Prince’s Return
THE BHAGYA PALACE
THE maids rallied around, the guards patrolling, the King and Queen tensed, the Princess like a cat sitting on hot bricks, they were all waiting tenterhooked for the Prince, he was returning soon, any second, any minute from now as the guards had already gone to bring him from the airport.
“Mum, is he coming like now?” Prisha asked as she ran up to her mother through the hallway, heading for the palace entrance.
Arya turned to her and gasped.
“My goodness! I thought the maids had primped your hair, what happened again? It looks disheveled”, she said using her hands to make it look nice.
Prisha sighed.
“Yes mom, they did. I actually used my hands to dishevel it”, she said, “my phone was damn disturbing”.
Just then a maid passed by.
“Ugh you, get the Princess’s hair done,” she ordered and continued walking towards the palace entrance.
“Meet me up at the entrance baby, your brother is coming soon,” she said.
Fortunately, the maid was holding a hairbrush, Prisha grabbed the brush from the maid and began brushing her hair with it, the maid was flabbergasted, she just looked on.
“Thank you,” she said handling the brush back to her and racing after her mother, holding up her flowing gown in order to prevent her from falling.
She caught up with her as she was about opening the large doors.
“Hey girl, you done?” She asked inspecting her hair, then nodded much to her satisfaction.
“Yes mom,” Prisha replied and they walked out, closing the door behind them.
“Oops!” She mouthed as she looked around, she really wasn’t expecting the small crowd at the entrance waiting for the Prince, thought big brother had said he never wanted a welcome party though.
She looked keenly at the persons waiting and exhaled, they were actually important members of the royalty, it still wasn’t the welcome party anyway, she shrugged.
They were the royal family, that’s herself, her dad and her mom. Then the members of the royal councilors of the Bhagya Palace, all titled and noble men.
Some guards and few maids handpicked to spread shimmering confetti on the floor as the Prince walks on the red carpet into the palace.
The maids were all beautifully dressed and adorned, each carrying with a her little plate of the shimmering confetti.
The King, her dad chatted with the royal councilors, while the others kept mute, and at times smiled or laughed to what the King or his councilors said, but none dared indulging in the talk, not even her mother, the Queen.
Suddenly the gigantic gates slid open and the royal convoy drove in, the cars with the guards drove straight towards the garage, while the one carrying the Prince drove towards them.
It halted and a guard came out, then opened the door and the Prince slowly alighted, straight onto the red carpet laid for him.
He stood for a while and took off the dark shades he was wearing, looking at the faces of all who had come to welcome him. They were all smiling.
He was able to notice his father, and mother, few guards and the little pretty girl standing beside his mother, dressed like a Princess.
That must be his little sister, he really hasn’t seen her in years, wow, she had grown so rapidly.
He slowly walked towards them, the maids spraying the confettis as he majestically took the little stairs.
He took a big bow in front of his father, as he went down on one knee, his head lowered to the ground.
“Long live Maharajah, Your Grace I’m finally home”, he said.
King Neel smiled as he placed the royal staff on his back.
“Get up my son, the great Prince, I’m happy to see you”, he said.
Raghav got up and gave his father a big hug. The people around cheered, laughed and rejoiced.
Raghav turned to his mother.
“Rani, I’m back”, he hugged her.
“Elated to see you my lovely son”, she smiled broadly.
Prisha looked at the big handsome man hugging her mom and swallowed hard, was that her big brother? Gosh! He is dashingly handsome. His royal blue suit was sparkling.
“Beautiful Princess”, he turned to her, she gasped, looking up, into his eyes.
“Big brother, is this you?” She shouted and everyone bursted into laughter.
“Yes it’s me Raghav, do I look weird?” He winked.
She shook her head.
“Hell no, you look more handsome”, she held him in a tight hug. He laughed.
Raghav turned to the councilors and bowed.
“You are highly welcome our Prince, the kingdom has actually been waiting your arrival”, one of the councilors spoke up.
Raghav smiled.
“His Royal Highness has been telling me that”, they laughed.
“We were actually worried you never wanted to return”, another said.
Raghav laughed.
“How can I?” He asked.
“But it’s true”, Neel countered, “you never wanted to return”.
“Dad”, he stressed and everyone laughed.
“Whatever you all say, the truth is, he is finally back”, Arya said caressing his cheeks, Prisha frowned, what! He isn’t a baby.
They all nodded, agreeing to the fact.
“Can we proceed in please? My legs are aching”, Raghav said, everyone laughed.
“Oh yes my son”, Neel replied.
The guard by the door instantly turned on the door knob and it opened, they all entered, chatting and laughing as they headed for the dining.
*
*
*
Amaya paced about the living room, fuming as he walked to and fro, Davida, his kid sister sat on the couch beside, staring at nothing in particular.
“Mmm”, Amaya groaned as he picked up the TV remote from the top of the decoders and tossed away, he was visibly angry.
“You really need to take it easy brother”, Davida said to him, trying her best to pacify him.
“Take it easy for what?” He fumed turning to her, “that something I had almost gotten, almost… just at the tips of my fingers was shattered by an unknown being. I can’t take it easy”, he shouted.
Davida gasped and got up, looked around through the window, though not expecting to see anyone, but just for the need of it.
“I understand Amaya, you just need to take this low, I mean you have literally been talking about this issue right from the very day it happened, up until now. Aren’t you tired?” She asked and demonstrated using her hands.
“Okay”, he mouthed and sighed deeply, “you and I know how long I have been trying to carry out that abduction, now I did it, successfully, just at the peak of carrying out the final tasks, someone from nowhere came and destroyed my works”, he spread out his arms to demonstrate.
“You have actually been saying that for weeks now remember”, she lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze.
“And I’m not tired, I heard when you asked if I was. I really need to know who did that”, his voice now lowered a bit.
“Seriously, there wasn’t any form of royal announcement or something, nothing to trace the being”, Davida said.
Amaya kept mute for a while, pacing about.
“I’m really begining to doubt Aunt’s love for us. The Prince, our cousin returned yesterday and she even didn’t deem it fit to invite us over to the palace, at least to welcome our cousin, this is ridiculous”.
Davida’s eyes widened in shock, she gasped.
“Don’t say that brother, the Prince isn’t back”.
Amaya looked at her and laughed in sarcasm.
“You even, aren’t in this kingdom. He returned yesterday”.
“Holy moly!” Davida stood up.
“Why didn’t Aunt invite us to the palace or even officially inform us? Aunt is really getting on my nerves”, she added.
Amaya looked at her and sighed, “I really don’t know what to do now”, he said.
The door alarm chimed and they both gasped, glancing at each other.Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
“Come in”, Amaya said, his voice shaky.
The door opened and a palace guard entered.
What! They gasped.