chapter 5

I stood up and walked towards him, him doing the same.

It’s been a long time since we last saw each other, brother,” he remarked as we shared a brotherly hug.

“It’s nice to see you again, brother,” I smiled as we pulled away. Benjamin has been my best friend since childhood. He’s the prince of the Kingdom of Eastern Sun. Everything about our lives is similar. The only difference between us is that he isn’t in an arranged marriage.

I would say he’s incredibly lucky with his life.

“When did you get here?” I asked.

“A while ago,” he replied. “I couldn’t get past your guard. He’s quite challenging. He seems to be very protective of you.”

We shared a quick laugh. “So, you’re the man Gonzalo mentioned. He’s quite impressive when it comes to my protection,” I answered, almost boasting. Gonzalo deserves all the credit for his efforts to keep me safe.

“I’m quite surprised he doesn’t know me,” he said, baffled.

I snicked. “I’m not quite sure if you were ever introduced to him, even as children.”

“You might have a point there,” he responded. “Well, I’d like to meet the person who’s in charge of your safety. I’d like to thank him for his excellent job in doing so.”

“I’ll send for him right away,” I smiled.” Would you like something to drink or nibble?” I offered.

“I do fancy a bit of wine. Do you happen to have some to spare for a guest?” he smirked, teasing me to get a laugh out of me.

“Always the funny one, aren’t you?” I snickered. I walked over to the corner of my room and rang the service bell. “Why don’t we take a seat while we wait?” I gestured at the table by the window as I walked back to him.

“Of course,” he nodded.

“I do have a lovely view of the garden so let’s enjoy the scenery as we wait for Gonzalo.” We began walking towards the table as I reached him.

“But you rang your service bell, right? Isn’t a maid supposed to be answering your call?” he asked as we sat down.

“The maids are for my family. Specifically, to my sister since she has a lot of demands,” I explained, crossing my legs, “Gonzalo answers to my every need. Ordered by the king and queen.”

A knock came upon my door and Gonzalo entered the room.

“Just the person we were talking about,” I smiled, turning to Gonzalo’s direction who was already walking towards us.

He made his bow. “You called for me, Your Highness?”

I pointed at Benjamin, “Gonzalo, I would like for you to meet Prince Benjamin, my best friend. He’s the man you mentioned a while ago, am I correct?”

Gonzalo took a good look at him before saying, “Yes, young master. It is indeed him.”

“Well, he’s very eager to meet you. He has spent quite a lot of time in this castle and me in theirs when we were children,” I explained. “I’m not sure why you don’t remember him but he would want for you to know him.”

“It’s an honor to finally meet you, Gonzalo,” Benjamin smiled as he bowed his head towards Gonzalo.

“It’s a privilege to meet His Highness’ most trusted person,” Gonzalo bowed to Benjamin. “My deepest apologies if I didn’t recognize you earlier, young prince.”

“There’s no need to apologize, Gonzalo. It’s not something to be mad about,” Benjamin smiled before turning to me. He then continued,” I have to say, brother, your parents made the right choice for your head of security. Gonzalo over here is a very refined man.”

“Well, I could boast that Gonzalo is always on top of his duties because it’s true,” I added.

“I’m sure that’s completely true. I don’t think Uncle James would choose someone that’s mediocre to keep his heir safe,” Benjamin replied.

“Can I get you anything, Your Highness?” Gonzalo asked, turning to my direction.

“Yes, Gonzalo. Would it be possible for you to bring us some wine, please?” I requested.

“As you wish, young master,” he bowed. “Would you like something to go with it?”

“If you could bring us some bread, that would be great,” I smiled. “And a few sweets, if possible.”

“And you, Your Highness?” he then turned to Benjamin.

“I will have whatever it is that Robert will have,” Benjamin replied.

“I’ll have them prepared and delivered immediately,” Gonzalo bowed once again and walked away, carrying an affirmative smile.

“He’s so formal, quite firm,” Benjamin continued our conversation as we laid back on our chairs.

“I did tell him not to be so uptight but that’s just the way he is,” I chuckled. “I guess that’s his way of getting everything done.

“So, where were you a while ago?” he questioned. “Gonzalo mentioned that you went outside and headed to the Mortal Realm. And that’s not all: I heard you went there twice today.”

I let out a nervous chuckle as I ran my fingers over my lips.

“Can you tell me why, Robert? Because for you to leave the castle and go somewhere twice in a day is unusual,” he added.

“Why would you say that it’s odd for me to do so?” I asked.

“When we were children, you’re already satisfied to play in the garden. And when we grew up, you would only go outside when you and your family visit some of the businesses your court supports,” he explained. “You don’t even attend banquets and random parties that your family holds every now and. Now, I’m hearing that you left the castle grounds twice?”

I let out a quick snortle as I bent forward, my arms on my knees.

“Can you tell me what’s going on?” he leaned forward as well.

“Well, I met someone,” I lowered my voice in volume as much as possible. I wouldn’t want the maids to talk about everything that I did today.

“You met someone?” Benjamin leaned in even closer. “Is this a man?  Or a woman?” he raised an eyebrow and smirked.

“Um… a woman,” I stuttered.

“You met a woman?!” he asked, not careful with his sudden outburst.

“Keep it down, Benjamin!” I shushed him. “Yes, I did meet a woman in the Mortal Realm.”

“And let me guess: you like this girl, am I right?” he questioned.

Gonzalo suddenly arrived, pushing a cart with wine, the bread that I requested and some fruits.

“Well, I can’t say that I don’t,” I hesitated with my answer as Gonzalo prepared everything for us.

“Is this woman a part of the upper class, the working class… or the lowest class of all?” Benjamin continued as Gonzalo gave us our cups.

“Well, I can’t say that she’s in the lowest class but she does work to support herself,” I explained as Gonzalo poured wine into my cup, making sure that he doesn’t fill it up. I can only drink half a cup of wine because I don’t usually have wine unless there’s an occasion.

“So, she’s in between the middle and lower class,” Gonzalo then poured wine in Benjamin’s cip, filling it to the brim. Benjamin is a wine lover, given to drink when as soon as he turned thirteen thousand years of age. “You know, there’s nothing wrong in loving someone. Age, race or even classes doesn’t matter when it comes to love.”

“The thing about that, brother,” I spoke a bit louder this time as Gonzalo left the room. “I’m in an arranged marriage. What I’m unsure about is if I should stop my feelings for this woman or not.”

“That’s why I never agreed to a marriage arrangement,” he took a sip from his wine. “I really fought against my parents about that. When they saw that I couldn’t be persuaded, they stopped.”

“I wish I could do that with my parents,” I took a bite from a piece of bread.

“You can definitely do that, my brother,” he answered. “You’re their son. You have the right to speak your mind.”

“Let me tell you something: my parents are the total opposite of yours. I see eye to eye with my mother but with James,” I stared at the bread in my hand, shaking my head, “Not a chance.” I then took another bite.

“James?” he asked, confused.

I forgot! He doesn’t know that I call my father by his name. Didn’t I already mention that to him?

“I mean, my father,” I corrected myself, reaching for another piece of bread.

“Wait,” he put a hand on top of mine, my fingers already touching the bread. “Did you just call your father by his name?”

I gave him a nod as I proceeded to get a piece of bread.

“Why do you call him James?!” he asked, confused and close to anger. “Are you out of your mind?

“Benjamin, that wasn’t my decision,” I protested. “He told us to call him that. He demanded that from me and Elizabeth.”

“And you didn’t even oppose his decree for you and your sister to call him that?!”

“I can’t argue with him! I’m certain that you already know how our relationship goes!” I said. “My relationship with James was never good to begin with. We’re doing good in chaos but when it comes to getting along, don’t expect anything,” I sighed as poured wine in my glass, only filling it by half. I took another sip, “He was never a father anyway. Why would I call him any salutation for a father?”

Benjamin sighed as he shook his head slowly, staring down at his cup of wine. “Brother, you and Uncle James were the best of friends when we were children,” he leaned closer, his voice in a more serious tone. “You two used to go on fishing trips together when he gets the chance. Anything that says ‘outdoor activity’, you two are at the top of your game,” he added.

“I don’t remember anything like that,” my brows knitted in confusion. “How come you do?

“Look, brother, I think it’s best that you fix your relationship with Uncle James,” he replied. “You may not remember much about your childhood but trust me when I say this: your father loves you more than his life.”

“I’ll try, brother. I’ll try,” I sighed.

“I know you will,” he smiled.

Benjamin was always there for me since the very beginning. He was my continuous support. Even though we only see each other from time to time, he would constantly check on me through his mother and mine. Truly, a brother to me.

Ith one final gulp, Benjamin finished his wine. “Looks like it’s time for me to return home.”

I followed suit and finished mine in an instant. “I’ll walk you out,” I said as I stood up from my chair.

“Aren’t you going to call Gonzalo to clean everything first?” he asked as he got up from his.

“I have a dumb-waiter here in my bedroom so I’ll clean it myself,” I replied. “It’s connected to the kitchen so Gonzalo doesn’t have to get up here to clean a simple snack.”

“If you say so,” he smiled.

With a brief laugh, we started heading to the stables.

“Thank you for the visit, brother,” I started as Benjamin began to prepare his horse.

He turned around as he put a hand on my shoulder. “It’s my pleasure, brother. In fact,” he continued to prepare his horse. “I should be the one thanking you.”

“Why?” I stood in front of him.

“Don’t you know how bored I am in our castle?” he complained. “My saliva will run dry very soon without someone to talk to.”

I snickered. “You have Helga and Helen, right?” Helga and Helen are Benjamin’s older twin sisters. “They’re a bit… huge and annoying. And when we say huge, I mean humongous. Elizabeth and I get along with them quite well. However, I don’t spend a lot of time with them and my sister would prefer to stay by Mother’s side whenever we visit the Eastern Sun.

“Brother, I would rather stay inside my study than talk with my sisters!” he exclaimed as he locked the saddle on his horse. He turned around to face me, “All they talk about is parties, dresses and what the Winroe brothers are doing every day!”

“Winroe brothers?”

“The twins that they met in the Kingdom of the Northern Sky,” he sighed as he took one final check around his horse. “They befriended someone in that kingdom. Whoever that is, that person would send my sisters daily reports on what those twin brothers are doing every day. They even threatened the maids to stay away,” he continued.

“Looks like your sisters found their future husbands,” I let a joke slip out.

“And who’s suffering with the consequences of that? Me!” he pointed to himself. “They continue to bother me, asking me to befriend those boys!”

“Why don’t you give it a try?” I suggested. “They could be great people to talk to from time to time.”

“I don’t want to befriend the Winroe brothers!” he protested.

“What’s wrong with befriending other people?” I questioned, baffled on why Benjamin doesn’t like that idea.

“It’s because I don’t understand their language and accent!”

“You’re losing me quite a bit, Benjamin,” I expressed my confusion. I don’t see anything wrong with befriending these brothers that he mentioned. I’m always open to having new friends since being a royal, I’m contained in a specific circle here in our kingdom. Having other people to talk to would be a great relief.

“I don’t speak the native language of their kingdom!” he continued talking in a hysterical way. “I overheard them fighting over something the last time we visited their kingdom and I had no idea what they were talking about.”

“Maybe they can speak our universal language, Benjamin,” I replied, an attempt to give him a different perspective. “All you have to do is try.”

“They do speak our universal language but they have this thick accent that I can’t get through!” he complained. “I know it’s hard to learn another language but… if you heard them speaking in universal language, you’ll wish you should’ve kept your mouth quiet.”

“Why don’t you tell your sisters that you don’t want to do what they want?” I suggested. “That’s the easiest solution that you can do in order to save yourself from agony.”

“If I do that, they would whine continuously and  they will tell our mother,” he groaned as he rolled his eyes. “And once my mother intervenes, she’ll scold me and she would force me to befriend the Winroe brothers.”

I’ve always been thankful to have Elizabeth as my sister. She can be annoying at times but she doesn’t torture me the same way Benjamin’s sisters does to him. “Then what are you planning to do?”

“I always tell them that I will but when they ask if I already did it, I keep on making excuses on why I haven’t yet,” he answered, a smirk appeared on his lips.

“What do you tell them?” I asked another.

“Most of the time, I use my responsibilities as my excuse,” he said. “In reality, my responsibilities as a royal doesn’t take all of my time. I’m the one who keeps my schedule full. I’m thankful to the gods that my sisters never complained regarding duties.”

“How are you doing with your responsibilities, if I may ask?”

“Everyday, it’s almost the same  thing. I have my meetings, I have daily, weekly and monthly reports,” he began to count everything on his fingers. “Amidst all that, I still have fun with everything I’m doing. What about you? How are your responsibilities?”

“I don’t want to talk about mine right now, Benjamin,” I smiled as I declined his question. “I’m currently out of sorts personally and you know that when we have a conversation, I never liked talking about responsibilities.”

“Of course, brother. I can respect that,” he nodded. “Well, I really have to be on my way, brother,” he jumped on his horse. “It may be heading towards the end of the day but I can already feel the piles of reports being dumped on my desk while I’m gone.”

“Take care of yourself, brother.” I smiled as I looked up.

“You as well, brother. I’ll see you soon,” we shook hands and went on his way out of the stables.

“Your Highness?” Gonzalo suddenly came from behind me.

“Gonzalo.” I greeted, turning around.

He bowed and quickly replied, “His Royal Majesty is asking for your presence in his study. He said he has something to tell you.”

I groaned at the message from Gonzalo. I thought this day was going to end on a lighter note because of Benjamin’s visit… but it looks like James is planning to ruin my whole day again.

I nodded and proceeded to walk back inside with Gonzalo behind me.

When the door of James’ study was in sight, his guards crossed their spears to block our way. “Your Highness,” one of the guards greeted. “His Majesty is currently in a meeting. Is there something you would like to tell him?”

“Gonzalo over here,” I gestured to Gonzalo who was right behind me, “Mentioned that His Royal Majesty has summoned me. I’m surprised that you didn’t know about that.”

“Our apologies, Your Highness. Please don’t take us as incompetent,” the other guard replied, still blocking the door. “However, as long as the king doesn’t tell us that someone will be coming here when he’s in a meeting, we don’t really let them in.”

Suddenly, the door opened and James’ page appeared. “Young prince,” he bowed. “I heard that there’s some sort of commotion happening outside this study. Is there anything that I can help you with?”

“His Royal Majesty asked me to fetch the young prince,” Gonzalo entered the conversation. “That’s why His Highness is here.”

James’ page looked at us, baffled. “Did he, now?” he slowly turned to Gonzalo, giving him an icy stare. “I’m the king’s royal page. If he’s summoning for the young prince, he would’ve told me to do so.”

“No need to have a long discussion about this, gentlemen,” I interjected, trying to prevent them from having a disagreement. “If my father’s household doesn’t know about it then I can respect that. I have nothing against that,” I continued. “Please tell my father that I was here.”

The guards and James’ page bowed.

I gave them a slow nod and walked away with Gonzalo.

Not far along the hallway, I heard, “Robert?”

I came into a halt, turning my head to see James standing by the door.

“Come here, please,” he gestured for me to go back.

I sighed as I scratched the back of my neck.

As I returned to where I was previously, he asked, “I called for you. Why didn’t you knock?”

“Your household mentioned that you were in a meeting,” I explained.

James suddenly turned to the guards and his page, scowling over them.

“Your Majesty,” they all uttered, bowing all at the same time.

“Would one of you mind telling me why you stopped my son from entering?” he questioned. I could see his fists shaking by his sides.

“Forgive us, Your Majesty,” his page replied, his attempt to hide the fact that he’s shaking is failing him. “You were in the middle of a meeting and we thought you didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone.”

“Also, Your Majesty,” one of the guards entered the conversation. “You never told us that you asked for Gonzalo to fetch the young prince. So, we thought they’re here without telling you.”

James let out a long sigh, crossing his arms. His reaction made the three men go down to their knees as fast as they could.

“Please, Your Majesty, spare us from your punishment,” one of the guards started to cry out. “We didn’t know, Your Majesty. We didn’t know.”

I started to feel guilty because they’re being frowned upon by James because of me. They weren’t rude to me when they said I couldn’t enter. They told me in a nice way so I wouldn’t say they have offended me or something. These people don’t deserve James’ anger.

“Your Majesty,” I intervened, bowing in the process. “If I may?”

As I knelt on one knee, I saw him turning around slowly from where my head was.

“Spare them from any punishments that you have in mind,” I began. “They don’t deserve it. Although they may have forbidden me from entering your study, they were simply doing their duties. Rest assured, they weren’t rude. In fact, they were very kind and they did tell me to return once you’re done with your meeting.”

He turned back to his servants. “Is that true? What he said about you three is true?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” his page quickly replied, nodding his head quickly along with the other two. “We would never dare to be rude to the young prince.”

Then it was just silence for a few seconds. I kept my head low, humbling myself along with these people. Please, James, rethink your decision if you’re wanting to punish them.

James let out a long sigh and finally broke the silence, “Because my son said that you’ve been… hospitable, to say the least, I will spare you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty! You’re very gracious!” his page threw himself onto the floor in relief. One of the guards followed.

“Let this be a lesson to the three of you that whenever my family wants to have a word with me, they’re allowed to enter my study,” James continued with his sermon. “Whether I’m in the middle of reports or a meeting, they can always have a word with me. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“We will remember it, Your Majesty.”

“I will inform all the other servants of this rule to make sure everybody knows,” his page quickly offered.

“Make sure that everyone knows that. I don’t want this to happen again,” James finally put down his arms. I took this as a sign to stand up properly. “Be thankful that my son is gracious enough to convince me not to punish you.”

Without any hesitation, they turned their attention to me, bowing once more to the floor. “Thank you, young prince! You’re very gracious,” they all said in unison.

“Please stand,” I replied. “There’s no need to bow. You don’t deserve any punishments. You were only doing your duties.”

They all nodded as they slowly stood up.

James then turned around. “Would you like to come inside?” he asked me in a lighter tone.

I nodded, my smile contained in a firm, straight line.

James went on first and Gonzalo gestured for me to follow him, standing on my right side with his hand showing the way.

“Thank you, young prince.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” they started to thank me, shaking my hand as I walked past them. I gave them all a light nod and continued walking towards James’ study.

Entering the room, James still has visitors inside. He was in a meeting with the lords of the court. As the door closed behind me, the lords stood up and bowed to greet me, “Your Highness.”

I stopped as they bowed, paying my respect to them with a bow along with Gonzalo.

“Hello, my lords,” I started walking towards them. “I hope everything is well with all of you,” I began to shake hands with all five of them.

“We’re doing fine. Thank you for asking, Your Highness,” one of them smiled.

“He’s all grown up now, isn’t he?” James remarked with a proud smile, standing in front of his chair.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. And to think, it feels like it was only yesterday when he keeps on running around the halls of this castle,” another lord replied, causing everyone to let out a slight laugh.

“Well, I would like to have a quick word with my son. We’ll resume our meeting tomorrow morning,” James answered. “Would you like to join us for dinner later?”

“Oh, we don’t want to be a bother to your family, Your Majesty,” the lord on my right responded.

James raised his hand, stopping him from talking. “Don’t think of such things. My family and I would love to have you join us at dinner. Gonzalo?” he turned to Gonzalo after responding to the lords.

Gonzalo walked out from my shadow. “Yes, Your Majesty?” he bowed.

“Have the servants prepare five more seats on the dining table. The lords will be joining us tonight,” he instructed.

“As you wish, Your Majesty,” Gonzalo bowed.

“Also, kindly bring them to the accepting room as they wait. I would like to have a moment alone with Robert,” he added.

“Certainly,” Gonzalo bowed for the last one. He walked towards the lords, “Gentlemen?” he gestured to the door.

They all nodded and bowed to James before leaving, “Your Majesty.”

As the door shut tight, I started, “What is it that you wanted to tell me?”

“Have a seat, Robert,” James said as he sat down.

I let out a sigh and sat on the chair by the left side of his table.

“I already went through all the reports that you handled for me,” he began the conversation, looking at different reports scattered on his table. “I’m quite impressed with what you’re currently doing. I’ve sent more reports to your study and I trust that you’ll cater to them as soon as possible.”

“You can count on it, James,” I replied, crossing my legs and putting my hands on them. “Most of my time is focused on handling those reports.”

“Although, there is one report that you’ve sent back,” his tone suddenly changed as he grabbed another report. “That I think you might have missed something. I need you to take a second look at it,” he handed over the report that he was talking about.

As the report landed on my hand, I let out an expression of confusion? How could I ever miss something? I always do five reviews on a report before deciding to send it back to his table.

I opened the report and started to read it. It was the report about an orphanage that we’re closely monitoring. They were asking for additional monetary support because more and more children are arriving at their doorstep.

I approved their request because the last thing I want to happen is to see children struggle because no one can support them financially.

“I don’t understand why you said I missed something,” I looked back at him, closing the report. “Everything about this report is reasonable and I approved it. There’s no need for another look.”

“Robert,” he let out a sigh. “We can’t just approve all requests for monetary support. So far, you’ve approved about twenty monetary support requests from our people. We still need to think of ourselves.”

“Think of ourselves when there are people who are in need of help?” I replied, confused.

“Robert, maintaining the castle and everyone living inside of it doesn’t come cheap,” he replied. “Money doesn’t grow on trees, we work hard for it.”

“We’re working hard for money?” I raised my eyebrows. “Let me remind you, James, that the money you use to support this family and what keeps the economy of our kingdom afloat comes from our people who are the ones who work hard for money,” I continued. “The money that we used in feeding the people here and having random construction around the kingdom are the people’s taxes, which technically, they’re the ones who are feeding us,” I’m not giving him the opportunity to reason out. He wants the children in the orphanage to starve to death?

“They’re able to feed themselves because I allow trade in this kingdom,” he snarled.

“And without the people in the trading business, you wouldn’t even have money to collect from trade,” I snapped.

His nose started to flare, his lips in a firm line. He began tapping his desk and I could tell he’s starting to get frustrated with my reasoning.

“I may not be king yet, James,” I moved closer to him. “But without those financial requests that I approved, you wouldn’t be king right now and you would’ve already lost a lot of money in the past months. You should be thanking me for keeping you in your chair.”

He laid his back on his chair, showing a sign of defeat. He has no right to be angry about this. We’re talking about our people, the people who put him on the throne. He was the one who said that in order to stay in power, we must give them our favors. That’s what I’m doing for him and he doesn’t want it?

I put the report back on his desk, standing up. “This report is good to go. If you don’t want to listen to my advice then I suggest you prepare yourself from the outrage you’ll receive from the orphanage,” I remarked. “And if that news gets out, I pray that the people of this kingdom would still love and understand you.”

I walked away from the conversation and his study, leaving the conversation on that note and in that tone. As a royal, you must never forget what’s important: the ones you must protect which are your people. If he decides to put his pride first, I have no fault in it.

Currently in my study, going through the reports that are on my desk. This day did not end well but what do I expect? Aside from my impossible relationship with James, my current situation with Laura suddenly crossed my mind, which made me stop reading the current report in front of me.

Laura… what I did to her this afternoon was just… disgusting. I do hope she will forgive me. What can I do to tell her that I’m sorry? I turned to the table by the window, seeing that there’s a pen with paper beside it.

A letter.

Could a letter help resolve some of the pain I’ve caused between us?

Why am I even too troubled by this? We just met and yet, she has this sort of impact on me. What I did to her shouldn’t even matter to me at all. But why do I feel this way?

I continued to contemplate on what I should do. Finish my reports or spend more time to think of an acceptable letter to apologize for my actions back there? My focus switched my stacked reports and back to the table by the window.

My mind told me to keep reading, to finish the reports first. As the prince of the Western Wind, my duties as heir must come first. But my heart says otherwise. I was raised to be a good person, to admit when I’m in fault and to apologize for any wrong-doing I’ve done.

Duty? Or being a compassionate being?

A sudden knock interrupted my deep thoughts. “Who is it?”

The door opened and Gonzalo entered, carrying a tray with my food. “Here is your dinner as requested, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Gonzalo. Put it on that table, please,” I pointed to the table by the window.

He nodded and carefully put the tray down. He then walked back to me, “Also, Your Highness, His Royal Majesty would like for me to tell you something.”

Hearing that James has another thing for me to hear makes me want to burn every report right now on this table. Just because I told him what he needed to heart, he can’t face me personally to tell me something?

Is this the effort that my mother, my sister and Nana Olsa was telling me to think about?

“What is it this time?” I asked, letting out a tone of frustration as I looked up to Gonzalo.

“His Royal Majesty would like to retrieve all the reports on your desk right now,” he began. “He said he will not be assigning any financial reports on you starting tomorrow. I’ll have some of his servants to fetch the reports.”

I sighed, shaking my head, my lips in a tight line. I glanced over the pile of reports to my left. “If he says so,” I closed the report that I was currently reading, putting it onto the pile of unfinished reports. “Here are the ones that are finished. You can tell him that he can make revisions to it if he wants to,” I instructed, preparing the finished pile on my right.

“Understood, young prince,” he nodded. “Is there anything else that you would like to have me bring for you?”

I glanced once more at the paper and pen by the table across me. “I’ll be writing a letter while I have my supper,” I started. “I will call for you once I’m finished. I would like for you to have the messenger send it to a bakery in the Mortal Realm. The bakery is named Winston’s Bakery.”

“Bakery in the Mortal Realm?” Gonzalo asked, tilting his head to the side. “Did they do something to upset you, Your Highness?”

“No, everyone in that bakery were lovely people,” I defended. “I just need to write a letter to a friend that I made there. It’s important that the letter will be delivered tonight.”

“As you wish, Your Highness,” he nodded quickly. “I’ll have the messenger prepare himself after dinner.”

“And also,” I walked towards him, my hands behind me. “I would like to have this to be just between the two of us, Gonzalo. The king doesn’t have to know about this. Tell the messenger the exact thing as well.”

“Is that a good idea, Your Highness?” Gonzalo asked. “Because if the king finds out that we’re doing something behind his back, punishment is unimaginable.”

I began to stare at him, trying to show him that’s beginning to annoy me once more. I thought I made my point clear: I need to have some things kept from James’ knowledge.

“Gonzalo, what did I tell you before I had my lunch?”

He started to think carefully. After a few seconds, he finally realized what I was talking about and simple nodded.

“The king will not find out anything if you keep your mouths shut,” I remarked. “Also, he won’t suspect a thing if you act just the way you act when you’re told to do a certain task.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I understand,” he kept his head low.

“Good,” I replied. “You may leave for the moment. I would like to have a quiet dinner on my own and I need to write the letter.

He bowed and left the room without saying a word.

I headed to the table, sitting down as I began to prepare dinner for myself. Fish, a few muscles and vegetables, accompanied with a bowl of soup and a glass of wine. What a beautiful meal. I stared at it for a while and began to eat.

An hour has passed, I’ve finished my meal and I also have written my letter for Laura. I decided to read it again, just to make sure I don’t cause any kind of confusion.

Laura,

I would like to apologize for the way I treated you this afternoon.

I admit that I was hostile to you and I ended our day and our time together in the worst possible tone ever.

I don’t want you to think that I don’t care about your feelings. You don’t know how much I’ve been regretting what I’ve done to you.

I would love to see you again. But if you don’t feel the same way, I will respect that.

I will wait for your response. I will be leaving a special item with this letter. If you plan to reply, wrap your letter with the item I’ll be including inside and burn it together.

You may think that it’s an unusual way to send a letter… but you have to trust me.

Robert.

I folded the letter into three parts and put it inside a small, elongated wooden box. Before closing it, I closed my hand into a fist and enchanted a simple spell into it. As I opened my hand, a blue, sparkling leaf appeared and I quickly put it in the box.

I rang the service bell for Gonzalo as I tied the box with a simple box. I planted a small kiss on the box, which left me shocked. It’s as if my body’s moving without my permissions again.

The door opened and Gonzalo entered. “Your Highness,” he bowed in front of me.

“Gonzalo, thank you for being here in an instant,” I then handed over the box. “In this box is my letter. You know what to do.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ve already informed the messenger and instructed him what you told me,” he nodded.

“Very well, you may go.”

He caught sight of the soiled plates and utensils from my supper. “Should I bring those down as well, Your Highness?”

I turned to the table and back to him again. “There’s no need, Gonalo. I’ll send it down by myself through the dumb-waiter. This letter is your priority for me tonight.”

“I’ll be on my way immediately.” And with a quick bow, he left my room in haste. I began to pray to all the gods and high immortals, hoping that Laura would reply to my letter. Even if her reply is to push me away, I don’t care.

I need to know her thoughts.