CHAPTER THREE: REVELATION FROM THE SEER
The sudden illumination from the window interupted my beautiful sleep. I had slept late the previous night,and I was very tired from the exhausting trip to the palace.After dinner last night,all I needed was a good rest,but I couldn't have that,because the Queen summoned me to her Chambers for a little chat.The chat took longer than I thought,and I apparently left her Chambers by 1am. I had Fiona run me a quick bath,and I sailed into sleep land after that. The sudden illumination in my dark room, only ment that Fiona was in the room to wake me up.She has been my personal maid ever since I was five.She took care of me like her own,and always put my needs before anyone else,including herself.If humans had a super power,Fiona's would be the power of not ageing. She looks ten times more beautiful,elegant and sparklier than her younger self.She was just seventeen years old,when she came to the palace to plead with father for a job and a means of survival.King Reginald had pity on her,seeing that she was just a poor orphan, and gave her a job at the palace. He assigned her to be my personal maid. I was barely five years old then,and she took really good care of me.The care ended after I got pregnant for cicerio,and was chased out by father. Fiona was the only one who supported my relationship with cicerio. I could recall how she would set up secret meetings for I and cicerio,far away from the coast of ALDEHEN. Poor Fiona,she thought cicerio was a decent man.I missed her dearly during my exile.
A soft,creamy and familiar hand tapped me twice whilst her tender voice called out my name softly.The illumination from the window,was enough to wake me up,but Fiona knew too well that I would go right back to sleep,if she didn't make me open my eyes,and probably sit up."Uhm,I really miss being pampered." I rubbed my eyes for a minute,and when I finally opened them,I found a brunette woman with sparkly hazel eyes sitting in front of me.Her hands were on my thighs,and her face was filled with a familiar radiant glow.She beemed unending smiles at me,and I couldn't help but wonder why she was created specially.
"Good morning,your majesty! It's time to get up. It's almost noon,and your father just asked me to summon you. I just prepared your bath,and breakfast is on the reading table.Go freshen up right away,and go downstairs and see his majesty.I will be on my way now,the Queen needs me.Fiona briefed!
"Noon? How did I sleep that long? Why didn't you wake me up? and Where are my sons? Why did his majesty summon me? Did I do something wrong? Oh my God,I need to get ready right away.Lora responded,pulling off her night wear,and sliding into her robe.
"Calm down,your majesty! I wanted to wake you up by 7am,but his highness kicked against it.He specifically instructed me to allow you rest. Lucian and Johnny joined prince Xander and miss Celia at the training room. Don't worry,they've already had their breakfast.Just do as I have said, and go to the throne room immediately. I have to be on my way now,the Queen needs me!
Lora stared at Fiona as she faded slowly out of sight.The closing of the door brought her back to reality.She wanted to ask Fiona a lot of questions before she left,but her own voice betrayed her.She just stood agape,with her eyes darting at Fiona as she exit her room. Her father asked not to wake her?Why?Did King Reginald just have an atom of care for her or did she just read another meaning to what Fiona had just said?A smile curled up her lips,and she hugged her rob tighter. Maybe the little love her father once had for her was rekindling after all.She smiled brighter,and flung the bathroom door open.Immediately she walked into the bathroom,the scents of Lily and roses filled her nostrils.Fiona knew exactly how she liked her bath,and made no mistakes at all when preparing it.She slid out of her rob,and dived into the tub,in her birthday suit.The warm water aroused her body,and the petals kissed her skin beautifully.She sunk her head deeper,and her honey blonde hair soaked with Lily water. She sighed in pleasure as the scented water soaked every part of her body.With her head deep under the water,the thought of her father crossed her mind. Why on earth did he ask Fiona not to wake her up? and why has he summoned her. She had a quick scrub,and went out of the tub. She slid the rob back into her body,and walked straight into her bedroom.She was caught with the sight of Fiona going through her dresses,when she walked in.Fiona selected an ocean blue gown,with dandelion designs and Crystal shoe to go with. Lora sat at the dressing chair, opposite the dress up mirror.She dabbed lotion evenly into her skin,and dried her hair with a little towel. With the help of Fiona,she got into the dress and shoe.Fiona helped in styling her damp hair,and she smiled at her reflection in amusement.Lora was and still is undoubtedly gorgeous. Her honey coloured blonde hair flowed all the way down to her shoulders. Her airy beige brown eyes made her stood out.She is tall,not so curvy and has a very fluttery eyelashes.Lora was indeed one of the most beautiful princess across the country.She walked elegantly,yet speedily through the hallway that led downstairs to the king's throne room.Many soldiers,maids and caretakers bowed their heads as they sighted her,and she responded with either a wave or a nod.She graced the throne room with her presence and bowed to her father.He told her to rise,and she obliged. She turned to her Left,where her older brother,Prince Adrian was seated and bowed to him also.They were two unfamiliar faces also seated in the throne room,and by the look of their physical attires,it was obvious they weren't royalty.Just to be on the safer side,she walked up to them and almost bowed her head,before her father and the oldest amongst the two men stopped her."You don't have to do that,they are just my subjects.Have your seat! King Reginald commanded.
Lora observed the two men with keen whilst taking her seat close to her brother's.The slightly robust man with grey hair seemed far older than the thin,average and brown haired man.The brown haired man looked like someone in his late thirties, while the grey hair man looked like he was in his early fifty's.The both of them weren't dressed in expensive attires,but their outfit was decent and clean enough. The brown haired man seemed to be wearing a scary frown.He didn't even bother to greet the princess,like the other man did. When you see commoners in the throne room,it's obvious they needed something from the king.The brown haired man seemed to be a rude person.He kept staring daggers at the princess,at intervals. He somehow made the princess uncomfortable with his stares and demeanor. Lora was curious as to who they were,and why her father summoned her.
"Uhm! General Robert,fetch my son and grandsons from the training room this instance.Tell them to come here at once! King Reginald ordered!
General Robert,the oldest and most trusted soldier amongst all my father's Army.He bowed slightly,and left for the training room immediately. My uneasiness suddenly increased,and I could hear my heart beat from my throat. What have I done again? and why did he summon for my children too? Is he planning on sending us on exile again? Different thoughts kept roaming freely in my mind and I couldn't think straight.As if the King could read my thoughts,he suddenly said"Don't worry Lora,Calm down.I am sure it's not something to worry about,besides the seer and dream interpreter are already here." I rolled my eyes at my self,how could I have forgotten about the sole reason I came to ALDEHEN. So the two men sitting in front of me,are just the seer and dream interpreter.What a relief. I smiled and nodded to what father had just said.
General Robert returned to the throne room with Xander,Johnny,Lucian and Celia. They were all dressed in a fighting armor,and balls of sweat could be seen on their forehead. There was no doubt that Xander was training them on how to fight. Xander is a very skilled fighter with unique fighting skills. He had defended ALDEHEN in so many battles before. He is undoubtedly a good fighter,but not as good as Astord. Astord Is the youngest prince of Aldehen.He is just twenty five years old,yet he could fight more than a trained army lieutenant.Lieutenant Lugard and General Robert were the two people in charge of training all the princes of ALDEHEN.They taught Adrian,Xander and Astord how to fight with both their fist and weapons. Adrian wasn't really indulged in fighting,all he cared about was being king, after his father. Xander wanted to be a real soldier. He had always wanted to join the military and protect ALDEHEN and the country at large,but father kicked against it.Astord,a charming,young and shy prince. He is a very great and brilliant fighter with a good strategy,but he wasn't interested in being a fighter. He wanted to be a big business man. His fighting skills,ain't as good as his ability to solve mathematics and science at large. Father always saw him as a weakling,and never considered him a good prince,even with his great fighting skills.Father had once trashed out all his gadgets,and banned him from anything related to science. Father's dream for Astord,was for him to be a great fighter and someday lead the fighting group in the country.As for Xander,dad wants him to work in the council board.He dreams for Xander heading the council one day.King Reginald already groomed Adrian into the perfect prince he desired. Adrian,being king after him,would mean the world to him. Adrian had always done whatever pleases father. Marrying Lydia was father's decision. He never had any feelings for Lydia,but when his father proposed he marries her,because her father was a wealthy Lord and would straighten the business relationship between the two kingdoms,Adrian accepted.Lydia wasn't half as good looking as Adrian was
so when the alignment was made,she was very happy.
Well, they've been married for sixteen years and have a fifteen year old daughter,Celia. Celia is an Angel in disguise.She has beauty,brain, character and charisma. Xander had been training her from onset,and now she has grown to be a pretty good fighter.Her attacking skills are dangerous and deadly,but she is bad at defending. Celia is just a year older than Johnny.Queen Zarah,Lydia and prince Astord were the only family members absent from the throne room. Father sent Astord to the big city for important work.
Johnny,Celia and Lucian sat opposite Prince Adrian,Lora and prince Xander.They all wore confused looks on their faces,and kept staring at King Reginald.
"This is Seb(pointing at the grey hair man),he is the kingdom's official dream interpreter. By his side is Lutan,(pointing at the brown haired man)he has the ability to see beyond the limited.I have summoned them concerning the reoccurring nightmares Lucian has been having.Now,Lucian narrate vividly to them what the nightmare is all about.King Reginald said in his usual commanding tone.
Lucian narrated in details all the nightmare,
was about. Seb and Lutan listened attentively without uttering a single word,untill Lucian was done. Seb was the first one to speak after Lucian finished narrating his dream to them.
"Well your majesty,this dream is beyond normal understanding.All I could interpret from his dream was that,Lucian needs to visit his root.The monster in his dream, symbolizes a relative. He needs to know his identity.I think he should visit the village of his parents,that's all.Seb spatted
"Root? ALDEHEN is his root! and why would a relative be appearing in form of a monster? If any relative desires to be visited,why didn't they say so,rather than terrify the poor boy! Lora responded.
A cool breeze swirled pass,and invincible bells began ringing.Everyone was frightened and kept staring at all Conners of the room, except the King,prince Adrian,Lutan and Seb.Lutan suddenly started clapping,then boom,his blue irises turned into white.The sound of bells ringing,died down and the whole place was silent. Lutan's eyes closed shut,his hands entwined,before he broke the silence.
"They want him! They need him! They will try to take him! They is an inevitable battle ahead,and he might lose his life if he partakes in it. They won't stop coming and reaching out to him! Only his mother would be able to give you the answers and solution you seek. His mother is the only solution! No matter what you do,don't allow him set eyes on his father. His father will try to kill his mother on his eighteenth birthday,and if she dies,then Lucian would see his father,and that's game over!Lutan spoke in his cool and Moody voice.
"What nonsense are you saying? Cicerio has left us and would never come back. Why will cicerio try to kill me? How will I give answers to something I don't understand or know anything about? What the hell are you saying? Lora bellowed!
"Hahahaha" When the right time comes, everything will play before your eyes. I'm not talking about you,his birth mother,I was referring to the woman who took in his pregnancy in her womb. It's not easy to understand,but travel to the west side. Seek for the goddess of beauty,start your journey from there.What Lucian cherishes the most,is the key they are asking for.Lucian won't experience thoes nightmares,so long as he sleeps with salt in his mouth.but I must warn you,they can also attack in person and not just nightmares. They are powerful than you think,but his mother could stop them.Lutan responded hysterically,before opening his eyes. His irises turned back to their original colours the moment he opened them.
The king and everyone in the throne room casted confused glances at each other.The king looked terrified and confused.He wanted to say a lot,but his mouth was too heavy to move.
"Father! where did you find this pathetic mad man from? I think you should let sergeant Bryant beat the hell out of him for disrespecting I,my son and the entire royal household.Can you hear the rubbish he's busy spiting out? He crossed the line for saying, I'm not lucian's mother.I want him out of here at once.Lora thundered again!
"Lutan! Speak up in a clearer tone. What do you mean by all you've just said.You speak in parables and no one seems to understand you! what do you mean by she's just the woman who gave birth to him,and not his womb mother?King Reginald inquired!
"I have nothing to say your majesty. That's as far as my vision could see. Just travel to the west,and seek for Sarina the goddess of beauty. Once you find her,you will know what to do. Not everyone you see in a human body is a human.The world is deeper,than y'all think. That's all I have to say, your highness! I sense danger ahead,and the more you waste time,the more it draws nearer. I beg to take my leave now,your highness!
"I really don't understand anything at this point! I actually don't believe or understand anything he has just said,but let's give him the benefit of doubt and allow Lucian sleep with salt in his mouth.If Lucian doesn't experience the nightmare tonight,then I'm afraid that as stupid as it may sound,we will have to travel to the west! Adrian ended with a sigh!
"What the hell are you saying? don't tell me that you're ignorant enough to believe him? I thought you were the smart prince of a wise king,but you just proved me wrong Adrian. General Robert,kindly escort these gentle men out of the palace at once. I don't want to ever see any of them here again! Lora bellowed furiously!
General Robert stared at the king for a few seconds,and headed to where Seb and Lutan were seated. He was an inch in front of them, before the king ordered him to stop.
"Stop humiliating your self,our household and my innocent subjects,lora.Lucian will sleep with salt in his mouth tonight,and if it works,we will think of the next thing to do. Thank you Seb,and thanks to you too Lutan for honouring my visit. You may now take your leave.
Seb and Lutan bowed their heads slightly, in front of the king and left.The king asked everyone to excuse him except his grandchildren. Xander, Adrian and Lora left hesitantly. The king told old stories to the children,and cheered them up. He tried his best to convince Lucian not to be afraid. He told him that he was just going through a phase.He assured Lucian that he was willing to do anything to protect him.The throne room was filled with laughter and chuckles,as the king demonstrated the stories he told. He dismissed them,and asked the chef to prepare a delicious lunch for them. The laughter on the face of the king died down immediately the kids left. He looked angry,sad, raged and worried.
Lora broke down in tears and the Queen hugged her tighter. She stroke her hair,and planted several kisses on her forehead. the queen managed to convince Lora,that Lutan was just a bloody liar.She told her not to believe anything Lutan said,and never go to the west.She asked Lora to go horse riding,so she could feel better and her mood will become lighter.