Aragorn and the Phoenix of Caspian (ENGLISH)

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Dayanara said to King Argon and Queen Amira. “I am very much pleased to see the both of you again.” Sarcasm filled her voice.

Queen Amira forced a smile. Her chest felt heavy. Why does she have to be here? Why did she ever show up herself again?

“Aragorn, meet Dayanara. She’s the daughter of one of the richest people in the town,” Queen Amira introduced her son to her former friend.

“Greetings, Dayanara.”

“Oh, Your Highness. Won’t you introduce me as your friend? Oh, I’m wrong. I am your former friend.”

Queen Amira didn’t answer. She didn’t want any trouble with her. She knew that’s what she wanted and if she fought back, it is going to happen. She missed her, but not what she was showing to her right now. She missed their friendship that was banished because of a man. She can’t blame herself. She liked King Argon back then and when he liked her back, she didn’t know how to reject the opportunity. She thought Dayanara would accept but it triggered her to stop talking to her.

“What’s with your visit, Dayanara?” King Argon asked. Every time he’s talking to Dayanara, it is an arrow that shot Queen Amira’s chest. She trusts the king enough and it wasn’t a mistake if she’s going to talk to Dayanara, but what’s in the past remains in the present.

“I heard about the death of the Queen Dowager. I paid, Your Highness a visit to check if you’re doing good. Besides, I heard that someone’s poisoning Queen Dowager while she was sick. I’ve been an investigator for years and maybe I can help. The person who’s doing a scheme to the queen dowager should be punished!”

“Dayanara, there were already investigators in the palace about the matter.”

“I know, Queen Amira but the more investigators, the easier for us to get an answer. Why? Don’t you want me to investigate or you’re afraid that what you are hiding would be revealed?”

“I am not hiding anything, Dayanara.” Queen Amira confidently smiled.

“We’ll see in my stay here.”

“I appreciate your invitation to help, Dayanara. But the investigation shall begin after the burial of my mother. We don’t want any mess to happen in the palace and we want a peaceful burial for her.”

“Sure, Your Highness. But I would like to stay here until the burial ends. Is there a room where I can stay?”

“Yes, Dayanara. Some of the servants will assist you to your room.”

Three of the palace servants assisted Dayanara to her new room where she can stay. Before she left, she witnessed how King Argon entangled his arms around Queen Amira’s hips. They truly love each other but would it stay that way once she started her plan?

“I don’t like her, Your Highness. That evil woman is obviously plotting something for you. You should not let her stay inside this palace. She’ll bring bad luck and discomfort on you, Your Highness.”

“How sure are you with your accusations, Dina? Zip your mouth because once King Argon heard about your false accusations, he’ll punish you. You know that accusing someone is against the law.”

Dina grunted. “Lolita, please explain it to Queen Amira. She doesn’t believe me.”

“I already told you that you should shut your mouth, but you don’t listen to me. Let the queen rest. She’s mentally and emotionally exhausted because of the queen dowager’s death.”

“Dina’s right. There must be a reason why Dayanara showed herself after more than twenty years of not showing herself to me and the king. Her hatred towards me is still igniting there in her heart. Is it a mistake that I also fell in love with the same man that she adores?”

“No, Your Highness,” Lolita answered.

“Of course it isn’t, Your Highness. The two of you are friends. It doesn’t matter if she’s the first one who liked the king. What matters is whom the king likes back. She wasn’t the one who needs to make a decision. She’s not a special person to control everything that happens.”

“Enough, Dina. You talk a lot at a young age. You must know how to respect. Dayanara’s status is high compared to you. Once she heard everything that you’re saying right now, don’t you think she’ll do anything to punish you?”

“Apologies, Your Highness. I’m the older one between us but I didn’t discipline her that well. We have to say goodbye now and I will talk to her.” Lolita pulled Dina out of the room. She didn’t let her go until they were inside Lolita and Lola’s room.

“Why didn’t you explain to the queen your thoughts that you told me? She would be aware of that. I am the one who started it but you didn’t talk.”

“I told you my thoughts but I didn’t tell you to tell the queen about it. She was devastated about the queen dowager’s death and the return of her evil friend who has a scheme for her. We are to serve the queen but you told your accusations toward Dayanara. You should think next time before you speak, Dina, or else you might fall into a trap.”

Dina rolled her eyes. She lumped herself on the bed. “What I did was right! I warned the queen about her evil friend.”

“Stupid,” Lolita whispered. “I have a plan to protect the queen, but if that’s what you’re acting right now, I won’t let you join it.”

“How dare are you not letting me join with your plan? I am the queen’s favorite servant before you. I care about the queen more than you do!”

“If you care about her.” Lolita rolled her eyes around the room. “Shut your mouth.”

“I will shut my mouth.”

Lolita leaned his head near Dina’s ears to whisper what’s running inside her mind. After whispering, both of them smiled. What a brilliant idea!

Aragorn shouted his call sign with Sphyra. In a second, she showed herself. She witnessed the prince’s tired eyes. Those looked like he always has sleepless nights.

“What happened to you, Aragorn? Didn’t I tell you to take care of yourself even if you’re mourning?”

Sphyra touched his pale skin. “What brings you here?”

“I’m devastated, Sphyra. My mother’s former friend arrived in the palace. I asked my mother about what happened between them before they got into a fight. I heard that they fought because my mother was the one who married my father and they both liked him back then. I’m afraid that she’s plotting something to my mother.”

“Or that person is plotting something for you also. If that person has a grudge against your mother, it also means that she also has grudges on you. If that person had grudges on you, she can also be the one who caused the fire so that citizens will challenge you to face me. I am not certain but by looking at the possibilities, it is possible.”

Sphyra’s right, he thought. Even though he’s observing at his Uncle Enzo, this woman might also be the one who did that fire. She’s rich and she can pay people to do things for her.

“I don’t know anymore. Everyone that’s close to me feels like a suspect. First, he caused fire for me to go on a mission to kill you. Second, someone’s poisoning my grandmother. And now, someone’s going to hurt my mother too. I’m tired, Sphyra.”

Sphyra sat on the big branch of the tree. She pulled Aragorn to sit beside her. Slowly, she caressed his head to lean on her knees.

“If you’re tired you can always take a rest.”

Aragorn stared at the noon sky. The rays of the sun were blinding and they were cheerful compared to what he observed last time. Why can he be the sun? Who’s always serving the day and getting rest at night?

“I’m mentally exhausted and things happened. I’m the only son of the king and I have a lot of duties to do for the palace. If only I became a commoner, life would be better.”

“Don’t say that, Aragorn. If you become a commoner, things would be more difficult. A lot of the citizens wished to become part of the royal family, but a prince like you wanted to become a commoner? It is a privilege to become the son of the king. Every person has duties, but if everyone does it like you who will give up because you’re tired of doing the assigned duties like you, how would the palace of Caspian be a better place? Taking a rest, for now, doesn’t mean you’re running away from your duties. It only means that you’re tired. No one in this forest will bother you. Don’t be afraid to close your eyes and hear the singing of the bird and the swaying of the trees.”

Aragorn didn’t respond. He slowly closed his eyes and he felt the warmth of Sphyra’s touch. Burn was licking his foot and it felt so relaxing. He let his mind wander around, to hear the birds, to hear the swaying of the leaves. Sphyra started to hum music. Aragorn was about to open his eyes but Sphyra stopped him. He returned from his relation state. Breathe, wander his mind around, everything will be all right.

Everything will be all right.

Everything will be all right.

Everything will be all right.

He repeated and he peacefully slept on Sphyra’s knees and comfort.

King Argon stayed inside his throne for the whole night. He didn’t let anyone come in or guard the door outside. He wanted silence and peace. He had lost his mother that took care of him when he was a little and there were a lot of other conflicts in the palace. Her mother was poisoned slowly until she died. He can’t help but enrage on the one who did that. Whomever that person is, he’ll surely punish that person.

He was about to close his eyes when a beautiful woman entered. He didn’t know if he’s just tired of this woman is really attractive. He shook his head at stared at Dayanara. He knew he met her before but he never laid eyes on her. At her age, she didn’t look like she was that age. Aside from the queen, he thought she was one of the most beautiful women in the palace.

“Why are you here? I have an order that no one should go inside this room.”

“Apologies, Your Highness. I heard that you are devastated by the death of your mother and your queen isn’t serving you.”

“The queen is also sad about the queen dowager’s death.”

“Why don’t you let anyone serve you? There were pleasant beauties in the palace that can satisfy your needs. The queen is getting old. Maybe she’s losing her will and power to serve you, Your Highness.”

“My queen is not my concubine. She’s my wife and I love her. I didn’t marry her for her to serve me. I married her for me to serve her for the rest of my life.”

“You are the king of the palace of Caspian, but you only have one son. Prince Aragorn is also known as a weak prince and citizens of Caspian don’t like him to replace you. Aren’t you afraid that your position won’t be secured because of your son? Don’t be afraid to produce more sons for the position. You’re still young and you can still wait for others to carry a child for you. My servant has an extravagant beauty. I could give her to you as a gift. You’re just a man and you also have needs.”

King Argon stomped his feet on the ground. “Dayanara! Are you saying that I should get a concubine and cheat on my queen?”

“It isn’t considered cheating, Your Highness. Having a concubine or consort is allowed in this palace. If the queen can’t give you a lot of children, then you may not be able to secure your position as a king now that the citizens don’t like the crowned prince to take over your position.”

“My queen is my only life. You’re not someone who should question it. Leave this room or I will call someone to throw you away. Get out before I don’t permit you to investigate. My son is my son no matter what his capabilities are. No one can question it. My queen is my queen and no one can replace her no matter how young or how old the replacement is. Leave now, Dayanara, and don’t show yourself ever again to me.”

Dayanara left. She felt disappointed. Until now, the king is very loyal to his wife. There’s no way she could enter his heart. There’s no way she could be part of her life. The king will despise her queen once she accomplished her plan. She’ll see how loyal he’ll be to her precious queen.