"You all are free to go back to your home land". He smiled staring at them all." But, there is a condition…".
Everyone stared curiously at him waiting to hear what his highness was about to say.
"You must leave in two days time! If otherwise you shall all remain in my kingdom, and no longer in the positions you once were, but slaves shall you all become ". He ended with finality in his tone, and a cynical smile on face.
"Is this the reason Madame Reynolds is smiling? You are smiling when there is a possibility you and your people might become slaves?" Grit wondered.
"Do you all agree to this?".
The king asked looking around as though he was expecting someone to challenge his decision. But everyone kept mute, deep in thoughts.
"Sir". The male child among them called out to king Edwin.
"Huh?". King Edwin asked with amazement accompanied with shock.
Although he had expected someone to say something contradicting his, but he never expected it to come from a kid.
"May I be permitted to speak?". The male child asked without much fear, despite it was the king he was addressing.
"Speak little one, speak". The king stared curiously at him.
"Your highness…we thank you for your benevolent gesture thus far. Thank you also for not being an obstacle, and hindering us from going back home ,to our land" he bowed, and then continued."Two days your highness…? if we walk very fast we would still not be able to make it. We would not have come out of the kingdom. Also we have the aged and toddlers among us…".
"Young man…" the king started, this time he was beyond shock and amazement." What is your point then?". He looked at him as if he were an artifact taken from a strange land.
"What is your name son?".
"I am Lyon Alexander your majesty " he bowed.
"I guess you know who Alexander was?".
"Yes, your majesty, he was a great warrior". He pushed his chest out trying to imitate grown up men who were about to contend with another." I want to become a warrior just like him" he smiled proudly.
"Really…?" King Edwin laughed." I think you must be his reincarnation ". This time he was a bit serious.
"Thanks for the compliment your highness, but I do not think of myself as brave as he was" he frowned.
"You are not who you think you are, but who others say you are. You are a brave boy Lyon Alexander. I will hope to see you when you have become of age, to see what you become. You all can go, you have a week to evacuate unless…you know the later. Good bye you all, good bye Madame Reynolds".
He smiled sadly and gave her a hug. Despite the fact he tried to hide his sadness, his expression easily betrayed him.
He tried to act indifferent, but, he could not, do he gave up.
"Indeed I am melancholy about your leaving, but they is not a thing I can do to avert it. Go in peace!".
He shook hands with them.
"Go bye your highness…". They all chorused.
"God's speed". Were his final goodbye words to them.
Later outside the palace walls.
Grit walked behind the women as though he was a body guard.
He noticed Carol's countenance had changed towards him.
"What did I do or say wrong that had made her to be put out with me". He wondered silently.
He kept on stealing a glance at her with the side of his eyes.
She seemed so ecstatic and happy talking with the women.
Madame Devlin on noticing his sudden mood switch walked slowly for him to catch up with her.
"Why the sad expression ?". She looked at her thoroughly with questioning eyes.
"It is nothing ma'am ". He smiled wryly.
"Your face contradicts your words. Now son tell me, what is it that worries you". She gave him a motherly smile.
"It is nothing serious, I will soon get over it, I always do". He yawned.
"You are hungry already?".
She laughed. "Promise to tell me about it after dinner? By then you would have had the time to think about it".
"Hmm". he nodded.