Retrieve the Kingdom

The Great Announcement

“What?”

Shyrene was shocked as Phoebe sighs. She didn’t say anything as Dona went to the stage with her smile and went to the councilor’s side. She looks at Phoebe who is tasting her defeat now. “It must be you!” Shyrene groans as Phoebe holds her hand, “Don’t mind it, I guess she deserves it.”

“But you deserve it too!” Phoebe looks around, “Just… Don’t say a thing anymore.” Shyrene sighs as she looks at her, “You are just gonna let that happen? This is unfair!” She looks at her, “You need to at least fight for something you deserve.” Phoebe shook her head, “I deserve not being there anyways, I screwed up last Wednesday.” Shyrene looks at her in concern, “What happened? Come on, tell me.”

Before Phoebe can even say anything the master of ceremony interrupted them, “Please be quiet! I will now announce the great announcement. Are you excited about what it is?” The crowd said yes and cheered. “Alright, to those who are not called for the scholars for this year, you still have one more chance! There is a secret scholar provider this year. You may not saw him., but someone is watching you for him. Now he will be here to reveal his true identity and choose his own scholar!”

Shyrene’s face enlightens as Phoebe is the opposite, she knows what she did. A man with a tall height went up the stage. “It’s Archduke Bermin of Eshecaea!” Everybody was surprised and clapped in his presence. “He is a first-timer and I hope he will visit us again soon! Anyway, please tell the student you chose, your high honor.” Bermin nods as she looks around them, “I, Archduke Bermin of Eshecaea, is choosing to provide my utmost support to a student named Phoebe of Mires.”

Shyrene gasps as she shakes Phoebe, “It’s you! Phoebe!” The latter was shocked, she never expected it. Shyrene pushed her to the stage as she slowly went there. Dona was pissed as she can’t handle her anger, she can’t accept that the archduke himself chose her. “Why did you chose her!? She almost poisoned a taste tester! She’s terrible!” She shouted as she looks at Phoebe on Bermin’s side. 

“About that…” The guidance counselor entered the scene with his arms crossed. Phoebe and Dona, please go to my office. Dona was shocked but she just followed the counselor and went to his office. When they arrived, they saw a girl who is sitting on a chair in front of the counselor’s table. They all sat in their designated seats. The councilor and archduke followed them, but neither Dona nor Phoebe knows it. 

Dona looks at the girl who is facing the floor with anger. “Dona.” She looked at the counselor as she posed a fake sweet smile at him. “Yes, mister Marvin?” The counselor sighs, “You were a model of the school, I never expected you to do this, but a piece of heavy evidence was collected. Miss Flora here is saying you intimidated her to put something on Phoebe’s dish. Is that true?”

“O-of course not! Maybe this is Phoebe’s plan so she can beat me. You know she has been threatening me that I will never get that scholar. Look how petty she is!” Dona crossed her arms, trying not to be guilty. “Believe me, mister Marvin… She scared me… I have no choice but to carry out her orders…” 

“Liar! I will never do such a thing. The closes one who will do it is Phoebe, the one and only!” Phoebe looks at her, “You are turning the tables to make everything go in your will. You were the one who keeps bothering me every time I study. You were the one who brags that I couldn’t beat you because you were the most probable candidate. Now you are blaming this on me?”

“Because it is you!” Dona’s face became angrier, “Don’t play the victim because I am the victim!” “You are not—” “SHUT UP!” Dona pulled her bun in anger as the others who are watching them stopped them. “Let me go! Let me make that bit—” She was stopped as she realized what scandal she has done. In front of their eyes, they saw the real Dona.

“S-sorry… I-I…” Mister Marvin stands, “Because of the attitude you showed us, you just proved yourself guilty.” In Dona’s eyes, a lot of regrets can be seen. “Mister Marvin, if you may, I will get another scholar. Let that be her punishment.” She looks at the councilor, “No! No! I will change. Phoebe… Please forgive me… Please… Please…”

“I am forgiving you, but the councilor has his decision. If you may excuse me.” Phoebe left the room as Dona cried her frustration. Bermin assisted Flora out of the room. “No… No…” Dona is still crying on the floor. 

“Congratulations!” Shyrene hugged her. Phoebe smiles as she hugs her back. “I know you would be chosen! And that Dona deserved it, from what she has done to you? It will be unfair if karma didn’t do a thing.” Phoebe giggles, “I am happy.” 

“You should be! You deserve all of this.” They were cut as someone cleared their throat behind them. When they turned around, they saw the archduke standing tall. “Your honor.” They both bowed to him. “You are Phoebe of Mires, right?” Phoebe nods, “Yes, I am, sir Bermin. I am glad to meet you.” 

“And this young lady here?” Shyrene giggles, “I am Shyrene of Oliver.” He smiles, “Nice to meet you too. Anyway, I would like to talk with Phoebe.” Phoebe nods as she goes with him. “I am happy to be your scholar, sir Bermin.” Deep inside her, she is happy to meet her uncle again. If she could only say that she is Desiree, but she can’t, she would be just laughed at. “I am happy to be your provider too. Since you are now moving on your high school, what subjects would you like to focus on?” 

“Well, politics.” The archduke was surprised, “Such bravery! I like that. Well, I will be glad to take you to a school. But I have a condition.” Phoebe looks up to him. “What is it, sir Bermin?” He looks back, “You will be moving to my house.”

Phoebe came home with the archduke, the neighbors were surprised by the archduke’s presence here. “So, you were the daughter of the famous chef of Oliver?” Phoebe nods, “Come sir Bermin, maybe you could taste some of my dad’s delicacies.” They went to the restaurant as she offers him a seat. “What would you want sir?” The archduke snickers, “Your finest delicacy.” Phoebe nods as she rushes to the kitchen. 

“Why is the archduke here? It’s such a privileged.” Phoebe smiles as her father welcomed her, “It’s about a scholarship, he would like your best one.” Her father nods, “Right away for the high honor!” He cooked for him as her mother followed her outside. They went to the waiting archduke as he looks around the place, with his vivid smile. 

“We are happy that you visit us today, Sir Bermin.” The archduke look at her, “Are you the mother of Phoebe?” She nods which made the archduke happy. “Please take a seat, Miss?” Bermin pulled the chair on his left side and let Phoebe’s mother sit. “Maya, Maya of Mires.” He sits on his chair as he froze and looked at her, “Maya?” She nods, “Is there any problem, your honor?” The archduke shooks his head.

“Nevermind that, I just… I thought I misheard it, I am sorry.” Maya giggles, “Oh, it’s nothing, sir Bermin.” He awkwardly laughs as he clears his throat, “Anyway, I am here to bring you wonderful news.” He looked at the two ladies in front of him. “Mrs. Maya, your daughter is now my scholar.”

Even though she already has a hint of it, she was still shocked, and her mouth gaped in happiness. “I… I… Thank you, sir Bermin… Thank you for choosing my daughter, she will not disappoint you.” The archduke snickers, “She better be.” Both of the adults laugh as Phoebe was frozen in her place.

She snapped back to reality as the archduke’s orders arrived with his brother bringing it to them. “Here’s your order, your honor.” He bowed as he turns to go back to the kitchen. “Young man.” The archduke called as Bastien turns to them, “Yes, sir?” “Please call the chef.” He nods as he calls his father and invites him to the table where the archduke is. 

“Please take a seat, Mr…” “Nathan, my name is Nathan, your honor.” The archduke smiles as he looks at the two young people, “Please take a seat, are you a member of the family?” He asked Bastien, the young man nodded. “Oh, I am sorry for that question, I am just confirming that I am not offering seats on random people.” They all giggled. “It’s okay, sir Bermin, he is Bastien, my son.” 

The boy with his medium blonde hair smiles as he fixes his messy hair. “Nice to meet you, your honor.” Bermin smiles as he started eating, his face enlightens as the savory taste of the seafood prepared for him blows his taste buds, it’s like a party in his mouth. “Where have you been all my life!? This tastes really good!” 

“Thank you for the compliment, sir. It’s been an honor to cook for you.” His dad said as he was flattered with the archduke’s comment. “Anyway, as I enjoy this god-sent dish, as I have said earlier, Phoebe is now my scholar and I will be taking care of all of her studying-related things, such as tuitions, some miscellaneous fees, and others.” 

Bastien hugged Phoebe and congratulated her, “I am so proud of you, Pheebs.” She smiled as she enjoyed the warm embrace of her brother because she might not feel it for a while. “Thank you, sir Bermin. This is a big deal for us, especially for my daughter. She has been dreaming to step on prestigious schools and been working hard for her entire school life just to reach it, and I am happy that you made that dream come true.”

“I am happy to be her scholar provider, the only thing she needs is to keep up her good work and one condition that I already lay on her, but she decided to talk it with you, her family.” Confusion can be seen on her parent’s faces. “What is the condition, sir Bermin?” 

“I need her to move to my home.” Both of her parents look at each other as Bastien’s protective side kicks in. “Pardon me, your honor, but why does my sister have to move into your home?” “I am planning her to let her study in Enoch, to the most prestigious school. The Driessen Academy, she will spend her high school there and maybe her final school years if she wishes to go to her Albaine Years. She should live with me, don’t worry, she will be safe with me.”

“I trust you with our daughter, sir Bermin. Please take care of our daughter, she’s the only girl we have and someone will get angry if she’s hurt.” Her father looks at Bastien. “I will be angry indeed, but please visit us, Pheebs.”

“Oh, I will let her visit every week if she wants, it’s her decision when she will visit. And maybe I will come with her for this dish that I am falling in love with!” They all laugh as he finishes the dish he is eating, “She will be moving after her graduation rites, so you still have a week to bond with her.”

The archduke left as they were still fascinated by the great announcement. The days pass as the graduation rites day are fast approaching and Phoebe can’t wait to unfold another chapter of her life. 

“Phoebe, can I talk to you?” She turns as she saw Dona, standing in front of her.