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

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 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

James’ eyes widened.‘Did he suddenly realise something?’ I asked myself.“Why the sudden interest?” James asked as I walked past him. “Did the pirates tell you anything?”I kept my silence as I reached the other side of his desk. Slowly, I smiled to myself for a brief moment. Guilt was evident in his tone. “We were always forbidden to go there,” I replied as I slowly turned back around, “And the pirates didn’t say anything.”James nodded. But I noticed a quick sigh of relief from him. He wasted no time and immediately shook his head. “Why are we discussing this?” he asked as he turned to me.“I wish to go there. Now.”“That won’t be possible.”“And why is that?” I asked as I crossed my arms. “Is there something to hide?”James chuckled as he walked past me. My eyes followed his every action. “There is nothing to hide,” he said as he stood behind his chair. “I just don’t understand the sudden need to go there. There is nothing to see.”“Do I look like I care?” I answered as I approach

Moments later, another group of guards entered with the prisoners.The pirates walked in a straight line as the guards walked beside them. Their hands were chained. A locked, metal chain was placed on their necks. That connected them with one another. They dragged their feet as they entered.Sweat and blood drenched their worn-out clothes. Bruises and whip wounds covered their skins. They were already thinner than before. And the lack of rest was evident on their faces.My right hand slowly curled into a fist as I turned to the captain. I specifically gave out orders that the pirates shouldn’t be treated with hostility. But it was clear no one listened to me.The captain finally caught my glare and lowered his head in shame.“Is there something wrong, Your Highness?” Gonzalo whispered.“Why are the pirates in such a terrible state? I thought I was clear when I ordered that they should be treated well,” I gritted my teeth.“That is not how we treat our prisoners, Your Highness. I merel