I was stunned. Overwhelmed with what I just heard, I slowly rested my arms on my knees and stared at the floor. “This was not something that I am in favour of. However, the princess has decided fiercely on this matter. I couldn’t do anything to persuade her,” Queen Marta explained. “Did the princess provide any explanation as to why she did that?” Mother asked. “According to my daughter, she said she isn’t ready for married life just yet. After some time spent away from court, she said she needs more time to discover herself,” Queen Marta replied. She then remarked, “This is why I never wanted her to go on this retreat. I had a feeling that this would happen.” My stare never left the carpeted floor. So many emotions rushed within me. From absolute confusion to unfathomable happiness, my calm exterior got harder to contain. The wedding was postponed. That was a good sign! Princess Lorain was still uncertain about our upcoming union. I was given a higher possibility to be with Lau
Grandpa Ben was still unconscious when I arrived in the guest’s chambers. According to the guards, the Medicine King was diligent in his service. They also mentioned that they swapped places with the other guards hourly to avoid exhaustion. And the same procedure was done by the maids. I watched from the side as the maids cleaned Grandpa Ben. I prayed fervently in my mind as I hoped that he would wake up soon. The silence was interrupted when the door creaked open. It was the Medicine King with a bowl that had a wooden spoon. “Your Highness,” the Medicine King bowed as soon as he saw me, “It is quite early for you to be here,” he added as he walked over to me. “I had an unexpected meeting with the king and queen,” I explained. The Medicine King then nodded and turned to Grandpa Ben. “How is his condition?” I asked as I knelt beside Grandpa Ben. “He is far better now than how he was before. Some of his wounds have healed. And the infection was stopped before it was able to cause
I groaned as I slowly awakened from my sleep. I looked around and Elizabeth welcomed my sight. She looked at me, disappointed. Her arms were crossed as she stared at me, unamused. “Elizabeth?” I asked as I sat up. I took a good look around me. I was in her room. “Why am I here? What happened to me? Where is Benjamin?” I asked one after the other as I walked towards her. Elizabeth let out a sigh as she reached for her teacup. “He is in the throne room with JAmes and Mother. His wounds are currently being attended to,” she explained before she took a sip. I turned around and proceeded to the door. But before I could walk past the centre of the room, I was thrown back by a barrier. As I slowly stood up, the barrier crackled with lightning. I groaned as I returned to Elizabeth and demanded, “Remove the barrier now.” “And then, what?” Elizabeth spatted as she put her cup down. She looked at me and continued, “What will you do? Barge into the throne room and create another ruckus?” I s
Once we arrived at the door of the dining hall, Elizabeth stood before me. She fixed my appearance and said, “Now, remember, you have to be reasonable with your actions. If Benjamin is playing some sort of game, pretend that you know nothing.” Elizabeth took one last look at me before she added, “Play along.” I nodded, my lips pressed in a firm line. Elizabeth returned to my side and the doors were opened as soon as we were announced. The brightness of the room greeted our sights as we entered. In the middle of the room, James and Mother stood in front of Benjamin. He was bandaged around his head and arm. Minor bruises and cuts were scattered all over his face. I should feel guilty because of what I did to him. But, I couldn’t feel the shame. It brought me happiness to see him in such a state. He deserved it. Mother stopped Elizabeth and I before we could proceed any further. “Have you calmed down?” she asked me as she reached us. “Be assured, Mother,” Elizabeth said, “We alrea
Our walk to the guest wing was eerily silent. Absolutely uncomfortable. Our footsteps were loud enough to echo throughout the halls. “Robert,” Benjamin called from behind me. I didn’t respond. “Robert, is it possible for us to talk?” Benjamin persisted. “We are brothers. We used to settle everything through calm discussions.” “Do not call me your brother,” I lifted a finger. “We stopped being brothers the moment you attacked me. You even labelled me as a traitor,” I spatted. “Robert, please.” I ignored his plea and opened the final door at the hall. I entered first and opened the door for them. “If you need anything, just ring the service bell,” I said as they stepped into the room. Benjamin’s page slowly helped his master reach the bed. Benjamin nudged at his page, who was quick to leave the room. Benjamin sat properly on the bed and said, “Robert, I am not leaving this kingdom unless we settle our differences.” “What do you want me to say, Benjamin?” I asked, irritated. I t
The next three days passed over extremely slowly, to my dismay.But, thankfully, today was almost at its end. And it was another day where nothing was accomplished.I examined the map of Eastern Sun as I waited for James and the guards to arrive here in the throne room. I received news that all possible routes had been scouted. And I just couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of everything.The doors finally opened. But when I turned to look, only the guards walked in. James was nowhere to be found.“Your Highness,” the guards bowed to me.“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” I replied with a gentle bow of my head. “Where is His Majesty?”The captain replied, “The king is with your family, Your Highness. Prince Benjamin asked to be sent home and they are sending him off.”I nodded and kept a calm facade. “If you all don’t mind, I wish to start our meeting whilst we await His Majesty’s arrival,” I said as I walked around the table map. “Let us give them time for their goodbyes.”The captain then
The guards immediately looked up to me with wide eyes. “In this matter, we are asking you to risk your lives to protect us. The very least that we can do is to minimise casualties,” I continued as I walked amongst them. “With all that I am, I will talk to His Majesty and see if I can persuade him to take the forest trail.” A smile finally appeared on their faces. And the captain gave me a nod of approval. It might not be the best promise. But it was better than nothing. If the lives of our guards didn’t matter to James, it mattered to me. ~*~*~*~ After the meeting was dismissed, James still hasn’t returned. Instead of waiting, I took the time to visit Grandpa Ben. And upon my arrival, the Medicine King mentioned that Grandpa Ben had some kind of progress. But it would continue at such a sluggish pace. And I would take that rather than nothing. Grandpa Ben’s clothes were changed as well. He didn’t sweat as much. And he seemed to be resting more peacefully. As I watched over hi
“I assume that the terrified look on your face is a yes,” James remarked.“I thought you already took care of them,” I said as I turned to James, horrified.“I never specifically stated how I took care of them, didn’t I?” James smirked as he put his hands behind his back. “I wanted to have a bit of fun with them. And besides, it is only fitting that you decide their fates.”My eyes widened, which caused a smug grin on James’ face. “Have you lost your sanity, James?!” I asked, furious. “Why are you putting such a responsibility on my shoulders??”“Robert,” James chuckled as he approached me. He then put a hand on my shoulder and continued, “If there is one thing that you need to learn about being king is how to make decisions. And there are choices that you don’t like but you have to do it.” He briefly tapped my shoulder and left the room with his guards.The torturer looked at me as well before he followed them.I took a step closer towards the hanged pirates. They were covered with w
A prince had a peaceful night all to himself.His fireplace burned brightly as it kept his quarters warm against the harsh, cold atmosphere outside the old castle he currently resided in. A direct view of the beautiful moon outside his window. And a scrumptious meal right in front of him.He happily dug into his meal, which was something that he hadn’t done in a long while. Not after all the sleepless nights that he had. As well as the days where he pretended in front of his family.‘Ah, finally,’ he thought to himself as he cut through the tender meat on his plate. ‘A night where I can finally enjoy my food.’Just as soon as he was going to take a bite, a knock came upon his door. He groaned as he put his fork down. “Who is it?” he answered, irritated.The door creaked open and a servant called out of the dark. “Prince Benjamin?”“I thought I made it clear that I wanted to be left alone for a few hours,” Benjamin replied as he scratched his forehead.“My apologies, Your Highness, but
“Grandpa Ben?” my brows knitted together as I called out.“What are you doing here? Where did you come from?” I asked as he approached us.Grandpa Ben stopped right before us. He immediately glared at Gonzalo. But Gonzalo didn’t back down. He stared right back at Grandpa Ben.Grandpa Ben then cleared his throat and returned to me. “Go ahead. Bring Laura back. However, I want for the both of you to return safely. If I don’t see you with her, I will never forgive you even in death.”“Have you no regards to his life?!” Gonzalo protested, making us turn to him. “For the sake of getting your daughter back, you’re willing to put the prince at risk?! Don’t you mortals ever think of anything but yourselves?!”“And what about you Immortals? Don’t you do the same?” Grandpa Ben snapped. “I may look like a weak, old man. But I’m well-versed with stories of your kind. I never imagined that the myths of gods and goddesses being selfish were actually true. But you,” he pointed a finger at Gonzalo, “
The moon shone high in the sky as I looked out my bedroom window.The whole room was pitch black, dark as the night sky above. And only the powerful moonlight was able to illuminate my room.Well, at least a portion of it.I was incredibly frustrated with everything that I never bothered to light my torches as night fell.After I returned from James’ study, I remained in my room and did absolutely nothing. I simply sat by the window and drank tea without any signs of stopping. I also requested for an early dinner, an attempt to avoid James during dinner time.I just wanted to be left alone.I just wanted some space.‘I just want progress. Was that too much to ask for?’ my mind shouted, helpless as no one could hear it. And no one bothered to listen or even ask me.Then, a knock on my door echoed throughout the room. But I didn’t answer. I already rejected persistent knockings as I remained in my quarters. Even though someone from the other end called for my name, I never made my prese
Bethilda’s mouth hung in disbelief.“Your Highness, my heart's already breaking for the sacrifice that I am to make. Against my own beliefs and wishes, I am giving you my men to aid your cause. Just because I want them to have some time to prepare, that doesn’t mean I am on the other side of this debacle,” Bethilda protested.She added, “Your impatience will put their lives at risk. And that’s a risk that I will never be willing to take.”I pressed my lips together as my nose flared after a deep sigh. Truth be told, I gave my full respect to Bethilda as she put her servants before anything. However, I couldn’t wait again for a longer time. We already wasted too much time here and we never made any sort of progress in terms of the rescue mission.I cared for Bethilda’s household the same as I did for my own. But we couldn’t afford to wait another week before we could proceed. We didn’t even have the slightest clue on what could be happening within Benjamin’s territory.The mere thought
Bethilda’s eyes widened whilst James immediately turned to my direction.This was the fastest solution that I could think of. James already exhausted all of his efforts for this debacle. I had to do something, even if he didn’t like it.Bethilda looked to James for a moment before she returned to me. “Whatever the reason is for this sudden request of aid, I am afraid that it will do you more harm than good,” she answered. She added, “My soldiers aren’t fully trained for combat. I only trained them to protect and to distract enemies. And besides, I don’t think that His Majesty is in favour of this decision of yours, Your Highness.”“James has already given his all for our cause. We don’t know who to turn to and we are running out of time,” I answered. James’ stare never left but I paid no mind. I had no time to argue with him.Bethilda asked, “Have you reached out to other kingdoms? I know that you are attempting to rescue a friend. If that is the case, shouldn’t it be advised to ask t
“I already sent some of the guards to gather more troops back home.“We don’t know how many men Benjamin has to protect him,” James replied. “As much as possible, I don’t want to spill too much blood, especially within their territory. I don’t want this debacle to cause a scandal. And I also don’t want to destroy our alliance with them. At the same time, we can’t waste the lives of more men, both on his side and ours.”For James to still honour our alliance with Eastern Sun, even after what Benjamin did, was frustrating.Benjamin betrayed me. Trust and loyalty were values that I held in high regard. But Benjamin disregarded that, all because he didn’t get what he wanted.For that action alone, the friendship between our kingdoms was also destroyed. How could we possibly trust a traitor? Even if that person was our ally, it already destroyed their credibility as someone we trusted deeply.However, I understood why James was still worried about the alliance. Eastern Sun wasn’t simply a
Marcus chuckled as he shrugged.He looked down to his feet and replied, “My loyalty to the duchess is more than just of a servant, Your Highness. And even though that was the case for me,” Marcus returned to me, “I never overstepped nor did I ever use my emotions to my advantage. I respected her as my mistress. The person who gave me a home and a new life. Nothing more, nothing less.”Marcus’ response rendered me speechless.Who would’ve thought that a servant would develop strong feelings towards their mistress?Perhaps because of Bethilda’s care towards Marcus, his gratitude slowly turned into something else. Unfortunately, in this world - or in any other world in that retrospect - a relationship between a servant and their master would never be acceptable.I could only feel the ache on Marcus’ behalf as I once felt the same for Laura. That feeling that we wished we were born within the same kind of beings, just so nothing would be able to stand in the way of what we felt for each o
“Thank you for accompanying me all the way here.“For now,” I turned to the two guards behind me, “I would like to have a moment alone.”After I woke up from my nap, I decided to take a quick stroll around the castle grounds. Luckily, the guards told me that Bethilda had a small garden. So, I asked them to show me its location.The two guards shared glances with each other, worried and unsure. One of them replied, “But Your Highness, His Majesty specifically said that should you ask for our company, we are not to leave you alone. Especially when you are outside the castle.”I chuckled. “There is nothing to be scared of, gentlemen. With the location of the duchess’ residence, it’s a bit impossible for enemies to attack from within these walls,” I explained. “At the same time, I don't think that these walls are penetrable from all fronts.”The guards looked at each other again, still uncertain of what to do.I sighed, which made them turn to me. “I assure you, I can manage on my own. I
“And how long have you been in service within the duchess’ household?” I asked the maid in front of me.An hour had already passed and I was still only halfway through the inspection. I had to be very careful when I asked certain questions. At the same time, I had to discern personalities behind prim and proper facades.I couldn’t rush the process even if I wanted to. I didn’t know who could possibly have dark motives against Bethilda so I had to proceed with caution. I didn’t want to be the cause of her death, all because I chose the wrong people to serve her.“I have been serving the duchess for seven years,” the maid replied.“Ah, that would mean that you are fairly new within the household,” I said as I wrote the information down. “In your few years of service, how familiar are you with everything?”Her response was interrupted when my doors suddenly opened. We turned our heads and watched as James entered my room. Immediately, we stood and gave our greetings.“Did I interrupt any