The Lady Of The Future - Chapter 11
After the long journey from the Cloud Side, Alfina and Louis were about to reach the gates of Empyrean Palace. Louis was still asleep, even snoring and spreading his saliva. Alfina just stared at him since she got nothing to do. The moment she saw a figure like gates, she…
*Whack!*
Hit Louis’s face to wake him up.
“What?! What?? What’s happening?!” Louis panicked and stood up, *bag* “tsss itaaa…” His head hit the ceiling. After a minute of massaging his head, he looked back at Alfina and asked, “What is it?”
Alfina turned her face to the window while saying in monotone, “We’re here.”
“God damn we’re just here, why do you have to hit me?” Louis was scowling but after a few seconds, “Wait we’re here? Eh? How come, so fast?!” He was shocked to know that since typically it takes 1 week before they arrived. But this time it’s just 3 days and they already arrived.
Alfina looked down. Louis noticed and looked at what Alfina was looking at. She stared at the controller for the holographic computer. Louis instantly understood that Alfina re-programmed the AI Horse so that it could run fast and could be unnoticed. Or is it?
“How come I never noticed?”
“Your snores are louder than the carriage,” Unhesitant replied.
“Tsk.” Since Louis himself didn’t notice his snores, he didn’t know if it was true or not so he better not argue about it.
Upon arriving at the gates, a guard came into their carriage…
*knock knock*
“Welcome to Empyrean Palace. Can someone come out to confirm their identities?” Asked the guard. But another one noticed the carriage and immediately called to him,
‘Seems like his senior.’
“Oi, can’t you even notice that this one was owned by our Royal Family? Come here, let them come in.” the senior guard said and then bowed his head, “I apologize for the inconvenience, you can come in now.”
The guard earlier murmured in confusion and still could be heard by everyone near him, “With that big of a cloud, who would not be suspicious?”
*Pak*
The senior guard hit him before awkwardly saying, “I apologize for his behavior your majesties, you can come in now.”
“Good.” Alfina coldly replied and let the AI Horse go on its way.
While the two guards couldn’t help but shudder when they heard her tone. They just simply pray for their own safety instead. The senior guard remembered the voice and noticed that it was quite feminine…
The senior guard blinked several times before unconsciously shouted, “The princess is back!”
A lot of guards at the gate heard him and began to spread the news among the guards. This was good news for them. Having the princess back, the royal family would rest assured of her safety. It was spread around the rumors that the Queen died because of depression and loneliness upon the princess’s separation. But they also cannot vilify her as she didn’t do anything. Everyone was confused about how they would treat her.
Alfina and Louis arrived in the palace, the prime minister greeted them at the entrance and guide them to the Audience Room. Visibly, the whole Palace was colored in ash grey. As if matching the emotion surrounding the palace. Looking at Louis, he was more depressed than before. He loved their mother too much, more than any of them in the family.
When they arrived at the room, King George looked like he aged a lot. Alfina noticed the man beside their father, quietly standing one step behind the current butler serving to the king. Alfina found the man interesting for some reason. That man’s air was mysterious but not making her uncomfortable to approach nor did she find it easy to ignore like any other.
King George looked at Alfina and noticed her gaze, he called unto her, “Alfina.”
“Oh.” She unhurriedly answered still staring at the man. Alfina thought that the man must be numb not to notice her staring at him.
“Look at me.” King George impatiently said while sighing.
Alfina slowly looked at his direction and slightly tilted her head, “What is it?”
King George started, “You probably heard that your mother already passed away.”
“Not just heard. She saw it.” Louis interjected. Alfina slightly stumped her feet secretly at Louis’.
*Ack* Louis’s face twisted in pain. He still got the energy to glare at Alfina but the other was just straight face.
“What?” the prime minister reacted.
“N-nothing.” Louis answered hurriedly. The Prime Minister was slightly puzzled. King George heard Louis clearly so he knew it was bad if it was discovered by anybody.
“*cough* I already cleaned up your rooms. But before you guy rest…, Alfina.”
“What?”
“Your mother left you a servant. She specifically told me to let him by your side.” King George seriously said.
‘Eh? Why?’ Alfina couldn’t understand but she didn’t say anything out loud.
Her Royal Father signaled someone to come in front. It was that man. “He will be serving you from now on. His name is Ian. Ian Si.”
Ian then bowed to Alfina. Alfina just nodded back and turned her gaze to Ian. ‘I see… so its Ian.’ For some reason, she remembered that second wife of Alfonso. Inevitable she smirked and murmured, “This is interesting.”
Louis and King George just looked at Alfina and stared at each other next, confused.
Alfina cut their time to think about it and asked, “Is that all father?”
‘Ah, you really like calling me father when you’re in the spotlight.’ King George didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
“Sister I don’t know if you would be interested though.” Louis started.
“Why?”
“Well, it’s about time for me to abdicate.” King George announced. The prime minister and the butlers were surprised.
“Isn’t that too early?” Alfina was confused for a bit. The others were also agreeing on this thought.
“Well,” King George hesitated for a bit, “Your mother was gone now. I don’t have any purpose in continuing the throne. I only sit on that throne for her.” He slightly smiled.
Alfina thought there was something amiss, “That’s not all, right?”
All eyes were on him, King George couldn’t help but sigh, “There was something going on to the Mortal Realm…”