Chapter 44: 44: Done Deal
"Mum died because we didn’t have enough money to treat her. And dad died in an accident after losing mum..."
Eden realised he was going a little bit too far. He never liked sharing stories about himself. It was always his secret. Something he kept for himself.
But in situations like this when he felt like someone was actually willing to listen, he found himself spilling. And over spilling.
He’d hate himself afterwards for doing so.
"So... Don’t say I don’t know how it feels. Because I really really do..."
The old man stared at the pathetic young man in pity. One would feel like Eden was lying to move him. Like Elvis and Leo. But for the old man, he felt the genuine emotions behind his words.
"But you’ve grown into such a fine young man. They must be proud of you"
Eden nodded as he said "Sometimes it’s natural to have such experiences. But is it worth it to have someone else suffer from your quest to break free from it?"
They were quiet for a while as the old man thought for a while.
Eden smiled as he said "The goods you took also have poor people waiting to get them. There are parents waiting to feed their kids. And there are kids hoping to be fed. So is your rebellion worth sacrificing them?"
The old man let out a soft sigh. Defeated with the reality as he slowly sat down on a seat close by. He stared into thin air for a while. He didn’t say anything for what seemed like minutes.
Eden said nothing. He casually stared at him. Knowing full well that he had gotten through to the man.
"I never thought about that" The man smiled sadly. "I was only thinking about punishing the royals so they’d at least look in our way. I didn’t think that..."
He sighed again, looking defeated.
"I promise. I mean..we promise..." Eden said as he stared at Leo and Elvis "We’ll make sure the refugees will get better treatment from now onwards. They won’t be overlooked and treated like trash"
The old man stared at Eden and then smiled slowly "Thank you for your kind words"
The old man added "Even if you don’t promise that, I wouldn’t want to have others suffering in the course of my revenge" He shook his head.
"But I’ll make sure of it" Eden assured. He felt it was something he owed to him. Even though he didn’t.
The old man smiled as he got up and looked at Elvis "Before dawn, I’ll have it all sent to the Palace. I promise"
He had rendered his sincere promise to them as he turned and walked back into his tea shop.
For the next few minutes, they stood outside there watching quietly. Eden stared at Elvis.
"Deal done" He smiled.
Elvis and Leo now had their eyes on Eden. For a while they didn’t say anything.
"What was that about?" Elvis questioned.
"What? I helped you out" Eden turned and headed back to his carriage.
They all retired to where their horses were kept as Leo said.
"You really are exceptional with your rhetoric. You almost had me fooled with those words" Leo smiled.
Eden stared at him from his carriage’s window "Whatever. Just make sure you do a better job at taking care of everyone within your grand duchy"
"I will work harder" Leo said. Eden could tell it was sarcasm.
Eden smiled "Even if you don’t, I suppose I’ll have the Crown prince handle it"
"You can’t tell me what to do" Elvis said. Elvis had gotten into the carriage with Eden as they prepared to leave.
"You’ll have to listen to me" Eden grabbed Elvis’s hands as he brushed it away.
"You might be fluent with your lies. But how can we be sure that he’ll keep to his words?" Leo asked, already mounted on his horse.
"He will" Eden assured.
"If he doesn’t, then we will return" Elvis said from the window.
"Interesting. So you’re trusting the process of your little servant here? You must trust him that much" Leo said.
"Yes. I do" Elvis said, blatantly.
"Let’s go" Elvis instructed as the carriage took off.
The carriage and the guards that came with the royal carriage were soon gone, Leo and his men stayed behind there on their horses watching them leave.
"The Crown prince seems close to the wizard guy. Perhaps.. are the rumours true? Are the two of them..?" Damian asked.
"He knows what he’s doing" Leo said "It’s probably part of his plans to eventually have his head"
"But. I don’t understand why they’re together. I mean if he wants to kill the wizard and if the wizard knows this .. why are they together and so close?" Damian inquired.
"That’s probably what I will have to find out. Why are they close regardless of knowing each other’s motives" Leo expressed.
"So what are we going to do? If you wish to get your revenge on the royal family sooner, you’ll have to have his head so you can meet the Emperor" Damian reminded.
"I know" Leo expressed "And I also know that it’s not going to be too late"
Leo pulled the horse’s reins as he said "He won’t kill him immediately. So before then there’s still time to have him for myself. And have him dead in my hands. So I can meet the Emperor"
"But when is that going to be? I mean.. the wizard doesn’t seem to want to talk to you at all. It’s as if he’s cautious around you. As If he knows what your plan is" Damian pointed out.
"He obviously knows" Leo said "But he won’t be direct about it. Since he won’t be, I guess we’ll all have to play along"
"And" Leo added "The Royal Haunting will be coming soon. That should be a perfect time to meet him. And maybe by then we can have a proper conversation together"
"Then we’ll plan ahead of the event" Damian said "A plan to make sure we hunt him down during the haunting event"