ONCE UPON THE LIFE OF THE WISE KING
Volume 1
The Birth of The Wise King
Chapter 3 - The Feast Part 2
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The people of Luciel Kingdom gathered in front of the palace, looking up at the terrace and waiting for their King to begin their annual event of releasing majika. They were chatting in groups, talking about their recent crop, what kind of food the palace had prepared for the banquet, when will they see the Second Prince, and if the second Prince is the heir.
Inside the palace, behind the curtains of the terrace, King Wenhart waited impatiently for Prince Colin. The annual event was about to start, but Prince Colin has yet to arrive.
"Ah! Bah!" Prince Alphonse made some noise and eagerly jumped in his mother's arms, which prompted the Queen to look over her shoulder and saw Prince Colin rushing toward them.
"I'm sorry! I lost track of time." Prince Colin sweated.
King Wenhart looked at his son from head to toe, feeling a little frustrated at his crumpled appearance. With a sigh, he said, "Good thing. You are just on time. Fix yourself a little, and we will begin shortly."
"Yes, father!" Prince Colin replied and fixed his hair and clothes.
It was not long after Prince Colin arrived that the sounds of trumpet begun. It notified the King that it was time already.
King Wenhart gently placed his right arm around the Queen and said to his family, "Let's go and welcome our new year!"
The two soldiers standing on each side of the terrace stood in attention as the curtains drew open and the King, along with his family, came out. Upon seeing them, the crowd cheered. They noticed that the Queen brought out their youngest child and expressed their appreciation.
"I wonder if he's the heir." One of the people from the crowd spoke.
"Maybe." Another one replied. "It will be a good thing if he is."
"This is the first time that the eldest Prince isn't the heir."
Due to the chattering noise, no one heard the conversation from the crowd except Prince Colin, who was keen to distinct noise.
Prince Colin will be seventeen this year. As the eldest Prince, it was expected of him to be more like his father, King Wenhart, who was confident and had a strong presence. However, he was not. He was timid around others and a recluse. When he heard the conversation from the crowd about him, he felt ashamed.
Queen Cielisse noticed the mood of Prince Colin. She was saddened, knowing what he was thinking. She wanted to speak words of comfort for him, but it was against the rules of speaking before the King could make his opening speech for the majika event.
King Wenhart was sensitive to the Queen's emotions. He wanted to call her at the moment to let her speak her mind, but he had an obligation to his people. He noted to himself to talk to her later and begin the ceremony.
"My people of Luciel Kingdom." The King began. "Last year has been a blessing. Our crops were good, everyone was well, and there was no conflict in our borders. I thank you all for doing your best each year. Because of you, our kingdom has been flourishing in terms of economy. I am hopeful that this will continue in the following years to come. Everyone! This day marks the start of our new year. As your King, I will release to you my majika to cleanse and revive your spirits and give you the fortune for the entire year of the firestone." The King finished his short speech. He raised his right arm, opened his palm toward the crowd, and released his majika.
The majika produced a mellow light, giving the feeling of tranquillity to everyone shrouded in it. From above, sparkling snow-like particles gently fell to the land of Luciel Kingdom. Every surface it touched created a small burst of energy as it exploded rather mildly and released colourful dust that gradually faded into the air. This scene lasted for about ten minutes as everyone relished the feel of being cleansed from dirt.
The people cheered afterwards. People who are forty years and older felt younger and rejuvenated, and the younger ones felt renewed.
The royal family listened to the lively chatter of their people. They were happy to see their beloved kingdom flourishing. As the liveliness gradually calmed, the Queen stepped forward and called the attention of everyone.
"My beloved people, seeing you this happy fills my heart with warmth. I am but a stranger to you, but you accepted me as your Queen. For that, I am forever grateful." The Queen bowed her head while the child in her arms looked on curiously. "I know that you've been waiting for the heir, and some of you think that this child, Alphonse, is the one." She took a pause. "Everyone..." Her lips trembled as she continued speaking. "Alphonse...is not the heir."
The people seemed to be quieter.
"Everyone, I'm sorry!" Queen Cielisse bowed her head sincerely. "I failed you." She cried.
King Wenhart went closer to the Queen and pulled her in his embrace while Prince Colin looked down on his feet with a frown.
"Your Highness! It's not your fault!" Someone from the crowd yelled.
"He's right, Your Highness! We can still wait for the heir!"
"There is still hope, Your Highness!"
"Please, raise your head, Your Highness! We are not worthy of your bow!"
"Your Highness! We are living well because of you! We are so grateful to you!"
One by one, the people of Luciel Kingdom expressed their gratitude for their Queen, and they all kneeled to the royal family.
Queen Cielisse never expected to receive such warm words from the people of Luciel Kingdom despite her being from the neighbouring country and a stranger to them when she married their King. She felt so happy that her people love her to the point of forgiving her shortcomings. She vowed to herself to do her best to find ways to protect the Luciel Kingdom in case there will be no heir.
On the other hand, Prince Colin was a little relieved. He loved his mother dearly and did not wish to see her sad face. But, as the eldest, he had a sense that it was him that made his mother cry.
I am the eldest. I should be the heir, but I'm not even qualified. How I wish I'm not born first. Prince Colin thought sadly.
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