10 Years Ago: Final Chapter

(A Marginal Prince fanfic)

10 YEARS AGO…

It was just another day in his life.
Just another quiet day, without his mother by his side.
He knew that she was just fulfilling her duty as a humanitarian in some far-away country.
Young Joshua was fully aware of these things…thus, he told himself to just get used to the loneliness.

Opening the wide wooden doors of the stables, the green-haired child stepped inside, walking up to one of the stalls.
“Good morning, Benjamin.” He greeted one of the horses smilingly, as he opened the stall door, gently leading one of his favorite steeds out.
Stroking the friendly calm beast’s muzzle, Joshua giggled as it playfully nudged his cheek, before turning his face to the sunlight streaming in through the stable windows.
“It’s a lovely day for a ride, Benjamin,” he grinned, as the horse whinnied and tossed its head up and down in agreement.
Then, his face fell. “If only…” he lowered his face, whispering. “If only…Mother was here. Then, it will be a much better day.”
Benjamin snuggled closer to his master, as he snorted and breathed gently on the boy’s shoulder, as in to comfort him…after all, other than his eight fellow steeds, he was Joshua’s sole companion on such lonely days.
“I’m okay, Benjamin,” Joshua smiled, though the sign of a tear could be seen on his face. “I am sure Mother will be back soon. Now, let’s go.”
Tugging gently on the bridle, boy and beast turned to make their way to the grassy fields outside.

“You look so sad.” A soft gentle voice like the autumn breeze spoke.

Joshua halted Benjamin, stopping in his tracks as he spotted the silhouette of a young girl standing at the stable’s entrance.
“Hello…” he called softly and warily. “Who are you?”
The figure took a few steps closer, as the thin veil of sunlight in the stables slowly revealed her form.
Joshua found himself staring at a girl who appeared to be around his age. Her wavy hair, the color of the ripest orange, fell down to the girdle around her white frock, and bounced around her silver eyes as she glided towards him.
As she neared him, Joshua realized that he was holding his breath, for she looked like a sweet cherub.
The girl stopped, then looked at Benjamin before back to the boy in front of her.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “But I saw you from my house…you were walking alone, and you seemed pretty unhappy, so I decided to follow you.”
She then lifted her index finger, pointing it straight at him. “You are Joshua Grant, right?” she smiled a little. “And your mother is Christina Grant, right? I guess she is not here right now?”
Joshua nodded slowly. “Y-y-yes.” He found himself stammering. “I’m Joshua. And my mother is Christina. But she is not here right now…she’s in Moscow.” He cleared his throat, hoping to conceal his nervousness. “So, what’s your name?”

The girl smiled. “It’s Lynn,” she said. “Lynette Covais. Pleased to meet you, Joshua.” With that, she politely extended her hand.

Joshua’s eyes widened as she mentioned her surname. “Covais?” he realized. “As in…your parents are Count and Countess Covais? You just moved in last week, right?”
“That’s right!” Lynn nodded excitedly, deciding to withdraw her hand seeing as he was not taking it. “We live next door. I have always wanted to meet my neighbor, but my parents were busy with stuff. But today is their day off, so I can finally meet you.”
She looked around the stables, before looking back at Joshua. “You seem pretty lonely,” she observed. “Guess you can use some company.”
Joshua looked down. He wasn’t so sure if it was fine to let her into his world; after all, he was starting to get used to the perpetual silence everyday.
But deep down inside, he knew that he really yearned for some company. And Lynn’s appearance was as if an angel had been sent from above to ease his loneliness.
Finally, he smiled, as he reached out his hand. “I guess I wouldn’t mind,” he smiled. “Nice to meet you, Lynn.”
The children shook hands, and then Joshua waved his hand at the stalls behind him. “Do you like horses, Lynn?” he asked. “I am going out for a ride on Benjamin here. Maybe you can come and borrow one of my horses so that we can ride together.”
Lynn clapped her hands in delight. “I love horses!” she squealed. “Please give me a moment, there are so many to pick from!”
Joshua laughed as she skipped towards the stalls. “Hey!” he suddenly called. “Maybe you can ride Tango! She’s the only female, and I think you will love her!”
“Really?” Lynn asked joyfully, as she peered at the stall of mentioned horse. “Sure, I will love to. Thanks, Joshua!”

As soon as both children mounted their horses, they happily rode together across the wide fields of the countryside.
“Lynn, look at that!” Joshua pointed. “The trees are turning red!”
“My mother told me it’s autumn!” Lynn yelled back. “So the trees change colors for the seasons! It’s like us changing clothes for going out, and undressing when it’s time to sleep!”
The children laughed merrily, as the vibrant country scenery whizzed past them, as the sun slowly sets into the horizon.
Its faded light rays skimmed over the young pair, in to bless their newly formed friendship.

~
Unfortunately, two days later, Joshua did not feel merry at all.
He watched as they lowered his mother’s coffin into the ground, thinking about how her life had ended suddenly, and rarely after he had seen her again at that.
Like a statue, he stood in front of her tombstone, as the crowd slowly dispersed from the Grant family graveyard.

As afternoon darkened into evening, Joshua finally turned and, rushing away from the last memory of his mother, ran into his usual place of solace: The stables.
He walked up to Benjamin, holding back his tears as he forced a smile, stroking the horse’s firm muzzle.
As he leaned against the creature, the sound of incoming footsteps was heard, and Lynn burst into the stables, panting hard.
“Joshua!” she cried with relief. “I know you would be here! I wanted to speak to you after the funeral, but my parents decided to drag me home!”
The boy did not respond, but Lynn dragged herself over to his side despite her tiredness from running.
“So,” she went on, still panting. “As soon as they allowed me to go out, I ran here to look for you!” She laid one hand on his shoulder.
“Will you be okay, Joshua?” she slowly asked.
To her surprise, Joshua shrugged her hand off coldly, without even turning to look at her.
“Just leave me alone, Lynn.” He said coldly, trying not to choke. “I’ll be fine…so just leave me alone.”
Lynn stood there for a moment, as she watched Joshua. Then, she spoke. “You’re not fine, Joshua,” she said slowly. “I can tell…so please, just turn around and talk to me…”
“Just go away, Lynn.” Joshua’s voice started to rise in irritation. “I am used to this…now please leave…”
“I don’t want to leave,” Lynn insisted stubbornly. “Not until you turn around and…”

“I SAID I’M FINE!” The boy screamed, finally turning around.

For a moment, nothing but the ominous wind was heard as it swept around the stables.
Lynn stared in shock at Joshua, as a few tears slowly started to run down his face.
“Joshua,” she spoke. “I’m sorry…I am really very sorry. I just wanted to see you…I am just worried about you. But if you want me to leave…”
She turned, about to walk out of the stables.
“Lynn…please…” she suddenly heard a whisper. Then, she felt something heavy hugging her, as Joshua threw his arms around her, weeping uncontrollably.
“It’s okay, Joshua,” she whispered, as she hugged him back. “I don’t want to see you unhappy anymore…I am really sorry about your mother dying…I don’t want to see you being lonely anymore.”
The children continued their embrace, as Joshua leaned his head on Lynn’s shoulder.
“Please…stay…” he sobbed. “Please don’t leave me, Lynn.”
“Don’t worry,” Lynn smiled. “I will always be here for you…so don’t be lonely anymore, okay?”
Joshua managed a smile through his tears, and the two children just stood in the stables, hugging sorrow and pain away.

“You need to rest now, Joshua,” Lynn released her arms. “I will come by again in the morning, when you’re feeling better.”
“Sure,” Joshua rubbed his eyes, smiling. “Hope to see you tomorrow.”
He paused for a moment. “Lynn,” he said. “Thanks.”
The orange-haired girl just grinned, and suddenly kissed him on the cheek.
“Hope that helps,” she giggled, as a surprised Joshua touched the spot. “Get better soon, and see you tomorrow!”
The boy found himself smiling as he watched her skip out of the stables and into the incoming sunset. “Yeah,” he nodded. “See you tomorrow.”

~
Joshua paced restlessly around the stables, Benjamin and the other horses eyeing his very move.
“She’s late,” he muttered to himself. “What can be taking her so long?”
He slowly recounted the previous day’s events: His mother’s funeral, the confrontation in the stable, and Lynn’s comforting words and smile.
“Mother,” he whispered, pausing. “If only you are looking down from Heaven right now…please, let her be fine.”
The memories of his mother passed through his mind, and Joshua found himself getting teary-eyed.
At that moment, the stable doors opened.
“Lynn! Oh, finally!” Joshua cried with joy, as he turned his head.

Except it wasn’t Lynn at the door.

“My apologies, Master Joshua,” the servant at the entrance bowed politely, a grave tone in his voice. “But I don’t think Miss Covais…will be coming here anymore.”
Joshua stopped in his tracks, stupefied at what he had just heard.
“What?” he asked, his voice hollow.
The servant straightened himself. “I regret to inform you,” he said slowly. “That a fire broke out in the Covais household in the middle of last night. By the time it was put out, not a single trace of life was left.”
Joshua felt his knees on the verge of collapse, visions of merciless flames dancing in his eyes, but he maintained his composure. “Lynn…” he murmured. “What about…Lynn?”
“Miss Covais…” the servant explained. “From what I heard, when the fire was subsided, her body was nowhere to be found…we have to presume the worst.”
By then, the boy’s face had lowered, parallel to the stable floor, as he made neither sound nor motion.
The servant bowed. “I am sorry, Master Joshua…will you be alright?”
Joshua still made no sign.
Sighing and shaking his head, the servant took his leave.

As soon as he heard the stable door close, Joshua finally fell limp to the ground, his tears flowing out of him once more as he accepted his lonely fate.
In less than a week, not only has he lost his beloved mother, but also the only dear friend he will ever have in his bleak childhood.

~

10 YEARS LATER…

As the morning sunlight streamed through a bedroom window, the future king of Loreto slowly opened his eyes.
“A dream?” Joshua murmured, as he sat up in bed, rubbing tired eyes.
Ever since he entered the palace, he had been receiving blurry dreams of an orange-haired girl in a white frock…a call from his past perhaps?
As his vision cleared and adjusted to the surroundings, the green-haired youth shook his head to clear his thoughts as he slipped out of bed, pulling on his dressing robe.

Surveying the richness of his royal surroundings, Joshua sighed as he reached for a photo resting on his bedside table.
It was the photo of him and his old friends back at St. Alphonso’s Academy, right before he stepped into the car that took him where he was now: The royal palace.
As the well-wishes of his friends echoed in his ears, Joshua found himself smiling.
“I am missing you guys already,” he whispered. “I will definitely come back and see you all again.”
He leaned back against the velvet douches, sighing as he wondered about the day ahead.
For the past few days, it has just been reading important documents and meeting important people. What could possibly be new this day?
His answer came when he heard the bedroom door open.
Sitting up abruptly, Joshua arranged his bedclothes to make himself look more presentable, as the head of one of the menservants appeared around the door’s edge.
“Ah, good morning, Your Majesty,” the servant greeted politely, as Joshua cheerfully returned the greeting. “Breakfast will be ready soon. Please get dressed and come downstairs in a few minutes.”
“I see,” Joshua smiled warmly, rising from his bed. “Thank you very much.”
As he walked over to the bathroom, the servant spoke again.

“By the way, Your Majesty,” he went on. “Your new guard has arrived.”
Stopping immediately in his tracks, Joshua turned in surprise. “My…new guard?”

The servant paused for a moment, looking around outside furtively, before looking back in.
“Considering that attempt on your life back at your school,” he explained. “His current Majesty requested for a personal guard to be stationed by your side. He thought it necessary, since the welfare of the future king is top priority.”
Joshua stood there for a moment, taking the words in.
“And by the way, your Majesty,” the servant lowered his voice to a whisper. “The new guard…comes from this really shady military organization called Phoenix’s Nest. From what I heard, their agents are well-trained, so it is best not to underestimate them.”
The young man nodded in understanding, as he beckoned for the servant to continue. “Have you seen the guard?” he asked curiously.
“I have,” the man nodded quickly. “And from what I saw…she is definitely someone not to be reckoned with.”
Joshua nearly choked with surprise. “S-s-she?” he stammered. “A female?”
The servant shrugged. “Like I said, Your Majesty,” he said. “I have no idea how these people work…but I encourage you to see things for yourself later. For now, quickly get dressed.”
“Understood,” Joshua smiled gratefully. “Thank you very much.”

~
A few minutes later, in the Grand Hall, Joshua tried to contain his nervousness as he studied the new guard.
Considering the oddly-dressed female looked nothing like the conventional guard assigned to protect royalty.

She wore an all-black ensemble consisting of a hooded leather long-sleeved coat, which split in a Y-shape at her waist, revealing her black leather-clad legs and chunky combat boots.
Her hands, fully concealed by black leather as well, carried what looked like a long black stick in one hand, and a large gun in the other.
Joshua noted that the only non-black item she wore, was on her face.
Staring blankly at him was the girl’s silver metallic mask, probably designed to frighten off enemies: It looked like the freakish version of the ghost-white opera mask commonly used in silent plays.

The stick-thin red-haired man behind her, her supervisor perhaps, rubbed his hands gleefully, like he was running an auction and she was the item on bid.
“Agent 21 will not fail you, Your Majesty,” he smiled, as he patted the guard’s shoulder. “I can assure you, she is well-trained in the various forms of martial arts, gun-slinging and even the workings of the CIA. Your Majesty will be safe from any harm when she is by your side.”
Joshua smiled, trying to calm his frightened nerves, as he nodded at the weird person. “I thank you for your time and effort, kind sir,” he smiled. “I am sure she is…well, very capable.”
“Of course, of course she is!” the man crowed. “More than mere capable!” With that, he turned, proceeding to take his leave. “Do your best,” he nodded at his ward, before being escorted out. “Agent 21.”
The girl he called Agent 21 gave a sharp nod in response.
As the Grand Hall started to slowly empty out, Joshua stepped slowly towards his new guard.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Twenty-One,” he smiled, extending his hand. “My name is Joshua…let’s do our best together, okay?”
Unfortunately, the only response he got from her was a morbidly cold stare, as she made no move.
Joshua gulped nervously as he felt the immensely uncomfortable air grow heavy.

Finally, the girl mechanically lifted her hand, like a bulldozer lifting its claw.
“It. Is. A. Pleasure. To. Serve. You. Your. Majesty.” She spoke, her voice halting and monotonous like a robot.

Joshua smiled with relief that she made a response, although it was most frightening.
As he took the heavily gloved hand to give it a warm welcoming shake, he couldn’t help but wonder how different things may be from now on.
That was when he spotted them: A glistening silver eye peering from behind the girl’s mask, and the lock of bronze-orange hair which had somehow slipped from the shelter of her head.
Time came to a stop, as Joshua paused. Something from his mind, from his past, suddenly flitted past his mind…like a dying butterfly…
“Is. Something. Wrong. Your. Majesty?” His guard asked, her voice suddenly taking on a soft, worried tone.
As the youth looked up, for a brief moment, both the eyes of king and guard locked in contact. For that brief moment, Joshua found himself half-immersed in the dream that had haunted him for the past nights…

Why do you seem so familiar…when we have only met for the first time?

“Your Majesty.”
Joshua found himself shaken out of his crude reverie by the voice of his manservant.
“The ambassador from Milan is here to see you,” the servant bowed politely. “Please do make your way to the Meeting Hall now.”
“Understood,” Joshua nodded. “Thank you.”
He then turned to Agent 21, spreading one arm out as in beckoning her to move first. “Well then,” he smiled warmly at her. “Shall we go?”
A21 just gave him another cold look from behind her mask. “The. King. Takes. The. First. Step.” She said. “It. Is. The. Duty. Of. The. Guard. To. Follow. Behind. To. Watch. His. Back.”
Joshua nodded sheepishly, sighing to himself…reaching out to his icy guard proved harder than he thought.
“Alright then,” he said, as he started walking. “It looks like it is going to be a busy day for us.”

As the odd pair slowly made their way to the Meeting Hall, Joshua turned behind.
“You can walk next to me if you like,” he offered. “That way, you’ll be able to keep up just in case you fall behind.”
A mere shake of A21’s head rejected the kind gesture.
Sighing, the future king of Loreto strode into the Meeting Hall, his guard following behind…
Nobody, not even he, noticed the small oily tear trickle out from the mask of a battered maiden.

END