Chapter 66

Royal's POV

Just as despair threatened to consume me, a sliver of light pierced through the darkness. The sound of footsteps approached the door, each step growing louder with every passing moment. The door creaked open, and a familiar voice called out, breaking the suffocating silence.

"Royal? Are you awake?" Rico asked.

Rico's voice, laced with concern and warmth, reached my ears, soothing my frayed nerves. Relief flooded my being as I recognized the sound, a lifeline anchoring me to reality.

"I'm here," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly.

The footsteps drew nearer, and Rico stepped into the room, his eyes searching for me in the dimly lit space. As his gaze fell upon me, wrapped up in the blankets, he exhaled audibly, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Thank goodness you're alright," he said, his voice filled with genuine relief.

I nodded weakly, a mixture of gratitude and vulnerability swirling within me. Rico approached the bed, his footsteps slow and meas