15

The moment we stepped foot on the train, it immediately moved. Dad and Noah were pacing all over the train, Althea was silently crying and Ford was praying.

"Ruthy!" Dad and Althea embraced me.

"Are you hurt? Why is there blood on you?" Dad frantically asked.

"I just hurt my ankle, but..." I looked behind me and Saint entered while carrying Angelo.

"Oh my god," Dad whispered then came to help Saint.

"Your Majesty..." Saint said.

"Please, let me help you. You're our family, remember?" 

Dad and Saint lay Angelo on the floor. He was still conscious and he was holding down my handkerchief on his wound. Dad stood then went to the other side of the train. I knelt beside Angelo then held his hand.

"You're gonna be okay," I said.

Saint looked at me, worried about the people around us. I didn't care. I finally didn't care. He was dying in front me, I have no time to pretend anymore.

Althea knelt beside me too. "Is he going to be okay?" She asked.

I nodded. "He needs to be or I'm suspending him," I joked.

Angelo softly chuckled.

Dad came back with a doctor. There was a doctor and police on board with us already when we left the palace. 

"I don't have the proper surgical tools for a gunshot but I can clean the wound and stable him for a while," The doctor said.

"Please, do every means," Dad said.

When the doctor finally took over, I stood then hugged Dad. 

"You were so brave back there, my princess," He whispered at me.

"I couldn't just leave him there. If he wasn't our guard, he's still part of the people of my country."

"You did the right thing. I'm glad you're safe."

Saint stood then talked to the police. "The terrorists that attacked us were from the South. They had someone linger around the bakery when word spread about the King's visit," He explained.

Saint turned to Dad and gave a salute. "One of our men couldn't make it, Your Majesty."

Dad exhaled, then returned the salute.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the palace. We entered through the back gate where the route is shorter to the hospital wing. We immediately took Angelo in.

"Ruthy, dear, you should head to your room to change. I'll arrange a meeting," Dad said then kissed the top of my head.

I ran to my room without looking at my surroundings. My maids were changing my bed sheets when I arrived.

"Dear heavens! Your Highness!" Genesis exclaimed.

Danielle flinched, “Are you okay, Princess?"

"Yes. I need to change."

They immediately prepared a bath. I wore a blueish gray gown and my maids straightened my hair, putting bobby pins on each side of my hair. 

I felt sad when they were prepping me. I kept my head down. I feel so drained and tired, I just want to rest. I didn't have the energy to lift my head nor my arms. I didn't have the energy to move at all.

"What happened, Your Highness?" Genesis softly asked, not wanting to hit a nerve.

"We were attacked by terrorists," I silently answered with my eyes closed. I heard them inhale sharply.

"Sir Angelo was shot." My mind couldn't take the memory. I tried so hard not to remember that moment. 

I felt them rub my shoulders and for a minute, I felt comforted. I gently breathed in and out. Later on, there was a soft knock from my door. I stood and my maids opened it.

"Your Highness."

It was Saint. He changed as well. He was wearing their maroon suit. My eyes started to water again. I breathed slowly then headed outside. Saint was just slightly behind me, and I could feel the heaviness of his steps.

"He's going to be okay," He whispered.

We went to the throne room and everyone was there. Mom was beside Dad, her head laying on his shoulder. Queen Josephine and King Ricardo held hands, Thomas and Althea were in front of them, with Thomas' hand on Althea's waist.

Keith looked anxious. He stared at me with a fist on his mouth.

"A few hours ago, when we arrived at South-West Rinovea to visit the new bakery we built for the Wells', we were attacked by terrorists from the South," Dad announced.

We all held a breath. I looked at everyone's faces and everyone radiated a dark aura. I couldn't tell if they were sad or angry.

"One of our guards, Angelo Adelson, was shot and badly injured."

I looked down. I felt Keith rub my back. "Oh no." I heard Queen Josephine said.

"I will be holding a conference with my advisors to assess the situations in the North and South. I would like to take this time to reflect on my duties as King and to strengthen the security and protection of my people and of my family. King Ricardo, I would like to ask of your assistance and cooperation in this matter." Dad faced King Ricardo.

King Ricardo stepped forward then bowed. "Very well, King Andriego."

Everything went like a blur. Dad will be hiring more guards for the palace and we will be having inspections around the village twice a week. Thomas had been silent lately and I haven't talked to him that much. Althea always accompanied me when I visit Angelo in the hospital wing. Noah and Ford continued to work in the kitchen. Dad said Ford can stay here with us until the situation in the South-West is controlled.

Today, after breakfast, I headed to the hospital wing without telling Althea. I wanted to see him alone. It’s been two weeks and Angelo is still unconscious. The doctor said he lost a lot of blood and they had a hard time removing the bullet.

When I opened the doors to the hospital wing, the room was cold and silent. Saint was there, standing beside Angelo's bed.

I chuckled. "Are you still guarding him here?"

He smiled at me. "It’s still my job."

I sat at the chair beside his bed. I took a good look at his face. He looked tired. His gold hair was swept nicely, his hands lay softly beside him, but he looked stiff. I held his hand then placed it on my chest.

"You have to wake up now," I whispered at him. 

"I'll give you two a minute. I'll be by the door," Saint said.

When he left, I felt lonely again. I felt so determined this time. I want to be proud of Angelo, of what we have. I want to show to the world, to the King, that I love him with all my heart, but I can't. I can't because I'm wearing a tiara on my head.

"I just wish I wasn't born a princess," I whispered.

"Then you wouldn't have been my daughter."

I dropped Angelo's hand and stood. I turned and saw Mom with Saint behind her.

"I couldn't stop the Queen," He said with a smile.