A MOTHER’S PREDICAMENT

"Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!"

Queen Rose instantly reacted after she saw Raigon.

Raigon looked dumbfounded.

He was stark-stared at eternal nothingness after saddling down from his noble horse.

"Where in the world did my son went to?"

"Guards!" She called on to the royal patrols that were near her.

They scurried towards her in true-hearted obedience and promptly fell in a distinct line.

"Can you please bring back Steel to his stable?"

She inquired politely and simultaneously tenderly rubbed Raigon's back.

Though Steel was just an ordinary horse, he was gratefully considered an essential part of their family.

They gave him as a precious gift to Raigon when he was still their sole offspring. He has by heart been with him since then.

"Come here."

She gently removed her magnificent robe and cloaked it on Raigon.

She enveloped her shapely arms around his while graciously assisting him to his special chamber.

"Is everything alright, my dear?"

She implored as they strode down the Castle's quiet hallway.

She knew that her cherished child was already a grown-up man.

But she couldn't help being overly concerned for him. 

"What have you been up to?"

She furrowed her eyebrows as she noticed that he was merely wearing a layman's garment.

Aside from the fact that she didn't normally see him in that wardrobe, the clothes which he wore were full of grime and dirt.

Even his lovely face and lustrous hair were all muddied.

"My son?"

Raigon seemed to have a lot on his thoughts as he was not responding to her.

He was consistently the cheerful one and initiated a lively conversation just like his father.

She walked thoughtfully in tranquility and allowed his beloved young person to ruminate whatever it is that was in his notice.

"Here we are. Take a rest and change your garments."

At long last, they reached his royal chamber.

Before he entered his room, he had requested out her attention.

"Mother?"

Raigon, finally coming to his instinctive senses, resolutely faced Queen Rose and asked in a solemn tone.

"You said I should be wise in choosing my queen, right?"

Queen Rose glanced up at her successor.

It was like yesterday when she was just peering down on him. And now he was asking about his lifetime partner.

Time flies so fast.

"You found her already, don't you?" 

She bestowed on him a knowing smile.

She taunted him just at the moment that she caressed his hair. She was fondly hoping to lighten up his crushing burden.

But it was in vain, as Raigon's anxious expression is as grave as a judge.

"All right, I'll be serious."

It must be a large-scale idea for him right now.

Her lips fluttered upward as she recalled reprimanding him about that.

She cleared her throat and was about to give him feedback when he continued on.

His wary eyes were boring into hers.

"What if she fits all your criteria, but she was not from Terra? Will you accept her?"

Queen Rose's knees wobbled at Raigon's startling remarks.

Her left palm quickly searched for the walls in the hallway to support her.

Her other hand went to her temples as she suddenly felt dizzy.

In a swift motion, Raigon seized her elbow to help her gain her balance.

"I was just kidding, your Majesty."

He grinned at her from ear to ear. 

When she finally composed herself, he bowed and opened the doors to his chamber, so he could enter inside.

Queen Rose stopped him as she gripped on to his arms.

He shifted his feet so he could face her again.

"Do you really mean what you just said?

Her eyes drilled into both his pupils.

Being her mother for all his born days, she can see through him.

His lips might lie, but not his eyes.

"If it is true, what will your answer be?"

It seemed that those eyes were also expecting a reaction from her whether or not he was considering it.

But now is not the right hour to talk about it.

"Prepare yourself. The other Wangs are here." She winked at him.

His lips twitched downward.

He was perhaps disappointed that he didn't hear the response that he was anticipating.

Or perhaps, he has a dim view about the other Wangs being here.

"I'll leave now."

Whatever the reason is, she gave him the time to think about it.

She abruptly closed his doors without giving him a chance to respond to her.

She froze for a few seconds before leaving the hallway.

"Please don't make the same mistake again, my son."

She laid down her head on the door and breathed out a deep sigh.

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The mother's heart is the son's schoolroom.

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