NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Facing The Public
-THIRD PERSON-
Lance, Lucas, and Alex all remained in their seats as they nervously looked over at the girl whom they asked to temporarily assume the role of the prince.
"Shoot! What do we do now?" asked Alex in a whisper. Even he is worried about what would be the result of all of this.
"Nothing," Lucas said while heaving out a sigh.
"All we can do for now is to pray and have faith in her that she could somehow overcome this trial that she is facing right now," said Lancelott to the three lads who in turn looked at him.
Then, as if on cue, they all titled their heads again towards the girl as they all anticipate what's going to happen next.
---
-KRISELLA-
My heart is endlessly throbbing so loud, I think it will come out of my chest any minute from now. Every second passed by is worsening the anxiety that I'm currently feeling.
"I know that you've all been worried about his whereabouts this past few days..." I heard the king said, making my head lift up all of a sudden. Oh geez, is the king giving his cue already?
"But you can all rest assured now because the day has finally come that the prince has already returned from his long trip... thus I present to you now... our very own Prince Arthur Spellman!"
I felt every limb in my body ceased to move even an inch for a split second once the king already motioned for me to go beside him. Heaving out a sigh, I tried my best to stay calm and poised, just like what Lancelott has been teaching me this whole time.
With a stern face that I could project, I pulled myself together and started to walk several steps inside the terrace until I was now standing beside the king.
Everyone was indeed waiting for the prince's appearance. People of various faces and in countless numbers greeted me as I stood high above this terrace and tilted my head to face them. As I appeared in front, all of them gave me a round of applause for a moment before the king's men motioned these people to stop.
Shoot... I think my mind is in a blank state right now. Well, think fast Krisella!
If the prince was here, what would he say in front of these people?! What would be his thoughts right now?
As I beheld all the smiling faces of most people standing here and anticipated for the prince's return, I now have an idea of what to say to them.
"Greetings, citizens of Berserk." I started, which silenced all of the people present at this time.
"First of all, I would like to extend my apologies if ever I caused you too much distress because of my sudden disappearance. However, I made sure that after that long trip I have gone to, I would return here as fast as I could. I won't let my people tremble in fear because of it."
I paused for a moment and quickly wonder to myself if I'm getting this right or what. I wish I could be a perfect replica of the prince right this instant.
"Ever since I became your prince and master wizard, I have sworn to protect all the people under my care with my life. Always remember that... no matter what happens, I won't let anything destroy your beautiful smiles that you're showing to me this day. "
"I will see to it that I'll protect your happiness from anyone who wishes to snatch it away from you... as long as I live."
After that brief on the spot speech I had, everyone gave me another round of applause by the end of it. Even the king was impressed and joined the multitude in clapping his hands.
Somehow, that made me super happy. I'm sure that if the prince is only here in my shoes right now, he would have also said the same thing as what I have spoken earlier.
I was surprised to see Marionette already standing by my side and suddenly giving me a tight hug. Woah, where on earth did she come from?!
"I'm so proud of you, my prince," she said while still snuggling up to me.
After a while, I stepped aside and let the king take the floor once again while I remained by his side together with this clingy fiancee' of the prince. Up until now, I still couldn't believe that the prince, who is only the same age as me, has already a fiancee just to be positioned as the king!
Without the king and the princess noticing, I sneak up a glance towards the three lads. All of them only gave me a thumbs up as their response. All... except Alex, who chose to remain silent and emotionless in his seat.
With his look, I suddenly felt anxious once again...
Did I somehow fail their expectations towards me? Did I mess up earlier? Did the king notice that the one standing beside him right now is only the replica of the prince?
Series of questions keep on popping into my mind as I beheld Alex' nonchalant face. Afterwards, when I felt the king is nearly ending his speech, I looked back to him once again and tried to shrug these negative thoughts away.
---
Later after the party was finally over, I bid my goodbye to King Emmet and to his daughter Marionette, saying I have some other important things to attend to that immediately required my presence.
When the king gives his permission, all three of us left the cultural hall and headed straight for our chariot. The charioteer soon made the steeds move, and all four of us remained silent after a few more minutes.
"Phew, I thought it would be the end for all of us back there." Lucas suddenly spoke up after the barrier spell was activated by Alex to prevent anyone outside this chariot to hear us.
"Yeah, I thought so too," I said, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"But you were brave back there Kris," Lancelott said and flashed his bright smile. "Good job."
That made me happy and started beaming. But in the corner of my eye, I noticed Alex kept his silence while sneaking a glance over me.
O...kay?
Later on, when we finally arrived at the castle's premises, all the three lads were the first to climb out of the chariot. As I was about to climb out as well, I suddenly felt a pang of pain in my head, thus caused my surroundings to dim out as well.
I tried to shrug it away and step one wobbly foot outside the chariot. But as I did so, darkness soon started to swallow me...
---
-THIRD PERSON-
Meanwhile...
In a dark, secluded room where its only source of light were the candles that have been lighted at every corner of it, two silhouettes could be seen facing each other. One of them was currently seated in front of his desk, the other one is standing in front of this persona.
"I thought you've already eliminated the prince?" asked the one who is currently seated on his desk.
"I thought so too..." replied the other standing in front of this persona. "He must have survived the ambush by my men."
"I will let you off this time..." From his desk, one hand was stretched forth to this person whom he was talking to. "But the next time I gave my order, I expect nothing but success. Do I make myself clear?"
The persona standing slightly bends its body in apology. "Yes, sire."
"You may go now."
Upon dismissal, the one standing immediately turned around and was about to leave the room when its mind thinks of something random, thus making him face the one seated on its desk once again.
"Now that we know the prince is alive, what would be your next command?" the persona asked.
"Well," the one seated rubbed its chin and give it a thought for a split second. "In the meantime, we'll let him live his life."
"But when another opportunity comes, that's the time we will strike once again..."