Rightful Ruler

Chapter 3

Year 2010

The heat of the July sun was like a blazing fire scorching up the entire Kingdom.

It's only 6:30 am and yet it feels like we're walking on a vast desert. Beads of sweat started to form on my forehead. I tried wiping it off and once I finished doing it a new batch of sweat would appear. It's quite annoying and frustrating.

My cousin, Allan decided that we had enough dose of sunlight for Vitamin D production so that's why we are now currently inside one of the shops chilling and eating, and its not just an ordinary shop, it's a doughnut heaven. The varieties of doughnuts and sweets were endless. It's official, this is now one of my favorite places.

We need to drink a good amount of liquid to keep us hydrated for this unforgiving weather. I'm stuffing my face with lots of doughnuts not giving a sh*t about what I looked like, all I care about is the food. And besides, my cousin doesn't seem to mind me looking like a pig cause he too is busy chewing these sweet and delicious piece of heaven.

My peaceful eating was disturbed when I heard the door creaked open and an undeniable surge of power can be felt, the hairs at the back of my neck started to stand up. I'm afraid to turn around and look at that the new comer cause I know darn well on who that new comer is, it's none other than my Father, the King.

I need to hide, I can't let him know that I sneaked off again. But before I could even try to make a move straight to the bathroom. My father cleared his throat.

I turned around slowly, I feel like I'm the protagonist in one of the horror movies and my father is like the killer ghost ready to devour me once I turned around.

When I successfully turned 180 degrees around my eyes came in contact with my father's torso. "My eyes are up here Rose"

I tilted my head up and meet the eyes of my father. I'm like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Does your mother know that you're here?" I tried to swallow all the doughnuts stuffed in my mouth and wiped all the powdered sugar on my clothes.

"Yes?" That kinda sounded more of a question than an answer. 

"I'll talk to you when we get back home. Right now I need you to accompany me to welcome our guests from a neighboring kingdom."

I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying something I'll probably regret later on, Instead I bowed my head and replied "Yes, Father".

My cousin and I silently followed my father and I just noticed that he is with the Royal guards. Who ever these guests are must be very important. When we reached the docking area I followed my father's gaze and there I saw a small blob on the vast blue sea. Overtime, the tiny blob of unknown started to grow bigger and bigger as it comes nearer to the dock.

An hour or so must have passed by when it finally reached the shore. The black heavy anchor hangs of the side of the white ship. I was so confused when a flag was being raised but what shocked me the most is that their flag also has the symbol of rose in it.

How can there be two Andalasian Kingdoms. I've studied the history of Andalasia from the beginning of its foundation by my fore father King Francis III up to the present ruler my Father King Max. The books and my tutor never mentioned any extension of Andalasia and yet why is this ship bearing our flag of Rose.

A wooden plank was then lowered down the ground and a man clad in suit regally walked down and a child, probably around my age went down the plank too. There are lots of questions running on my mind and I'm sure that no one can provide me any answers. 

The man in question then went to where we are standing and bowed down on my father, the child mimicked the man. "This is my son Luke, the Prince of Caprielle."

I was surprised when my father hugged them. "Welcome to my humble home. This is my daughter, my pride and my jewel Rosette-" I curtsied. "- and this is my nephew, Allan."

I can feel that the child- I mean Luke was looking at me and when I met his eyes he suddenly blushes and he lowered down his eyes immediately avoiding my gaze. That's weird.

"Let's have breakfast first, I have arranged a feast to honor your arrival." Why does my father trust this man so much? I don't trust this guy who ever he is. There is something suspicious about him. I have a bad feeling that he will bring trouble. 

We made our way to two black cars to which I'm guessing that it's gonna be our means of transportation to reach home. The still unknown man and Luke went inside the first car while the second one was for us. I was about to get inside when I heard a horse's neigh from a distance.

My face immediately broke into a smile when I spotted Black Jack running while a royal guard was riding behind his back and trailing behind them is my lovely Ginger and Alice was riding on her back. 

Alice is my 12 years old cousin, she is Allan's little sister and they are as opposite as day and night both looks and personality wise. Allan has a blonde hair while Alice is brunette. Allan is more of a laid back type and Alice is the serious one which is kinda funny because Allan is obviously older than her. 

I looked at my father with hope filled eyes but before I could even open my mouth to ask for permission he immediately shook his head, disappointment washes over me. "But Father-"

He raised his hand to cut me off "Don't even continue what you're gonna say, I'll talk to you when we get home."

Now, I'm fuming mad. I sat down still angry beyond measure, you are all probably wondering why, but all my life I have been following strict rules imposed by my parents no matter how silly they are. I was never allowed to go beyond the walls. I asked them countless of times why and yet they kept on dodging my questions. I just couldn't understand them sometimes how complex can the explanation be?

The car came into a halt and I didn't even realize that we were already back home. I stepped out of the vehicle and went all the way to the dining hall. I spotted my mother at her usual seat, the right side of the head chair and besides her is my little sister creating a big pile of mushed up food.

I stopped at my mother's place and I placed a kiss on her cheeks. I went to the opposite of my mother's place which is at the left side of the head chair. But just as I was about to sit down my mother asked me a question to which she knows the answer.

" How was your morning stroll?" I looked at her and I can see her teasing smile. 

 I released a sigh " The stroll was great." and forced a smile on my face.

Before she could even ask me what happened my father and his company arrived. My father sat on his usual place, the head chair and Allan seated  besides me followed by Alice. The still unnamed man seated besides my little sister followed by Luke. 

My father stood up and raised his glass "I would like to make a toast, for the arrival of King Luscious and his son Prince Luke of Caprielle." They raised their glasses and shared a toast. 

So the nameless man whose name is now known as Luscious,  to me his name sounded more like suspiciously malicious. I don't trust him not even a tiny bit. 

I was just playing with my food, not bothering to taste it as my appetite is now gone. "Why are you playing with your food? Is that what they are teaching you in etiquettes ?"

I then rolled my eyes and held back my tongue once again. 

The silent treatment must have hurt my father's ego way too much cause the next thing I know, he slammed his hands on the table shocking everyone at the room. Some of the food and drinks were spilled but he didn't payed attention to it.

I met his blazing eyes without showing any fear. Neither one refuses to back down. "Go to your room young lady".

I pushed back my chair and opened the huge doors and I slammed it shut on my way out. I cant help but smile.

I for once am thankful that I was sent to my room. If I would spend a second more longer inside that awful room with Luscious then I will probably go crazy. 

I do not know why I have this strong feeling of hate even though I barely even know him. 

But my gut is telling me that he is a dangerous man and my gut is never wrong.