Hello guys, this is the chapter 3 of this fanfiction. I hope you like it, leave a comment below if you like this story , It's highly appreciated.
Chapter 3: the parade
The king was now facing the captain, and he understood what the captain wanted . The king walked towards his alcohol shelf and grabbed a bottle of whisky, after pouring himself another drink, he said:
Do you want some, captain? The king asked.
No thanks, your majesty. The captain refused to seeing that the king was pouring another drink in a separate glass.
If the king offers you a drink, captain, accept it [he said thrusting the glass to the captain, he accepted it and smiled] on very few occasions I fancy to drink in company.
Then the king signalled the captain to sit on one of the armchairs and he himself sat next to him.
How is Princess Isabella doing, your majesty? The captain asked, not knowing from where to begin the conversation, so he picked up a topic that the king loved.
She's doing very well.She is growing really fast captain, she was in my arms a couple of years ago, her little fingers circled my finger in her sleep, and now she is playing with her toys in front of me and calling me "Papa". The king said smiling and thinking of his daughter dearly.
The captain smiled in pride, he had chose the right topic indeed, the king always felt merry talking about her daughter. Yet the Captain was worried for his king, he wanted to see him complete again.
And don't you want to give her someone who she can call "Mama" ? Don't you crave for a companion, your majesty? The captain dared to ask.
The king looked at the captain in the eyes, a concoction of pain and anger filling his blue bloodshot eyes.
After Princess Chelina's relationship, you want me to marry again? Wasn't going through that hell once enough for you all? You really wish to see me like that one more time? The king said almost spitting his words in controlled rage.
No, your majesty. I wasn't talking about that. I was referring to your mystery Princess, maybe you can start her search again without any deadline or deal. Said the captain, trying to make his point.
After hearing the last part of his response, the king laughed and gulped down all his drink in one go, he then got up from his arm chair and poured himself another shot. Walking towards the captain and with a stern face he said:
I am not going to search for her again, you understand. If she truly wanted to come to me, she could have done that years ago. The king drank the shot in his hand in one go and, more desperately now said:
Not a single word, not one letter, and she vanished! [he rested his back on the back rest and let out a sigh] you know what, captain? I sometimes think that she never existed at all, that she was a product of my imagination and nothing else. But then I remember that we danced together at the ball in front of everyone, in front of you, so she can't be in my head only.
The captain was witnessing how the king was getting disturbed ever since he mentioned his mystery Princess, maybe he should have just insisted on throwing a public ball in the palace and the mystery Princess could come by herself like the first time. But now, he had made matters worse, so he had to give him hope.
But, what if she comes to this ball, your majesty. Perhaps, this time she can tell you her reasons?
For what? Said kit in disbelief and stood up to pour himself another drink . End whilst emptying the contents of the bottle he said:
Does she want to see me how I am doing without her? Or if I care about her anymore? I don't want to know anything about her captain, she has done enough harm to me for me to even think about her. She is gone captain, she's gone, she won't ever come back.
Well, your majesty, I won't insist on throwing the ball, you may give it a thought if you prefer later on. Although, don't forget to rest well as tomorrow in the morning we have the much awaited parade in our village, and you have to be there too. I take my leave, your majesty. The captain bowed and left his bedchamber.
Next day, in Ella's house, she was seated on the breakfast table in front of her tea and was lost in her thoughts. Lately, her thoughts were filled with George, her only friends older brother who developed a liking for her when she went to his sisters spot in the local market to sell her bouquets and fresh produce. She was confused whether she should accept his attentions or not. She thought that he was a nice guy, he was amiable and kind but she just wasn't sure if in her heart there was space for another man.She still couldn't forget kit, her kit. Not a single day of her life had passed without thinking of him and wondered how if her family had been alive she would have lived happily with her love.
She came out of her thoughts when she realised that she was getting late as she had to deliver her flower bouquets to her friend. She went out of the house and placed the saddle bag on her horse and filled it with the goods, then she mounted it end left for the local market.
When she reached at the local market, Ella noticed that it was much more crowded than the other days and that the people were talking to each other rather excitedly. She reached out to her friend's stall and tied her horse secure, after getting down from it she started placing her bouquets on display.
They are exceptionally beautiful Ella! Said in awe her friend, Olivia, owner of the stall.
Thanks Olivia! What's so special about today? I have never seen so much crowd here before. Asked Ella surprised.
Haven't you heard of it Ella? We have won the war and today our soldiers will parade, and if the rumours are to be believed, we will catch a glimpse of the king and the little Princess in their carriage.
Ella's heart skipped a beat when she heard that the king and his daughter will also be seen today, her smile vanished and she became frozen then and there.
Ella! Ella! Are you alright? Said Olivia shaking Ella's arm forcing her to look at her.
I'm fine, yes. Ella said, still distracted and confused, yet she continued arranging her flowers.
Oh, look! Look it has started! Olivia shouted noticing that the soldiers were out on the streets parading in their uniforms and the crowd had gathered on each side of the parade.
I want to see it as well! But I can't leave this stall alone. Said Olivia, trying to watch the parade from her spot, but she couldn't witness anything because of the crowd.
You go Olivia, I'll stay here! Go and enjoy the parade! Ella said nervously to Olivia who left as soon as she heard what Ella had said.
Ella was getting extremely nervous at the thought of seeing the king, after more than four years. She dropped a vase on the floor because her hands were shaking of the anxiety she was having as the cheers of the crowd were getting louder and louder, as if the King's carriage was approaching now. And indeed, it was the King's carriage.
She bent down to pick the pieces of the vase in distress and hurt herself, eventually her finger started bleeding.
Ah ! She screamed and in that moment, arrived George who bent down and grabbed her hand that was hurt.
Be careful Ella! Said George worried inspecting her finger which was bleeding. She looked at him and saw that his eyes were filled with worry and care for her, maybe, she should give him a chance, but she just couldn't make herself love him and that made her feel very guilty. They both got up and George found a small clean piece of cloth to wrap her finger with and stop it from bleeding.
The king who was smiling and waving towards the crowd and right beside him was the little Princess giggling and looking at the people in amusement.
