53 Chapter 53. An old man

At the palace:

"I'm not sure, but I think we figured out the outline."

Felix slowly let out, while still eyeing the papers in his hand.

Emperor and Felix have been working almost for the whole day, trying their best to figure the code, with the clues the got.

"Don't worry much." Alexander said while clapping his nephew's shoulder lightly. He knew that Felix is getting worked up on this whole issue.

Honestly, Alexander can't help, but agree with the same worries that were raging inside Felix. This happened in his kingdom, for crying out loud.

He knew somewhere, something is very wrong. The only problem is he doesn't know how far or how bad the problem is.

The only clue they have is the information of the murderer of Samuel Cullen and the crypted code. They tried and were trying their best to decode the code, but somewhere there is the nagging feeling that it was not right.

Alexander was jolted away from his thoughts, when Felix came exactly infront of his face.

He didnt hear anything, but when Felix bowed down, he assumed he was taking leave to his chambers now. Alexander just nodded and smiled a bit at his dear nephew.

He patted his head slightly, but Felix could sense his uncle's distress and fake smile on his lips. His uncle was an Emperor of the strongest kingdom in the country and had many many many responsibilities.

Even with all these, he never failed to show his love towards his sister's children. If anything, he treated them as his own.

"Rest well, uncle" Felix said, trying to let most genuine smile from his system. "You worry a lot." With that being said, Felix once again bowed and went on his way to his sleeping chambers.

Alexander smiled seeing the receding from his chambers. He appreciated the effort Felix showed him, so that he could also be at peace.

But, everything is said easier than done.

"Its not yet started." he quietly muttered under his breath, with a small sad smile playing on his lips.

.....

Back at the Nahia Gardens :

Evan and Aeinshia were still in their tight embrace. Lost in their own world.

Evan was reminiscing all the moments he spent with his princess, from the moment he stepped into his kingdom. Those were absolutely worth to remember. His sweetest memories.

Then, the scenes from the morning started playing in his head and he realized his fault.

"I'm sorry" he quietly mumbled into her shoudler. Even though, his voice was muffled Aeinshia could clearly hear him. His every breath, his every word.

Then, something clicked again in his head. The reason why Aeinshia wanted to talk to him. He was initially wondering about it, but now he clearly understood.

She was trying to talk to him about all the things that happened. And his tears once again welled up. Realizing that she was not forcing herself, but is genuinely caring for him.

He just wanted that. Genuine love from the person he loved and cherished the most.

While Evan was analyzing the situation and coming in terms with his inner battle, Aeinshia was still battling herself.

The constant worry of loosing her love, was the only thing that ever bothered her. And she deemed it was the reason for all of this.

She once thought, she could handle this on her own. No. She couldn't. She understands the reason now.

Its 'theirs' , not 'hers' or 'his'.

So, they stayed like that, realizing the facts and feelings.

Unknown of the pair of eyes that were watching them, under the dark sky.

After some moments, the figure smiled at the pair and disappeared from the vicinity of the love filled atmosphere.

The problem with that is?

No one could decipher if that smile is genuine admiring smile or a wicked plotting smile.

...

Outside the Palace:

While some people were holding hands and happily walking with some eatables, some other people were giggling and excitedly to pointing to the many objects displayed in the shops.

There was a huge fair happening in the capital of Seazle tonight.

Its like the happiness which should be in the Palace was stolen and is inserted into this place.

Bright lights were hanging prettily in front of various kind of shops. People were dressed up casually, according to the weather. Quiet smiles and active conversations of adults and loud giggles and cries of children were heard everywhere.

The atmosphere was light with the bright moon also producing extra light with the big lamps outside the shops.

Food stalls were as busy as stores in the streets. Smell of different street eatables were attracting many foodies and the people who desperately need to rest after their shopping haul.

Among the colors, a young man, with dark bluecolored robes and with a sullen expression and also seemingly very tired was resting on a bench in dark corner, just observing the colorful fest in front of him.

The man's sharp eyes were scanning the crowd thoroughly. He sighed heavily. He was here for a break, but his mind is always on alert for something or the other. It was as if, that was his second nature apart from his own existence.

Well, his line of work is like that. Always on alert, looking out for any possible danger. Besides all of this, he is a human after all. He too deserves rest. After all the things that happened and are happening, it is taking a toll on his sanity. And he was not ready to afford such a loss.

But, he cant seem to relax, every move and every sound was making him alert. After all happened, he seemed to be extra careful.

"You seem to be alert." a old, shaking voice interrupted his train of thoughts.

The young man snapped his head towards his left and noticed an old man, a really very old man, slowly making his way towards him. The old man's robes looked very dirty, old and bit ragged. He was holding a stick, which was dark colored, for dear life.

The young tilted his head a bit, observing the old man. No matter who it is, everyone are under suspicion. His eyebrows drew together as he eyes the old man, head to toe.

The old man chuckled and made his way towards the bench he was sitting, and slowly sinked down on the hard bench, relaxing slightly.

"What's your name" the man asked, still getting comfortable on the bench. It was hard to find a good position on such a rest area.

"Peter." the young man replied immediately. Peter didnt knew what overcame him do to blurt his name that way, but despite his suspicions raging, he felt no harm coming from the old man seated beside him.

"You seem to be alert."

The old man once again repeated the sentence. Peter was confused and lost. Was it that obvious? It wasn't supposed to be obvious. Guess he was too stressed.

He sighed heavily. He really needed rest.

"Guess its my work" he replied in clipped tone.

The old man hummed a little, but never said anything back.

"Do you like butterflies?" the old man questioned out of nowhere. Peter was actually quite taken aback by that. What kind of question is that?

"What kind of question is that?" he asked out aloud.

The old man laughed out loud, confusing the hell out of the young man.

"Ah....young man." saying that the old man again burst out into laughing fit again.

Peter was slowly getting irritated by the behavior of the old man.

"What's so funny about it?" Peter asked. his tone coming out harsher than he intended to come out.

The old man suddenly stopped laughing and turned to face the young man. Peter immediately regretted doing it what he did. He never meant to be rude, but he was irritated already and the old man laughing didnt help him at all.

"Well....."

(Stay tuned for the old man- author)