The Rightful Queen

Chapter 2 – The Encounter

At night, Samuel would bring out the ribbon and stare at it. The colors were red and light green. It could be mistaken as a flower. The woman has decorated it with gems and his armband was hidden inside. At this time, he didn’t think there was a purpose for it. Just a random act made by the seer.

Two days after they have returned to the palace, the prince decided to do as the seer said. Walk around the market. He’s supposed to meet her here. What noble woman would come to this place? Surely, the seer knows that he can only marry a noble?

Despite his questions, he wore casual clothes and brought two servants with him. There’s no need to parade himself in public. There would be a commotion if the people see their prince in the market. He walked for about a minute and realized no one seems to notice his ordinary appearance. That’s good. But what kind of trouble would come to him here?

Just as the question appeared in his head, it happened. Someone bumped into him from behind and then someone else yelled, “Thief!”

It was a young boy who approached him and urgently said. “Sir, that man took your purse!”

The prince nervously patted his side and found out that the boy was right. His purse was stolen. It contains a few coins and the ribbon given by the seer. He cursed as he quickly ran after the direction that man took. His servants didn’t know what to do. The prince told them to keep a certain distance and to act like they don’t know him. Should they follow? After glancing at each other, the two of them followed after their master, keeping a very short distance between them.

Samuel noticed early the footsteps on the ground and was able to follow the route the man took despite not seeing him ahead. He took many twists and turns. The prince doesn’t know in which part of the market he is now.

He ran faster and after a few minutes, he finally caught up with the bastard. How dare he steal from the prince? It didn’t occur to him that he looked ordinary at the moment.

Up ahead, someone turned the corner and collided hard with the thief. The man scrambled to his feet but the other person grabbed his ankle.

“Where you going? You’re not even going to apologize? Where are your manners?” The sound of her voice, it was clearly a woman. But since she’s screaming, it was somewhat shrill.

The prince caught up and grabbed the man from behind. The woman thought the newcomer is helping her out.

When he punched the thief, the woman yelled at him to stop.

“There’s no need to hurt him. I will accept his apology.”

Samuel stared at her, dumbfounded. The woman has her face covered and he could only see her eyes.

“Woman, this bastard stole my wallet. He deserves to be punished.” Why did he even bother to explain?

“Oh. I thought you were helping me.” The woman finally realized the situation and she looked around. She spotted a little purse on the side of the wall and picked it up.

“This your purse?” She held it out to the man, who gave a few more punches to the other one.

“Please, mercy! Mercy!” The man was struggling to get up and avoid being hit. The woman looked concerned.

“Here’s your purse. You can let him go now.”

“Why? He dared to steal. It’s a crime. He’ll have to go to prison.” The prince concluded.

The man begged him to let him go and apologized profusely. He spoke of a sob story about his children being hungry and him losing his job a couple of weeks ago. The prince wasn’t moved but the lady was.

“Life is truly difficult here. Give him another chance. You’ve retrieved your purse, haven’t you? Check if anything is missing. If all is well, let him go. He won’t do it anymore, would you?”

The man promised that he won’t do it again. He promised on his life and his children’s. He apologized again and bowed his head to the ground, asking for mercy.

“He could be lying. He might do it again.”

The woman stared at his disgruntled expression. “Have you never made a mistake in your life? We all act foolish when pushed into a corner by our circumstances.”

She dropped the purse in front of him and left.

In the commotion that happened, he completely forgot about the reason he’s here.

He turned a disgusted look at the man but his brain processed the advice of the woman. He decided to leave with a threat. “If you do this again, it won’t just be the prison for you. It would be your head on the gallows, do you understand?”

“Yes, sir. I understand. Forgive me. Mercy, please. I won’t do it again.” The man sobbed on the ground. Thinking of his children who are waiting for him at home, and the possibility of being sent to prison, never seeing them again and unable to provide for them… he knew he did wrong and he would be lucky to get out of this unpunished. He kept begging and apologizing.

When the prince stood up, he picked up his purse, opened it and saw the ribbon. It was then that he finally remembered. Damn. Is it that woman? He scanned the area. Where did she go?

He turned to the man on the ground and dropped the purse containing the coins. He only needs the ribbon.

“Use these well. Feed your children. Do something that might earn you money if you can’t get a job.”

The man lifted up his head just as the other man run off. His eyes saw the purse and quickly snatched it up. Inside were many coins.

To the prince, they are few. But to this man in need, they are a lot. He could feed his children and more. He hid the purse under his clothes and made his way to his house. There’s a bakery near their home and he planned to buy loaves of bread.

He was saved by that lady, and the man was merciful, too.

Samuel did remember the words of the seer.

You must listen to every word she says.

Hers is the only advice you must listen to.

But where is she? He retraced his steps, going back into the entrance of the market. From afar, he saw the woman talking to the young boy from earlier. It seemed she bought fruits from him.

“Wait!” He shouted when she turned to go and walked into a corner. Samuel ran while calling after her. He doesn’t even know her name! When he turned into that same corner, she’s nowhere to be seen. He checked the ground for footsteps but there are none. She must be walking very lightly.

“Do you need anything, sir?” The boy inquired of him.

“That lady… do you know who she is?”

The boy blinked at him. “Well, I do not know her name but she often buys my fruits.”

“She comes here often?”

“Not really. She comes and goes.”

“If she often buys from you, why don’t you know her name?”

“I’ve asked, but she didn’t want to say. Besides, her name isn’t what’s important.”

Samuel sighed. There were movements behind him and he glared seeing his servants. Useless servants.

“Do you know when she’ll come again?”

The boy shook his head.

What should he do now? Should he come back everyday until the coronation?

“You don’t confuse her with another customer, do you?”

The boy digested his question. “No, sir. I clearly recognize her.”

The prince gestured for a servant to approach.

“Do you have coins?” He already gave his away.

He presented the coins and the ribbon to the boy.

“Could you do something for me? When that lady comes again, can you give this ribbon to her? Tell her it’s a token from me. I’m grateful that she helped me catch the thief from earlier. Thank you for informing me earlier as well.”

The boy’s eyes widened at seeing so many coins at once.

“How many coins would you give me?” Surely, he’s not giving him everything. He’ll be happy to do that favor for him for one coin.

“These are yours. But don’t forget to give this ribbon to that lady, alright?”

He closed the purse and handed it to him. Carefully, he put the ribbon into his other hand.

On his way back to the palace, he realized now why the seer said he must discern to whom he has given the ribbon to.

He hasn’t seen her face. He couldn’t remember her voice now. It wasn’t her normal voice, anyway. How is he supposed to find her during the celebration?

There would be three days of celebration preceding his coronation. In those days, he’s meant to choose women for himself. His queen and his consorts.

One official wife and several mistresses. Such is the life of their future king.