Chapter 4: Life in Philia

After a month of the disappearance of the prince, the Queen was restless. She worried that one day the prince will come back and take back his right. Therefore, she decided to move her chess piece before it was too late. Hence, she came up with negotiation terms that the king who was desperate to find his son couldn't deny.

"Your majesty, I can help you find the prince, but on one condition. We have to sleep together every night until the day I bear a son," she said with no hesitation. The king who was sitting beside her on the sofa was startled by what he heard.

"You know where he is?" The king who was desperate wasn't think rational. He seeks clues everywhere but nothing resurface. Moreover, Lady Claudia knows something but didn't say anything. So now, he was at his wits' end. Hence, for him right now, one clue was better than nothing, whether it was bogus or fact only he would tell.

"One of my spies spotted him. However my love, until I have a son on my arm, I wouldn't tell you but only let my spy protect him," she said as she caressed his arm.

"Don't worry my dear. The prince won't be in harm as my spy were all well trained," she said, confidently.

"Now my dear. What do you say? Do we have a deal?" she said as she gently caressed his cheeks.

"Yes. I just want my son to be safe," he said. He was worried, not only about the prince but also about the terms he agreed on. However, he decided to bet his life on it, for the sake of his son.

Then, the Queen kissed the king as it was a seal for their agreement.

The sun was bright in the village of Philia. The Prince lives each day with counting pebbles beside the house and with Melina treated him like usual, so he ended up living in a pleasant dream. A dream where everything was fine, with full hopes and dreams. He never leaves Melina's side as he was afraid of the world outside. He just followed her wherever without feeling discouraged or bored.

However, when the owl singing in rhythm and the moon came to light up the darkness, he would always remember his mother. He cried and cried, calling and longing for her, but she never came. Although he was happy here, it was not the same. He wanted to go back, as he felt it was better to live in hell with your loved one, rather than live in heaven with a sorrowful heart. Thus that day he decided to grow stronger, so he could protect his mother in this hellish world.

The sun greets him like any other day, and the sound of wind and birds singing was very soothing to his ear. Some would say a couple of months was a short time but for him, it felt like a year. He went out and sat on the wooden stool in front of the house. He sat obediently with his pinkish-colored chubby cheek. Anyone who walked past him finds him so adorable. He looks just like a bunny waiting for his treat.

However, for him, the only thing that caught his eye was the children who were playing happily without any worries. Each day was like any other day, he wanted to join the other children, but didn't know how. He doesn't how to start a conversation or how to get close to them. The only person he ever conversed with, were his mother, father, and the maids. Although they are the one who starts first and not him. He never had any friends nor opportunities to make one. He was a timid child but desired to grow stronger. So he just sat there quietly and watches them playing, while gathering his thought. As his tutor always said first impression was everything. Although he didn't know the hidden meaning of what his tutor was saying. He, who got dirty blood as the noble believed would never give a positive impression.

While he was sitting there, a cute little girl and a few of her friends came towards him. His face was as red as a tomato, as he felt shy and didn't know what to do.

"Here, my mom bakes this. It's really delicious," the little girl said as she passed the homemade cookie to him.

"Thank you," he said with a low tone, with his cheek was flushed red.

"Why you never join us?" she asked, with full of curiosity.

However, he just looked at them shyly, with no words come out of him.

"My mom said you didn't have a father, is it true?" the other kid asked him. His direct question made him startled.

"Yeah, that's true. My mother also said we have to be nice to you because you don't have a father," the other little boy said to him while agreeing with his friend.

"Why don't you have a father? Did your father leave you?" the other kid asked him. His words were as sharp as a knife and he felt like crying but tried to hold it.

"My mother said, we should never leave someone we love. Does it mean your father doesn't love you?" the little boy asked him.

Although they were just a child with curious minds, those words brought him to tears. He couldn't say a word, because at that time he wasn't even sure if he was loved by his father. As his father was never around when he was in pain, sad, or even during his happy time. He knows his father was the king but sometimes he just wished for his time. However, as we grow older, our responsibilities grow especially as the king. The days feel shorter, twenty hours a day was never enough, especially when hours feel like a minute. Hence, his wish for a day with the king was like reaching for the sky above.

He cried silently, while the children who surround him were shocked and tried to comfort him. Suddenly someone stood in front of him and told the other children to move away. He lifted up his head and looked at him with his teary eyes.

"I'm Lucius," Lucius said as he carefully wiped his tears away.

"…," he continued sniffled without words.

"Why are you crying? Did they bully you?" Lucius asked.

"No..," he said with a faint voice as his head was looking downwards towards his tiny feet. He was embarrassed.

"I will be your big brother from now on. So you don't have to be afraid," Lucius said as he felt that he needed to protect him as a big brother.

He was surprised and thrilled as he was his first friend and brother.

"I'm Lex," he said with a faint voice and a sniff.

"Nice to meet you," Lucius said as he patted him by the head.

The first few days were awkward, as he didn't know how to converse or convey his feelings. Though times thought them that happiness can be achieved. Maybe not today. maybe not tomorrow, but it will come. Now Lucius was very important to him. Moreover, time heals his sorrowful heart as he started to live in the moment and not dwell on the past. He became more cheerful each day. However, it doesn't mean he forgot everything. He still waits for his mother to come. He wanted to tell her all about the things he experienced while he was in the village. He wanted to show how independent and big he had become. So his mother would not be worried about him, because any mother doesn't want their child to live in despair.

"Melina! I'm going to see Lucius," he shouted as he ran out of the house.

Melina was happy with his positive change, but he couldn't help but still worried about the prince and his mother. As nobody could predict the future.

He ran out to meet Lucius as planned. Each day was brighter with Lucius by his side. Lucius lives with his father as his mother was killed from sickness. Lucius, who was only seven years old, learned everything from his father, from fishing to cooking. His father was a good man who loved his wife dearly. Hence, he never married again but lives happily with his son.

"Lex! Here!"

Lucius called for him as he saw him. When he arrived, Lucius pointed at the apple. It was rosy red in color. The tree was full of fruits.

"Here, try it."

Lucius gave him an apple. The apple was ripe, sweet, and delicious. Then, both of them sat under the tree enjoying the afternoon wind and the juiciest apple.

"Lex, do you miss your mother?" Lucius suddenly asked him a question with a depressed tone.

"Yes. I still have to wait two days more for her to come," he answered. At that time, he didn't know that Lucius's mother was not here. He thought that she was a shy person who never leaves the house, just like his mother was.

"Do you know, all this time I thought my mother had passed away? But last night, I heard my father cried as he called my mother's name. He said that my mother married some noble family and leaves us," Lucius's eyes started to glisten and his voice started to quiver as he was about to cry.

"Is it wrong, if I say I still love her when she leaves my father and me to live a better life? Is it wrong?"

Lucius started to cry. He was devastated as he always believed that his mother had passed away not ran away. Lex doesn't know how to comfort him, so he decided to do what his mother and Melina do when he was sad. He hugged Lucius and patted his back to console him.

"I couldn't bring myself to hate her. Why? She abandons us, but my father still cried for her. Why? Does she not love us?"

Lucius continued as he was crying in Lex's tiny arm. Lex, who was shocked, couldn't comprehend the situation. He never knew Lucius, the boy who always smiles led a sad life. As he tried to think about what if he was Lucius, he started to cry as well.

They both cried like they tried to comfort each other.

"Why did you cry?" Lucius said with a sniff as he started to calm down.

"I feel sad," he said as he sniffled.

Then, Lucius started to pat his head.

"Brother Lucius, don't worry. Whatever happens, I will never leave you," he continued. He was determined to not let Lucius cry as he always brings him joy.

Then, he lightly flicked Lex's nose. However, with his pale skin, his nose turned red.

"Why did you do that for?" Lex touches his nose, feeling annoyed.

"Because you were so adorable. Lex, the cute little knight," Lucius laughed at Lex for his behavior.

He was small yet constantly bring him joyous laughter. However every so often he wonders, why this small three years old child doesn't behave like a child, especially during the first week they met. His composure and behavior were nothing like a child and sometimes neither like a commoner. Hence, from time to time, he likes to joke around and makes him annoyed.

"Forget it. I'm leaving you," he was sulking.

Both of them enjoying each day while continued comforting one another. He learned how to enjoy his life and cherished his life. Sometimes he got greedy, as to want Lucius to stay with him forever. He worried when he went back to the palace; Lucius will forget about him, and he will be alone again. The time where he was always sad and alone, but never cry. Always in pain, but never groaned. Always awake, but never alive.