The king

23

THE KING
~ Jaxson's pov ~

I was far out of the village's sight, way past the tree Arabella dears so much, farther up the hill I am met with a lone Ugene who stands upon the hill with his hands in his pockets, awaiting for my arrival. It was good to see him, a face I knew all too well, a face I grew up with as a young boy. His blonde hair meets the wind as it flushes into it, and he turns to face me with a shocked expression.

We planned to meet for days upon this. He was shocked I truly came, he was in a white suit, gold tassels on each side of his shoulders and a mustache that has been freshly pinched. A smile rises upon his lips when meeting my gaze.

He nods, bowing a little at my presence. "Jaxson, it is good to see you."

"You have not changed a bit." I smile, referring to his looks not being changed.

"I can see you have, you have a bit of a scruff going on." He refers to my beard approaching beneath my skin, and I utter out a chucke.

"How is my mother?" I question him and he goes back to a straight, serious face.

"Your mother worries daily, she cannot and will not stop looking for you. It is best to come home soon, she suspects I have something to do with your disappearance. She knows all too well," he exclaims, and a ounce of fear is shown through his expressions.

He was frightened that my mother would figure out he knew.

"I don't expect any less from her," I say. "I will come home soon, I have made a plan."

"Have you found what you are looking for?" He questions, tilting his head.

I nod my head, biting back a smile. I look out over the hill, amongst the village, remembering Arabella's face when I bid my goodbyes for the evening. "I have found my queen, she is a beautiful woman, inside and out. The kingdom will adore her."

"That is wonderful news." He smiles cheerfully. He then lets out a hasteful sigh. "Does she know?"

He is referring to her knowing about me being the king.

"I am afraid not, she does not speak kindly of me. She does not know yet, but I want to share the news in a special way. I will have to travel home first," I explain.

"Have you fallen in love, your highness?" His voice is held with such teasement. He was tormenting me the way I was gushing over the lady that pursues my heart.

"I cannot imagine my life with anyone else. Yes, I love her. She is a rare diamond, diamonds are supposed to be held with such ease, gentleness, respect. She is my diamond." As I mutter these words out to him, I cannot help but feel a pang in my chest when imagining myself sharing the news to Arabella and her resenting me for what I have done. I could not bare with myself, I could not live without her.

"I want to thank you..." I trail.

Ugene stands tall, confused wrapped around his gaze. "Whatever for?"

"For telling me to go out, explore the village. If not for you, I would not have met Arabella," I say with tremendous light to my courtier. My right hand man. A friend.

"Arabella, that is her name?" He smiles gently, I proceed to nod as an answer. "Do not thank me, you have given me the life I never deserve taking me in when I was just a boy. My family has never been wealthy, but now they have made their way all because of you."

"That is my father's doing," I excuse.

"You did not have to make me your courtier," he reminds.

I stare down at the brown letter in my hand that I had just written up last night. Thinking of my mother has brought me great sadness, I missed her dearly, and I knew it was troubling her when it came to finding me throughout this country. Hoping this letter would give her a bit of relief, I hand the brown paper to Ugene and he eyes it.