CHAPTER 21: VISITING THE PALACE
1523 Words
The next morning, a golden carriage picked up Master Kenjie, and the teenagers. Valk is still not feeling well and Sirie is taking care of her brother.
"This is huge and fancy." Yin's gaze scanned the interior. "This is my first time riding this kind of expensive carriage."
"Principal Zmaj provided this for us. Prince Kev, are you comfortable here?" Master Kenjie asked.
"Don't mind me. I prefer riding with my friends rather than being alone. This is fun!"
"I'm nervous," Czarina said. "This is the first time stepping in the palace, and possibly meeting the king and queen of Zariste Kingdom."
"You will meet my siblings, too." Kev grinned. "Some are okay, some are not."
"Are they all fighting for the throne?" Yin was startled. "Are they scary? Do they try to kill each other?"
Kev could not answer it right ahead. He thought of a situation where there was an attempt to kill any of them. "None so far in this generation, but there are recorded incidents in the past that the royals were after each other's head for the throne."
Czarina felt sad and bad about what she heard. Imagine a family member trying to kill you just because you are a threat to the throne? That is worse than having a thousand enemies in a war.
She peeked outside the window. There she saw a magnificent and finest archiepiscopal structure, where she can only see white, blue and gold accents on it. The building is huge and complex, with an ancient looking design but well-maintained. It is exceptionally lavish yet it feels like home to her. The palace is surrounded by authentic medieval solid structure, high fenced walls. The entrance is heavily guarded. There are two soldiers in armor standing on each side of the enormous gate.
"Wow!" Yin said, amazed upon seeing the palace.
"Is this the first time for you to come here, Maple?" Kev asked.
"No, my father brought me here twice before, but I was occupied with that beautiful gazebo." She pointed at the gazebo at the far right of the palace. Different kinds of flowers and plants are surrounding it.
"It's my mother's favorite spot, too," Kev said. "How come I have not seen you before?"
"Look at your palace," Maple said while pointing at it. "Can you possibly see the queen without asking anyone where she is?"
Kev laughed. "Right."
The carriage stopped in front of the palace's main entrance. The door is made of solid white wood with a gold accent. One of the soldiers lined a red carpet right in front of the carriage's door. The end of the red carpet is rolled out and ends at the main door.
There are two butlers standing at the door. They are both wearing white and gold uniforms. Their top is gold with black vest, and the bottom is a soft silk pair of white pants. One of them opened the door.
"Welcome home, Prince Kev," one of the soldiers said. All soldiers nearby bowed to him. Kev just sighed and let it go. He waved his hand to dispatch the soldiers. "Go back to your duties."
"Yes, Prince Kev." They bowed again before leaving.
"So much for a royal treatment, huh?" Czarina said, teasing Kev.
"I hate it." He let out a deep sigh. "Come in."
The two butlers bowed to Kev. he walked past them and entered the palace. Czarina and Yin's eyes scanned the interior. It is a huge open space with furniture made of expensive materials, and some are even made of gold. It has a high ceiling and it is well-ventilated.
There are windows surrounding the area and they are open for free air flowing.
"Is there anything here that looks affordable?" Czarina asked.
"Let's be careful. I don't want to break even just a vase." Yin pointed at the giant golden vase at the side of the staircase not far from them.
"It's okay. Let's go to the main hall where the king mostly stays. He accepts visitors, masters and ministers there."Kev walked ahead. Master Kenjie, Maple, Yin and Czarina silently followed him. They walked in a long hallway and stopped at the enormous door with an intricate ancient mural design and gold accent. Two soldiers are guarding it.
"Good morning, Prince Kev," the two soldiers greeted him.
"Is my father inside?"
"Yes, Prince Kev." One of the soldiers opened the enormous door and gestured to come in.
They entered the king's hall and stopped in front of the throne, a few meters away from the king.
Master Kenjie changed his appearance from a bearded man to a young looking man. He bowed to pay respect to the king of the Zariste Kingdom.
"Your highness," he said. "It's great to see you."
Czarina's eyes were fixated on the king. He looks familiar to him.
He still looks young despite knowing how old the king is. He has a blue pair of eyes and a pointed nose, with thin lips and thin black beard. He is wearing his crown made of gold and with red stone designs. The king is wearing a red cape, a white top and blue pants. The other throne beside him is empty.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but have we met before?" Czarina asked without thinking she was facing the king.
The king looked at her and tried to recall her face, then his facial expression changed. An expression of longing, affection, familiarity and all sorts of things; but the king kept his composure and cleared his throat. "Probably." He averted his gaze and looked at Master Kenjie. "It's been a long time since you visited the palace."
"Forgive me, Your Highness. I and Ice investigated some things for a long time... and now she is missing for six months." He bowed. "Your Highness, please help me find her."
"She did not leave any notice of her whereabouts?"
Master Kenjie shook his head. "No, Your Highness."
"I will send a few Royal Masters to look for her." His gaze went back to Czarina, then to Kev. "Are you two getting along really well?"
"Father, Czarina is a good friend," Kev answered. "This is Maple, General Chao's daughter, and he is Yin, Czarina's childhood friend."
"Very well. Just keep it as it is and maintain a good friendship. I will ask the servants to prepare a grand lunch for everyone. Stay here and let's all eat together." The king called the servants of the palace and instructed them to prepare the dining hall.
- Writer
