CHAPTER FOUR

The King looked satisfied after he had gone through the List of invitations sent and he found out that he hadn't left any dignitaries or kingdom out.

He looked around at his court which looked unusually full this summer afternoon. His gaze went round the faces of his attendant and finally, he turned to look at his royal advisors.

Everyone seem to be in a happy mood at being able to gather together with friends, even if it is going to be for a few weeks before the hustle and bustle of duty calls to them.

King Maverick did a rhythmic clapping of his hand to get the attention of everyone in the court.

This caught the attention of everyone and they turned their heads to the direction of the throne.

The King turned his head to look around, he remained silent for a few seconds, waiting for them to be silent.

And when the room was finally silent, he began to speak.

"I am indebted to you all for coming to join me in court to welcome my guest ," King Maverick said, he allowed his voice to soften a little to show his appreciation in his words " Your support was truly appreciated ."

" Your Majesty, it is what is expected of us ," Duke Rufus said moving forward from the crowd " after all, what good would it do us if we sit, eat and gossip all day long with out doing nothing."

The guest chuckled as they stared at the over dramatic duke , they knew where he was heading with his speech.

"It is our own little way of showing our appreciation." Duke Rufus said with the roll of his eyes."and saying a big thank you for being a wonderful host, cousin."

"Duke Rufus, you have spoken well ," King Maverick said with a knowing smile " I have decided to thrill you all by announcing that there would be a group hunt by seven in the morning, tomorrow."

The nobles and royals in attendance became very excited. A few of them gave Duke Rufus an appreciative pat on the back, while some thanked him for speaking their minds out with subtility.

"Let it be noted that "I King Maverick" , will allow the group that has the largest game, take half of what ever portion of the game caught by the group in the feast that would be held tomorrow night ." King Maverick added after the nobles had quiet down.

It was a proud Duke that bowed and retreated back to the crowd.

"We shall meet each other in the field in the morning." The King said, dismissing them.

The nobles began chatting and whispering to each other in excitement as they got ready to leave the court.

The main door to the court, suddenly banged open with a loud noise and a short man with few of his entourage strode in.

The doorman hurried in after them, trying to stop them. He turned an apologetic look at the King.

All eyes turned towards the door curiously and watched as a short man strode in, accompanied by few of his entourage .

"It is okay, Frederic . Let them in." King Maverick said to the worried man.

"Who is he , father ?" Prince Nicholas asked his father, feeling a bit confused and wondering at the audacity of the man.

"That man you see over there is the Duke of the Islander ," King Maverick said " another of your Father's cousin."

"Interesting !" Nicholas said staring at the man who had stopped at the middle of the court.

" Indeed !" King Maverick said in return, before turning to the new arrival with a practiced smile. "If it isn't the duke of the islander himself, my esteemed cousin, Duke Edward, then I must be hallucinating. Welcome Cousin !"

The king got ready to stand, and go greet his guest in the middle of the court.

"No ! No ! No!" Duke Edward gestured to the King not to bother to stand " Myself and my beautiful wife here, feel honored already to be in your palace, cousin. And dearest cousin, you can put away the smiles from your face now. I know you worry that your crazy cousin is here. Never to bother, I aint going anywhere even if you frown."

Duke Edward who his a fat man and has a protruding tummy , shook his body while speaking. This made his tummy, bounce up and down as if he was shaking his tummy .

There were sounds of chuckles in the court , from the nobles and dignitaries who had decided to stay back, to watch the show to the end when Duke Edward barged in.

"I hope you didn't find your trip to Abdera, distressing?" King Maverick asked .

"Not at all, cousin ," Duke Edward replied " you are doing great as the King of the North. I can say, the Kingdom has beautiful roads and the livelihood of the people has improved. You are the King the Northerners need to rule them."

The crowd in attendant all agreed with him, King Maverick is truly proving himself as a King.

"Oh ! Oh ! Isn't that my beloved Nephew ?" Duke Edward said when he noticed the person sitting beside the King " What is that his name again?"

"Prince Nicholas." Duke Rufus spoke, striding over to greet him.

"I see you too, duke Rufus." Duke Edward said ." why hasn't anyone told me that I have an over ripe, Nephew? A Nephew, ripe enough to taste out of the forbidden fruit.

King Edward gave his son an apologetic smile before turning to speak to the Duke.

"I will send someone to show you to your chambers, Duke Edward."

Duke Edward turned to look at the King oddly "I am speaking to my Nephew, King Maverick," he said using the king's title " go speak to yours."

"It is a pleasure to see you , Uncle." Prince Nicholas said in greeting."How do you see , Abdera?"

"I am glad you think so, Nephew," Duke Edward replied " Abdera is beautiful as usual, and you being here is , awesome. Wait son, it is a good thing Uncle Edward is here. I brought a little something for you."

Duke Edward pushed a tall slender dark haired lady forward " what do you think?" He asked , winking at the prince.

The crowd began filing out when the king raised a questioning gaze at them.

"We will get to that part, later uncle, after u must have been well rested." Prince Nicholas said standing up with the King " for now, I need to show you to your room."

"Is this okay for a normal evening walk or is it too much, Simon?" Prince Nicholas turned to ask his valet, finally settling on a black waist coat and a white winged collar .

" This is perfect for any evening walk, Your Highness. "The valet said, turning to return the unused coat back to the wardrobe.

Nicholas stared at himself in the mirror. He tousled his hair at the front a little, to have the kind of look he wanted , before striding out of the room.

He was joined by his personal guards who fell in behind him in silent. He strode to the quarters given to his uncle, Duke Edward and stopped in front of the door.

Taking a deep breathe, he turned to look around before knocking at the door.

The door flew open even before he had finished knocking and the lady his Uncle introduced to him, strode out with a smile.

" You look beautiful." He said, stepping back from the door as she turned to close it.

"Thank you, your highness." Veronica the Duchess of the Riverine basin said with a shy smile.

"Allow me ma'am , to take you out for a walk in the palace grounds." He said, taking her arm and leading them out of the palace.

They rounded the palace grounds in silence, none of them willing to break the tranquility between them.

Nicholas turned them both to the East wing, to start walking them down to the stable, when someone fell in front of them.

Violet was in a haste to get this grocery to the Kitchen. She had volunteered to help the errand boy bring in the grocery parked in the carriage from the stable, because she wanted to have some fresh air, different from the heat in the kitchen.

She had just turned the corner with the intention of dashing back to the kitchen, after spending so much time away from work when she saw the couples walking in front of her.

She stepped back with force and hit a stone while trying to skid to a stop, to prevent colliding with the couples walking down her way.

Violet found herself falling face flat, in front of the couples, instead. She blushed and looked up when she felt someone bend in front of her.

"Are you, okay?"

She held her breathe as she stared in awe , at the man with the most beautiful face she had ever seen.

She turned her eyes away to look at his side, when she saw someone step forward. Her eyes collided with the cold, unfriendly gaze of his young pretty partner.

Violet lowered her head and scrambled up immediately. She kept on apologizing, nervously , as she picked the groceries and placed them back in the basket.

"Here, you forgot to pick this." Prince Nicholas said, handing over the grocery to her.

"Thank you, Sir." She said, curtsying to him.

Nicholas pretended not to notice her awkward curtsy, as he held his smile in place.

She stretched out her hand to collect the grocery from him, and felt the man's hand brush on her palm.

An unknown feeling passed through her body. Violet raised her eyes up to stare at him, with a confused look on her face.

Nicholas eyes twinkled as he stared down at her. The side of his face, pulled up into a wicked grin.

She removed her gaze from his, and threw a nervous look at his partner. She apologised one last time to them, before hurrying away.

Veronica turned to stare at the cooks departing back, before turning to look at the prince. She frowned , when she saw the lost look on his face.

"Are you okay, your highness." She asked with a worried voice.

Prince Nicholas shook his head and came out from his riverine. He turned to face her with a smile , staring down at her face filled with concern.

" Yes, I am very okay, ma'am, " he said taking back her arms in his "I was just worried for a moment. Are you okay?"

"Yes, your highness." Veronica said turning to give him a smile. Worried, indeed ! She thought to herself with a frown, when he wasn't watching.

She had lost her thrill for this walk, after seeing the lustful way the prince was staring at the cook.

When they had seen the royal horses, she requested to be taken back to the guest quarters which she shares with Duke Edward and his wife.