CHAPTER 2-A VISIT TO ALDEHEN
"Just finish your breakfast,it's almost noon and we need to start heading out. I had earlier planned on leaving early,but my boss's request messed up my plans. I don't know why he always acts as though I'm his only staff. He always comes up with emergencies,just to see me in the office on weekends. I just hope we don't encounter traffic on our way. Johnny did you put the bag in the car,like I asked you to? I don't like the outfit you both are putting on,please just go back inside and change.That must be after having your breakfast,and please be fast about it. Lora complained devouring the pancakes in front of her.
"What exactly is wrong with our outfits mum? I mean, I'm just putting on a blue jean pant,a white T-shirt,and a jean jacket. Lucian here, isn't wearing something bad either. Just a black trouser,white shirt and blue sleeveless puffed vest.So why should we go and change? Johnny inquired, sipping from his hot cup of tea.
"It's not formal enough. I'm trying as much as possible,not to give your grandfather a reason to taunt me,and remind me of the past. The both of you should please put on a black pair of pants,packet shirts and maybe a sleeveless cable knitted cardigan vest,over the packet shirt.That would be much better.You boys don't have any excuses to give, because i know you have all the outfits I just mentioned. I can recall vividly that you both bought the cardigans last winter,so hurry up with your breakfast and go get ready.I asked you a question earlier Johnny and you haven't responded to it!
"Uhm,Nerd outfit loading! Mum why hasn't grandpa forgiven you yet? I mean,It's been eighteen years,and he still bears a grudge against you.You only followed your heart,and fell deeply in love,is that a crime? I know you betrayed and hurt his feelings and ego deeply,by doing so,but you also had your fair share of pain when dad Left. Why can't grandfather just see that you've also gone through so much? Does he have to keep reminding you that, falling in love and trusting father was a mistake? I think grandfather is being unnecessarily wicked and unreasonable,if you ask me. Why doesn't Grandma advise him against how he's treating you?I have never seen or heard Grandma oppose to any of his decisions. She's literally worshipping him.Her only daughter was banished,and she never did anything to save you.What kind of a mother is she? She never visited or called you,in thoes years you were on exile. She's such a weakling!
"Enough! Enough,I say.How dare you speak about my parents in such a degrading manner? You dare call the Queen a weakling,and the King,evil? Have you no manners at all Lucian? This should be the very last time you speak about them,in such manner. I was at fault. I fell in love with a good for nothing commoner,who I met at a ball. My parents both warned me,but I was blinded by the love I had for your father, that I didn't listen. The only Princess of "ALDEHEN" got pregnant for a commoner out of wedlock,what did you expect? You expected them to be happy and thrilled on hearing the news? My actions brought shame and disgrace to my kindreds. I deserved every ill treatment I was and I'm being subjected to. What could my mother have done? Visited me without the king's knowledge? My dad would have chased her out of the palace,the moment he got hold of such information. I was only eighteen years old then,and I had two younger brothers. Who would have looked after them if your Grandfather had chased your grandma out of the palace for disobeying him,and visiting me?Tell me? This should be the last time you speak ill of them,am I understood? Lora thundered!
"Yes mum! I'm sorry for everything I said,it won't happen again. I promise! Lucian responded with his head bowed to his almost empty plate.
"Better!! The both of you should go upstairs and change right away,I will handle the dishes and we will be on our way in no time.
"Okay mum! Johnny replied!
Johnny and Lucian returned downstairs,in the full regalia,Lora ordered them to wear,after twenty minutes.They assisted Lora in locking up the entire house thoroughly.Then,they all sauntered to the garage,with snacks in their hands.They were three cars parked in the garage,and Lora went for the black Bentley.Lucian and Lora hopped on the front seat,whilst Johnny sat at the back. It was already 1:23pm when they left the compound.The busy streets of Ivy lake City, greeted the eyes of the trio, as they drove pass.Ivy lake City,was one of the most biggest cities in the country.The city was mostly populated by rich and influencial people,who were mostly into trade farming.The city never had a dull moment,even at night. They heard music playing,women arguing and bargaining,and the sound of little children playing as they drove pass.Ivy lake City,shared a boundary with different kingdoms and small towns,including the kingdom of ALDEHEN. The City of Ivy lake,and the kingdom of ALDEHEN are sworn enemies. The enmity between them started forty years ago,when foreign researchers found, and dug up a mineral resource,at the boundary of both towns. The minister of Ivy lake City,and the King of ALDEHEN argued greatly,on who owned the resources. The dispute between the two towns,led to about a hundred people losing their lives.The foreigners came to the conclusion, of splitting the revenue between both towns. The king and the minister,hesitantly accepted the offer,after much persuasion.The attacks and killing against each other slowly subsided and eventually stopped.Well,so did their business as well. They ended all sorts of businesses they once had together,and stopped the importation of rice from ivy lake City. Their enmity had subsided over the years,but not feud out.
It was already 6:15pm,when they arrived at the border.Their ride was a crazy and fun one,as usual. The securities at the border scanned Lora's papers and ID,thoroughly,before letting them cross over to the kingdom of ALDEHEN.As Lora drove into ALDEHEN,the sweet scent of roses filled her nostrils. "Ouhm I miss this alluring scent" Lora muttered! ALDEHEN was known to own the biggest,and most beautiful roses in the country.As Lora ventured into the town,the darker it became.It was almost 7:pm already,and the sun had made way for darkness to venture in.Lora heaved sigh of relieve.Thankful for the fact that it was already dark,before she drove pass.Whenever she visited in the past,and any of the villagers caught a glimpse of her face,they would gossip and point fingers at her. Afterall she was the "Embarrassing Princess of ALDEHEN". Today was really a bad day for their torment,because her heart was troubled and confused.She was glad,it was night time already. No one could recognize her now.She drove pass the night market speedily, because they were lights everywhere,and she feared someone might be able to recognize her. She was already on Aldehen's biggest bridge,when she caught a glimpse of the castle.There it was,the biggest building in the whole ALDEHEN. The palace was indeed not hidden.The palace was indeed a hell of a building.The rooms in the palace were hardly traceable. Lora only had the knowledge of only thirty six rooms, despite growing up there. The lights surrounding the palace were blinding.Twenty soldiers were on duty at the palace gate,and around the palace building. The guards became visible,when Lora drove closer to the gate.All the soldiers pointed their guns at her car,the moment she drove very near the gate.She had to alight from the vehicle,for them to have a clearer look of who it was.The transparent, titanium,double doored gate opened up immediately,the soldiers tapped a button.All the soldiers bowed slightly,as she drove in. They welcomed Lora,Johnny and Lucian into the palace,by opening the giant entrance door for them.
They were greeted by maids and caretakers,as they walked pass the grand entrance hall.Lora was already tired,and she felt all the courtesy was unnecessary,but she went with the flows anyways. She walked gracefully pass the maids,and responded to every bow with a nod.With her sons walking side to side by her,they all arrived at the throne room.The throne room was completely empty,except for two soldiers, guarding the empty throne.They respectively bowed as they sighted her,and she responded with a nod.Lora,her kids and the two soldiers who held their luggage,all saundered upstairs. They made their way pass the mini ballroom,and headed for the training room,when Xander's entrance stole their attention. Lucian and Johnny bounced on Xander and gave him a tight hug.He reciprocated their hug with a tighter one.Lora rushed to Xander,and gave him a quick peck,that followed after a passionate hug. Xander had always been her favourite brother,and the most handsome of all her three brothers. He is very tall,slim,has a perfect body,fights very well,a pencil nose and a shiny black hair.He had all the qualities a woman would ever want. Princess from across the country usually came proposing to him. He was quite picky when it came to women and never really accepted any. He would make an excellent King also! Too bad he wasn't the first son,but the second.
"Welcome sister! How come you never said anything about visiting today? How was the trip? Xander asked placing,each hand on Johnny and Lucian's shoulder.
"Do I need an invitation to visit the palace and see my family?Lora teased.
"Of course you know,that's definitely not what I meant. If I had known you were coming,I would have asked Shannon to prepare something special for you and my nephews. I have missed them so much.They are growing so fast.
"No worries,we will eat anything available. I'm quite famished.Has dad retired to his Chambers already? What about mum? Where's Adrian,Celia and Lydia? I can't see anyone around!
"They're all in the garden house! Dad wanted us to have supper there,and get to bond for a while.I was on my way there,when I bummed into you.Let's all go together, I'm sure he would be happy to see his grandsons.
"Sure! Let's go! Lora replied!
Xander tucked Johnny's and Lucian's hands in his,and they chatted happily to the garden house. Lora ordered the guards to keep her luggage in her room,and retire to their post.The garden house was a bit at the back of the castle.It was a luxury condo,decorated like a nature cottage.Everything in it,was nature styled.The view from the garden house was alluring.You could see a part of the kingdom from standing at the window of the garden house. It was quite peaceful there. It has a little art gallery attached to it.A water fountain at the side,and an indoor camping site.
Xander opened the garden house door for Lora and her sons to enter.They went straight to the dinning and met everyone,fake laughing at Celia's horrible jokes again.The shock in their eyes,when they saw Lora and her sons walk in,wared off after a few seconds.They was a round of welcoming hugs and pecks from everyone after wards,and the King cheerfully gestured the boys to come sit close to him.They were served a plate of chicken chimichanga,and they all ate happily,except Lora. Lora suddenly lost her appetite,the moment lucian's eighteenth birthday crossed her mind. The nightmare was affecting her badly and she felt someone was after her son's life. Queen Zarah asked Lora if she didn't like the food,and wanted something else,after noticing she wasn't eating. Lora had no choice,than to narrate the whole situation to everyone. They all casted glances at themselves in total silence.Adrian,(her elder brother) and his daughter Celia broke the silence with an annoying laughter. It was obvious they didn't believe her at all,and they thought her son was going crazy.
"He might just be hallucinating,for all we know.It's just a nightmare and it can't possibly happen.You let him watch too much of horror movies,and now he's dreaming about them.Adrian blurted.
"You call that hallucinations?My son is going through so much,and you sit down here and say he's just seeing things! What about the mark that appears on his neck,and the pain? I know it sounds funny,but I feel there's more to his dreams.
"Uncle,I know I sound stupid,but I promise you,I can see the dream play in my head right now.I know what I'm saying! I'm not making things up.
"Son,you're still growing. It could be puberty and...... Adrian couldn't finish his sentence,because the King silent him,by raising his hands.
I will send for the village seer and the dream interpreter,first thing in the morning. I'm sure they will know what the nightmare is all about,and the solution.Just enjoy your meal for now.King Reginald commanded!
They all obeyed and continued eating again.The room was silent as a grave yard,and only the cutleries made noises.Thoughts were obviously roaming in everyone's mind.