The sounds of children could be heard when the knight rushed in. They gather the children before leading them towards the wooden carriages. Before they move out, the caretaker seeks to speak with Prince Leon.
"Some children here were orphans, as I bought them from the slave traders. They will send a couple of children here every month, and I will pay accordingly. I might have sinned, but please save those children. The first time they arrived here, I realized that they had been tortured by them. I regret what I have done, but it doesn't change what I did," the caretaker said. He knew he would be punished and he was ready for it, though some part of him was scared of what was coming. Thus, he realized that he had to lighten his punishment.
"I will look into it," Prince Leon said.
"Take him away," he continued, saying to the knight who was waiting to take the caretaker away.
After all the children were moved, Sir Felix and Prince Leon had a talk about what to do with all the children.
"These children deserve a better life. They need guidance, not torture and abuse," Prince Leon said.
"What are they thinking? I hope he will rot in prison. I hope they all will," Sir Felix said with his face flushed with rage.
"Even prison is a better place for him. He'd better just go straight to hell," Sir Felix continued.
"I agree with you, but let's not waste our time talking about him," Prince Leon said. He was furious with the situation but he tried to contain as a great leader should.
"Do you remember the last time we went to the town? Did you hear the kids talk about joining a class? I can't remember clearly, but they seemed to enjoy it," Prince Leon said.
"Yeah. At first I thought it was suspicious, but the way the kids looked, it buried my doubts," Sir Felix said.
"True, I have looked around and asked those kids, but I still haven't got anything, "Prince Leon said. They have been treated poorly by those around them, so it is not surprising that they are afraid to share the place where they felt safe.
"I think we should bring those kids back to the town. I heard Lex opened up a school for the children, "Prince Leon said.
"You sent those children to the town while I'm going back to talk to Lex," he continued as he hopped up on his horse.
Then, Prince Leon and Sir Felix went separate ways. Prince Leon rode across the quiet forest with a relieved heart. He felt that a part of his worries had been resolved. Now, the next mission is to apprehend the main perpetrator of child slavery before it spreads further.
As the prince reached the palace, he went straight to Prince Lex's office, where he found Prince Lex himself with Sir Calisto, who was busy doing their work.
"Brother, I have something to say to you," Prince Leon said, as he walked to the chair in front of his brother and sat down. He was tired from his ride, but he put it aside.
"What is it?" Prince Lex asked while continued looking busy.
Prince Lex loves his only brother, but he does not know how to show it. Some would say Prince Lex was cold towards his only brother, and some accused him of being jealous, although all of these were not true. When he was little, he seldom played with his brother as he was busy studying. He was forced to study a lot of things in order to support his brother.
When he was still young, he was once curious about his brother, so he went to visit him. He was so small and adorable, and everyone loved him. He kept a distance between them as he scared to be near him. Although he was still a child, he felt that both of them were not belong in the same place. Somehow, his brother noticed him and walked clumsily with his two feet towards him. He stood beside him silently, while his brother's cute little hand held his rough hand. He felt sorry for his little brother at that time for living in this kind of household. The palace is the best place for what he quotes as "a masquerade ball each and every single day. His brother gave him a toy so they could play together. At first, it was awkward for him but as time grew they were playing happily. Suddenly, the queen entered the room. He was trembling all over, because he knew he was not supposed to be there. From that day on, he was banned from entering the queen's palace. He was scolded for neglecting his studies and disobeying the rules. Besides, he was also locked inside his room for half a day for the same reason. Since that day, they have met at every ball, but he has started to distance himself. He was scared of what the queen would do to his mother, as he knew how much the queen hated him and his mother. However, it doesn't stop Prince Leon from visiting his brother. Every time they met, Prince Lex would teach his brother a few things or just silently do his work. He was like an adult in a child's body. He didn't play nor waste time, because time was all he had to improve and make his mother happy. As Prince Leon grows older, the number of visits becomes smaller. They are both busy with their own lives and responsibilities. Hence, they grow apart each year.
"Do you remember the case that I have been pursuing for quite some time now?" Prince Leon said happily.
"I have solved it, brother!" He continued with joy.
" Well done, Leon," Prince Lex said. He was happy for him, but he did not know what to do after saying congratulations.
"I heard you just opened up a school. Congratulations, brother," Prince Leon said.
"I just helped someone open it, "Prince Lex said.
"Still, it is great, brother. I can't wait to visit," Prince Leon said.
"Ermmm actually brother, all the kids that have been rescued were sent to your school. I think it is the best place for them," he continued in a slow voice. He knows his brother won't get angry, but the thought of him doing things before asking for permission felt wrong. He thought it seemed rude, regardless of who it belonged to. He very much respects and looks up to his brother.
"It's fine. It was built for the children anyway," Prince Lex said.
Before Prince Leon said anything, Prince Lex thought that it had been a long time since both of them had spent time together. Things had already gotten quite awkward as he didn't know what to talk about with his brother, so he decided maybe it was the time to change. Things got awry between them before due to who was going to receive the crown prince title. However, now things have quieted down as he is no longer in the running. He is, as people said, nothing more than the son of the king's mistress.
"Would you like to visit the kids tomorrow? I am going there tomorrow," he continued.
"Sure. I'll meet you tomorrow," Prince Leon said happily. He felt like his brother was trying to open up to him a bit. If it was before, he would just answer Prince Leon's question.
He had tried numerous times to be close to his brother, but it was like his brother had shut himself away from him.
After Prince Leon walked out the door, Sir Calisto, who was silent , spoke up.
"What do you mean you built a school? I haven't heard about it," Sir Calisto asked.
"It just happened," Prince Lex said, while working.
"Tell me, when you said that you help someone, it's Deanna, right?" Sir Calisto asked. He knew for sure that no one would care for the children from the lower class.
"It's none of your business," Prince Lex said.
"Why did you do it? Did she ask for it? I doubt that. So tell me, Lex, why? Do you like her?" Sir Calisto asked. He does not meant to corner Prince Lex, he was just curious to what his answer was.
"Stop this nonsense!" Prince Lex said as he slammed the table furiously.
Sir Calisto just wanted to know, but somehow Prince Lex started to be angry at him. He was dumbfounded.
Prince Lex stood up and tried to walk away from the situation.
"What's wrong with you? I don't care if you like her or not, but I like her. So I hope you won't stand in my way, "Sir Calisto said just before Prince Lex went out.
"Why? Are you scared she would fall for me instead of you?" Prince Lex said as he glared straight at Sir Calisto.
Then, Prince Lex just walked out the door, leaving Sir Calisto in anger and jealousy.
At that moment, Prince Lex was in confusion as to why he had become angry at Sir Calisto. It was like he was in denial of his feelings. He was scared to love someone, as he knew the price of loving someone.
The night came as the cold air breathed against his skin and the sky was as dark as ever, only to be shone by the dazzling moon and stars.
He visited his mother, who had been waiting to meet him since the day she met Lady Chlaricia.
"Alexander, my sweet, sweet child," Lady Claudia said as he tried to reach for his son's hand.
"Lex, I am not getting younger. I just want you to be happy and healthy. Remember this, Lex, we can only rely on each other. No one cares about us," she continued. She appeared frail, with a pale face, but she was still beautiful. No wonder the king still love her despite all her tantrums.
"Yes, mother," he replied. Every time he met his mother, he had this feeling that he wished would go away. That feeling was pain and abandonment, like his life was written in a different name.
"You would always make your mother happy, right?" She said.
"Yes, mother," he said.
"How have you been, my child? You come much less frequently than before. Is the king keeping you busy?" She asked.
"No mother, I have jobs that I need to attend to. The king always takes care of me," he said.
"I just wish you wouldn't forget me," she said with a weak voice.
"Alexander, have you got a partner for this upcoming ball?" She asked.
"I just want to see you happy. I don't want you to be alone like me," she continued.
"No mother," he replied.
He hadn't got the chance to think about finding a partner. Furthermore, he usually just went for a brief moment. So he doesn't need one as he knew his partner would be left behind.
"If it's alright with you, could you take the daughter of Duke Remus to the ball?" She asked, though she knew her son wouldn't reject her.
Lex was happy to hear his mother say that, even though his expression did not change much. It felt like his mother knew what was on his mind.
"Yes, mother. I'll be happy too," he said. His face didn't change much, but his heartbeat was rising and he started anticipating that day.
"Good. My boy is a good boy. I'm happy to have you as my son. I'm glad you accepted to take Eliana," she said.
He was surprised, it felt like his heart was beating before now, crushing a million pieces. Hence, he accidently asked his mother a question. He never asked about the task that his mother had given to him, except now. "Yes" was the only word that came out of his mouth every time his mother said something.
He just wanted his mother to be happy. He knew life was hard for his mother, hence he tried to be obedient and be the best son his mother could have had.
"Is it not Deanna, mother?" He asked.
"Deanna? Oh, the first born. She's the first born, right? She's not suitable for you, Lex. She never handled a crowd of aristocrats. How do you think she would lead the country? Compared to Eliana, she has been groom to become one," she said.
" But mother..," His words were cut off by his mother before he got the chance to say anything.
"Think about your future. Think about me, my son. Don't be selfish and disobedient. Everything I did was all for you," she said. She was surprised as she saw the changes in his son. Hence, she thought she had to act fast before she couldn't control her son anymore.
"Yes, mother," he said. The feeling that he hated so much inside of him grew larger every time he met his mother. Sometimes he just wonders if we are breathing so we can live, and we live because we are afraid of dying.
We live so we can shape the future that we want and be happy. We live our lives because it is ours, but what happens when the life you live is not yours? Where is your life? Would you say you are happy when the only things that shape you are missing?
The world is big. We might get hurt and feel like dying, but despite that, tomorrow will still come. In life, we might cry tears of pain today, but tomorrow tears of joy might fall on your cheek. We might complain and struggle today, but tomorrow might be the best day of your life. Just be patient, good things don't happen with a flick of the fingers. Today might be your downfall, but who can predict the future? Life itself is a blessing. We only have a short life ahead of us, a hundred years if you're lucky. So, take care of yourself and live the life you want, not the one people shape for you.