Chapter 31: Chapter 31

LUKE

It pains me that I have to leave her there, sweetly sleeping. All I left her was a note, and a kiss on the forehead.

“I’m sure she will be alright,” Jace says as he sit next to me. He sigh and take some magazine, “That girl will survive everything, your majesty. She is strong. She would make a great queen…”

“But I already break the engagement. Tonight is the dinner and tomorrow, everyone will recognize Fleur as the new crown princess.” I stated making Jace shake his head. “You don’t need to be so sad of that, your majesty. The princess can finally live a normal life.” I nod at his words, not really minding him.

Kent and Sebin were asleep across us. Edam  choose to stay back in Canada and look after Neola.  It’s an assurance that nothing wrong will happen to her, and I am glad he volunteered to stay.

*

“Gigi, how many times do I have to tell—” Fleur stop short as Gigi curtsied. “Your majesty,” I brush her off making her scurry to the kitchens. “Fleur.” She turns to me and quickly hug me back, “Luke, I didn’t know you will come back soon. How’s the meeting with the Prince of Canada? Will he let us have the party there for end of the year?”

I enter the dining hall and was surprise to see the king and the queen already there. I nod at the both of them before sitting at the right hand of the king. The queen looks at me, her eyes full of questions.

Fleur settled next to me and we began eating. I look at the king once right after we have the soup. His eyes were trained on the table, deep in thought.

The dinner finished with no further discussions. No one besides Fleur ask me about Canada. The king appears to be oblivious while the queen looks like she choose not to say anything. The king finish his meal, looks at me before he click the button of his wheelchair, walking outside of the hall.

I stood from my seat, following after him when the queen held my hand. I look at her and nod. She wanted to talk to me, so I will. I proceed to her study on the third floor and wait for her at the balcony.

“You are both alike in almost every way…” I look up to see the queen staring at me, her hands on her waist, “Your father loves to sit there too.” She walk towards me and brush her hand on my hair, “It was like you are a reincarnation of your father. His looks, his features, his kindness and stubbornness…all of it.” I was surprise when she pulls me in a hug.

“Grandma, is this why you called me, because you miss my father?” she laughs, pulling away, “ Partly yes, I would love to hold your father like this again. Make up for the time…”

“The time on which you forgot him when Uncle Laurent died at the sea and you lock yourself inside?” she nods at me, still holding me in her arms. I snuggled close and said, “Grandma, do you still blame yourself for letting my father escape that night?” She pulls away and sat across me.

“No, I don’t.” She looks at the sea and continue, “I used to think that it was my fault that he died but then, I realize if I did not help him and let him stay…he would’ve died earlier. He would’ve died in sadness and waste his life but he didn’t.” She smiles at me, her eyes glassy. “He had you and Elle. I am sure that he is proud to have you as his son. He died happy with your mom. They are in peace.”

I look at the sea, the evening sun was just setting. It was a beautiful sight. “He was happy that day, Grandma. He told me that we are finally going back. I keep on asking him but he won’t say where we are going. Mom haven’t said a word too, no matter how much I ask…” I took her hand and held it close. “I remember how my mother holds me like you do. She loves us so much, it hurts me every time I remember her. It would’ve been nice to have them here with me. My father would’ve given me an advice on what to do.”

The queen merely smiled at me. The both of us look at the setting sun as it bids us goodbye. The both of us thinking about our departed loved ones.

“Grandma,”

“Hmm?”

“Did the king miss my father too? Did he look for us for all those years my father went into hiding?” The queen smiled and shake her head. “Jason is stubborn. It runs in the family. He refuse to acknowledge Jacob as his only living son though secretly he sends them all the necessary things they need along with money. He loves your father so much, he attended their wedding…not even informing me.”

I was shocked to hear that from my grandma. I look down on my hands and ask, “If he really do love my father, why didn’t they talk and settle? I’m sure grandpa will agree since he has an heir. There is no problem anymore.”

“They did talk. They agreed that after ten years, your father will go back. In the end, the sea did not permit it and claims him.” Grandma looks back at the sea, her face sullen. “The ship sunk. We couldn’t find you and Ella. That draws the line between me and your grandfather. He blames me all for it. He only fix his relationship with me when you came home. He is such a stubborn insensitive man…but like a fool, I love him nonetheless.” She smiles at me and stood.

“Which reminds me of the question I have of you…” She walks back to her study and sat on the chair. She motion for me to take the other chair and nervously I sat. It felt like I will be reprimanded  and receive a beating. Grandma put her hand together and cleared her throat.

“Do you love her?”

“Who?” She smiled at my question and shakes her head as though she knows something I don’t. “Fleur, of course.” She smirks and ask again, “Do you love her?”

I stared at her, hoping that she won’t ask for the third time again for I know the answer. And I hope she can read my mind. I sigh after a while, she keeps on staring at me I couldn’t even avert my gaze, “I don’t.” I clench my jaw and was surprise when she clap her hands together. “Then, you love Neola, right?”

I just nodded, still hating my grandma for acting like some royal investigator. I cross my arms and stood. “Is that all you are going to ask of me? You know, it does not even matter because grandpa has set his mind on Fleur. I have officially broken my engagement with Neola and tomorrow, Fleur will be the crown princess.” I turn towards the door and was about to walk out when grandma said, “I know that you have done that, but I can help you.”

I look at her to see that she was telling the truth. She gave me a book that is marked with highlights and pat my back, “Read all this. All you will need I have already marked for you. I am doing this because I haven’t done the same for my son. In this way, I can finally be forgiven,” she nodded her head at me before heading towards the balcony.

I look down on the book and take it with me as I went out of the room. I round the corner and was surprise to see Sebin who is whispering, “ Fleur, please…give me a chance. I can talk to the king, he would surely let me marry you. Please, I love you.”

“But we can’t, Sebin. I am engaged. Luke is going to be king, I need his status to redeem my family. Please understand, I love you but my family matters more. They matter more, okay?” Fleur held his cheeks and kiss him deeply. Sebin sigh before taking her in his arms, “Must we stay in the shadows forever? Aren’t you afraid that we are going to be caught? What would you do if Luke founds out that you are only using him? Tell him of what you feel and your problems. I am sure he will devise a plan to help you.” Sebin declared as he looks down at her. Fleur rings her hand and push him away. “ Do you think, I can just say it like that? I have to pretend for my family. This is not easy for me. I hate ruining relationships but I have to.”

“Neola loves him dearly, Fleur. She will do everything in her power to protect him and Luke, he loves her so much he will kill for her. Don’t you think you shouldn’t ruin a love like that? Shouldn’t we also fight for our love like they do?” Sebin walks away, his face masked as he went down the stairs, not even realizing that I am resting by the side benches, the curtain pulled over me.

I pull away the curtain and was surprise to see Fleur glaring at me.

“Let’s have a talk, Luke.”

계속