The vast space was covered by a layer of clouds. Droplets of water were scattered all around under the influence of gravity, they were about to fall down. The shore-side groves were dancing in the hymn of wind. Ales was relaxing at the riverbank. She has closed her eyes and now, deeply submerged in the ocean of her memories. A flute was lying beside her. She gradually opens her eyes and picks her flute up to her glossy lips. With a breath in, she blows a rhythm which has stopped every motion. Everything seems to saunter around her.
It was 10:35 pm and finally, prince Zac got some time to relax. Being a prince it's very hard to have some free time. He removes his coat, throws it on the sofa and straightway moved to the balcony. There, he rests on a sofa chair with a cup of coffee in hands and began to enjoy the moist atmosphere with some wavy winds. Something that grabs all his attention was a sweet rhythm which has washed all the stress he had. He looked about at the shimmering stars, closed his eyes and was immersed in that melody.
Gradually, he falls asleep and had the dream that took him to the flashback.
The car was moving on the highway. King Louis and Queen Anne were proceeding along with their little princess Ales. They all were accompanied by his mom. All were rejoicing the drive but a break fails shattered everything. The car was crashed, everyone was injured and princess Ales was lost somewhere. And he lost my mother in that accident. "I can't get you back mom, but I will find you princess Ales." And tears fell down from his eyes.
When he woke up he was still mesmerizing his dream. It was the yellow sky in early dawn where it was still raining. The sun was there hidden between the clouds but one can still feel it's presence. Once again, his room of happiness was darkened by some unwanted thoughts.
Here, something was missing. Was that the melody which he herds at night or its someone's memory. All those events which were forgotten by him, once again knock his door. All the thoughts were disturbed by a familiar unwanted voice," your breakfast is ready your highness. King is waiting for you at dining. He wants to discuss something with you."
Zac sighed and was on his daily routine.
The end of winters has arrived, bringing some warmth of happiness into everyone's life. There was a little scope, hiding deep inside his heart, wishing that may this year bring happiness in his life. He then walks out from his room and finds the changing look of his palace. Acacia was being replaced by zinnias. The deep, thick and heavy curtains were replaced by smooth, light and wavy once. The carpets were also replaced by a new one, new lamps were found everywhere. And everything provides a new summer look to the palace.
He didn't pay attention to anything that was going on. There wasn't any enthusiasm left in him after having that dream. He entered the dining hall with drowsy eyes. He grabs the seat beside his father and heads down at the table. After watching him like this, the king looked a little worried, he put his hand on his head and ask, "You had the same dream, right?"
"Yeah" he replied, sobbingly.
"I miss her too..." His father said and a tear fell down from his eyes. He sniffs it back after a movement, brings a wide smile on his face and gives a tap on his shoulder saying, "Hey, I got something for you. How about joining an academy?"
Zac didn't believe what he heard right now. Did he say 'joining an academy'? Or he heard something else? He was in a shock that how his father has spoken that name 'college'.
Where the man had gone who used to say, "No need of joining any Academy, I have arranged world-class instructors for you". He thought father is out of his mind.
"Why that's so dad? I have completed all my studies, So why this?", Zac questioned.
"It's not an extension of your studies. I think you can let your skills improve there."
"Dad! are you feeling off coloured?"
"No, my child"
"Ah... Did your head banged with anyone?"
"I am a king!!", He shouted.
"So what, the headbang is normal. Happens with anyone."
"No, I didn't collide with anyone"
Zac thought it's the time let me test whether he is his real dad or not.
"So... I got this" Zac shouted, "you are someone else having the face of my dad".
He stood up, pick up the knife from the table and point it towards him, "Where did you hide my dad, you clot...".
Now, Zac can definitely mention e person sitting in front of him is definitely his dad because of the cruel facial expression that only his dad could make in the world.
His father's eyebrows were jointed together, eyes squeezed and a frown on his face speak out, "Prince Zac! How you dare to call your father that... You are grounded!!"
Zac put the knife back, sat on his seat and spoke out with a sigh, "You pass the test, you are the real one."
He was confused, "What do you mean...?"
Now, there was no control left for Zac on himself. He just exhales out everything with anger and frustration, "You! your statement that you just said! Since decades I am asking you that dad please let me go there but you, denied every time. Now, why you are being so kind to me. How it brings luck to me?"
And once again he put his head down on table facing opposite to his dad. The chef approached him and said, "Your breakfast is here your highness"
"I don't want any breakfast just put it back..." and he closed my eyes and let all the tears fall down.
His father felt upset, he moved his hand into his hairs and said, "Don't think myself as the villain of your life. I just..."
Zac interrupts in middle, "You want a heroic role?"
His father angrily spells out his name, "Zaaccc!!"
"I was joking", he states without any expression on my face.
"Zac! Listen. I am sorry for whatever I did that time! I am sorry that I couldn't see your interest. I am sorry. But now I have seen you struggling out. I just want you to come out of that incident. I want you to forget whatever had happened. If you were been there, you will engage with you and your friends and will forget everything and think that everything is all right."
He lifts my head up swipe all the tears and said," Will you?"
"Ya dad...", and he gave his father a big hug.
***
A bright beam of light from the window hit Ales' eyes which made her get up from her bed. She rubbed her eyes, stretched her arms and spoke to herself, "So, the day is on! Get back to work Ales!!"
After getting ready, she walks down to the kitchen. The table was ready with the breakfast having some Hydrangea flowers denoting the arrival of summer. "May this year be the best in my life", she wished. Her aunt was preparing the tea and call her with her high pitch tone, "Ales dear! come here. we are about to start. "Ya aunt! I'm coming", she answered. Her aunt was in her 40's and was a friendly lady. If there was anyone who cares a lot about Ales then that's her aunt. She was always on a way to give her the best for her dear child.
"Hey, Ales! today at 9 am you have a discussion with Petunia. The usual practice with Nelson at 11 am, till 4 pm. You are having free time between 4-to-6 and having a meeting at 6 pm. Got it!", his uncle reminded. He was a middle-aged man having great enthusiasm to do everything that he is capable of and he wears glasses that he cares a lot but, less than Ales. "Ya ya! I know", she spoke with a sigh.
She stood up, opened the door of the fridge and brought out the Orange juice. Then she begins to pour it. Her aunt said," Hey child! I think you should join an academy now". The glass bottle was about fell down from Ales' hands when she herds that.
"Well... I don't think I need to join any class now".
"See my child. It's not to mess up your mind. This is so, that you can spend some time with you by learning something and have some fun", she spoke with a great scope of her approval that Ales couldn't deny.
" Now, how could I deny her. Well, she doesn't know what happened last time when I visited. And I don't want to step in there. But... If aunt wants me then I will, for her sake!" Ales spoke to herself.
"Okay if that's so. You always decide the best for me", she said bringing a smile on my face.
Aunt pull my check and said, "You know, all efforts are for you, my little princess"
"Aunt! Don't call me what I am not" I said with a disapproval
"Okay my sweet Ales", she confessed.