C6 The Aftermath

The Castle is slowly getting to its previous form. The town surrounding the castle is slowly recovering back to its original state. There are gossips on the road and rumors surrounding the voices of the people in the town. The soldiers continue to patrol more than usual. “The business is difficult this way people are afraid of approaching the stalls.” grumbled the shopkeeper. The lady buying fruits from his stall nodded, “The night was horrible I heard the little princess was killed really badly. Too many people died.” Such exchange of conversations went on from the stalls to the inn, from the houses to the country side. People spread information about what they could hear. The castle on the other hand has more busy people. The medics are busy healing the large amount of patients in the infirmary. There are extra tents put up to accommodate.

The king’s office is really busy with the leftover ministers and dukes. Sir Svero has some papers and repeating his reports. Fredrich held the papers for the castle damage with one of his hand bandaged and belted. He broke his hand on that day. Nicholas sat on the side chair close to the King’s table. Somehow he felt hesitant to sit in the high chair even when Louis told him to take the office. “So the trail ended cold in Argenti. You did not get any decoy?” Svero shook his head, “We did get close to the group but the trail fall cold in the mountains.” Rafael knocked at the door to ask for entry. Nicholas looked at him and nodded in agreement, “What do you have for me?” “Lord Leofrick Monique did march into the castle. He caused all this.” He continued to give reports on the misdoings of Leofrick. He is the second in line for the seat of the Monique house. The seat of the house is really powerful. They control the trade roads in Rante to the Empire. He is one of the most influential dukes in Empire. Leofrick wanted that seat for himself. Which lead him to lay low and by his time to launch the attack but instead of just killing Duke Pritelli he became greedy and decided to attack the castle. “Leofrick could not do this alone who was backing him?” there was anger in his eyes. There was a silence in the room for a bit. “It routes to the Emperor’s castle who directly we do not know yet.” Svero looked at Nicholas eyes. He nodded, “Let’s close this meeting for today we will get back tomorrow.”

Everyone let one by one bowing to the prince. King Louis is still bedridden, he developed an infection. Louis is being weak and unconscious most of the time. The Queen on the other hand is becoming hysterical day by day. She denies food and sleeps most of the time. The main reason for this is the princess. They quietly waited for everyone to leave escorted by Fredrich. The large door was slowly closed. Nicholas stood up and walked close to the window. The view of the rose garden was pitiful. It was bloody and most of the garden ruined. “The princess body was identified.” Svero broke his thoughts he turned around to face the truth. “It is not her.” Nicholas felt a cold water fall on him. “What did you just say?” Svero moved forward and handed a paper in his hand. “It is a male body. The cape is the house of burassca. It is probably the young child of the house.”

“The house of burassca lost a lot of family members in the castle. The elder son is the only one to live because he is in the camp.” Nicholas felt one moment a light of hope and next he felt guilty. Rafael looked at his prince, “We think it was Maria who changed the body. It is possible that she is alive.” The prince gritted his teeth and walked to the fire place to throw the papers in it. “Do not let this information come out of this room. Burn the evidences. Pass the body to the family quietly they should not know let the family heir know about this.” Rafael bowed and left the room to follow the prince’s commands. Nicholas felt rigid for the next few moments. “Sir Svero I need help.” “Should I search for the princess your highness? I must warn you the trail is pretty cold and the only person who could direct us is dead.” Svero explained. The view of Maria came to the prince’s head. “Search as quietly as possible do not make it open. She might be in more danger out there.” Svero hesitated first but put the words forward, “Do you think she is going to be alive out there it can be dangerous.” Nicholas stood up straight his eyes still on the paper watching them burn, “We have to try anyhow.”

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The walk to the Queens chambers is taking a long time. Nicholas did not know whether it is him or the hall was too long in distance. The castle has been dark and gloomy. He wanted to reveal the news of the princess to the Queen as soon as possible. Aldrich walked with him to the chambers. “These days I do not see Rafael with you enough.” Nicholas stopped for a while then started walking back again, “He has errands to run.” His friend shook his head, “You will be vulnerable you are the heir of Rante you know.” “I heard you went with Sir Svero to the burassca house. How are things there?” Nicholas kept inquiring. “The house is a mess now. Eldest son of the house is just ten years old. He looked pitiful. “Aldrich looked at the floor when he replied, “Those eyes of despair should not be on a child.” They both could not find any more words to say. The official apology on the loss of the family members was not enough to pacify the hearts of the members of the families who died. The worst were the staff member’s family some had the only earning members in the castle. Maria was a single mother of a daughter. Ciaran was taking care of these matters and the royal family has taken the responsibility of them; however it scares Nicholas that it might not be enough. The wound is too deep for it to heal this time.

They finally reached the Queen’s chambers a silent knock made the door open by two of the Queens ladies. There are signs of exhaustion and worry in their face. “Welcome your Majesty.” The prince slowly walked in the room. It no longer held the bright shine it use to have the curtains were half closed with Regina sitting on the chair beside the window the cup of tea and snacks looked untouched. She wore a simple white gown and a purple shawl around her. Her eyes look red puffy and dark circles formed under her eyes. She moved a little with the sound of the footsteps. She just moved in her chair. “Welcome Nicholas sorry for not being in proper attire.” He bit his lips, “Please leave us except Aldrich.” The maids left the room and slowly closed the door. ‘She looks so thin is she eating properly?’ he thought as he took the chair on the opposite side of the table. “I heard you were sick last night as well your highness.”

“Nicholas the sky is too gloomy today.” She looked unfocused in the sky. “Will your father wake up soon?” she kept her face turned towards the window not making any eye contact. The prince felt uncomfortable and turned towards Aldrich for once. His friend could not say anything except shaking his head. “Father still needs time to recover he has been unconscious till now. Would you like to visit him?” Regina finally looked at him but her eyes looked unfocused. “You are right I should visit his him.” She looked around to move, her present state broke his heart. He could not stop himself and walked towards Regina holding her right hand. “Please my Queen you need to hold on to yourself. Rosaline is still alive. She is not dead.” Regina looked once in his eyes waiting for a confirmation. He nodded looking down at her eyes. Tears filled her eyes and fell down continuously, her body shook at she put her forehead on his head crying and her voice shaking, “Please you must find her. I do not care how you do it. How long it takes please bring her back to me. Please bring back my daughter.” Nicholas held her close in his arms holding her hand, “I will find her mother. “ This is the first time he called her mother. He has been thinking of calling her mother for quite a while now but it was always delayed with his insecurity. “Please take care of yourself I will bring her back no matter where she is and how long it takes I will bring her back.” His voice also shook. Nicholas dare not move from his position letting Regina cry her heart out. It took a while for both of them to recover their composure. Regina was warned not to discuss the matter of the princess being alive with anyone. Nicholas promised to give her more updates on the search as soon as he gets some. They left after a few exchange of information between them. Aldrich waited till the door closed he walked forward but stopped when he saw Nicholas shaking in front of him standing in the spot. “I will find them all and kill them Aldrich. Find every single person who was involved in this. I will never forgive them for what they have done to my family.” There was fire and hatred in his eyes. Aldrich shook a bit the darkness in his eyes did not look good.

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Two days later:

“So he ran away.” The king’s office had four people sitting on the settee along with Nicholas looking through the map of Rante. “And what about the house of Monique I thought he was the next to the heir seat?” Rafael was sitting with a few papers in his hands it was a report. “The house closed down, the trails and the staff left from the office. The trade route is no longer guarded. They say the seal is missing. ” “So without the seal the house shuts down. Does anyone even know what the seal looks like?” Aldrich asked while looking at the drawings and sketches. “There are only two clues about it. It is silver with a purple ribbon. It is not enough” Nicholas turned the map over he is marking some places with a red dot, “So they just disappeared just like that?” Sir Svero got up from the settee and looked at the new scrolls in the book. “The Monique house is very unique with their rules. It is not always the blood that is chosen to be the heir. It is said that the previous owner chooses the heir and passes it down. Until the new owner arrives the house closes down and the staffs leave hidden from sight.” “Doesn’t that mean they will lose their power and influence who knows when the new heir arrives and The Queen did confirm a new owner was chosen before duke Pritelli was killed. Leofrick is now on the run.” Nicholas said his sight still on the map this time he crossed out some parts in the map.

“We better keep looking at their steps anyone we know who knows more about the house or related to the house?” the prince this time asked the question to Svero. He nodded to the prince’s suggestion and left the room. “As for Lord Leofrick even if he is on the run find him. I want all of them caught no matter what.” Everyone left the room one by one after receiving the orders. The map had only a few places covered the rest still further out of the border which made Nicholas angry. He frowned and but kept control of his temper. A knock came from the door of the office, “Pardon me your majesty you have a visitor.” Nicholas waited for more information but Fredrich had none he looked a bit uncomfortable and hesitant, “The guest did not reveal any identity only that they are from the emperor’s castle. She says it is important and has the royal pass.” This made him angry but he still decided to check why anyone from the royal family is here. The lady sat with a brown hood covering her face in the tea room. He slowly walked in and bowed to the guest, “How may I help the lady from the empire?” She stood up and gave a receiving nod while revealing herself it was the princess of the empire. “It is nice to meet the prince of Rante pardon me for arriving at a bad time when it is such trouble for you and your family.” Nicholas took a sarcastic tone to reply, “Oh the emperor do know about our problems. I thought we are not part of any headache of the emperor.”

This statement seemed to hurt her a little. She looked down towards the floor and there was remorse in her eyes, this made Nicholas feel guilty fir a bit. ‘Maybe it was not a good idea to taunt her like that.’ “My father changed he is not longer as he was before. It is all about power grabbing now. I do not know what influences him to do as such but he does not care about anything else right now.” “Are you here just to explain the situation? Cause if you are it is not helping us in anyway.” She looked more shocked at the words of the Prince but continued to explain, “I know you are upset but you need to listen to me I can help you.” “What is there to help now? AS far as I can see even the recent letter was rejected to apprehend the guilty personal.” Nicholas was trying hard not to lash out in anger towards the princess. She quickly set back a bit breathed out once and tried to talk again, “Please listen to me first I came here with a proposal.” This made the room silent Nicholas did not interrupt her or question her any more. “Please participate in the trials, for the heir selection.” For a while no one spoke or made a sound. He was shocked to hear her words. “You are not serious about this are you?” “I will help you with support for the trials. If you win the trials you can gain more support which can give you the authority you require.” Nicholas at first did not understand what to say in this proposition. After that day he finds it hard to believe anyone. He still remembers King Louis requesting for extra hands but was denied after repeated request. “What is the main reason behind it? The princess’s motive behind this is still not clear.” There was a golden glow coming from the windows in the room. It will be dark soon, the golden glow from the setting sun made the room have a light and warm feeling. The princess looked scared but composed trying not to show her nerves in front of him. “I want this to end; if not the empire will crumble if this goes on.” There seemed a slight emptiness in her words. ‘She is still hiding something surely.’ Nicholas thought he felt her words were just made up as if she did not practice these before. He calmed his features first. “Princess what is it you really want.” These words made her calm down a bit she looked at him blushing a bit. ‘Honestly I did not think a princess from the emperor be this nervous, aren’t they more confident in stature?’ He thought but she made him curious to why she is seeking him out. She slowly steadied herself, “Cause, I do not wish to be another pawn in his plans.” She went silent for a bit before continuing. “Prince soon there will be more attack in Rante. More people will realize you are still at a vulnerable state. If you want to capture Leofrick you need to more support. You are still denied entry from certain sectors right? With my help you can get your goals.” Nicholas listened to her words for a while ‘the proposal seem very attractive but why is going to support me? It seems too vague.’ “I understand what you say but why me princess?” She looked confident and relaxed now, “The reason is if I am going to be sold I would rather select the buyer myself.”

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A small hut is built close to the riverbed. A man in his mid age pulled the rein of his horse and guided it to its stable. He put some hay in front of the horse. “There you go boy enjoy.” He patted the horse. “Emmett, did you just return from your round?” A women with white hair came out of the house she was holding a basket of clothes to hang it on the lines. He smiled nodding, “I feel hungry.” She smiled, “The food is set on the table brother please help yourself.” He wanted to get in but turned back to ask her, “How is the girl? Did she say anything?” She smiled, “The child does not say anything. She seemed to go through something.” Justin looked at his sister; she has been coming over to help with the house work once a day. “At this rate we will not know who is she? Or where are her parents.”

Olivia shook her head, “When we found her she was already burning with fever. I think she saw something traumatizing. Only reaction I got from her was when I tried to look at the necklace on her neck. It must be important. I am thinking of taking her to the village chief. Her parents must be looking for her. Unless……..” Justin nodded, “I will go with you to the town. She might be one of the kidnapped children. The clothes on her looked like one of the noble houses. We don’t even know what her name is.”

Olivia went on hanging the clothes on the line, “It is strange don’t you think? A girl wearing a boy’s cloth did she steal it and run from somewhere?” her brother looked towards the house starring at the emptiness the child is sleeping on the room above. “Could be I think we wait for the chief to decide what to do. When is your son coming back?” he went inside the house and sat on the table. “In a week came a reply from out the door.” He looked around the empty house. It has been a long time since his fiancé left him. Justin did not think of getting married again in his lifetime. Olivia came inside the house and proceeded to climb up the stairs with an empty cloth basket on her hip. Justin looked up and saw her holding the child’s hand. She guided her to the chair and helped her climb up. Her dress was changes to plain green dress and a white belt. Her black hair untied. The child looked at the bread with a curious look. ‘She must be hungry.’ Justin thought and put a plate in front of her with a piece of bread. His sister put a bowl of vegetable stew beside the plate. The girl looked at both of them as if asking permission if she can eat. Olivia nodded with a smile. “I wonder what your name child is. I wish you could talk to us so that we could help you.” The girl took the bread with full concentration and bite on it. “Rosa.” The reply made both of them almost jump from their spot.