Queen Without Crown

Chapter 138 Eldrige's Search

The sun was already tilted to the west when Eldrige entered the city of Otep. Although not as crowded as the capital of Alsatia, this city is very beautiful. Its location in the hills near the sea makes the city has a spectacular natural scenery.

Eldrige drove his horse to the Kevad market. The place still looks crowded even though dusk has come.

After tethering his horse, Eldrige immediately walked through the crowd of the market. Relying on a vague clue, Eldrige questioned the entire medicinal plant merchant he encountered.

"I've seen girls with traits like you mentioned, sir. " Said a merchant when Eldrige asked.

"Even though she was wearing men's clothes, her beauty did not fade at all. The girl had a face that was not easily forgotten. " The merchant's words were true and Eldrige admitted it, but hearing the praise coming from the foreign man made his heart slightly upset.

"Where did you see him? " Tanya Eldrige.

"I saw him at Mr. Gus' place. The girl came with one of her suppliers of medicinal herbs. " Said the merchant.

"Sir Gus? "

"Yes. It's over there whose umbrella is yellow. " The trader pointed forward. "You should get there right away because Mr. Gus usually comes home around this time."

"thank you. " Eldrige immediately went to Mr. Gus' place.

The man was tidying up his wares when Eldrige came. With eyes narrowed from behind his glasses, Mr. Gus looked at Eldrige in surprise.

"Are you looking for something, sir? " Task Mr. Gus.

"I want to ask you something. " Said Eldrige, his pair of striking red eyes made Mr. Gus feel somewhat nervous.

"Do you remember a silver-haired Elfian girl with one of your medicinal plant suppliers? " Task Eldrige directly.

"Elfian Girl? You mean, Bagas' sister? " Mister Gus did feel strange when Bagas introduced the girl as his sister.

"Bagas? "

"That's the name of my medicinal plant supplier. "

"If the girl? "

"His name is Juwita, I still remember very well. She was extremely beautiful, even for the size of the Elfian nation. Uh, I can tell because I often travel to the Elfian Kingdom territory to supply medicinal herbs." Mr. Gus looked at Eldrige timidly.

He had never met anyone like the man before him. Although his physique was similar to that of an Elfian nation yet he sure was not.

"Do you know where they are? "

"To my knowledge, Bagas lived in the forest. He used to routinely send me medicinal herbs, but somehow he hadn't come for a long time. "

"Did you remember your conversation? Who knows, it could be a clue."

"I remember telling Bagas to buy his sister clothes because she was wearing Bagas clothes. " Said Mr. Gus.

"Where is the clothing store? "

"You will find it around the market entrance. There were a lot of clothing stores along the way, but they seemed to be closed now. "

"All right, thank you. " Eldrige is leaving.

The signs of the traders were already many rolled up when Eldrige walked out. In front of the market, officers were seen lighting candles on poles propping up glass boxes.

Eldrige was disappointed that the shops along the road had closed. His search tonight has to stop.

*****

Princess Juwita was pleased to see Bagas coming back with Tabib Bagio and Ningrum. They seemed confused to see the appearance of Princess Juwita. Tabib Bagio was then summoned to face King Badre, while his two children waited outside with Princess Juwita.

"Why did you enter the palace again?" Ningrum Whisper.

"I don't know either, Ningrum." Princess Juwita answered honestly.

"But this might be a good thing. Aye right? If at any time a messenger from Alsatia comes, we can get protection. " Bagas whispered.

"Right-natured brother. That's what I was thinking, too. " Said Princess Juwita.

"But. are you willing to stay here with me? " Daughter Juwita looks worried.

"We're up to dad. But I'm still traumatized by dealing with the palace. " Say Bagas.

"What about you, Ningrum? " Princess Juwita's gaze turned to Ningrum.

"I want to be with you, Juwita. I'm not calm leaving you here alone. Yeah, even though they're your own family, but I know you must still feel alien." Ningrum could feel the anxiety of his best friend.

"Thank you." Princess Juwita clasped Ningrum's hand tightly.

"I hear you have a very pretty cousin? " Ningrum glanced towards Bagas.

"Ohuk.. " Bagas coughed.

"Yes, his name is Pertiwi. She's so pretty." Said Princess Juwita.

"Juwita, you're apparently here? I've been looking for you everywhere. " The girl's big smile was stunning. His rows of white and neatly lined teeth made his face look radiant.

"I was waiting for the Physician Bagio who was facing the King. " Said Princess Juwita.

"Oh, I hope that Physician Bagio doesn't mind you staying here. " Princess Pertiwi smiled again.

"Oh yes, Pertiwi. This is my best friend named Ningrum. " Daughter Juwita introduced her best friend.

"Hello, Ningrum. Thank you for accompanying my cousin all this time. I hope we can be friends too. " Princess Pertiwi said kindly.

"And he, Bagas, his brother Ningrum. You still remember that, right? "

"Of course I remember. " Princess Pertiwi looked at Bagas, her smile now looking timid. A reddish tint colored her brownish cheeks.

They both look at each other. For a moment the air felt warmer. It was as if an energy suddenly surrounded them.

"Ehem! " Ningrum cleared his throat as if it was itching. It cut off the gaze of the two and the air again felt normal.

And the door in front of them opened. Physician Bagio walked out with a bright face.

"How, Dad? " Pursue Ningrum.

"King Badre allowed the father to keep the Medicine Hall open in the village of Kulm. Although he had offered a place in the palace, but he could understand this father's decision. " Sheep the Tabib Bagio.

"Ningrum will stay here with me, does uncle mind? " Sheer Bagio was a bit surprised to hear Princess Juwita again calling him uncle, but the man immediately nodded with a smile.

"Of course, Mr. Princess. "

"Call me, Juwita. As always. " Princess Juwita looked at Tabib Bagio with a feeling of tightness.

After all, the man had considered him as his father's successor. But to continue calling him father was definitely impossible. The Dewanata Palace has strict regulations. Divya's grandmother warned me about it.

"We're going home now. You two be fine here. " Sheep the Tabib Bagio.

Princess Juwita and Ningrum hugged the man. Then they drove the Physician Bagio and Bagas to the door of the palace where a gilded chariot had been waiting.

"There's something I want to talk to you about. " Princess Pertiwi looked at Princess Juwita and Ningrum when the horse carriage had left.

"What's up, Mother Earth? " Task Princess Juwita.

"A prince is coming to propose to me! " The girl's face looked anxious.

"Isn't that good? " Task Princess Juwita.

"No. That's not good at all. I don't want to marry someone I don't love! " The Princess now looks panicked.

"Have you met him before? " Task Princess Juwita again.

"Yet. But I know that I won't love her. " In times like these the noble girl looks stubborn.

"Why? You haven't even seen him. "

"Because.. " The girl took a breath and exhaled heavily. "Because I've fallen in love. With Bagas! "

"What's? " Princess Juwita was shocked. While Ningrum smiled as if he had known it.

*****

Eldrige, who slept in an inn last night, was now standing in front of a row of shops. His tall stature with his braided silver hair made him look striking.

Several women passing by nearby were seen looking at him in awe. But the man remained standing waiting, as if oblivious to the sight of the women.

When one of the shops opened, Eldrige immediately approached. He immediately inquired about the possibility of them meeting Princess Juwita.

"Maybe I know the woman you mean, sir. Some time ago there was a small commotion in our shop because of the careless service of one of our employees." A shopkeeper lady answered Eldrige's question politely.

"Little ruckus? "

"Our employee had apparently offended a buyer whose characteristics were as you said. She assumed the buyer couldn't afford a dress we were displaying. But suddenly a young lady came and paid for the dress but was angry. "

"Do they know each other? "

"It seems so, sir. The young miss was holding the girl that Master meant with great familiarity. "

"How does the young lady look? "

"She looks like a noble girl. Her body's a little. um. a little fat."

Eldrige's face suddenly looked bright. He could immediately guess who the young lady the shop owner was referring to.

Eldrige drove his horse quickly towards the Alsatian capital. The goal is now the residence of Tabib Bagio.