Chapter 18
1314 Words
CHAPTER 18
“Thank you,” Aragorn said to Lolita as she lent everyone the soup that she cooked. She left immediately, bringing the empty tray back to the kitchen.
“Who is that? Is she the woman you love?”
Aragorn chuckled. His grandmother is old and is difficult for her to name people of things in the surroundings.
“No, Grandmother. She’s the personal servant of the Queen, my mother. I did not know that she was the servant that Azrael asked to cook. Yesterday, she’s also the one who cooked meat stew for us. You should finish all of this. That servant cooks pretty well. I asked for this soup for you. I know that It’s your favorite.”
Even though the queen dowager’s expression was bland, her heart was already fluttering in the air. When she was younger, she’s easily flattered by the simple efforts of the people that she loves. She can easily thank them by smiling widely or plastering a grateful expression. Now, she can’t do that for she’s having difficulty moving her face for reactions.
“Thank you for this, Aragorn. You’re truly sweet and kind,” she said and her shivering hands grabbed the bowl of corn soup and the spoon. Unlike Aragorn who can do five spoons of the soup in one minute, she can do only one since her hands were shivering.
“Let me help you,” the king dowager volunteered.
“No, I’m fine. I can handle this,” said the queen dowager.
“Grandmother,” Aragorn called. His head was looking on the ground. “I have a question.”
“What is it, my grandson?”
“How can the citizens of the palace like me as their king? I promised them that I will face them the phoenix even though I can’t. I’ll be the future of the palace but I haven’t proven anything yet to the citizens.”
Instead of worrying, the queen dowager smiled. “You’re still young, Aragorn. Usually, the selection for the crowned prince is about to start, but you’re the only son and child of your father that’s why he selected you. I know you can do it.”
“I don’t know. I’m weak and I wake up late. I’m also afraid to face my fears, to face the citizens of Caspian. Every night, I was thinking if I deserve the future position. If father and mother only had another son who’s good at everything, things wouldn’t be like this.”
The queen dowager slid her hands on the prince’s forehead. Such a smooth face, such a handsome man, a future of the palace. “You know what? You don’t have to be brave or become powerful to take that position. You don’t need anything to prove them. Actually, you don’t need to prove to anyone that you deserve to be the king. You don’t have to please anybody to become the king. You only have to please and believe in yourself that what you’re doing for them is the right thing.”
“There were many kings who held the throne, your grandfather, your father, and soon it would be you. But poverty, war, and crimes are still present in Caspian or any palace. There is no perfect king or perfect people. There are only right people, who do right things, who do their best to be good and make good and I know you belong to them, Aragorn.”
She was right and she wasn’t lying when she said that, Aragorn thought. There’s still this agent that fears him, that’s stopping him from doing the right thing. Sphyra and all other people he wanted to protect. They were his inspiration, motivation, and reason to strive and to become the best quality of himself.
“I wholeheartedly believe in what you say, Grandmother. I hope you’ll live longer. I have to go now. Please be safe in the palace.”
“I will.”
Aragorn planted a kiss on her cheeks. He bowed to his grandfather before leaving the room. His journey had already started, but now he’s going to face bigger challenges, but he knew he’ll succeed just by believing in himself.
Lolita had cleaned three rooms already. She didn’t have something to do so she cleaned their room, the king and queen’s room, and the crowned prince’s room. She was on her way to the kitchen to prepare snacks for the royal couple when she bumped into a tall man with a hard chest.
“Apologies,” she said and slightly bowed. She’s about to walk past through him when he pulled her, stopping her from walking. “Why?” She raised his head and his good-looking face was familiar. He was the guy who praised her meat stew. Shocked, she strode backward, away from him.
“Sorry for bumping on you, Master.” She slightly bowed.
“I’ve seen you a couple of times here. You’re hardworking.”
“I’m not. I’m just doing my job.” It is her job to clean the palace, cook food, and serve the king and queen.
“I also saw what you did to the four girls earlier.”
Did someone see her? She thought and asked herself.
“I’m sorry. I’ll take responsibility for that. Don’t tell the queen. I’ll be the one to tell her.”
“No, I won’t tell the queen. You’re brave earlier and didn’t expect that from a woman like you. Most women I’d encountered were sassy, but you’re different from them.”
She shouldn’t be flattered. This guy might only want to praise her so much so she could fall for him and eventually became his wife or concubine. She wasn’t a prey to fool herself over this predator.
“I only did that to protect myself and I hope you understand that. Apologies, I have to leave by now.” She nodded to Hideo and then walking to the dining to clean it. When she arrived at the dining, she leaned on the door and gasped. That guy was a little bit serious but had a lot of questions.
“What are you doing there, Lolita?”
She almost dropped to her knees when she saw the Queen inside the dining. She hadn’t seen her earlier and now she saw her gasping and thinking about Hideo.
“Apologies, Your Highness. I’m going to clean the room, but if you’re going to use this room, I’ll leave immediately.”
“No, I am not going to use this room. But you had cleaned too much today.”
“I have to, Your Highness.”
“You’re so hardworking even though you’re alone to clean three rooms you had cleaned. I can suggest you to someone so you’ll be their personal servant. You’ll have a higher salary and easier job.”
“I don’t want to, Your Highness. I only want to serve you and I don’t want to leave my sister in this place.”
“Hmm.” Queen Amira stared at the ceiling. “How about becoming my second personal servant?”
- Writer
