Edgar, Emerie's father, had given Emerie the bridal selection invitation. Charles pressed his lips together as his hand covered his mouth, trying to smother his laughs. Charles knew it would play out exactly as he had imagined. Emerie was in disbelief hearing that she was participating in not just any bridal selection—THE capital's bridal royal selection.
" Dad, I'm fine living here...., with my family, friends, and the townspeople."
" I know Emerie, I know. I just want you to have only the best."
" I couldn't pass up this opportunity.
Emerie sat back down in her seat to calm down. The father reached out for her hand, which was still balled up in confusion. He held her hands between his calloused hands to comfort Her from the shock.
" You don't have to go if you don't want to, Emerie.
" If I could, I would give you the world, my only daughter."
As the younger brother, Charles felt he was missing out on the affection. In protest, he asked,
" Hey, what about me, Dad? I'm important too".
The father turned around to look at Charles.
" You cost me two wagons, a customer and a mule, that we have yet to pay back for your tom-foolery."
Charles nervously chuckled as he forgot that he accidentally set two wagons on fire at a customer's shop while catching their loose mule.
" On that note, Sis, thanks for looking out for me. Remember me when you get rich."
Charles jumped up out of his seat with haste and ran out the front door. Emerie couldn't help but laugh at her brother's antics. What was a heavy moment process for Emerie became a light mood. The father shakes his head,
"That boy will never grow up".
Meredith places her hand on her husband's shoulder,
"Be easy on him, hun."
The father didn't want to pressure Emerie into something she didn't want to do. He patted Emerie's hand and softly laughed to ease any tension Emerie might've felt.
" If my daughter wills it, then so be it. Ignore this old man of yours; I may have gone a bit senile."
" Hun, you're not senile. Stop it"
Emerie looks at her mom and dad. Her mother was kissing her father on the cheek, trying to convince him he wasn't senile or an old man. Emerie smiled, seeing the joy and love that her parents had in each other. She thought she could find this type of love from the bridal selection. She gives in to her father.
" I will go and do the bridal selection, Father. I'll do my best but will make no promises."
****************************
"Haah..."
"Uugh.."
"Aaah..."
Sounds of men moaning filled the air. Duke Louis was covered in sweat. His breath was heavy, and his chest expanded with every breath he took as sweat rolled down his body. Pushing back his untamed jet-black hair , he lowered his gaze to his soldier's eyes, who was kneeling before him. Swallowed by Duke Louis's shadow sending the soldier in a pit of despair, the soldier begged for mercy. Not giving in, the Duke, smirked as his golden eyes locked onto his soldier as he stepped closer to him. The Duke was ready for another challenge. However, his soldier, out of breath;
" Captain, I can't take it anymore."
" I claim defeat. I can't go on, captain."
" You're right soldier. You'll have to do better than that."
" Clink, clink, clank."
The sounds of metal swords filled the training grounds as the Duke lunged at him with his sword to continue their training. Duke Louis, captain of Seradona's main forces, was in a heated training battle with one of the soldiers. Before they could finish, the commanding chief called for Louis to see him inside the Commander's tent. " An urgent letter was delivered for you, Duke Louis. You must return to the capital and report to the king."
" The King? Has he lifted my banishment from the capital?"
" I have no other info for you, Duke Louis."
The commander in Chief, Duke Cardowe, shakes his head. The letter was sealed with the royal's family emblem. He only knew what the messenger said. Duke Cardowe hands Louis the letter.
"Greetings Grand Duke Louis Landry,
You are hereby ordered to return to the capital and report to the King & Queen at the Palace of Landry as soon as possible.
We will be expecting your presence
within the next two sunrises."
Duke Louis, clenching his jaw from agitation, holds the letter over a candle on the commander's desk and burns the letter to a crisp. Duke Louis was unimpressed with this news. It's been 10 long years since his banishment from the capital. Since then, the king has never sent a letter, or word, or anything to the Grand Duke. He goes on a protest:
" After all this time.... for 10 years, they want me back without a say?? My own blood calls for me as if I'm their dog." Louis continues,
" We are in a war right now. The king and queen will wait."
Duke Cardowe lets out a deep sigh. He understands his frustration, pain and why Louis resents the king. It was unknown to many as to why he was banished and forced to serve on the frontlines. Since he was 17 years old, Duke Cardowe watched over him. For 10 years, Louis has worked his way up from a foot soldier to now the second in command as a captain, a challenging feat for someone so young. But still, he knows what's best for the grand Duke;
"You must follow the king's orders."
"For now, return to the capital and report to the king. He may want to reconcile."
There was a moment of silence as Louis was thinking it over. Since the king is also his father, maybe he wants to reconcile and it could be like old times.... minus the queen and his half brother, Grand Duke Henry. It was a long shot, but worth a try.
"Ok, I'll go... but don't die when I'm gone, commander."
" l don't think you'd let my soul rest even if l did." the commander jests and continues,
"Give my wife, Yacinia, and my son, Heisen my regards."
"Will do, Commander."
The Duke sends the messenger hawk back with a response informing the king and queen of his return. The Duke prepared to ride back to the country's capital along with a few of his knights. His stomach ached as much as his heart, filled with anxiety from what could come.
.
.
*****************************
The Grand Duke, Louis, finally made it to the capital of Seradona with his knights. He smiled and looked around the capital. Taking in every sound that rang, every smell that filled his nose, he took everything in as he's been gone for 10 years. So much has changed.
"Man, it feels so good to be back in the capital."
His knights: "Welcome home, sire."
The Duke continued on till he reached the palace gates. The gate guards that were lined up opened the gates for the Duke bowed with deep respect and shouted,
"Welcome home, sire."
He hopped off his horse and took one last look at the capital before entering through the main palace doors. The doors open as the Duke walks up the stairs. As he walks into the palace, he's greeted by a row of palace maids, staff, and other members who missed him and wished for his return.
"Welcome home, Grand Duke Louis."
Seeing all their faces filled with longing and joy, the Duke felt like he really was home. It was an overwhelming feeling for the Duke.
"Thank you all for the greeting. Tell the king I have arrived & request to speak with him."
The staff's faces changed as they were slightly hesitant with this command. The staff members looked at each other to see who would speak first. The Duke's moment of joy felt like it was slipping away. He stepped closer to one of the staff members,
" Was there any confusion in my speech?" Duke pressed on.
The staff member:
"Well, currently, the king is-".
Before the staff member could continue, a familiar voice filled the room.
"Grand Duke Louis, sire, you've arrived!".
A short slender man, with lines that had deepened over time on his skin and hair dusted with white and gray, made his way to the entrance. It was his old friend, his mentor, and former butler, Kravis Arbello. Louis turned as soon as he heard the voice and with a swift pace. Without a thought, Louis walked swiftly towards Kravis. He wrapped Kravis in his arms, giving him the tightest bear hug imaginable. Kravis's glasses fell off as he chuckled, filled with an overwhelming joy. Finally, Louis let go of Kravis, putting him back onto the ground. Kravis was amazed to see how much Louis grew. Once was a small boy, now a grown man. He was nearly moved to tears. As Kravis re-adjusts his glasses and clothing,
" You have grown quite big and strong, sire."
" Kravis, my old man, I am happy to see you."
" Kravis, about the king-.."
Kravis motions to the staff to dismiss them so they can carry out their respective duties.
"Currently, the King is with the Queen. Perhaps it would be best to retire to your quarters and greet the king during dinnertime."
"Ah...how could I forget the queen... Will she be at the dinner too?
"I'm afraid so, sire. For now, please let me show you to your new room. I've refurbished it myself."
.
.
" Thanks, Kravis."
Louis was feeling disappointed. The anxious feeling went away, and so did the excitement he felt. A place that became an empty shell after his mom, the late queen, died was still, in fact, an empty shell. Kravis escorted the Duke to his new room. As someone who took care of Louis since he was young, he had a feeling that the Grand Duke was feeling a bit down. Kravis opens the room door for the Duke;
"I had the room refurbished but wasn't sure of your taste, sire."
"Do you like your room, sire? If not, I can have it changed immediately!"
"No, Kravis, I appreciate you for all you've done."
"very well, sire. The king and queen will have their meal in 2 light flicks sharp."
Louis was genuinely grateful to have Kravis, but deep down inside, he couldn't help but feel his sadness returning to him as memories of the past were weighing down on his body. Before Kravis leaves the room, he pats Louis on the back to give the Duke a bit of solace. Louis stands at his window, looking at the capital as Kravis leaves his room. He let out a deep sigh,
" Welcome "home" huh.. right.."
.
.