, Wenhart.”
“Does this have something to do with not producing our heir yet?”
Queen Cielisse nodded. “Yes.”
“I didn’t know you are this dense, Cielisse.” The King shook his head.
“What did you say?”
“I said I didn’t-”
“I heard you, you know. I mean… why would you say that?”
“... Our people love you,” King Wenhart said. “Why are you scared? Just because we don’t have our heir yet means our people will hate you. I’m sure they will understand and that we will have our heir. Just be patient, alright? Besides, even if we won’t ever have our heir, there’s no way our people will hate you. They will still love you because you love them, you care for them, you give food to whoever you see starving, you help to heal the injured and sick. Cielisse, you are like a mother to our people and mothers are loved by their children.”
“Wenhart…” Queen Cielisse felt touched.
King Wenhart smiled gently. “Now, let’s go. Our guests must have already arrived.”
“Yes.”
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- Writer
