Bangsie (JaDine Fantasy)

Chapter 12

James had arranged to meet his parents and Mira early in the morning. He had asked his mom if he could go sightseeing with his sister and his mom agreed.

“That would be great. She really missed you.” His mom had said on the phone.

He took Bangsie and went downstairs where they would meet. He hadn't told Bangsie that she would be seeing Mira soon. He wanted to surprise her.

But he did tell her to wear her gown.

James only waited for a short time in the hotel’s lobby. He was greeted with Mira’s hug when they arrived. He chuckled and thought that his sister and Bangsie is very much alike.

“Where’s Bangsie?” Mira asked after tackling James.

“There.” James said pointing at the table where he placed Bangsie. Bangsie wasn’t moving because their parents were around but James did notice her big smile.

Mira went and took Bangsie, hugging the doll to herself. “I missed you so much!” She squealed.

James saw Bangsie hug her back. He smiled at that. He stood up, righted himself and placed a hand on Mira’s head.

“So, ready to go?” He asked her.

"Yeah!” She said, raising both her hands.

James ruffled her head and then turned to their parents.

“We’ll be going then.” He said. “I think Harry is still asleep, he's up in room 1208.”

“Okay.” His mom said, “We’ll be going up then. Take care, you two.” She said as she kissed both her children on their cheeks.

When they were out of the hotel and out of people’s sight, Bangsie finally moved.

“Mira! I have missed you too much!” She gushed. “Thank you, thank you so much, James!” She turned to James.

He smiled at her. “No problem.”

"James is so nice, isn't he?” Mira piped and Bangsie nodded eagerly.

“He has taken good care of me.” Bangsie said.

They looked at each other, then grinned. James smiled at the sight.

“By the way, James, where are we going?” Mira asked her brother.

“Astra Garden.” James said. “We’ll just stay there for a bit. I need to return to the hotel soon.”

James hailed a cab. The ride was fairly quiet with Bangsie and Mira making signs. Fortunately, the driver didn’t seem to notice.

They got off the cab in front of the garden’s gate and they walk towards the pond.

James had approached a lady who was sweeping the ground.

“Excuse me, uhm, do you know where I can find the Paguia family?” He asked.

“Ah, a visitor, yes.” She had said and then she looked around.

“There.” She had pointed over by the wisteria tree. “That man over there is Mr. Paguia.”

“Thank you.” James said and then he turned to Mira.

“Mira, do you want to feed the fishes? I need to talk to someone for awhile.” He said.

Mira looked at him inquisitively, but agreed anyway. “Okay. What do they eat?” She asked.

The lady then said she would take Mira to the feeds.

James approached the man in white. He was an old man with a kind face. He reminded James of his grandfather.

“Excuse me.” He called.

Mr. Paguia turned to him and smiled.

“Yes, my boy?”

“Er, I’m James Reid. You are Mr. Paguia?” He asked.

“Yes, that would be me. You’re a student, eh? Doing a research?” He asked smilingly.

“Uhmm, kind of... yeah... I wanted to ask about Princess Victoria.” James started.

“Hm, Princess Victoria. Of course, the mystery does draw curiosity eh.” He said. James had the impression that he always does this. Well, surely he wouldn’t be the first one to go here and ask about the royal family.

“Well, as you might already know, Princess Victoria is the youngest daughter of King Sebastian. She was the third Imperial Princess of the time. The royal children were raised as simply as possible. They slept on hard camp cots without pillows, except when they were ill, took cold baths in the morning, and were expected to tidy their rooms and do needlework to be sold at various charity events when they were not otherwise occupied. Most in the household, including the servants, generally called the princess by her first name, Victoria, and did not use her title or ‘Her Imperial Highness.’" Mr. Paguia has explained.

“Uhm, about the civil war...” James piped before the old man could continue with his story.

“You are most interested in her disappearance, I see.” He said. This does not seem to surprise the old man either, and went on as if he did this every day.

“After the revolution in October 1917, this country quickly disintegrated into civil war.” He narrated as he gesture for him to take a stroll with him.

“According to the historical books, on the night of the murders, the family was awakened and told to dress. They were told they were being moved to a new location to ensure their safety in anticipation of the violence that might ensue when the White Army reached the city.”

At this point they stopped as Mr. Paguia waved at a much younger man.

“That was my son-in-law. My daughter’s family is visiting today.” He explained.

“Where were we? Oh, the ruse, yes it was a trap...” He continued. “This was set up by the White Army so they could extinguish the line of the royal family. That’s when it all became blurry. The royal family’s bodies were found some days after this night. Every member of the family and of their servants was accounted for, except for Princess Victoria.”

“Do you think she survived?” James asked.

“Well, no one really knows.” He said.

“Uhm, about Mr. Paguia’s family... Aren’t you descendants of the royal family?” He asked.

Mr. Paguia looked at him as if contemplating on answering or not. Apparently he decided he would.

“Yes, Alexis, my wife is a distant descendant. She is in fact, a distant cousin of the lost princess.” He said.

“Mr. Paguia,” James started. He decided to drop all pretences, “Actually, I didn't come here to do research for school.”

Mr. Paguia looked at him, perplexed.

“The truth is, I found a doll that looks exactly like Princess Victoria. The doll also has the name ‘Victoria’ written on it on its left leg. The doll is...”

James felt stupid. How was he to say that Bangsie is alive?

“Well, she’s special...” He said lamely.

He looked at Mr. Paguia and was surprised to see him stock still.

“Mr. Paguia?” He called cautiously.

This seems to rouse the old man.

“A doll, you say...” He said. “My child, can I see this doll?”

“Sure... My little sister has her, I’ll call her...” James said, bewildered at the old man’s behaviour.

-

AN:
- fictional history