Chapter 2. Return Of The King

Queen Lourine Chatrine paced back and forth in her room. She had not slept since last night because the guards returned to the palace without the king. She had ordered the guards to return to the forest to find the king, but until morning came the guards had not returned. She was very angry with the guards who left the king alone in the middle of the forest.

"Mother, please allow me to go find my father." Prince Xander Reenan pleaded with his mother, queen Lourine Chatrine. "No, my son. Not until we hear from the guards. I have a bad feeling," replied the queen with a worried face.

Prince Xander was silent at his mother's words. He didn't want to argue. "Mother, you must rest. You did not sleep all night. I will wait for my father to come back " said Prince Xander. He is worried about his mother's condition. Queen Lourine Chatrine didn't answer. He nodded slowly, then sat on the bed. He stared blankly at the window.

"My son, come here." Queen Lorine calls out to the prince. Prince Xander approached. He sat next to his mother and then held his mother's hand. "What's wrong, mother? I understand your concern, but you shouldn't torture yourself like this," said the prince in a worried tone. "My son, as long as I married your father, nothing like this happened.

Even though your father was late coming home, not all this time. And usually mom never had a bad feeling, but this time, I couldn't even close my eyes. I feel very bad. I'm scared and very worried. "Queen Lourine Chatrine began to cry. The prince embraced her and comforted her.

"Mother, believe me. Father will come back safely. I believe father can take good care of himself," said the prince with a smile. 'If you knew what really happened in the forest, you would be as anxious as I do, my son. I don't know exactly what happened in the forest, but I have a bad feeling about the wolves.' thought the queen.

He deliberately forbade the guards to tell the prince what happened in the forest. "My son, may I ask you a few things?" The queen asked while looking deeply at the prince's face.

"Just say mother. Whatever your request, I'll be happy to do it," replied the prince while taking a respectful attitude to the queen. "If tomorrow or later, something happens in this palace, remember that this palace is not the last place of your life. I love you very much and if one day we do not meet again, promise that you will find me.

Lastly, Mother begs you, wherever you go, if you meet wolves, never hurt them. But if they attack you, you must defend yourself."

Prince Xander was surprised to hear his mother's request. He was both amazed and worried. "Don't ask me why, and why I asked you this. You will know the answer, but not now, later." Xander's throne was silent for a moment. He was confused. He tried to understand the meaning of his mother's words but he couldn't.

"For all your requests, I will do it." The prince said in a low voice but in a definite tone. Even though he was curious, he didn't want to ask his mother any more. He tried to understand that maybe his mother had an excuse that couldn't be told to him.

"If your father doesn't come back until late afternoon, you may bring your troops to look for your father. Always remember mother's message," said the queen. "I will do it mother. Get some rest," replied the prince.

*****

Inside the old hut in the middle of the forest, the king fell asleep again after once again enjoying the body of Katty, the mysterious woman. He had said goodbye several times to return to the palace, but when he arrived at the door of the hut he felt very heavy hearted and could not leave the woman. It was already late. Katty woke the king.

"I told you that I cannot return to the palace without you." The king kept saying the same thing. "I'm still here waiting, whenever you want to come back. Come back to the palace. I beg you." Katty bowed her body to salute the king. The king relented. He obeyed Katty's words.

"I will be right back," replied the king, then kissed Katty. "Your horse is there." Katty said, pointing to a large tree in front of her hut. The king nodded. Katty smiled to let go of the king. "Lourine Chatrine. Your devastation is coming. Prepare for the big shock." Katty said, then laughed.

The king walked towards the tree that Katty pointed to. He found his horse eating grass under the tree. "Hey, I thought you were taken hostage by the wolves. I'm glad to see you again. Let's go back to the palace." The king said, then jumped on the back of his horse. He came out of the wilderness and found his way back to the palace. When he came to a river not far from the palace, he met his guards. His guards knelt and saluted.

"Forgive us, my lord. We tried to find you, but we failed. We are ready to accept punishment," one of the guards said. The king smiled. The bodyguards were amazed. "I will not punish you. Let's go back to the palace," replied the king. The guards remained on their knees. They did not believe what the king said.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" the king asked. All his guards stood at once and bowed in salute and thanked him. They all continued on their way back to the palace. Along the way, the king kept smiling. He did not speak during the trip. King Van De Fretas has really been hypnotized by Katty, a mysterious woman who lives in the middle of the wilderness. The guards asked each other. No one dared to ask the king how he survived the attacks of the hungry wolves. "Something has changed from the king." A bodyguard whispered. The other bodyguards nodded. The return of the king to the palace made Queen Lourine finally smile again. She dragged her exquisite light purple dress down the stairs and ran toward the king who had just gotten off his horse. Her face was radiant. Purple flower-shaped hairpins adorned her hair. She gave a very sweet smile to the king.

"Welcome back my king," said the queen, bowing her body, saluting. The king saw him for a moment, then walked inside without speaking. Queen Lourine straightens up. She looked up. She was a little surprised at the king's reaction to her. 'Maybe he's tired. He's had a bad day.' The queen said in her heart, trying to stay positive. She stepped after the king.