H̶e̶l̶l̶ Hail King || ONC 2021(Longlister)

IX. Bipolar

Edward dissolved into bouts of laughter. The way Jupiter's nose scrunched up and his face contorted into an expression that resembled constipation was immensely funny.

"Relax. My sentence was poorly arranged. I meant you would accompany me while I have an early lunch with an old friend."

Embarrassed, Jupiter cleared his throat. "I am sorry for my unnecessary reaction, Your Majesty."

Edward waved a hand, dismissing the apology. "Send someone to get me some juice. Two containers full preferably."

"Yes, sir."

The King backtracked into his room while Jupiter strode toward one of the guards at the left end of the corridor. The man with the beer belly gave him a once over before scoffing in his direction. The reaction was uncalled for. It pissed Jupiter off and he straightened his spine. With a sudden burst of confidence, he ordered the overly proud man to fetch juice as per the king's instruction. Upon hearing the king's name, the man scurried off with his tail tucked between his legs.

Fifteen minutes later, the man returned albeit not alone. He was accompanied by a maid and the tester. Jupiter ensured to follow the procedure for when the king had his food in his room. After everything was done, he sent both on their merry way. And not even a minute later, he was summoned by the devil himself.

"JUPITER! GET INSIDE."

Holding in a groan, he hurried into the spacious room. The King was sitting cross-legged on the four-poster bed. In the middle of the soft bed was his untouched breakfast.

"Did you need something, sir?"

"Yes. Grab that chair and place it beside the bed."

Feeling uncomfortable with where the King was going with this, he stood unmoved until Edward snapped his fingers.

"Sit."

Jupiter wrung his hands nervously. "But sir..."

"Obey."

Jupiter did.

"Pour me a glass of juice."

The noise of the sweet beverage getting poured into the expensive glass filled the space. It was a welcome distraction against the awkward silence.

"Pour another."

Jupiter filled another high-priced glass. Again, the same noise followed.

"Pick one and drink."

Unexpected. That would have been the King's middle name if he had any. His impulsive decisions were getting too much for Jupiter. He was used to orders, but not a game of kindness and cruelty.

"I cannot."

"Why?"

"You are the king."

"I am aware of the fact. The day before yesterday, the Alfian crown was placed on my head at 2:42 P.M. exactly. Your point?"

Jupiter remained closemouthed. Confusion and anxiety were clawing at his being. His palms turned clammy and a feeling of unease started to build in the pit of his stomach.

"I am not going to poison you, boy! Do I have to pass a decree every time so that you don't argue with my word?"

Edward received a headshake in response. He was losing patience. And very fast. Was it unthinkable that he was capable of virtue? If that was the case, then he did not want to prove anything to anyone.

"I have had enough of your behavior. Get out!"

To say Jupiter was shocked would be an understatement. The one-eighty-degree turn in the king's personality was unnerving. He half-ran and half-walked out of the room. Moreover, he did not want any more surprises from the king. All of them might not be so inconsequential.

An hour before lunchtime, the gates to hell opened and came out the devil. That was how Jupiter described the king exiting his bed chambers. He called forth his loyal hound who was known by either of the names - you, sentry or boy - and Jupiter came after quietly.

Taking the stairs to the third floor and passing the endless corridors, they arrived at a balcony where a young woman in her early twenties was waiting. She had beautiful red hair and blue eyes. Freckles adorned her face, making her look like a Goddess. Desperation was heavy on her face. In Jupiter's eyes, that was her only flaw. She sprang to her feet as soon as she caught sight of the king and did a perfect bow by holding her caramel skirt and slightly dipping her head.

"Lady Annabelle," Edward greeted, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "To what do I owe the pleasure to be invited to lunch by a pretty flower such as you?"

Jupiter nearly snickered at the cheesy line delivered by Edward. At the last moment, he covered it with a cough thankfully.

"My King, I wished to discuss the matter of lending us some credits for the sake of old times. The friendship between our fathers made sure that we saw each other grow up. I want to continue on their path and strengthen our bond by proposing twenty percent of our crop production as opposed to ten set by Sir Adam."

"Right to the point, I see. I appreciate your straightforwardness and I will try to remember to think over your request. Now...you were talking about the old times?"

The king smirked, the lady blushed and Jupiter bore the weight of it all. Lunch proved to be too heavy a time for him, he held no doubt that he would not be able to stomach dinner that night.