Try and Catch Me

He says – The Banquet
Eldric made his way to the pavilion where the banquet was held. This occasion was for him, a celebration prepared by the King himself to give credit for Eldric’s achievements for having solid leads and even capturing a member of the Unseen, a feat no one had accomplished before.

Truth be told, a social gathering was the last thing Eldric wanted to do. There were other, more important things that needed to be done. He preferred ruminating alone and plan for his next move than butter up with the palace officials. The Unseen might be planning for an attack for all they knew.

But he had to consider his men too, who needed this kind of break once in a while. It had been a rough month for all of them so Eldric had to give in. Besides, it was not as if he could go against the king’s wishes.

Even from afar, he could hear the merry sound coming from the pavilion. ‘It seems like they already started.’ He schooled his features, putting on his usual easy charm.

When he entered, the people he passed by paused their conversations and greeted him. But Eldric did not linger in any of the small groups and made his way to where the king and queen sat. He paid his respect, and he was accepted with open arms by the king. On the other hand, the queen gave him an icy nod. She was always like this when it came to him, so this action was not strange to Eldric. He even expected it.

“It was good to see you, Eldric!” The king clapped him on the shoulder. Despite the worry lines on his face, one could still see the traces of a handsome young man he once had been. King Bernhard was tall, strong, and magnanimous to his people while ruthless to his enemies. He was someone Eldric look up to.

But the sudden death of his first wife, the former queen, brought nothing but pain to the King. His eyes that used to be full of mirth became sad and melancholic. Right now, fighting an unknown disease kept him inside the palace and made him look old and weary.

“I hope you’re not exhausting yourself just for this.” Eldric gestured at the party before them.

The King waved him off. “I’m feeling a lot better lately. And it always put me in a good mood to see you.”

“Where’s the Prince?” Eldric asked.

“It’s quite late, so I sent Gabriel to his chamber. I told him you’ll visit in the morning.” The king smiled and looked at Eldric up and down. “How are you? When are you going to get a wife? I told you to take the harem already or at least pick one from them.”

It was work to look unperturbed. The king had been persistent about the whole marriage topic. The only thing that Eldric was thankful for was that, when the King gifted Eldric his harem, he had been given a choice to accept it or not. Tradition dictates that only the member of royalty shall be given the right to have multiple wives and concubines. But as the King’s unofficial adopted child, the Council permitted the harem.

Eldric had voiced his unwillingness to have multiple wives. He believed that he could only give his heart to only one person, just like his deceased parents. Seeing the struggle to power between the queen and the then concubine Lady Rosalind, further strengthened his desire not to be married to more than one woman. “My answer remains the same, my king.”

“Even though I heard that you offered a young lady to be part of your harem?” The king narrowed his eyes at Eldric.

Eldric cursed inwardly at Tim and his big mouth. “Yes, I think I did that.”

He did not know what possessed him to offer his harem to Lia. What he knew was that he no longer wanted her to be in danger. Lia was no soldier, so he could not take her into the military. The only place he could think of was his harem.

“And she refused?”

Eldric nodded.

“What a queer young lady,” the king said with a smile.

Eldric returned the smile. “Indeed, she is.”

The king studied him but did not say anything else. After a while, he said, I shall not push you anymore tonight. I’m afraid I have to retire. The Queen formulated a draught that helped me sleep. But you are free to continue despite my absence.” He patted Eldric’s arm. “Your ladies are eager to talk to you.”

Eldric watched the king left, feeling perplexed with what King Bernhard said about his draught. But his thoughts were disturbed when he was suddenly surrounded by a swarm of women.

After doing his obligatory greeting, he rested on the couch prepared for him. All kinds of beauties attended him, serving all his needs. Normally, he would take his pick, maybe bed one or two of them.

But not tonight. His mind wandered somewhere else.

‘How is she? Did Jeremiah find her a good place?’ Absent-mindedly, his hand brushed the fabric of his pocket where he kept his rabbit mask.