ROYALTY: The Lord of the Glorious Water Element
CHAPTER TWENTY: FINDING ROYALTY

Andora Palace feels so peaceful and serene. The sun slowly appeared on the eastern horizon and illuminated the gardens filled with beautiful flowers. The fresh air gives a cool touch, while the gurgling water from the palace fountain adds to the harmony of the morning. The palace attendants began to be busy preparing everything to start the day full of majesty.

Prince Henry came to Roni's room. He will take Roni for breakfast before starting his training again. Prince Henry and Roni already know each other closely, so do not be surprised if Prince Henry often comes to Roni's room to just talk.

"Are you ready? Soon it was time for breakfast" said Prince Henry as he looked at Roni combing her hair in front of a large mirror.

"Wait a minute, I'm still brushing my hair." Roni replied with a friendly smile. Prince Henry watched with a smile as Roni completed the final touches to her hair.

Roni already knew the rules and manners of the royal family from Prince Henry. One is to take a morning shower after waking up and should be tidy before breakfast starts. Given the life of the royal family is filled with luxury and majesty, they can not avoid the principle of healthy living, discipline, and maintain cleanliness carefully.

"Before going to the palace dining room, we should take the time to relax in the park. You know, I really like the fresh morning air" explained Prince Henry.

"I also love the morning air. When I was in Eldoria, I used to go to the river to enjoy the fresh air" replied Roni who then took the belt from the closet. Today Roni wears a light yellow robe.

"Alright, you seem to be ready. Come on out," asked Prince Henry when he saw the neat Roni.

Roni nodded. He followed Prince Henry out of the room. The two resumed their steps, down the palace hallway filled with glittering lights. Although it was morning but the lights inside the palace remained on for twenty-four hours, non-stop.

****

In the city of Eldoria....

Elan and Evelyn are now selling in the market. They sold the fruits of the field as usual, only now they were trading without Roni. Gradually they begin to recapitulate Roni's departure, although initially very difficult and heavy.

News Roni's mom is getting worse. Rosmala has been half-crazy since Roni was pronounced dead because of her unknown whereabouts. Evelyn and Elan felt so pity and concern knowing the condition of the middle-aged woman. Both can only pray for the good of Rosmala.

"Elan, are you sure Roni's gone?" evelyn asked as she turned towards Elan who was now sitting next to her.

Elan pressed her shoulders. He is also confused about how Roni is doing. "I'm not sure for sure, but I wish he was still alive." Elan then wiped the sweat off her forehead, looking doubtful in her gaze. "But, we have no evidence that Roni is alive. Maybe we better focus on living this life without it." Further.

Evelyn nodded in agreement, but her expression was still filled with worry. "I miss Roni, Elan. How can we forget someone we used to be with?"

Elan looked at the sky with a thoughtful look. "Maybe by giving the best of our lives, we can retain Roni's memories in the best possible way."

Evelyn then gently touched Elan's shoulder. "We can only hope for the best, Elan. In the meantime, how can we help Rosmala's mother? He desperately needs our support. I'm so sorry to see her condition getting worse."

Elan agreed. "We can try to bring food or provide help by selling the fruits of his field in the market. Perhaps it could ease the burden of his mind."

Evelyn and Elan continued their conversation. Until suddenly some people in the market, shouting and running away from the market area. Making Evelyn and Elan panic, then they ascertain the cause of the riots.

"What happened to Elan? Why are people running away from the market!?" evelyn asked with a panicked face.

"Save yourself! The royal soldier is heading to the market. Reportedly, they're looking for someone!" shouted one of the merchants who ran past Elan and Evelyn.

Evelyn and Elan looked at each other, worries drawn on their faces. Without a doubt, the two of them tried to save themselves from the chaos that occurred in the market, but when Evelyn and Elan were about to save themselves, suddenly one of the soldiers shouted to them loudly.

"Hey you two, stop! Don't run!!" shouted the warrior leader who seemed to be trying to stop Evelyn and Elan who were running away while carrying their fruit baskets.

Meanwhile, three other soldiers were rummaging through the contents of the market and causing the merchants' merchandise to scatter to the ground. The merchants dared not protest, considering they had no power over the formidable and ruthless soldiers of the kingdom.

"Evelyn don't listen to them!" elan shouted while trying to hold Evelyn's hand and ran in no direction. They must save themselves immediately.

"Elan, we have to hide!" evelyn shouted in the midst of her panic.

When the two look back. The panic overpowered them, seeing that two horsemen were chasing them.

"Hurry up, catch one of those kids! Those who know where Royalty is!" One of the soldiers shouted as he continued to chase Evelyn and Elan with his horse that was getting faster running.

Unfortunately, when Elan and Evelyn were about to run to safety, one of the soldiers confronted them in front of him. The warrior horse neighed while raising its two front legs, showing its might and toughness.

"Hahahaha.the two of you are surrounded now! Surrender or die in this place! Huhaha..." The soldier laughed loudly in front of Evelyn and Elan.

Elan and Evelyn turned around, and they were shocked to discover that the four soldiers had surrounded them from all directions and at close range.

"Elan, how's this?" Evelyn showed a clear expression of panic and fear. While Elan tried not to be affected by this precarious situation.

"Evely. Remember we have to be united, calm down, don't panic" Elan whispered beside Evelyn. The two close their bodies and try to protect each other.

One of the soldiers got off his horse, then walked towards the two teenagers.

"Where are you two going? Huh!? You can't go anywhere now!" said the soldier with a cruel look.

Evelyn and Elan stood tall before the soldiers who surrounded them. Despite the fear emanating from Evelyn's eyes, Elan remained calm.

"We don't know what's going on. We are just ordinary traders" Elan said in a stern voice, trying to convince the soldier.

The leader soldier smiled cynically. "Just pretend, you can't trick us. We've got reports that someone knows where Royalty is, and you're both suspicious!"

Elan and Evelyn do not yet know Roni's real name. Although since childhood they often play with Roni, but unfortunately Roni has never introduced his real name to them. Evelyn and Elan do not know the name Royalty.

However, the other soldiers laughed at them with disdain. "You think we'll believe in two young people like you? We're not messing around, show where Royalty is or get ready to face the consequences!"

Elan felt the pressure increase. Quickly, he pondered and spoke wisely, "Then, let us prove that we know nothing. Give us a chance to prove the truth."

The soldiers looked at each other, giving Evelyn and Elan a chance to prove their innocence. Unwittingly, the situation gets more complicated, and the two must find a way to break out of the increasingly tightening trap.

****

The Aric Shadowcaster king stood upright with his hands behind his back, and had been pacing back and forth in front of his throne seat, as if pondering something.

"Where is the Royalty's son," he murmured.

Then King Aric took a map on the table and looked at the map of his kingdom, trying to understand the existence of the Royalty. Amidst the confusion, a royal adviser approached him.

"Your Majesty, there are reports that two young men who were chased by soldiers in the market claimed to know nothing about Royalty. They may not be a threat" the adviser said cautiously.

King Aric took a deep breath. "Take them to the palace. I want to talk to them directly. There's something weird about all this."

Meanwhile, Evelyn and Elan, who were still surrounded by soldiers, were directed to the palace. At first Evelyn and Elan resist hard and try to escape, but due to the insistence of the four warriors who are getting stronger, Elan and Evelyn are forced to follow the will of the four soldiers to bring them to the palace.

Long story short, Elan and Evelyn were now standing before the Aric King Shadowcaster who was sitting on his throne.

"You two, tell me where Royalty is. Your life can depend on your answers!" king Aric said in a serious tone.

Evelyn and Elan looked at each other, then Elan explained truthfully, "While Your Majesty, we know nothing about Royalty. And we don't know where he is. We're just regular merchants."

King Aric stared at them intently, looking for signs of lies. "Are you not lying?" asked King Aric while squinting a little.

"Even Your Majesty, we really don't lie" Elan said, holding her hands together in front of her face, as if apologizing.

Then the Aric King said, "If you really don't lie and don't know where the Royalty is, then instead, you should help me find him. This kingdom is in dire need of Royalty, and that child is of great importance to me and the Kingdom of Eldoria."

Evelyn and Elan look at each other, realizing that their fate is now inextricably linked to the Royalty quest. Without hesitation, though a little forced, they were willing to assist King Aric in finding the child, hoping that this would be the way out of an increasingly complicated and dangerous situation.

"We are willing to help find Royalty, Your Majesty," Evelyn and Elan said simultaneously.

A few moments quiet...

"Wait!" Suddenly the Aric King recalled a woman who had a relationship with the Royalty. "I remember Rosmala. Looks like that woman took care of Royalty all this time. Hurry up, the four of you come to Rosmala's house and find the boy!"

"We are ready Your Majesty!" The four warriors who had been standing behind Evelyn and Elan immediately moved quickly out of the palace.

"And for the two of you, while waiting in the palace until the four soldiers return with reports," said King Aric low-pitched but full of pressure.

****

Now the four soldiers have arrived at Rosmala's simple house and impressed like a hut. All the residents of the outskirts of Eldoria immediately hid inside their homes when they learned that the four soldiers were riding through the streets of the village.

"Where is Royalty! Hey, you lowly woman, show me where the Royalty is. That child you've been caring for, no" said one soldier when he saw Rosmala sitting on a weathered chair with her unkempt body. Her long hair looks very tangled and dirty.

When Rosmala looked up, the four soldiers were surprised to find Rosmala's face was ugly and full of black stains. Looks like Rosmala's having a mental breakdown.

Suddenly Rosmala said indistinctly, "Ahahah, where is Roni. Where is my son. Ahahah, where is my son. You guys are hiding my son, aren't you? Ahaha, where is Roni. Roni, where are you, son?"

"Crazy woman!" snatched one of the soldiers.

The four warriors looked at each other with discomfort as Rosmala continued to laugh madly. They exchanged glances, unsure of how to deal with this situation. Then they decided to have a little discussion.

"How can a woman lose her mind?" ask one of the soldiers who looked confused.

"It looks like he lost his son Roni. Is that boy what King Aric meant?" said the 2nd soldier who carried the sword behind his back.

"It could be, but why his name is Roni, did the King of Aric want a child named Royalty," said the 3rd soldier who stood next to the 4th soldier.

The 4th soldier who seemed to be more experienced, advised, "There may be a link between Roni and Royalty. We need to find out more. Stay alert, don't let Rosmala's mental breakdown get in our way."

The four soldiers then approached Rosmala carefully, trying to find clues or information that could help them understand the relationship between Roni and the Royalty. Meanwhile, at the palace, King Aric waits uneasily, contemplating the sustainability of this increasingly complicated quest.

****

The story is more exciting and complicated, follow the story of Royalty yes...