The Lost French Prince

Chapter 16: The time has come

Lafayette POV

After the tour that Maria provided for us around the city of London. It was so wonderful and glamorous by seeing different shops from here and there. The bridge is what amazes me the most since there was a beautiful scenery of the city. I decided to get a closer experience by walking on the lane of the small bridge. Some people looked at me like I was crazy and neutral like it wasn't the first time that somebody has done it before. Peggy didn't hesitate to follow me as we walk on the bridge land together from the beginning till the end. It cost up getting scold by Eliza but it was worth it. Peggy and I held hands through the entire tour even stealing a kiss or two from me. Hey, I ain't complaining since I have the love of my life with me. Soon my mind went blank for a moment where I saw the censored faces of my parents and perhaps my brother.

It seems like that we were traveling around the scenery in Paris itself. I remember walking on the land of the bridge where my mother was scolding me. Though my father joins me on our little journey. It was so much fun but I believe that Papa and I nearly cost my mother a heart attack. Papa has to apologize profusely while Mama was giving me a full on lecture about doing something so dangerous. It made me laugh a little but also guilty for making her worry. Anyway, Mama and Papa continue our journey to meet my older brother but soon the memory faded away.

Taking a deep breath before realizing that I was crying once again. Having the memories of my family just always pulls a string to my heart. I guess Peggy already saw my tears before wiping them away with her lips. There was no need to speak at the moment before feeling her hand intertwining with mine.

"Lafayette, it's okay. You'll with your Grandpapa, once again" Peggy said

'What if he's not my Grandpapa, mon amour. What if these memories show that he and I aren't families?" I argue

"Laffy, being a family doesn't come from the memories that are made or forgotten. Being family comes from the heart and love of others"

Giving my little Peggy a light smile before her and I kiss just for a few seconds before catching up with the others. Holding her hand and having her love is what kept me going on this journey even though it was hard to do. Understanding why she was angry at the beginning but luckily now she with me as my lover and hopefully one day I can call her my future wife. I have no doubt about marrying her in the future since she one of the precious treasures that I want to protect for all eternity. Seeing Alexander and John smirking at us but dismiss them as we return back to the hotel.

Apparently, we spend nearly almost two days on the exciting tour around London. Though we didn't mind since we hope that Angelica is feeling well again. Even Peggy began to worry about her sister since from the start of our journey she has been distant toward the others and closer to me. Maybe she's a little concern about finding the truth about my past. It wasn't like she ignoring them on purpose, I mean she did it a couple of time to the others. So it wasn't out of the ordinary.

"Lafayette, could I speak with you for a moment?" Maria asks out of the blues

"Um...sure" I replied confusedly

Peggy knew what Maria wanted to discuss with me so she let us be for a moment as Maria and I head to the lounge of the lobby. I guess this was going to be a private discussion but I didn't mind since this is going to be about meeting with the Grand Emperor. From what the rumors I heard from France and on the streets of London whereas the people describe him as being cold and distant. Though I didn't buy that since I bet he's still grieving over the loss of his late son family. Especially the loss of his youngest grandson whom he cherishes very dearly. I mean, I would very distant if I was still grieving over the loss of own family. Perhaps he's been lonely for so long during this past decade. I hope he could find it in his heart one day he could move on. Enjoy his life while he can instead of living with grief.

Though, I'm the one to talk since I'm grieving wondering about my birth family. Knowing why or when my parents decided to put me up adoption or abandoned me. Perhaps, maybe I was taken away from, I don't know but me being the Lost Prince of France is absurd. Me being a prince that'll be the day till I died. Though as Peggy always said, "You'll never know until you find the answers to your stories". Guess that one of the many reasons why I fell in love with her.

Anyway, though, Maria find ourselves sitting at a small coffee table where we have some privacy for ourselves. Not that I'm worried but hopefully me being the prince could be an honest mistake but then again...maybe not. The female knight pull own an envelope before putting it in front of me. I looked at it confuse firstly, I was about to open it until Maria put her hand to stop from doing so.

"Don't open it just yet" Maria command

"Why not?" I ask

"It's an invitation by my grandfather. The Grand Emperor personally knight himself."

"An invitation? What for?"

"For an interview. When many men that claim to be Prince Gilbert are given a special invitation for an interview, if they pass then they'll eventually get to meet with the Grand Emperor"

"And if they fail the interview?"

Maria frowns a little before taking a light sip from of her tea. Watching her just stare at the carpet just made me feel uneasy. Soon she looks at me directly into my eyes with a stern look on her face. I can she was very serious about the words that were going to leave her lips. Just seeing her like that cause a large knot to tied up in my stomach. Taking a big gulp before taking a breath or two before the words that left Maria's lips.

"If you fail the interview. You can forget about meeting the Grand Emperor. You are the last male, we're interviewing. and if you're what we expecting then the Grand Emperor will admit that his youngest son can be confirmed is alive"

Maria left the lounge as a huge weight is being pressed against my back. Mon Dieu, what the hell did I get myself into? I don't want to fail this interview since the Grand Emperor could perhaps be the key to my past. I can fail this interview...I just can't.

Sorry for this late and crappy chapter but I hope you enjoy it