“How… h-how long…”

“How long were you asleep?” she finished my sentence, making things a little easier for me.

I just nodded with a face of relief.

She stayed quiet for a brief moment before saying, “Would you believe if I told you you’ve been asleep for three months?”

My eyes widened in shock. Three months?! Was I unconscious for three whole months?!

I guess she read the expression on my face and quickly continued, “Trust me, we didn’t expect you to sleep for that long. However, the doctor said you lost too much blood by the time the medical personnel was able to take a look at your situation. Your body had to regain its strength on its own.”

My brain rejected the information my sister told me. I couldn’t be asleep for that long! That’s impossible! Yes, I was bleeding by the time James and his men arrived but I don’t think that my wound would cause that much damage to me.

I slowly sat up, groaning as I propelled myself upwards. I opened my shirt from the chest and there, I saw the wound, marked on me by the pirate.

“The wound was cut dangerously deep, according to the Medicine King,” Elizabeth explained. “James was furious when he saw your state. You don’t want to know what he did to those pirates when you all arrived back here.”

I carefully put a finger on the wound, curious if it still hurts. Once my finger made contact with the stitched wound, I flinched. My face scrunched because of the sudden sting.

“Don’t touch it, brother,” Elizabeth moved my finger away. “According to the doctor, the wound is still fresh, which means it could get infected quickly.”

I sighed, slouching my back towards the pillow behind me. I felt so helpless in my current state. I’m being treated as a child, so fragile that I may not even be allowed to leave my bed.

A knock came upon the door. It opened and my page entered, bowing after. “His Royal Majesty is here,” he announced, leaving as James stepped in.

His expression changed when he saw me. He entered with a calm demeanor but as his eyes landed on me and Elizabeth, his face softened as he walked towards us. Elizabeth stood up, giving him space to get closer to me.

James stood beside Elizabeth. “How are you feeling?” he asked with sincerity… something that I don’t see from him that often.

I looked at Elizabeth, hoping that she would answer for me.

In a split second, she faced James, “Robert is having a difficult time speaking. I think his wound has got something to do with it.”

“Is it burning?” James asked me another after acknowledging Elizabeth’s response.

I nodded, closing my eyes as I took a deep breath. Even breathing is painful for me!

James slowly walked closer and gently helped me sit upright, shuffling the pillows behind me. After a few seconds of that, he helped me return to my previous position, only it felt a lot better this time.

“Is that better?”

I nodded.

“Never slouch like that, especially with the wound that you have,” James instructed. “Your wound is still sensitive. Your mother’s back is in pain as well. She’s in her room right now.”

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Mother! How is she?! Her back is in pain?! Did the pirates hurt her?! I tried opening my mouth, hoping words could come out but to no avail.

James must have noticed my worry and panic after hearing about my mother. “There’s no need to worry, Robert,” he quickly continued, sitting beside me to calm me down. “If we’re going to be honest, your mother is in a better state than you are. She just needs her rest for a few days.”

Elizabeth knelt beside James, holding my hand in hers. Her presence and the fact that my mother is in good hands gave me a sense of relief, assurance. But I know I could never stop worrying about Mother because it was all my fault.

If I was a better leader - a better warrior - smarter and stronger, none of this would’ve happened. Mother wouldn’t be kept in her room and I wouldn’t have this wound. I wouldn’t be in this depressive state if I was like James… if I was better than James.

Thoughts about that night began to play in my mind, unaware that I was already crying. I was trying to stop my tears from falling because they don’t deserve to see me like this.

Most importantly, James shouldn’t see me crying because he might see this as a sign of weakness, too frail to be his heir, incapable to be the next king of his realm.

“There’s no need for tears, Robert,” he said with care, putting a hand on my shoulder. “If you’re thinking that what happened is all your fault, you’re wrong. Nobody blames you for that night.”

I opened my eyes as I looked directly at him, trying to convey my message to him just by my eyes. I want him to know that I blame myself for it and I know that the crew blamed me as well.

“Robert,” James looked deeper into my eyes. “Nobody blames you for what happened. On the contrary, everybody aboard the ship commended you for your bravery, for your leadership. The captain told me everything,” he continued.

I looked at Elizabeth in shock and she answered my expression with a nod and smile of approval.

“Yes, Robert, the captain, and his men have told me everything,” I slowly turned back to James. “They said that you did everything you could to make sure everyone is protected. They did say you didn’t want any kind of confrontation with the pirates. But when you did, you made sure that you have the upper hand in it.”

I can’t believe it. I was so sure that the captain and his men hated my decision because they have to put their lives at risk for us to get back home as quickly as possible.

“And because of what you did, I declared that you should be made protector of the boundaries of this kingdom.”

My head bolted upwards, my eyes wide open as I heard those words.

“I know how much you wanted everyone to be safe and as the future ruler of this kingdom, you proved yourself worthy of the crown,” James added. “Every kingdom, every immortal has heard of your bravery and strategy and they all praised you for doing so. Conquering the pirates at your age is such a feat for any kind of monarch.

Am I hearing this correctly?

James is giving me compliment after compliment today. I’m not sure if he’s just trying to lift my spirits up or every single word coming out of his mouth is out of sincerity.

“After you heal completely, we’ll be holding a small celebration for your victory. And I will officially give you the sole responsibility over our water territories,” James added. “There’s still more for you but as for now, we want you to regain your full strength.”

I nodded, finally cracking up a smile as I put my hand on his that’s still on my shoulder. I couldn’t speak but I have to give my full thanks in action, at the very least.

“You deserve every praise, Robert. You showed everyone that you’re more than capable at your age. And we’re absolutely proud of you,” he smiled.

That smile of his came as a surprise to me. Don’t get me wrong, James does smile but not that often when it comes to me. He has always approached me with sternness and his smile is a breath of fresh air.

He gave my shoulder a light tap and stood up. “I’ll leave you with your sister. If you need anything, Elizabeth will call for Gonzalo. I’ll be attending a few errands outside the castle but I’ll return immediately.” He then turned to Elizabeth, “Elizabeth, kindly check on your mother every now and then. I’m not satisfied in leaving her in her state with the maids. They can be neglectful at times.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I’ll check on Mother if Robert takes another nap,” Elizabeth stood up, her hands in front of her.

“Good,” James smiled, turning back to me. “I’ll see you all when I return.”

Elizabeth curtsied and I gave a slow nod. James took one final look at us and walked out of the room.

Elizabeth turned her attention to me, sitting beside me again.

I took in deep breaths to calm my mind. I was trying to drift back into darkness when my mind suddenly showed me Laura’s face. Her smiling face caused my eyes to open.

“Is there something wrong, Robert?” Elizabeth was quick to ask.

I didn’t want to show Elizabeth that my mind is now in a panic about Laura. Laura hasn’t heard from me for months now and I don’t know what she’s currently thinking.