Sold for 30 Days

Chapter : 2. Arrival to the kingdom..

Albert's point of view:-

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It's been six years since I'm away from my home. Six years, I'm living in a forest and getting trained to become a fighter. Six years since I met my father or anyone I once used to know in my childhood. Although I got letters from my father about the kingdom once a year, I wonder if everything is the same or all of it has changed while I'm gone. Well, I'm soon going to find it out, because right now I'm on my way to get back home.

As I entered the borders of my kingdom, I peaked my head out of the carriage I was traveling in. The fresh breeze from the open fields hit me as I took a deep breath. It feels really nice to return to your homeland. I was enjoying the greenery of the field when a beautiful view caught my eye. Few feet away from our path, I saw a young girl working in the field along with a man, which seemed like her father. Seeing us passing by, they both stopped their work and looked up at us. That girl was wearing ragged clothes and her hair was tied up on her head. Half of her face was covered with mud, so I couldn't see her clearly. But her glowing eyes were the ones that caught my attention more. In the sunlight her eyes were glowing like an emerald, reflecting the light from them. That was the unique description I've ever seen in any girl before.

Soon I passed through the village market and entered the palace grounds. I got happy to see that; it was just the same as I left them. Nothing has changed at all. As we stopped in front of the place's gates, I saw my father waiting for me at the entrance. I got out of the carriage and went to give him a hug.

“Son. Finally, you've returned. I'm so happy to get you back.” My father hugged me back and patted my back in joy.

“It feels nice to get back home too, father,” I said to him.

“Come on in. I've ordered to prepare special meals for you today.” I smiled to hear my father as we both entered the palace.

Getting inside my home, I saw that nothing has changed a bit. My room was also the same as I left it. My father has managed everything perfectly. After freshening up and taking a rest for a while, I went to have dinner with my father. My father has a special rule. Only the royal family is allowed to sit at the dining table together. So after my mother's death, he and I used to sit at the table together. Although he has 10 mistresses, he never allowed them to join us. And I'm very thankful for it because I don't want anyone else to take the place of my mother. I've never seen my mother in my life, but for me, she's the only Queen who belonged to sit with us, just like my father thinks.

As I was eating the royal meals after so long time, a moan was coming out of my mouth unintentionally. I was enjoying the test of them wholeheartedly because, for these six years, I've only consumed fruits and boiled vegetables. Even the simplest dishes are very delicious to me at this moment because I have almost forgotten the taste of a good meal. My father laughed to see my childish acts while I kept enjoying my dinner, ignoring his taunts.

“Son, I have something very important to tell you.” My father announced as we both finished our meals.

“Yes, father! Anything serious?” I asked him in worry.

“Nothing that serious. But you have to make a journey to another kingdom for 25 days.” Hearing that, I got shocked.

“But father, I just returned today. Do I have to travel so soon?” I asked him.

“Yes, son. It's really important. Do you remember your childhood friend Prince Calder Nugent?”

“The son of King Harry Vincent Nugent from the Orthos Sanguis Kingdom? I remember them.” Prince Calder once used to be my good friend when we both were young, as they are our best ally kingdom.

“Your friend Calder is getting married soon, and they invited you to attend the wedding ceremony with your fiancée when they heard about your arrival period.” The word fiancée caught my attention from all of it.

“Fiancée? I couldn't understand you, father.” I asked to clarify what he just said.

“I'm sorry so, but I've lied to them that you are already engaged to someone.” He said with an apologetic look.

“But why, father? Why did you have to lie about my engagement?”

“I had to. Do you remember Calder's sister? Princess Evander Nugent has come to the age of her marriage and King Vincent wanted to bind you two in marriage. I couldn't refuse his wish because that will break our alliance and I don't want you to marry such a small kingdom's princess. My son, the best fighter king of all lands, will marry a girl with more power and position than us. Only that way you can become a more powerful king. That's why I lied to them that you already love a girl and you two are engaged.” My mouth was agape to hear my father. I didn't think he had made so long plans for my future.

“But how can I attend the wedding because the truth is that, I don't have any fiancée.”

“I know, and I've made all arrangements for it. I'm arranging a girl to accompany you to attend the wedding.” He said, making me more shocked.

“Father… How can be this possible? Why would any princess agree to do such things? Why would they lie to act as my fiancée? Even if she agrees, what if they catch our lie? What if someone attending the ceremony recognizes her? If we get caught, we would be ashamed forever in front of all other kingdoms.” As I said that, I just saw him smirking at me.

“You don't have to worry a bit, son. I've made all arrangements. We are going to choose a maiden from our land and train her to become a noble. I never told them that you are engaged to a princess. I told them that you are engaged to the daughter of a Duke from our Kingdom. Nobody will recognize her, and you will come out of there safely with our lie.” He said with an evil smile.

“And what will happen once the ceremony ends? How are you going to explain to everyone, when I will not get married to that girl?” To tell you the truth, I'm a bit angry at my father for giving such fake news to an ally kingdom.

“I have made all plans. Once I will arrange a suitable partner for you, I will announce to everyone that you broke up with the duchess because she was having another affair. This way no one will doubt anything.” He truly thought about everything already.

“Then I guess you've already chosen the girl too?” He chuckled after hearing me.

“That, my son, I left for you… I want you to choose a girl of your choice to accompany you. You are the one who has to stay with a slave for 30 days, anyway. I've already announced it and all the maidens of our land will be presented in the royal court by tomorrow. I will choose a few among them, and you get to pick the one you like. After that, you can freely enjoy your 30 days with your personal slave.”

He said with a smirk and I understood what he's pointing me towards by saying 'enjoy'. Maybe he's thinking that I'm a man like him who likes to sleep around with different girls. What he doesn't know is that I believe in one woman and one love. I will only make love to the girl, I will choose to be my wife. She would be my soulmate whom I will love for my whole life.

“Are you sure she will do exactly as you're saying?” I asked my father.

“I will make sure of it. I'm offering 100 gold coins for the family of that chosen girl. And besides, she's going to live a royal life for 30 days with a handsome prince. What more can a girl want? It will be that girl's pleasure to get such a chance. Now stop worrying. Everything will be fine.”

“As you say, father.”

I took a deep breath and agreed with my father. The harm that can be done is already made. My father already did the mistake of lying to the Orthos Sanguis Kingdom. If I back away from his plans now, it will make low for my father. He will be ashamed among all kingdoms for his lies along with making rivals out of an ally. So I have to go along with his plans. Now the first thing I have to do is choose a girl to spend 30 days with.

The night passed by and a new morning rose along with the shining sun. The day was fresh and very enjoyable. But not for me, as I kept worrying about my future. Especially today. In the evening, all girls will be presented in front of me and I have to choose one as my slave. I don't like this idea. Not a bit...

As the day was passing by, I saw all the maids rushing here and there to prepare everything for the gathering. My father arranged a feast for those girls and their families to show our appreciation for them, to follow the king's order. I like the way my father keeps our tenants happy and glad to be the Orundal's people. Your peoples' happiness is the main ingredient to build a strong kingdom because they are the ones who will fight to save their kingdoms against any other enemies.

As the evening came, I prepared myself as presentable for the gathering, by wearing Midnight blue Tunic and Black Leather Tabards. Soon I noticed citizens of our Kingdom entering one by one into our palace, informing me that it's time to attend the gathering. As I was thinking about that, I heard a knock on my door.

“Come in.” A servant came into my room and bowed his head to show respect.

“Sire, our majesty wishes you to see you in the ballroom now.” He informed me that my father is calling me to go to the gathering.

“Thank you. Tell him that I'll be there in few minutes.” He bowed down once again before leaving my room.

I took a long breath after fixing my attire in the mirror and heading out towards the ballroom. As I entered the room, the crowd that was chattering by now got quiet and everyone's head snapped towards me. It's been so long that I've attended any gathering as a Prince, that today I'm getting nervous to face this crowd. It's not even one-fourth of the population of our Kingdom, yet it's making me nervous. I don't know what I will do on my coronation day.

Seeing me entering through the front door, the crowd parted two ways, clearing my path to go to my father, who was sitting on his throne. With a smile on my face and in a graceful manner, I went to him.

“You're looking good, son. Come and sit beside me.” My father patted my back and showed me the throne beside him to sit on.

I remember when I was little; I used to accompany my father to court hearings, sitting on this exact throne. According to him, my mother was used to sit on this throne when she was alive. And after I become the King, my queen will also accompany me sitting right on this throne. So it's a really important place for both of us.

Sitting in my place, I heard our minister announce to begin the introduction process. In the next moment, the crowd parted away in two groups. One with all the maidens we have to choose from and the other with their parents, who accompanied their daughters in the gathering. And once it was done, all the girls started coming in front, one by one, and giving their introduction.