CHAPTER FOUR

As Caminito was heading towards outskirts of town. He started to roam the area and paste the plyers on the wall. The people slowly approached the piece of paper that he had attached. There is this man who just passed by while riding his horse from hills. He jump off the horse and snuggle midst gossiping crowd as he was knitting his brows deeply.

“Today’s the crowning of Versailles’ princess?”

“No way!” They argued about an instance for the turn over of reigning queen. Frando Sweji as they all know, had to face the circumstance that Argen is going to take control, ruling the land and its all connected territories. That means, there’s a possibility that the Queen might manipulate the people again like what his Father had done.

But why do Frando really knows about its history and filthy governance? For Frando was seems to be an ordinary one who only knows how to live like an average and was interested with horse riding competition. He couldn’t deny the fact that there was an actual tragedy happens and a threat as well that may catch him up in a trap that they just intend to execute him when he was young.

Thirteen years ago, the royals are busy chitchatting in the grand hall with each other while making an exchange peck on each of their cheeks. The dresses they wear are made by an expensive silk and every women’s hair are designed with beaded pearls. Everyone’s entertained with the lovely music that are played by an orchestra.

Few of the people approached the dance hall and started to sway each other in a mode of waltz. Frando’s mother head towards the giant door together with her son and daughter as they’re welcomed with the security guards. These three elegant and gracious people slowly sit on the couch while being served with special tea.

Queen Leandra walked in fiercely while she was followed with the two butlers. She glanced through them and had happened to make an eye contact with the other Queen as well. And now the heavy atmosphere started as Leandra began to speak softly. “Good to see you, Queen Maritz. How have you been?” She asked while having her way in front of the Queen and now holding a grip to her garment . “It’s like you’re having an intention visits.”

Frando’s mother kept her chin up and force a genuine smile. She’s pressured with something that she don’t know how to handle at the most crisis instances. She really owed something from this woman who really was desperate as ever to claim an exchange for something that is priceless. She heaved a sigh and put down her cup of tea as she likewise greet her with a quick smile.

“I’m doing fine and I assure you my gratitude. And I am really willing to pay all of your help after all, don’t worry. But I might take more time to fulfill our obligations to you,” said Maritz as she made a glimpse around the corner of the room. “Would you like to make a renovation for your interiors?” She added trying to persuade Queen Leandra for shifting the particulars of deals.

“Oh.” That was Leandra’s reaction about the suggestion of this Maritz, who really made a way to get everything shifted according to their agreements. As Leandra was also fond of gifts and really was a materialistic one. She might give in to alter her castle at most free offer for interior designs and such. “That’ll be a nice idea. I’m desperate to make a change for my castle’s living room actually. Are you offering for architectural grants?” She excitedly asked while gripping on the arm of her couch.

Queen Maritz quickly response with a “no” and make a show of her brought documents about her personal designer that costs million dollars estimated budget for designing. Then this Queen Leandra suddenly felt humiliated as she realized that Maritz will always be an opponent of her in despite of their intimate friendship since they’re in childhood. “But she’s offering a discount and gives an absolute freebies with his job.”

Queen Leandra wryly smiled and pointed her index finger to one of her body guards standing beside the huge door. The guard followed her hand gestures and bowed a bit to listen what this Queen was whispering about. And for the unexpected moment, the guard had dragged the daughter of Queen Maritz. And that frighten with the tighten grip of this armored man and forcing her to stand up.

Lady Jessiza was starting to cry and screamed because of the pain she’s feeling from that persistent act. “Mama, help me! What’s going on?” Frando was also horrified about what was happening. He stood up and attempt to help his sister from guard’s arm. But then, he was ended up getting stumble on his feet and had butt on the floor.

 Everyone was in shock except with this Queen Leandra who calmly stared to Lady Jessiza getting scared with what’s happening. Frando was concerned about his sister and went straight to the guard to bit his arm and kick the guard’s bone leg. The Lady escaped from guard’s arms and quickly ran to hide herself behind Frando’s back. She was startled and getting a lot of mixed emotions furiously. Her facial expressions gone mad from having decent posture and bright face.

Queen Maritz already kneel in front of the Majesty, to just spare another chance for her debt. “Please, allow me to take my time to decide and find way to pay your generosity.” She cried as she was walking with her kneels towards the Leandra and made a touch on her hands and kissed her feet below. “I promise to give them all. I will pray for the abundancy of your royalties. Just give me extra time and show mercy to my daughter, Your Majesty!”

She couldn’t control her emotions. She’s rushing and unable to get herself way more persuading the Queen. For she’s at sake to secure her daughter from this Queen’s filthy culture. She stooped her head low and apologized about what had happened. She knows that this Queen Leandra would get mad if everything that she ever expected torn to get her unsatisfied and humiliated. She takes what she wanted to have from a mere grants, in order to sovereign prosperity of their Royal blood.

Queen Leandra only laughed to Queen Maritz as she slowly brushed her fingers upon the hands of Maritz that is undeniably shivering from the most scariest encounter she had saw by her naked eyes right in front of her.

Her children was clueless and they only knows how to determine ways to get themselves free from the bad intentions of the people. The rest, Frando was still young that moment living as Louie actually, who’s a prince of Crestile.

“You’re pathetic,” said Leandra and still ordered her guards to get Frando’s sister by pulling her hands till they get in the left side hallway of this crossing spacious hall where they think it leads downstairs to dungeons. Then this Queen Leandra slapped Maritz hands away from hers and brushed away the dirt she assume from Maritz’s as on her royal gear was crumpled with the begging of this hopeless queen. “I just have my simple order, and today’s the deadline. We’ve agreed, and don’t just lure me with your shifting alibi’s.”

And that Frando was awaken, he wanted to make a revenge. And why was he ended up using another name and guise himself with a somewhat poor character and having a different aura styles on his face —as well as making his hair long in black. He misses her mom from their very own castle. But he decided to escape from it as he already know what actually was happening after hearing from her mother’s narration about the process of itself.

That torrid morning, first of August. He was riding his horse as he was only seventeen that day. He turn himself a horseback riding racer when he wished to get his own payout, calling it as his mere living and sometimes intend to visit the farm to take care with the animals and mostly assisting the horses.

Then, he met Argen while he was brushing his horses’ hair. He didn’t know her yet for the first time, but he was attracted with the beauty and vibrancy that Lady Argen have. Argen was picking a horse that time, and she’s around fifteen that time. She was wearing a cowboy like outfit and her physique was in a good shape that makes it more like perfect.

“Hi, miss.” He approached Argen casually and also had introduced himself with a smile saying, “I’m Frando. Once a manager of this farm. What do you prefer with these fenced horses?” He assist her with all of his might. Even he didn’t really know it well one by one. But he enjoyed making move just to approach the lovely lady.

“I’d like to get a try with this black horse,” said Argen while her eyes are sparkling with excitement and also turning a look through Frando who’s stuck staring at her the whole time.

“Oh, do you know how to ride it?” Frando asked while slowly untying the horse and getting him out of the fence.

 Luckily, she just choose the calm unlike her recent experience with her weekly horse training. Argen made a nod as response and smile saying, “I’ve been having a weekly horseback riding lessons. And I’m getting used with a horse when I was thirteen.”

“How old are you, miss?” Frando asked abruptly due to his deep curiousity with this lady’s personal background. And he could seem that she was living with pennies, after hearing that she’s taking a weekly lessons. “I’m glad you’re having the chance to ride a horse at that young age. It’s such a blessing. I may able to teach you as well for free, if you want.”

Argen was stepping to the wee ladder beside the horse and suite herself on the broad of its back. “I’m fifteen. Argen, by the way.” She extend her hands to make a hand shake with him and that started to make Frando feel an excitement to her as Argen initiatively say what he had ever expected the whole hour.

“Oh, I’m Frando. . .Wseji.” He accepts her hand and graciously shook it. “I’m taking you outside already, Miss Argen.” They both laugh with an amuse. Seeing Argen having a ride on her horse makes Frando to make more curious about who she was. The way she act makes him feeling reminded with such quite familiar past.

The floating of her hair, dancing hem of her skirt, dimples on the corner of her cheeks, and the way she’s braiding her hair in half. “Ar…gen?” He turned his head behind him and saw Destino grinning.

“How do you know her?” Frando asked and seems trying to suspect Destino to like Argen as well. But seeing to Destino’s reaction, it was empty. There’s no stained interest to her and seems to be looking at her normal opposite from what he was. He just have that love at first sight.

“Yes. We’re been classmates since we’re in primary school. Every guys love her so much at Elite School for she was too gorgeous and talented also. She once volunteered as Junior medic of our school, even no one asked. The generosity and approachable vibe of her makes everyone to fall in love.”

Destino’s explanation proves a lot of authenticity. By just judging Argen’s eyes, it speaks truth and pity. She’s humble and most especially a woman with a tough heart. It’s so rare to see a lady being confident with the task that most of twenties are usually doing.

It takes an hours for Argen to stop from riding a horse. As she jump off it, Frando suddenly made a catch and she was perfectly carried in a bridal style. “Thanks, Frando.” That was Argen who was making an awkward glance to Frando. It seems like he was so interest of something that he couldn’t ever dare to say right now.

“It’s okay. My job, actually.” His response was a bit hoarse as he was reaching for the horses’ tie and getting him back to its fence. The farm got no employees already and had got early leaving. Not until Frando was staying with this Lady who just ended at exact six in the evening.

“I saw you with Destino earlier. Was he telling you something?” She asked while getting a change of her T- shirt without even minding to Frando’s possible reaction seeing her from behind wearing only a brassiere. “I doubt his presence. He’s too suspicious for me all the time,” she said and chuckled afterwards. “It’s strange to feel that you’re so pure, Frando. Where do you live?”

And that causes Frando to see Argen’s naked upper part, even there’s still a bra on it. He automatically back off and settle to arrange the space for this used horse. “I lived downtown—”

“Whom are you living with?” She trailed her off and is now slowly inserting herself with her brought cardigan and now confronting Frando already with an innocent look.

“Alone.”

“Okay.”

And that was really a first time to intrude asking everyone’s privacy. But it seems like a normal thing for the both of them who seems to be meant as strangers, but look like living the same roof years ago. That is how impactful for Argen to classify the chance living off as far from a bit cruelty. For she’s born and destined to rule people and follow the milestone for a better change, as she think it is.

Argen in a present was anxious about the ceremony that she would now officially bear the crown she’s waiting for. She made a last glimpse to her mirror. There’s an awaken soul inside her, calling her a couple of times to make a pay. Live a life to make everyone stay, and that is how an abundancy of her filthy culture quoted.

It’s as if, Lady Argen was the final chance for the reigning of this castle in a peace of the spirits that lack of ritual after decades had passed by. “Got a call for yourself to seek the last piece of our stained puzzle of peace,” said the other voice inside her head. And that makes her to open the door after bygone years and welcome to accept the another journey of guising people midst catastrophe.