Chapter Five

HADES POV

Exactly sixty days since the Queen has gone missing. The palace intensified the search and retrieval operation, though we have never closed the possibility that the queen is still alive, the royal family, the palace, as well as the government never assumed her majesty is dead either. The royal secretary called everyone this morning and gathered all my family members including the Prime Minister and the executives informing us that the queen was found.

We are about to arrive in a small villa they have located according to the investigation conducted so many times. The authorities involved in finding the Queen told us that she is indeed my grandmother. They have shown us photos, surveillance videos, and all other legit proof and in an instant, everyone acted as soon as we heard the news.

I am now sitting beside my uncle, Prince Chevy inside the car. We are at the back following the mobile my brother, Prince took together with the royal secretary. Royal guards are leading us the way. Though my father, the Crown Prince wants to go with us to take the Queen back home, it wasn’t possible because for now, he is in charge of the palace.

He became regnant who is responsible for the crown when her majesty had gone.

Everyone is patiently waiting for us back there, especially the arrival of the queen in the palace.

“Your highnesses, the frontman told us that they have arrived at the house. They confirmed us they saw the queen coming out holding something. She was watering the flowers.” My secretary, Mr. Luis has said.

“What watering the flowers!?” Why is that??” Prince Chervy said hysterically. I can even see the veins popping icy with his perfectly frowned brows.

“Nobody knows yet Your Highness. They are still securing the place.”

“What kind of… is someone mistreating her majesty?.” I retorted anxiously.

I do not know whether to be happy that grandma was found or would I get mad because the first news I heard from our people about her is that she was carrying a watering can… For God’s sake! Isn’t so obvious that the thing she was carrying was a can with loads of heavy shit in it?!!. I slapped my thighs bending all my anger in them. I look at Prince Chervy, he clearly feels the same.

When we arrived, I urgently opened the car’s door. I could not tolerate any more time waiting in this small box; I can’t hold my patience any longer! I am more than excited to see my grandma… 

The house is situated in the middle of the forest. There were no houses nearby. It is surrounded by woods and trees. There is a garden suited beside the house on the left, flowers, plants in different kinds of vegetables and fruits were being seen. I can hear ranging sounds of water as well, maybe it’s just somewhere near here. Almost everything in this place is green and relaxing. Seems like this is the reason why grandma doesn’t want to go home yet.

Being a member of the royal family means one has to follow rules, thousands of rules actually. Just like this time, even though we are here to see grandma, we still have to follow the orderly approach. The first to enter must be my brother; the second in line to the throne, next to him should be my uncle; the Queen’s youngest son, after him is me.

My brother’s secretary informed us that the place is already clear and they secured it safely. He then added that the Queen was already waiting for us in the living room. In a minute, my heart beats even faster. An unknown nervousness ran through my body. The thought of seeing her after so many days without any traces of her feels surreal. When I regained back my energy, I moved walking right after the prince entering the small house in the woods.

I saw the Queen as soon as I enter the room; the same old smile greeted us warmly. She was sitting alone while holding a scissor in her left hand and the other one was a flower, in the table laid a newly harvested bouquet of flowers and a small vase.

Greeting after bowing in her majesty first is a must and a strict royal rule everyone needs to follow, except for the Queen herself. When she acknowledges our arrival, we are finally able to sit across from her. Not really minding our presence and the small tension creeping inside us three, or maybe it was just me who has been nervous ever since I stepped out of that car a while ago, the silence fills the air and no one dares to say a single word.

"I thought you would never visit me here?" The Queen started giving me some huge relief.

"Mommy we’ve been looking for you ever since…" Uncle Chervy said but got stopped by the queen immediately.

"And you’re calling me mommy now? Does my absence in the palace makes everyone forget who am i?"

"I beg your pardon, your majesty. I just can’t believe that we are finally seeing you now after so many days and nights searching for you. I missed you; everyone in the palace misses you, and the people long for you. It’s a big relief you’re alive and healthy and that we found you."

"Prince Chevy’s right your majesty. We are so happy to have you back, please go home with us." My brother Said.

"Oh really? Well, I thought you’d come to find me here one day but I didn’t think it would be this fast. My people amazed me. tell them I will give merit when I come back. As for now, I don’t feel like leaving this place just yet."

"Why not your majesty? Everyone has been expecting your arrival in the palace. Please allow us to take you home, it's been a long."

I said when no one else seems to answer her, even though I was stunned a bit. Why would she choose to stay here longer?

"It is my home… oh yes they didn’t know my real identity and liza maybe is on her way back here so please leave now. I don’t want you to cause any more commotion here when she arrives."

"Mommy please…"

"Okay fine then. I’ll be back in three days' time so please depart now, I still have to arrange these flowers and put them in the vase, I don’t like it getting dried."

That being said she dismissed us and we left bringing nothing but her request for the next three days to come.