“If I may share an opinion, Your Majesty?” His page pitched in after he ended the call.“Yes?”“Hiding the truth will only worsen your relationship with the prince.”“He'll get over it.”The page wanted to leave it at that, but he decided not to. “I could look into it, your Majesty.”“Let it be.”“Seven people died, your Majesty. You should not take the blame for it.”The king faced him with unexpressive eyes, and he bowed his head.“My apologies, your Majesty.”There's a brief silence as the king kept staring at him. “Let it be, John.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”“You're dismissed. I want to be alone.”But the Queen Mother chose that exact moment to be when she'd barge into the cabinet, and she's followed by the queen.The king sprang up to his feet as his mother approached the chair he's sitted by the fireplace, adjusting his imperial robe.“I received no message that you'd be here.” The king said in a low voice, his hands folded before him and moving away to allow her room to sit on the c
The night was cold, almost harshly so. The trees danced to the chilly, singing wind, and the moon dazzled like a ball light.The dormitory was quite busy. Students went on and about even though it's already past 10 pm.He stood outside by the bar gate, which allowed him to see the inside of the humongous three-storey building that housed hundreds of students. The lamps and security lights helped the moon illuminate the verdant surroundings more.He received a lot of glances from students who passed by, but he didn't care. Perhaps they found him weird and called security, or maybe not, or maybe Dan explained to them or sent them away, but thankfully, nobody bothered him.He chugged on a bottle of rum as he lingered in the passenger seat of his car, his feet lodged to the ground and his eyes fixed on the gate.He wasn't waiting, in particular, neither was he going to barge in. Or maybe he would, but perhaps he shouldn't. Truth is, he didn't know what he's doing there, nor was he aware of
Twenty hours had passed since Isaac's unexpected visit, and Natalie couldn't shake off the remorseful and broken look in his eyes. She kept wondering if she was the sole reason behind his struggle, and although she wanted to believe otherwise, she knew she had contributed significantly. Was she too hard on him? Perhaps she should have taken it easier on him. The pain and guilt in his eyes kept her awake throughout the night, and his sorrowful voice continued to echo in her mind. For the nth time, she reached for her phone to call him but hesitated due to her lack of resolution. What would he think if she called him? That she had forgiven him? But she hadn't. The loss she encountered was still fresh in her memory, and the pain was brand new. She doubted she ever wanted to go back to a relationship that would keep her on her toes forever. Plus, he wanted her to be his wife. Wife? She had never thought of being legally bound to a man. She had never even thought of being in a committe
“Your Majesty.” Mrs Peoni curtseyed before him as he walked into Isaac's room accompanied by his page and Dan. Isaac lay in the middle of his bed in a sheer cotton shirt, deep in slumber, and the duvet covered up to his waist. “How is he?” He asked worriedly, his eyes not shifting from his son. “He woke up four hours ago, around 11 pm. The doctors checked on him and his vitals were back to normal. He had a light meal and freshened up before falling asleep.” The king furthered into the room and sat on the empty side of the bed to give Isaac a better look. He ran his fingers over his son's head, and Isaac twitched a little. He had bags under his eyes, and his lips were pale. His father held his hand, which laid before his trunk, and leaned in to give him a kiss on his temple. He knew Isaac would definitely beat himself up due to the past events, but he didn't expect it to be to the extent that he'd fall unconscious. When he called that morning, Dan informed him that Isaac's heal
“I will consider stabbing you if you touch me.” He threatened, his voice low and menacing, and the king left his hand hovering in mid-air. “I don't wish to hear whatever you have to say, leave while I'm being nice.” The king dropped his arm with a sigh. “Arden_” “Leave.” “I was worried_” “Will you just fucking leave?!” He thundered, throwing his arm in the direction of the door. “How shameless can you get?” “I'm sorry.” Iaaac chuckled humorlessly. “Damn you make me sick.” “I had to protect you.” “You fucking killed people!” “It's all in the past_” “In the past? You're a stinking murderer. My father's a bloody murderer. It doesn't bother you but it bothers me.” His words dripped with venom. “I'm sorry, son. It's all my fault. You did nothing wrong.” “I never said otherwise, but look at me.” He pointed at himself, his anger and frustration boiling over. “I'm suffering thanks to you.” “Arden,” He stepped closer to him with pleading eyes but Isaac moved farther aw
“Your Majesty.” Ben bowed even though he's kneeling. Natalie faced him, then at Isaac, who went on his feet. The man had to be related to Isaac somehow. The physical trait was indisputable. But given his age, he wouldn't be Isaac's brother. Uncle? Or FATHER?! Natalie gasped quietly from shock and fear as she also sprang up to her feet. Isaac faced her, his head failing to tell him anything suitable to do in that awkward situation. He looked up again, wishing his father would just disappear, but contrary to that, he headed for the flight of stairs and began climbing down. Isaac stepped in front of Natalie, giving her hand a loving squeeze. “Bow and greet him when he's here, say nothing more afterwards.” She nodded, even though she didn't understand why he wanted her to say nothing. The king stopped before Ben, whose face was still floorwards, but his eyes were still on the woman behind his son. “Good morning, Your Highness.” She trembled as she bowed improperly. “Your Ma
Isaac tossed on the bed as his somnolence faded out, his eyes landing on Natalie's who crawled towards him as she noticed he's awake.She placed her palm on his forehead and was glad his temperature was warmer. “Does anywhere hurt?”They had rode back together after his stunt at the airport, but before they reached home, he started to fall out of sorts.His breathing was heavy, and he could hardly speak. The doctors were at the villa by the time they arrived, and they put him on oxygen and IV fluids, which helped to stabilise him and put him to sleep.He had kept her by his side throughout his treatment, and she remained with him even after he dozed off.That was partly because she wanted to, and partly because she had nowhere else to go. They shared a room all through her stay with him, and given his attitude at the airport, she didn't want to implicate herself further by leaving.She doubted his aides would even let her leave.Isaac kept staring at her with emotion-filled, tired eye
Isaac followed the hospital director through the eighth floor's blue and white halls, where an eerie chill hung in the air, an indistinct quietness prevailed, and a subtle hint of lavender struggled to emerge from the overpowering antiseptic scent.They stopped in front of a steel door, and the director used his ID to allow them access.The white room was padded and had only a single bed against the far wall, a cabinet at an angle, and a TV hung on the wall.Isaac's heart reached out to his brother, who was in a hospital gown, reclined on the wall with his face buried between his knees, which were pulled to his chest.“Why is he in this room?” Isaac asked the director.“He's been trying to harm himself to escape, his Majesty permitted us to bring him here.”Isaac faced his brother again, and he raised his head to look at the intruders.Vincent's baggy dejected eyes flashed with hope as he saw his brother. He jolted to leave the bed, but his hands were tied with a rope, which was fixed