Retrieve the Kingdom

Vacation to the Court

It wasn’t the best vacation Andrei has, and yet, it might be the worst one he will ever have in his life. Just starting from the winter break, and everything falls again. 

Remember how he said he didn’t ever encounter a private conversation before? Well, he has now. He was gonna grab some bread with butter spread on it for his snack when he overheard a conversation about one of the closed lounges that Andrei already forgot existed. They have 3 lounges in the castle, one is the open lounge, just near the ballroom, their personal lounge on the second floor and this one, which is on the second floor too, but it was not used a lot. 

He decided to stop first and eavesdropped on the conversation. Since these halls are not really used so much, he doesn’t have to worry about guards being alerted. Speaking of, it’s surprising that his dad didn’t let his underlings guard the doors of the lounge. 

“This is the only favor I will ask to you, your highness, please, hear me out.” A muffled voice can be heard through the door, Andrei was hesitant to open the door wider to hear the voices more clearly. It’s better to not take risks for now.

“First of all, why did you do that? Sure, I let you do whatever you want since I got your back, but for Eshecaea’s sake, Claro! Don’t be clumsy. This woman that you had in trouble with is an influential figure, and the wife of an influential figure too.” He finally heard his dad’s voice, which he can read in his tone that he is worried. 

“I… You have my back, right, your majesty?” A loud thud was heard that emerged from the room, Andrei moved back a little in surprise. It was not a good sign. “I will not have your back if you are directly influencing my image, Claro! What you did is unacceptable to your victim. And out of all people, you decided to choose her! She is the wife of my brother. And I supposed you are starting to get a hint about his attitude and personality. Remember how your son’s and your ego were crushed by him just over a petty childish fight? Huh, remember that!?” 

Andrei is imagining his dad shouting at the face of Claro right now. But he was frozen, wife of his dad’s brother? What does his Aunt Naia have to do with this? What happened to his aunt? What did Claro do to her?

“Y-you don’t need to bring that up, your majesty…” A loud laugh was heard, taunting Claro. “Embarrassed? You should be. And you should be feeling that of what you did to Naia. I can’t help you, Claro, Bermin is a dangerous man. A very, very dangerous man. Even I hold you guys, he holds you more than I am. He is your leader, remember? The leader of all the branches of monarchy, my right hand, if viewed in the positions.” 

Andrei never imagined his dad admitting that Bermin is the one who controls almost everything in the kingdom. His dad might be the command center, but Bermin is like the puppeteer for the men that serve the kingdom. His dad was just the lead, Bermin does the rest. 

“And, now, you ‘accidentally’ and ‘almost’ did that to Naia. You are in great danger, Claro. You are. I don’t know if I can help you. I can manipulate certain things, but I can’t manipulate Bermin’s determination, and I don’t know if he will still be on my side if I push this case against you to be dissolved. He is the last man that I will be against. You may now go out of this castle, NOW!”

Andrei suddenly went out of the way to the door and hid behind a corner of the hallway. He peeks as he watches the councilor went out of the lounge. He tries to make his head up high but he was too ashamed of everything. The prince was glad that he didn’t make his turn where he was or he will be startled by his presence and might alert his father. 

Once the coast is clear, Andrei went out of his hiding spot. His dad was still in the lounge, which is a bit strange. He decides to peek a little bit since Claro didn’t close it fully. There he sees the king, sitting, and seems to contemplate his past decisions he made. 

He decided to leave his dad alone and went to his room. Snow has been ravaging the kingdom for a while now. A lot of snow was falling from up above, Alba already dominated the sky with her furious and cold snow.

It was not a hindrance to go to his uncle and check if everything was alright and check for answers to his questions. His coachman was not available today as he looks at the area where the coachmen are. With his robe over his body, he looked at the horse on the small stable at the castle.

He was surprised that he is already halfway through to the mansion as he rode the horse for the second time in a while. The first time he did this he was crying and he can’t almost see the roads. He had almost got bumped onto things, such as the portico that was in the road, some carts, and people. He was just riding that time, no destination. He ended up in his uncle’s mansion, which is convenient since it’s already night. 

Now, he is fully aware. Though, the snowfall stands on his way. He didn’t care, his horse is galloping fast. He was holding at the crop of his horse and on his head. The wind blows against his face, the snow has been all over it, his robe was falling off every time he removes his hand on his head. It was risky since the horse may slip anytime right now. 

But some minutes later, he managed to arrive at the mansion safe and sound, but he was so cold and a bit uncomfortable. At the sight of him, the guards as gatekeepers opened the gate for him as he enters with his horse. He stopped just right at the steps of the mansion. He hopped off the horse as one of the guards escorted the horse into its temporary stable for a while. He entered the mansion, just in time that Naia just arrived a while back.

“Oh, Andrei, how did you go here!? Alba is raining her glorious tears upon us and you managed to get here? It’s pretty dangerous, why did you do that?” Naia welcomed him, wiping out the snow on his face like a loving mother.

“I… I need to check on you guys…” He looked at his uncle who sighed. “Did you know it?” He nods, “I overheard a conversation in the castle, that Claro is begging for my dad’s help. What did he do to you, Aunt Naia?” 

She hugged him and caresses his hair. “It’s nothing, my dear… Don’t worry about me, I am alright. You don’t want to hear what happened.” The prince looked upon the lady. “Please, tell me, I am worried, and that’s why I traveled here.” 

“I was just abruptly touched… It’s not a big deal…” Naia explained that triggered Bermin. “Not a big deal!? Naia, you almost had the worst nightmare in your life. Except it’s real. I’ll show him what he gets for being a damned p*****t!

“Bermin… My love… Please… Andrei is here, don’t be like that in front of him. He is just an innocent prince, we could talk about that when he is not here…” She is still embracing the prince, hugging him like her true son. His aunt never changed, she was still the sweet and caring aunt he ever had. 

“Aunt Naia, I am not a little boy anymore, I am already 17!” He contradicted her with her term, “innocent boy”. “I know, my darling… It’s just, you don’t need to be involved with this. Please. Aunt Naia is okay, she is fine, look, she’s in one piece! No wounds, no scars. Not a single scratch!” She gave him a sweet smile, assuring him everything is fine.

“Naia, stop treating him like that. He needs answers, give him. Don’t act like this is a big deal.” Bermin explained as his wife looks at her, “It’s a big deal for me, Bermin. It’s just, Andrei has been through a lot, I don’t want him to worry so much about me. Let me just have my time with him, okay? The last time I saw him was on his birthday, I miss you so much.” 

She kissed his forehead and invited him over to the lounge where the warm and cozy fireplace is at. “I baked some tart, just eat and warm yourself on the fire. I am glad that you didn’t get too cold! Why did you let the snow went to your face? It might freeze!”

Andrei just chuckled. Naia served him some slice of the tart as he ate and warmed himself on the cozy fire. Knocks on the door were heard as Bermin answered it, a messenger has arrived at the castle. “Good morning, your honor. This is from the court, I will be waiting for your response.” 

He handed Bermin an envelope which he accepted. He read the contents of the letter. Naia approached him as she peeks at the contents. Bermin consecutively nods and handed back the letter to the messenger. “Say that we will be there as what they said and I will talk to the witnesses.” 

The messenger nods as he bows one last time and went back to his carriage which he drove quickly to deliver the message. Bermin closed the door as he looks at Naia. “Everything will be alright. You’ll meet your justice.” 

“I wish I will, the court has been malfunctioning more since the newcomers went to their positions.” Naia sighs as she was hugged by her husband. “Don’t worry, I’ll handle this.” He kissed her on her head, assuring her. 

The next day, the couple dressed up. “Can I go?” Andrei asked, he stayed at the mansion since Naia wants to bond with him for the rest of the day yesterday. “No—” “Bermin…” The lady looks at the archduke as he sighs, “Fine. He could witness the trial. I will just prepare what to say when my brother asked why he was there.

Andrei dressed up too as the three of them board the carriage to go to the court. The snow raining outside is already few, which explains some people are already going out of the safety of their homes. Along the ride, Bermin keeps comforting Naia and saying what they will do. Andrei is invested on the outside and the fact that he will show up in the trial. Will he say what he has heard?

Minutes later, they arrived at their destination. They went down the carriage as they proceed to went to the court. There are some people already in their designated room as they all took a seat. Bermin is looking around a bit worried, but the lady tried to calm him down. 

“I am sure that he is just late… It’s snowy outside and it’s a bit hard to navigate in the streets right now.” She caressed his back. “I am just getting paranoid with all these witness problems in this court.” 

“I am sure they will not do anything to our witness. You sent your own knights, right?” The archduke decided to calm himself now. “You are right, they are protected by me.” 

Andrei was just listening to their conversation. Many questions rammed on his mind. He came into thinking that the law enforcement in the kingdom is pretty not good with those phrases coming from his uncle’s mouth. He was snapped back in reality when the session is starting.

“This court is now in session.”