For a while, silence fell upon the room. The Captain was sitting with a puzzled face which the King couldn't read and all the time, the King's gaze was fixated on her.

"When I was 19, my only brother died." She started, thinking that it would be a better decision to explain before the King asked her more. "He was in his first year as a commissioned Army Officer but he died during the training that took place in the mountains. He fell off a cliff." She trailed off while the King listened to her attentively.

​​

"I decided to join the army so that I could investigate his death. They said it was an accident but it's not. I already have some evidence but it's not enough." Yelena continued.

Yelena lifted her eyes that were glued to the table for minutes. She then met the King's gaze. "This is another side of me that only a few know, Father. To be more precise, even my family doesn't know that I'm digging the case. They never believed me when I said that it was not an accident, so they don't have to know."

"Then why are you telling me?" The King quickly asked. He wondered what made her open up her secret to him. They had only met twice.

"It's because you're Felix's father. You're the father of the man I love." She enunciated. "I didn't plan to marry until I solve this case. I must serve justice for my brother who always put me first before anything else. It's my responsibility. So, before you decide anything on me, I want to be transparent so that you can see straight everything about me. I don't want you to regret anything in the future."

The King understood her message well and clear. For a few seconds, he didn't even know what to say! But he realized one thing - the reason why his son was in love with her. They were two seemingly opposite being but who had many things in common.

This young Captain was adamant in solving her brother's case just like how his son couldn't let go of his ex-lover's case.

"My son knows about this, right?" He finally asked her to which she nodded.

"I bet you also heard about his late lover." He added and she nodded again.

"What are your thoughts on that?" King Lawrence inquired again.

"I believe him and support him and he did the same." She simply replied without much thought.

At that moment, the King felt like a glass of cold water was splashed straight at his face! She believed him and supported him?! He thought that she would express how it made her uncomfortable! 

What kind of woman would be fine with her lover digging the old case that concerned the ex-lover?! Does that even make sense?!

"I trust Felix wholeheartedly just like he trusts me and we are confident in our love for one another." Yelena clarified when she understood the King's thoughts.

Now that she had revealed everything about her, she doubted that the King would accept her. Her life was so messed up to be part of a royal! But she felt glad that she still stood firm in her principles by coming clean before it's too late.

"You said that you will be back by tomorrow afternoon, right?" King Lawrence asked, which snapped her out of her troubled thoughts.

"Yes." She responded.

"Then what about one more meal together? Perhaps dinner?" The King suggested which made her blinked in surprise.

He wasn't going to cut her off right away?! Her mouth remained shut for a while, feeling stupefied by the King's suggestion.

"No?" The King said as he glanced at her with a bewildered face.

"No... I mean, Yes. Let's do that." Her lips curled into a smile and finally sighed in relief.

* * *

Felix just landed in Edeladon after a long 6 hours flight. He wondered about all the amount of time he spent on the plane these days. It was much more than he could ever imagine! He sighed, thinking how hard it was to date someone who was miles away!

It was already 3 in the evening so he decided to go straight home. His schedule was clear for the evening, so it would be good to work from home.

Cayden was there to pick him up. He didn't even have any luggage with him as his trip was always a short one. Besides, everything he need was in his apartment in Silveren. So, he just gets in the car and Cayden drive him home.

"Your Highness, the Queen keeps on asking me when you will return. I think she wants to talk with you." Cayden said to him as he drove the car.

Felix realized the lack of conversation between him and his mother these days. His father often looked for him and talked to him but that was not the case with his mother. They rarely talked even through a phone.

"Is she at home?" He asked. His mother should have just called him if she wished to talk to him. She was as arrogant as ever!

"Yes. She is mostly in her room these days." Cayden responded.

Felix wondered if she was sick. His mother was never the type to stuck in her room all day long. The feeling made him worried and he couldn't be at ease.

"The Duke of Aswald also returned two hours ago. He is all set to take His Majesty's place in today's evening event." Cayden informed him to which he nodded. He had no doubt that the Duke would return!

As soon as he reached the palace, the Prince's hurried to his parent's room where he saw his mother sleeping on the bed. It might be the first time where he went straight to his mother after he returned from his trip!

Besides, the Prince never told his parents when he would travel or when he would return. They would always need to ask his men to know the details.

Felix walked towards his mother, wondering if she was asleep but the Queen never slept at this hour. So, he moved forward and sat on the bed just next to his mother. The Queen covered her whole body with a blanket and he couldn't see her face.

"Are you not feeling well, Mother?" He asked but there was no response. The room was quieter than ever.

"Cayden told me that you often asked when I would return. So, I thought that you have something to say to me." He said and his voice remained calm. However, his mother didn't respond.

Having no other way, he pulled open the blanket and noticed that his mother was sleeping. He finds it so strange that he couldn't stop himself from touching his mother's face and his eyes widened in surprise!

"Mrs. Hayes! Mrs. Hayes!" His eyes darted to the door and stood up as he called for his mother's personal attendant.

A middle-aged woman who was the same age as his mother came running in when she heard the Crown Prince's voice. She stood next to him and bowed. "Your Highness."

"Since when did my mother have a fever?" He anxiously asked.

"Fever?" The attendant's eyes widened.

"You don't know? If you don't know, then who will?" The Prince's voice became higher and higher as he had completely lost his cool! His mother was always very healthy and sawing his mother lying there with a high fever was so shocking and rare for him!

"Forgive me, Your Highness! Her Majesty always want to be alone these days and she didn't want anyone to disturb her, so -"

"Call the royal doctor. We have no time to lose." He instructed the attendant.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Mrs. Hayes rushed out and instantly did as she was told.

Felix sat next to his mother again and saw her pale face. He closed his eyes, feeling the pain of seeing his strong mother in such a condition. How long had she been like this?!

After a few minutes, the royal family doctor came in and checked the Queen's condition while the Prince anxiously stood beside the bed. He nervously clenched his fingers again and again.

"Dr. Raon, what's wrong with my mother? Will she be alright?" He asked when the doctor finally stood up.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I think Her Majesty is overworking herself. She lack sleep these days and it seems like she stresses out so much. If she gets to rest for a few days, she will be fine." Dr. Raon informed him.

Hearing out the doctor, the Prince narrowed his eyes at the floor and then to his sick mother. Was this because of him? Did he drove his mother to this condition? Feeling guilty, he didn't utter any word but stared at his mother.

"I prescribed her some medicines and also give her an IV. She will get better as soon as her fever is gone." The doctor added. He then bowed and left the room while a nurse stayed behind to look after the Queen.....