Royal Disaster

Chapter 2: Fopdoodle

Emrose

"Elchard!" I gasped. It was a second after that he took me in his arms and hugged me. I hugged my brother back. I can't believe he's really here.

"Oh how I missed you, Rose! Look how you've grown!" My brother was beaming at me. "I see you've outgrown your jelly-belly phase". He said, starting to laugh.

"And you're still a fopdoodle! Don't you dare sneak up on me like that again!" I playfully smacked his arm. "I missed you too. I thought you'll be arriving tomorrow? Here so soon?"

"I'm sorry little sister. I didn't mean to scare you like that." Elchard still laughed. "Mother and father told me you were somewhere in here, I didn't know where exactly so I had to search the entire woods. And yes, I planned to surprise all of you. Obviously it worked."

"Oh you've seen mother and father, that's good! I'm sure they were surprised too. But not the way I was, you scum!" I laughed with him now. "Oh come on! Let's head back. I'm sure mother and father are preparing something for us." I said, taking my brother's hand.

As soon as we arrived home, I was right. They were preparing a meal for Elchard's return. It was the usual vegetables and bread. Father had no time to hunt now that Elchard decided to come home earlier than expected.

"Oh good you're both back! We're sorry, son. We couldn't even prepare a decent meal for your homecoming." Mother sighed as she was taking a step near Elchard.

"Mother, don't bother. Your cooking has always been the best in this village. Whatever it is." he assured her.

"You still haven't told us why you came back early and decided to surprise us." Father spoke from across the table.

"I came to bear news, father. I was supposed to head out today and arrive tomorrow, but I decided otherwise. I simply couldn't wait." Elchard answered him, motioning for the seat across father's.

"Then do tell us now then." father replied.

"I am now a merchant, father." my brother excitingly delivered the news to both father and mother. Confused faces were their response to my brother's statement.

"The merchant I worked for died suddenly last week due to ailing conditions. I was the one who took care of him when he was fighting for his life. With no heir nor wife, he chose me to be the successor of his estate and businesses." Elchard continued. "I know this might come as a shock to you, but father, we can finally elevate our ranks and not eat scraps." Elchard was out of breath as he delivered this news to us.

"Son, I don't know what to say." Father was obviously shocked. Mother, on the other hand was fighting back tears.

"You don't have to say anything, father. You just all have to come with me. I came back to take you all with me. We will be near the palace court, giving us more opportunity to be noticed by the Noblemen there. It might prompt their interest in my..."

"You mean, we will be near the palace?" Mother spoke and cut what Elchard was about to say.

"Yes mother, that is exactly what I mean. Isn't it wonderful news? There are a lot of great opportunities waiting for us!" he exclaimed.

That was odd. I know for a fact that they want nothing more than to let us have the best life ahead of us. But why are they not thrilled of my brother's newly found success? Instead, for a moment, I saw fear in my mother's eyes as she looked at father. One that quickly faded. "Well, what do you think, Rose? You've been awfully quiet." Elchard tore into my thoughts.

"I think that's great news, brother. You know I always wanted to go to court. I might get my chance there." I said, winking at him.

"No one is going to court." Mother stood up and raised her voice.

"Marissa." a warning tone from father answered my mother.

"We are happy for you, son. But we just can't be dragged into a world so horrifying. The dangers in town is dubious. You have been there, surely you know." Mother spoke to Elchard nervously.

"Mother, there truly is no reason to be afraid. We are going to live there peacefully. I just want to share to my family what God has generously gave me. We will leave as soon as we can." Elchard assured her.

"I still don't think this is a good idea." Mother turned her back from my brother.

"I understand you still have to think this over. I'm willing to stay and wait until you and father both have your decision ready." Elchard answered mother's uneasy feeling by hugging her.

That night, I lay awake thinking what mother has been afraid about. Nothing could be more exciting than my brother's new success. Over the long haul of constant efforts, surely our parents would not let this opportunity pass. This has been the best one so far afterall.

Elchard would be a merchant and provide for us until I found a suitable husband. Husband. Now that I came of age, I gave that word much more attention. Marriage assures survival. Old maids with no husbands usually end up as beggars.Mother always said love is ideal and marriage is the real thing. If I'm lucky, I could have both. Like her and father's.

But could I possibly find one? And if I do, would I love him? Would he love me?