H̶e̶l̶l̶ Hail King || ONC 2021(Longlister)

XXXVII. The reunion

Edward flinched at the holler. He did not realize the guard from outside had followed him. Just like the guards at the entryway, everyone around him froze, getting out of their stupor when he waved at them. The same procedure was repeated — bow and greet.

A few guards attached themselves to either of his sides, proposing to escort him to his chambers. A maid ran to the home of the royal family's medic. The man materialized in the King's chamber in fifteen minutes. He cleaned Edward's wounds, dressed them, gave him a prescription that consisted of various elixirs, and suggested bed rest for a week to let his body recuperate. During that week, his father and Renard were the two people who visited often. A few of his extended family stopped by too. He did not mind the impromptu visits. In fact, he enjoyed them. He could not fathom staying sane if he was left in solitary after being by himself for God knows how many days. Although he was happy at that moment, he would have been happier if Jupiter was there with him. He wished he could meet her. The news of the king's homecoming reached all of the seven kingdoms in a short span, so he was certain she had learned of his return too. Guards stationed right outside his door must be the only thing stopping her.

One day, he gathered all his courage and decided to chat with his advisor. "Renard, can you stay a little longer today? I have something to discuss with you privately." The former king, Adam, regarded him dubiously. Edward met his stare head-on and being on the losing side, his father had to throw the flag.

Renard and Edward were now alone in the latter's room. Renard broke the awkward silence. "Your Majesty, what may I help you with?"

"Ren, you have to find out about this man for me. Do you remember the leader in my first court session?"

"Clearly."

"Prepare a sketch of him, find him even if he is on the other side of the planet, and bring him to me. He was involved in my attack and everything else." The royal advisor gasped in shock, nodding nonetheless. "And one more thing."

"Go on, sir."

"Where is my old sentry? I guess his name was Juniper or maybe Jupiter."

Renard gave him a knowing look. "Edward," he sighed and shook his head before a smile graced his face. "Drop the act. I always knew you were a rebel, a troublemaker. He is somewhere on duty in the palace. Northern wing possibly. "Do you want me to send him to you?"

"The guards won't let him in."

"Then what do you suggest I do?"

"Escort him here."

Renard cursed, exclaiming – "You have got to be joking, Edward!"

"Please, Ren. Do me a favor once and never again." Edward pulled a long face. He came off as pitiful and Renard could not avoid the look. He groaned, marching towards the door while mumbling insults under his breath.

Edward paced back and forth in his room while waiting for Jupiter. Waiting was becoming arduous with each passing minute especially when a second was feeling like an hour to him.

The door creaked open, drawing his immediate attention. Renard entered, followed by Jupiter. The instant noise of the door latching reached his ears, he was running to her. He staggered being low on energy, but Jupiter caught him on time. She helped him to stand straight. Before anyone could blink, he was kissing her as if his life depended on it. Renard yelped, scurrying out of the room but the couple did not pay him any heed. They were lost in their own world. A world they got a glimpse of after an eternity.

That night they did not speak much, just made sweet sweet love. They had plenty of time to have conversations. In between leaving a trail of feather-light touches on their lover's skin and reacquainting with their body, they chased the night away. In between synchronized movements and throaty moans, they lost the sheets. In between passionate kisses and holding each other close, they welcomed the morning sun.

When Renard came with breakfast, he found them fast asleep. Quietly, he retreated with the food.

The pair finally roused in the late afternoon with matching smiles plastered on their drool-stuck faces.

"Hey," Jupiter chimed with a carefully collected face.

"Hey, darling."

"I missed you," Jupiter cried and hugged him using a death grip.

"I missed you too. In fact, the only one I missed is you."

"Liar," she whimpered.

Edward chuckled fondly at her.

"What...what happened? You were there one second and in the next, you were not."

"When you were deep in your sleep, I heard a hushed conversation from right outside our tent. Thinking that it might be our guards, I went to warn them to keep it down. I was mistaken. They were the captivators. They pounced on me the moment I came into their line of vision."

"How did you escape? There are rumors, but I do not believe them. I want to hear the story from you."

"Very well. They brought me one meal per day. I hid three days' worth of food and ate it the day I found a sharp object to cut the ropes tied around my wrists. I waited till nightfall and then I escaped."

"My brave king," Jupiter cooed, making Edward chuckle and gaze at her with adoration.

"Thank you."

"It is not a big deal. I am sure you were called brave multiple times."

"I am thanking you for understanding me. I never had that while growing up or after I grew up. I was neither misunderstood nor was I misguided. The truth is I was never given guidance at all."

Jupiter was getting emotional again. How does Edward not see that what I did was nothing compared to what he did for me? "Ed, what you did was way bigger. Because of you, I found myself. Now, I identify with womanhood as an experience, not an identity."

Neither knew the right words to say, so Edward changed the subject. "Help me to the window. I want to see my city, it has been too long."

"Ed..." whispered Jupiter hesitantly.

"Darling?"

"Ed, please do it later. Feel better first."

"What are you hiding? I want to see."

"Ed, please!"

"NOW JUPITER!"

Her eyes watered but they were not tears of hurt but frustration and grief. Reluctantly, she helped him to the window. Edward's knees buckled when he saw his city from the comfort of his room. He would have fallen to the ground if not for Jupiter holding him upright. The city was in shambles. Many houses were burnt whereas the streets that were once bustling with activity were now empty of people save a few.

"Many people fled after your abduction. It was the rumors of you abandoning the kingdom. It was not their fault. They were scared for their families dying either by hunger or in a forced takeover."

Edward listened and then spoke through an emotion-filled throat. "The burnt-down houses?"

"Tirrorians."

"Please go to Renard and tell him to announce a gathering in the banquet hall."

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"I identify with womanhood as an experience, not an identity" is a quote I read somewhere. I hold no rights to it, they belong to the rightful owner.