Chapter 4

  A King Among Commoners

  Alex stood in the heart of the town square, his stance regal despite the straw hat perched on his head and the humble linen shirt adorning his broad frame. Commoners bustled around him with an energy both invigorating and disconcerting. He observed it all—vendors hawking their wares, laborers hauling sacks of goods, children darting through the crowd with wild laughter. Every detail was filed away, his keen eyes taking in the nuances of the lives he had vowed to understand.

  He stood there, still as a statue, taking it all in. The scent of overripe fruit mingled unpleasantly with that of livestock. Somewhere nearby, a loud argument about mismatched shoes added a sharp counterpoint to the chaotic symphony of the square. Alex’s nose wrinkled slightly. He had fought wars, defeated conspiracies, and tamed unruly nobles, but this—whatever this was—seemed like his greatest challenge yet.

  As Alex observed the chaotic symphony around him, a faint smirk tugged at his lips. He had taken the first step to achieve his goal of finding his queen.

  Ahead, a commotion caught his attention. At a market stall, a vendor was engaged in a spirited negotiation with a sharp-tongued buyer.

  "Three cabbages for one coin!" the vendor bellowed, waving his produce like they were prized treasures.

  The buyer crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Two cabbages, and I won’t tell anyone about that rotten one in the pile!"

  Alex paused, intrigued despite himself. Their candor and wit amused him, though the sheer pettiness of their haggling felt beneath his dignity. He allowed himself a brief smirk.

  "They certainly have... a way with words," he muttered under his breath.

  His musings were interrupted as he spotted a landlord advertising rooms for rent on a wooden board near the edge of the square. Rolling his shoulders and adjusting his mustache, Alex strode toward the man, exuding an air of quiet confidence that seemed out of place among the scruffy townsfolk.

  "Excuse me, sir," Alex began with his usual authoritative tone. "I require lodging."

  The landlord squinted at him suspiciously. "You’re not from around here, are you?"

  Alex, replied with measured calm. "I am but a humble traveler," he said, tugging at his mustache in what he hoped was a casual manner.

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  The landlord shrugged and gestured to a modest house a few steps away. "That’ll be 10 coins a month," he said gruffly. "No pets, no noise after sunset. and don’t let the mice get too friendly."

  "Mice?"

  Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of gleaming gold coins, their polished surface catching the light. The landlord’s eyes widened, and he quickly adjusted his demeanor. "You are highly welcomed to our neighborhood." In his heart he snickered feeling happy that he made Alex pay 10 coins for a house of 2 coins. “He must be rich. I can’t lose such a tenant that wouldn’t mind haggling even a little bit.”

  Alex arched an eyebrow, amused. Even without his royal decree, his presence had a way of bending others to his will. "Agreed," he said, handing over the coins.

  Alex entered the house cautiously, as though it might attack. The door creaked under his hand, a foreboding groan that sounded suspiciously like "turn back." Inside, it was just as advertised—simple, clean, and entirely unbecoming of a king. modest. He surveyed the room: a table leaned drunkenly to one side, a single chair stood with all the stability of a newborn calf, and the bed… well, calling it a bed seemed generous.

  Alex approached the chair first, he sank into it with regal grace. It let out a prolonged creak, echoing around the room like a scream for mercy. His jaw tightened. "I must endure this," he muttered, "for the sake of the kingdom."

  Next was the bed. Testing it with a cautious hand, he watched it sag as though profoundly disappointed in his existence. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he exhaled slowly. "Patience. Patience."

  Seated by the crackling fire, which took him a while to put on, Alex allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection. His mind drifted to his mission—the reason he had cast off his crown and palace comforts to dwell among his subjects. Somewhere in this vast kingdom was a woman who could match his strength and wisdom, who could stand beside him as both queen and partner. One who could fulfill every requirement on his list.

  "This is only the beginning," he murmured, his gaze steady and determined.

  As night blanketed the town, Alex stepped outside his temporary abode, letting the cool breeze carry away the last remnants of the day’s fatigue. He strolled through the streets, his sharp eyes catching snippets of everyday life—families laughing around shared meals, children chasing each other with joyfully.

  A faint smile graced his stern features. "These people deserve a ruler who understands their lives," he thought.

  Just then, a young boy barreled into him, colliding with his leg before bouncing back like a rubber ball.

  "Sorry, mister!" the boy squeaked, wide-eyed and panicked.

  Alex’s initial reaction was to narrow his eyes, the familiar stirrings of annoyance rising within him. But then he saw the fear in the boy’s face and softened. "Be careful next time," he said simply, his tone firm but not unkind.

  The boy nodded furiously before darting off into the night. Alex watched him go, his expression contemplative. Life here was raw and unpolished, but it held a charm he had never experienced within the palace walls.

  Standing under the expanse of a starry sky, Alex clenched his fists in quiet resolve.

  "Tomorrow," he thought, gazing toward the horizon, "I begin my search in earnest." Tomorrow, his mission would truly begin. Tomorrow, he would take another step toward finding his queen.