🌷The Duke and The Widow🌷

{9}Findings

🌷Chapter 9🌷
Findings

    As soon as Nicholas arrived at the palace he dug around to find out who was in charge of any business regarding the coast and trade. He found Hilton Jacob, has been on duty for the last forty years and still going strong.

The following day, he made his way to his office. He gave to soft knocks and awaited a reply.
"Who has the audacity to knock on this door?!" He heard, shook his head and pushed the door open.
"The audacity is all mine, I still have enough left to tie you up and throw you overboard."
"Oh, Duke Howard." The man's bitter expression contorted to one of panic as he placed a hand over his chest, descending onto one knee.
"Apologies, My Duke. How may I be of service to you?"

"First, you may rise." Nicholas said calmly. The old man rushed to his feet.
"I'm here in search of information on a person, a person that worked under you."
"And who might that person be?"
"Henry Keaton."
"Henry, a respectable lad.." Hilton started. "He has been dead for years, I'm afraid."
"How many years are we speaking?"
"Six years. His ship was headed to Great Eastleigh, but they were attacked by pirates. The pirates stole their loot, their ship, and left them to burn in their vessel. So they were burnt to death and were food for the fishes."
"Hm.." Was all he could say, that was a tragic loss for both Orletha and her son.

She was covering it up, but why?

Does her son know?

"Why do you ask of this information?"
"I heard of the name somewhere."
"Yes, dear Duke. Any information regarding trade and marine exchange, you know where I am."
"That will be all." His hand reached for the door, "Speak of this to no one." His eyes met the old man's once more before taking his leave.

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   Orletha worked as usual; wiping tables, mopping vomit, and calling security to escort intoxicated men. It was not always bad every day, she meets new people, she sees a new face, hears a new voice, it excites her. The thought of meeting a person worth remembering. Or worth forgetting.

She was carrying out her regular tasks when the tavern fell into a deadly silence. She looked up towards the door and nearly dropped her tray of used cutlery. It was Prince Ashton.
He flipped his prune coloured hair from the sight of his emerald green eyes as he scanned the room. The owner ran out as fast as she could to attend to the royal guest.
"Your Highness," She bowed, "If I may ask, what brings you to my tavern?" She asked.
"I've heard well of your tavern, so I thought I should see it myself. I do hope you are as good as I've heard."
"Ah, we won't disappoint. Please, do have a seat." She ushered him and his men to a seat. To the center of the tavern.

She gulped, hundreds of questions swirling through her mind as she turned around to shuffle off in the back.
"Miss! With the honey locks!" She jumped as her heart began to race, Dear Lords, please let it be another blonde.. She turned around slowly and met his gaze.
"Yes, you!" He pointed right at her, and gestured her to come.

Her friend took her tray and whispered "Go." And so, she went.

"Yes, Your Majesty? How may I help you?"
He didn't answer, only stared at her, eyeing her from head to toe. This made her feel very uncomfortable. She clasped her hands behind her back as her fingers grew cold and sweaty.
He smiled, showing off his pearly whites. "Root beer, if you please. Three rounds."
"As you wish." She bowed and walked to the beer barrels.

"Hear ye, lovely people of Leuedai! As your soon to be King, anything you want is on the house! My gift to you." He placed his hand over his chest as though he did a noble deed.

The people cheered, shouting their orders at the waitresses.

"Another three root beers over here!"

"Two bowls of beef stew with bread!"

"Another rum cake!"

"Another baked ribs!"

"Some grape wine over here!"