Capítulo 21: Lunch and dinner
Alastair was the first one to arrive at the dining hall, maybe because he had returned to the castle in a rush and had ended up being early in time. He sat in his seat and waited for the others to arrive. During his entire life, Alastair had never started his breakfast without his family and today would be the last day when they would be having their breakfast together until next time. His parents were moving out the next day and he wanted to spend as much time with them as possible before they left. Though he had the option of going to the Fall Castle which would his parents' future residence whenever he wanted, he would still be missing them dearly.
Alastair never wanted his parents to leave. But he knew why they had made such a decision. It was to give him more freedom and allow him space. The man was at the age where he would find his potential ideal partner and it would be best if the couple moved out before that happened. This way, he could adjust to their absence at an earlier time.
The royal couple made their way towards the dining hall with a huge smile on their faces. They seemed to have spoken about something before they had come out of the room. Their smiles said it all and Alastair could only wonder what had happened. He did not have the time to question them as right at this moment, Lady Eleanor made her way. Just one look and Alastair could make out what her emotions were. She seemed to be irked about something and he knew what it was.
Eleanor was to leave the castle, more like she forced to leave when Alastair's mother, Queen Daphne had shown her the castle door, not even saving her face. Her plans of getting along with the young king had been sabotaged by the Queen and she could not help but feel annoyed at it. How was she supposed to enter her mansion with her utterly humiliated and defeated face? What answer should she give to her father who was waiting for her victory?
Her grumpy face made Alastair to smirk inwardly. The girl sure looked interesting when her plans did not go as expected. She was clearly a jester and Alastair started to feel bad, not because she was leaving. But because she had the ability to amuse him and keep him entertained. He was clearly going to miss her. So, for the last time, he wanted to take a jab at her before she left.
"Are you done with the packing, Lady Eleanor?' He asked, masking his mirth behind his serious face while the three people took their seats. His question was like adding oil to the already ignited fire and Eleanor's face turned red in anger. She wanted to retort back and take revenge for all the humiliation she had suffered. However, she did nothing, not when she was yet to achieve her goal of marrying the king and claiming the queen's throne.
Eleanor could only smile at them and give a soft reply. "Yes, my King. All done." She then averted her eyes away from them so that nobody could notice the anger and hatred she had in her. But she could not deceive the young king who had his eyes fixed on her. He had seen her vivid change of emotions and his lips curled up all the more.
'Caught you.' He screamed in his mind after seeing his evil expression. He wanted to continue teasing the lady when his father started a conversation with him, putting his thoughts to a halt for now. The breakfast ended peacefully as Alastair was busy discussing things with his father while Eleanor was having small talks with Queen Daphne.
Finally, it was time for Lady Eleanor to leave the castle. Out of courtesy, the royal family accompanied her to bid her farewell, even though nobody wanted to. Lady Eleanor's face was distorted as she reluctantly took heavy steps towards her carriage. She was thinking of all possible ways to prolong her stay in the castle. However, nothing struck her mind. She noticed all the servants bowing in respect for her as she neared the door. But to her, it seemed as if they were bowing before her for leaving the castle and relieving them of their misfortune.
Eleanor huffed in anger and her pace increased as she took large strides towards her carriage. 'If these lowly people are not going to give me respect, then I too will not stay here to humiliate myself. I will return one day and take care of all of you. Just wait and watch.' She promised in her mind before she got inside her carriage. She had no idea that this would be the end and she would never step inside the castle ever again.
While Ragnor and his wife, Daphne, returned to their chambers immediately after the carriage departed, Alastair stood in his place for a long time, with his gaze still fixed on the path Eleanor had taken. He could not help but wonder what she would be doing next and how she would face her father. Also, there was another thing that was worrying him. Now that Duke Zale's plans had been foiled completely, what would his next step be? 'I just hope you would not do anything drastic. I still have some plans for you, Duke Zale.'
Alastair stood in his place for a long time until one of his trusted men, Cyrus came to meet him. "Are you alright, my king? Is something the matter?" Cyrus enquired seeing Alastair lost in thoughts. However, all he got was a cryptic smile making him blink in confusion.
"Cyrus, my favorite man." The king exclaimed and his sudden change in behavior shocked the poor man beside him. He wondered what had happened and why the king seemed to be happy out of nowhere. "Let's take a walk, shall we?" Without waiting for Cyrus to respond, Alastair started to walk at a leisure pace, allowing the confused man some time to clear his head. It was only when he sensed the man walking a step behind him, did he start to speak.
"Cyrus, how long has it been since we have known each other?"
His question puzzled the man and he was tongue-tied once again. Seeing his lost expression, Alastair answered his own question. "I presume we have known each other for more than ten years. Am I right?"
"I think so, my Lord," Cyrus replied after a lot of thinking. His mind was a jumbled mess now. So, he could only agree with what Alastair was saying without giving it much thought. Anyway, the king was not a man who dwelled on matters before and since he was asking him, it meant there was a reason behind it.
"Then, why is it that you have never invited me over to your mansion, for lunch or for dinner? Am I not important to you?" Alastair stopped in his track after asking his question and looked back, his eyes now fixed on the man's face.
"No. No, my Lord. How could you not be important to me? You are my King and you.."
"King? Am I just a king, nothing more?" Alastair interrupted him, hurt evident in his tone. "Weren't we friends before I even took over the throne? Now that I am the King, are we not confidants anymore?"
His question pleasantly surprised Cyrus. He had forgotten that they had once been good companions when they were young after Alastair had taken over the throne. Everything had changed since then and Cyrus had started to treat the man with respect even when they were alone. Now that Alastair was questioning their friendship openly, he could not help but become nostalgic.
"No, no. That is not the truth, my Lord. You will always be my friend. It's just that the situation has changed and I cannot disrespect you for the power and position you hold."
"In that case, you would not mind it if I was not the king for a day, right?"
"But.."
"Yes or no?"
Cyrus could only sigh when he noticed the disappointed expression on his friend's face. It was true that he too missed his companion and if possible he would like it too if they returned to their childhood when they had nothing to worry about. "Yes."
"Good. In that case, Cyrus Bradford, I would like us to return to our younger selves once again and this time, I want to have lunch and dinner at your house in your village Soren."
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