As soon as we arrived, James immediately summoned the guards for an immediate meeting in the throne room. James and Gonzalo laid out a table with a map that included both realms: Mortal and Immortal. I examined the map as I carefully scanned the entire illustration. It had small holes in it, which probably came from miniature flags used to plan combat strategies. I marvelled at its antiquity, the possibility that it could have been used in different battles added to its majestic feel. Without warning, the doors of the throne room bursted open and the guards marched in. Once they filled the entire space, the captain of the guards walked towards us, with his helmet held by his hand. “Your Majesty,” the captain bowed to my parents. He then turned to Elizabeth and me, “Your Highness.” He returned to James and asked, “You called for us, my king?” “Yes, and I would like for all of you to listen very carefully,” James said as he looked at every guard in the hall. “I implore that everyone

I immediately looked at my page and said, “Let her in.” I folded the scroll as my page left my room. I fixed myself as I walked away from my chair. As soon as Nana entered the room, I smiled as I greeted, “Hello, Nana.” “My dear boy,” Nana walked up to me with open arms. We shared a quick embrace as the door closed behind her. “I hope I didn’t disturb anything, Nana,” I said as we pulled away. “Of course not, dear one. I will always have time for you,” Nana smiled as she caressed my face. “Now, what is it that you need?” she asked. “I need to speak to Mallory. Do you know where she is?” I asked. I explained, “Most of the maids said they haven’t seen her today.” Nana took a moment to think before she replied, “Perhaps, she was sent to the town market to buy some ingredients.” “What time will she return?” I asked another. “That is something that I am not sure of. Is there something that you need from her?” Nana asked. With a sigh, I carefully led her to the chair by my desk. The

Grandpa Ben was slumped onto the floor. Blood trickled down his face. HIs brown shirt was soaked in blood. He looked exhausted. He was left there to die. “Grandpa Ben?” I knelt beside him as I turned him around. Grandpa Ben whimpered as I laid his back on the counter. He struggled to open his eyes. But when he saw me, he was able to utter, “Robert?” “Young man,” the old lady called from the door, clearly worried, “Is everything all right in there?” I peeped up from the counter and replied, “Yes, madam. It is Grandpa Ben. And he is gravely hurt.” I returned to Grandpa Ben and gasped as I saw his bleeding arm. “Don’t you worry, Grandpa Ben,” I said as I grabbed my knife. I tore a long piece from my shirt, gently wrapped it around his arm and continued, “I am here. I will take care of everything.” “Robert…” Grandpa Ben then reached his hand out towards me. I held his hand and slowly put it down. “Rest yourself, Grandpa Ben. You must not move too much.” I shouted towards the old lad

Horrified, James’ eyes widened. Carefully, James placed his fingers on the table. In a low voice, he replied, “Please, do not tell me that this Benjamin that you mentioned–” “Is the prince of Eastern Sun?” I finished James’ question. “Unfortunately, you are correct.” James slammed his fists on the table. The loud thud echoed throughout the entire room. “Be very wise about your assumptions, Robert,” James gritted through his teeth. His brows furrowed and his eyes squinted. He continued, “For a maid to be suspect is already unbelievable in itself. But, to accuse the son of our greatest ally is a monstrosity!” “My accusations are valid, James,” I replied. “And what are those, may I ask?” I took a deep breath and explained, “Mallory hates Laura because I chose Laura. Benjamin hates me because Laura chose me. It only makes sense that they will try and make things harder for me.” “Have you asked Mallory about this?” James asked. “Nana Olsa is still looking for her. I am still hoping

‘My brain has muffled my tutor’s voice. It felt like I was stuck in my study for a few hours. ‘This scene was familiar. ‘I was in my younger days. A little boy, so carefree. Expectations were not made known yet. I could only wonder which memory this was. ‘Our lesson was disturbed by a knock on the door. ‘My tutor turned to the door and answered, “Enter.” ‘The door opened and the king’s guards entered, along with His Majesty’s page. ‘The page bowed. “I bring a message from His Majesty, King James,” he announced. ‘My tutor and I quickly knelt as the page opened a scroll. ‘The page then read, “I, His Royal Majesty, King James of Western Wind have written this message as a birthday greeting for my son, Prince Robert.” ‘Ah, now I finally realised which memory this was. ‘As with every other birthday that I had, James never showed up. His greetings were always delivered in the form of a formal message. And as the page continued with the message, my young heart could only break in si