An Adventurous Story: Treasure Hunter For Hire, Chapter II -

Treasure Hunter For Hire: Chapter II

Previous Chapter: An Adventurous Story: Treasure Hunter For Hire, Chapter I

“Seeing that the date of the coronation is close and with Prince Joce’s demise, we have reached the decision that Prince Orvil will be coronated as the ruler of Esterdell. Are there any further objections?”

Everyone at the council meeting shook their heads in disagreement except for Orvil who was beaming with happiness that his plan to murder Joce and take the throne for himself had worked out so smoothly.

“I’d like to say a few words Lord Elwin”, Orvil said.

“Go ahead, m’lord.”

“The demise of Prince Joce was a very unexpected event. Making me the king will not be justice to what Joce could have done if he would have ruled, but I’ll surely try to fill his shoes. I’m really honored that I got the chance to help this kingdom and its people feel safe, and secure, and peaceful. I’m just a mediator in all this, it’s all you, the folks of this kingdom that have made it what it is now. Last thing that I want to say”, here he welled up a little, “Joce, if you are listening at all, hear when I say truly and from the bottom of my heart that no one here thinks you are gone, because you will continue to live in the hearts and minds of all of us, brother.”

Nobody spoke in the room for some time. Everyone was trying to hide their tears due to Orvil’s heartfelt little speech.

“What imbeciles!”, thought Orvil. He had come up with the speech about a week before Joce died. He knew he had to convince the councilmen that he was the right choice for the kingdom and no one else. Well, as it seemed, the speech had worked out really well.

***

The day of coronation had arrived. Orvil was getting ready in his chamber with the help of 6 valets. Yes, his outfit for the occasion had to be something so regal, something the whole kingdom would remember for decades to come. Today, the hustle and bustle of the palace were so great the Elaine couldn’t even walk five steps without running into everyone. Frustrated, she was turning to go back when she heard her name being called. Fatima, Elaine’s handmaid, had been searching for her everywhere around the palace. The ceremony was in an hour and the princess was not ready yet. Even worse, the princess didn’t want to get ready. Elaine’s interests lay in doing other things rather than getting dressed and putting on makeup like other girls her age did. She found this practice very unappealing and so, tried to run as far away as possible in such situations. Hearing her name called, she started running as fast as she could, in the opposite direction when she bumped headfirst into someone. She bowed her head, apologized sweetly and was going to be on her way when she heard a voice say, “Hey, I’ve been looking for you all over the place”. It was Desmond. Her heart leaped out of her chest upon hearing that voice. She flipped around and surely it was him with his green eyes and unnatural white hair, which made her totally forget about Fatima. Seeing the green-eyed boy Fatima let go of the goose chase and went to take care of other errands.

“So, how have you been doing?”, Elaine asked.

“I’ve missed you so much. We have so much to talk about, let us go somewhere private, shall we?”, Desmond suggested.

So they went to the gardens situated at the back of the palace where it was relatively empty.

“First things first, I brought you a present.”, saying which he whipped out a box from his pocket inside of which there was a beautiful emerald ring.

“It’s so beautiful, thank you so much. Did you accomplish the mission in Orden?”

“No. It turned out to be just a false rumor, so I came back home to find that your father is being coronated as the king.”

“Yeah. But I’m still sad about uncle Joce. He was the best.”, she said welling up.

“Don’t cry now. Come on, let’s get you dressed up, otherwise aunt Fatima will scold me too.”

Elaine chuckled at this and let Desmond lead her to her room where she could prepare for her father’s big day.

***

It really was a big day for Orvil. His happiness didn’t see any bounds. The ceremony was over a half hour ago and dinner was being served. His speech was so amazing that by the end of it people could not stop crying and chanting his name. Long Live King Orvil! Long Live King Orvil! Long Live King Orvil! Long Live King Orvil! Long Live King Orvil!, they shouted. He was the ruler now. He, Orvil son of Alder, will not ever be looked down upon, mocked, compared with his brother, ever again. He was practically skipping with joy. The ceremony had gone smoothly except for one thing. He saw Elaine wandering about with a man with strange white hair. He called up one of his valets and asked him to find everything about that man. Turned out he was a treasure hunter and was wooing his daughter. “Well, that boy and I are going to have to talk about something.”, he thought.

***

“Good evening Father. Did you call for us?”

Orvil had called both Elaine and Desmond after dinner in his chambers.

“Yes dear, please have a seat. Not you boy, have some manners, you are in the presence of the king.”, said Orvil addressing Desmond.

“Apologies m’lord!”, he bowed his head and continued, “My name is Desmond and I am a treasure hunter.”

“A treasure hunter, I see. And may I ask, what is your relationship with my daughter?”

Shocked at the straightforwardness of Orvil, Desmond and Elaine looked at each other in a loss of words.

“Oh come on now, don’t be shy. Tell your father dear.”

“I am wooing her m’lord.”, said Desmond.

“For how long?”

“About 8 months m’lord.”

“So I presume you two met during Elaine’s visit to Orden?”

“Yes, m’lord.”

“I see, Elaine dear, can you leave the two of us alone for a little while?”, Orvil said to Elaine.

“Yes, father.”, and saying this Elaine went out of the chamber, worried about what would happen next. Orvil clearly seemed in a foul mood and she knew it will not end well for both of them. Inside the room, Orvil looked at Desmond with smoldering eyes, and said, “I want you to forget about my daughter and leave this country forever.”

The next chapter of “Treasure Hunter For Hire” will follow soon.

The writer of the story “An Adventurous Story: Treasure Hunter For Hire, Chapter II” is Gitanjali Mishra. Connect with her on Facebook.

Upcoming Chapter:
An Adventurous Story: Treasure Hunter For Hire, Chapter III
An Adventurous Story: Treasure Hunter For Hire, Chapter IV
An Adventurous Story: Treasure Hunter For Hire, Chapter V

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