The crown prince is alive!
The news spread in the region of Ikarai and the neighbouring provinces. Who knows if the neighbouring kingdom have heard about it too?
Some people were in doubt but happy about it and some are not. So now, some officials have sent their men to investigate about this matter. This news is not something that anyone could bring up without valid grounds since the king have imposed a heavy punishment for people who are spreading erroneous information about the crown prince.
Though this is not the only time this had happened. The same news broke out before as well.
Five years ago, someone claimed that he saw the young prince in the region of Rouen. The king tried to invite the man who saw him but they couldn't locate his whereabouts so they concluded that whoever spread the news must be a prankster or someone on the other party who was against the king.
But even before that, they have heard the same news twice. And that false information pierced the queen's heart since it had raise her hopes to see her son once again. That's the reason why the kingdom issued a decree that whoever spread another lies about the crown prince without any valid grounds will be severely punished, worst, death.
After issuing the decree, not another word nor the crown prince name was heard ever again-----not until this day.
''Is it that news again?'' The king questions his chief attendant while reviewing some of the reports on top of his table.
''Your majesty------''
''Give the necessary punishment to whoever spread it.'' The king nonchalantly replied.
The chief attendant knew he would say that and he usually agreed with him in the past. But not now, not a chance.
The king must have sense his hesitation so he looks at him intently.
''What is the problem? Why aren't you leaving my room?'' He probes.
''Your majesty, you should know that I sincerely respect you and I've been loyal to you for how many years now. I never question any of your decrees and obey all your commands no matter how difficult it is. You, yourself can attest my deep devotion to you and to the kingdom....'' the chief kowtowed as he speaks.
''I have never doubted your loyalty, my Chief. So just tell me your point.'' The king laid back on his chair.
''Thank you, your majesty.'' The chief voiced. "I was just thinking, what if the news is real this time? What if the crown prince is ali—''
''What do you mean?'' The king raises his brow.
''My king, the news about the crown prince came from a shaman.'' He stared at the king meaningfully.
''A shaman?'' The king's attention is fully on him.
''Yes, your Majesty. And that shaman is not an ordinary person... she is someone whom everybody believes!''
''Is it her?''
''Yes, my king. It's the old herald Milcah.''
The king suddenly stood up cynically. He might not like that old woman but she is not the kind of person to lie and she never does. She speaks what she receives from above and even if someone pays her an amount to change their destiny, still, she won't wager. she simply hates deception and injustice. She has a dignity no one could ever buy!
''Are you sure it came from that old herald?'' The king probe once more.
''It was confirmed. But to make sure, I sent someone to check her out.''
''Bring her in as well.'' The king ordered.
''Yes, your majesty.'' The chief kowtowed then left his presence.
The king sat back on the chair but his mind is somewhat frenzy. He had heard about the rumours before but nothing is more real and uplifting than this news which came from that herald. She was a legendary herald and was in good terms before, however, some circumstances in the past broke their good companionship. Now, she hated the king more than ever.
But how could the dead prince come back to life? He's in deep thought.
Unknown to the King, someone had been eavesdropping for a while. And as soon as the chief went out from the king's presence, he left unnoticed.
''Have you heard about the rumour?'' An old man asks a middle-age woman who is busy trying out the new cosmetics that she had bought from an Egyptian merchant the other day.
"What? About the crown prince?'' She chuckled mockingly. ''Father, don't tell me you believe those lies again.''
''Don't be too confident of what you have for now because you never know what will happen next."
''Why are you so serious about this matter, father?'' The woman faces the old man. ''We have heard about those claims before but nothing was proven to be true!'' She yelps.
She's totally right but this time seems to be different from before.
''Because this time, it came from the old herald.'' The old man explains.
''What did you say, father? The old herald Milcah?'' her eyes widened.
''Yes. And the king heard it as well.'' He walks towards the open window. '' Where is your son? We should notify him about it as well.''
''He's not in the palace right now. He went hunting and will be back tomorrow or maybe the next day.''
''Tsk!'' The man snorted. ''Of all days, why did he choose to go out today!''
''Is it really true? But he died, right? How can a dead young boy come back to life?'' The woman is feeling uneasy all of a sudden.
''I'm not sure either. But the king sent someone to fetch the old herald. We will know the truth once she shows up in front of the king.''
''And what if he is telling the truth? That herald never lies!''
''I don't know. I don't have any plans in mind yet.''
''Do something, father. You promised to make my son the next king, right? The throne should never be taken away from him!'' The woman bellows.
''I did and I will definitely make it come to pass. I have succeeded in the past, so there's no reason that I will fail today.'' He assures her.
*****
"Have you heard about the news?'' The women were whispering at each other while washing the lodge's blankets. The kitchen helpers and few teachers were also present.
Chatters can be heard all around the little angel's lodge. Children are not exempted of it as well since the rumours about the crown prince spread all throughout the kingdom of Allen.
However, Diana can't fully understand what was happening. What about the crown prince? She thought. What's so special about him? Well anyway, it doesn't concern her so why bother?
But wait! Did they mention dead prince? Ahhh! Now she's curious. So her ears are still active on gossips, huh? Well, that's a part of her job, she reasoned.
A dead prince that came back to life? Her eyes suddenly glint a deadly glow. Dang! Why is there a lot of mystery in this kingdom! And who would believe that she, a foreigner would want to uncover it one by one?
Ting! Her mind flickered as she smirks impishly. No, she won't leave this country unless she uncovers all the mysteries shadowing this kingdom! By hook or by crook, she will conduct a documentary research about this place.
Their cultures. Traditions. History. Social dilemmas. The kingdom. The lost but found crown prince.... and a lot more. And what will happen if the people learns about the modernize world outside this kingdom walls? Will they be able to embrace changes? And what if the people in this Kingdom learns about the outside world? what if the outside world learns about this hidden Kingdom?
"What if….?" Now she's in deep thought.