“Robert, what’s wrong? Do you need a doctor?” Elizabeth asked another as I ignored her first one.

I need to get Elizabeth out of my room. Not because I don’t want her company but I have to see Laura right now. I know I still need time to fully recover but I wouldn’t want Laura to worry. Sending her a letter wouldn’t be enough to keep her from worrying.

“Gonzalo…” I uttered slowly. “Gonzalo…”

“I’ll call for Gonzalo,” Elizabeth left my side and rushed towards the ringer at the corner of my room. As Elizabeth rang thrice, I began to gather all the strength that I have to make Elizabeth leave the room.

Elizabeth returned to me and sat down once more. “If you’re feeling any pain, hold on. Gonzalo will be here any minute.” She quickly held my hand, caressing it. Her face now has an expression of panic.

I closed my eyes and took slow, deep breaths, showing her that she doesn’t have any reason to worry.

♔♔♔

A minute had passed and Gonzalo finally arrived. “Your Highnesses,” he bowed to the both of us. “You called for me?”

“Can you tell us what you need?” Elizabeth asked me.

I smiled as I held her face in my hand. “Check… Mother,” I slowly spoke, trying not to hurt myself in the process of talking.

“You want me to check on Mother when it looks like you’re in pain?” she asked in disbelief.

I took a deep breath in, preparing for what I’m going to say, “I’m… okay. Need… time… alone.”

“But Robert--”

“There’s no need to worry, Your Grace,” Gonzalo interrupted. “I will not leave the young prince until you return.”

Elizabeth looked at Gonzalo and returned to me, unsure of what she’s going to do.

“I will… call… for you…” I assured her, trying to be strong amidst the strain that I’m having.

She sighed. “You are such a stubborn person, Robert,” she patted my hair gently, shaking her head with a smile. “I’ll go and accompany Mother for a short while. I beg you, don’t do anything reckless.”

I scrunch my face as I let out a quick smile, wincing out of the sting. I nodded at her remark. She knows that I completely ignore any advice that the Medicine King would say.

She smiled and laid a soft peck on my forehead, standing up after.

“Your Grace,” Gonzalo bowed and Elizabeth replied with a curtsy. We had one final glance at each other before she left the room.

As the door closed behind her, I called out Gonzalo, making him turn to me.

“What is it that you need, Your Highness?”

“Pen… and… paper…” I requested, trying to sit back up properly, groaning in the process.

“But Your Highness, you’re still in your stage of recovery. His Royal Majesty stated the reports can wait,” Gonzalo replied.

I shook my head. “Blank… paper… and pen…” I took deep breaths every time I took a pause. “Have to… write… letter…”

“Are you sure, Your Highness? Can you manage?” he continued to ask.

I nodded. I pointed at the table by my window, showing where my pen and papers were.

Gonzalo nodded and headed at once to the table. He then grabbed a table-tray and put my pen and paper on top of it, carefully making his way back to me.

“Your Highness,” he gently laid the wooden table in front of me.

“Kindly… give me… a few… minutes…” I requested.

“Will you be all right on your own?” the look of uncertainty spread across his face.

I nodded.

“I will check on you every now and then from outside, then,” he offered.

I nodded in response so he could go on ahead and give me time to write and send the letter. As soon as the door closes behind him, I immediately grabbed the pen and began writing my letter:

My dearest Laura,

How are you? My deepest apologies if I wasn’t able to write or see you personally right after I arrived back home.

I was already home three months prior but due to a few emergencies and errands, I wasn’t able to show myself to you.

Rest assured, I’m alive and well. There’s nothing for you to worry about. I’ll be seeing you soon. Just promise you’ll wait for me.

Robert.

I didn’t want to tell her about my current situation, that I’m lying in bed, waiting for myself to fully heal, especially the cut on my chest. I folded the letter into a thin piece of paper. I’m not sure if I’m able to conjure spells in my situation because in order for an immortal to use a spell correctly, one’s cultivation should be back, at the very least, to its normal state.

I took a deep breath, mustered all my strength as I closed my hands into a fist. Saying the spell in my mind, with all the cultivation remaining within me, I was able to produce a wooden scroll container. Panting, I put my letter inside it.

Whatever amount of strength within me, I can feel it slipping away bit by bit. I could feel myself closer to fainting but my desire to send this letter to Laura is stronger. With one final push, I waved my hand, opening a window. Blood began to ooze out of my fresh wound but I whispered one last spell unto the scroll container and it flew away on its own.

As the scroll left my sight, I wanted to call for Gonzalo but before I knew it, I slipped back into darkness, the blood slowly dripping down my body.

♔♔♔

Slowly, I could feel myself regaining consciousness… and a hand, gently caressing mine. After my eyes strained through a blurry vision, I was able to make out a silhouette of a person, sitting right beside me.

“Robert?” a gentle, all too familiar voice spoke, breaking the silence around me. It was Mallory.

I groaned as I continued to push through a murky vision. “Mallory?”

“I’m right here, Robert,” she replied with eagerness, moving closer towards me.

I blinked a few more times and everything started to become clearer.

“Are you all right? Are you in any pain?” she continued to ask.

I looked up to her, confused. I pulled my hand away from her and helped myself sit up. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard that you were bleeding this morning and I couldn’t visit you, then,” she said. “So, I waited for everyone to sleep.”

“Where’s Gonzalo?” I asked, looking around the room. I saw him by the table, sleeping.

“I had to cast a sleep spell on Gonzalo,” she suddenly added. “He wouldn’t let me stay, let alone enter the room.”

“What?” I turned back to her, in a rage.

“I know you’ll act this way and I’m sorry for doing such a thing,” she started explaining in rapid speed. “I just wanted to see you badly. They wouldn’t let anyone near you, even Nana Olsa. I was worried ever since they carried you back, covered in blood and unconscious,” words started spitting out of her mouth.

“That doesn’t justify your actions, Mallory. Do you know that your actions can be seen as grounds for punishment?” I lectured.

“Would you really let me receive some kind of punishment just for visiting you?”

“Well, if it were up to me, I would,” I said, bluntly speaking my thoughts. “This kind of action is unacceptable. You know that the sleeping spell is one of the forbidden spells in our world. You should only use them for some kind of emergency.”

“This is an emergency!” she protested, standing up.

I sighed out of frustration. I was supposed to be resting but with Mallory here, I don’t think I would be able to do that. “Could you please…” I spoke, trying my best to keep my composure, “Leave my room so I could continue my sleep?”

“No, I’m staying here until the sun rises,” she insisted, standing her ground.

I looked back at her, annoyed. “Are you sure you want to put up this kind of argument with me?”

“Yes, Robert. And there’s nothing you can do to make me leave,” she crossed her arms.

I scoffed. Holding my breath, I waved my hand, gesturing at Gonzalo, removing the sleep spell Mallory casted over him.

“Robert!” she shouted.

Gonzalo was quick to wake up when he heard Mallory’s voice. “Mallory,” he started walking towards her. “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you not to bother the young prince?”

“I just wanted to talk to him, Gonzalo. Why won’t you let me?” Mallory acted like a child, not getting her way.

“Gonzalo, kindly remove her from this room and guard the door,” I commanded. “Should she attempt anything to disrupt my rest, don’t hesitate to call for the king.”

“You can’t do this to me, Robert,” Mallory complained, turning back to me.

“You heard what the young prince said, Mallory,” Gonzalo held her by her arm. “What you did is already punishable but since His Highness didn’t demand any kind of punishment, I’m letting you go. But just this once, do you understand?” Gonzalo tightened his grip on her arm, warning her.

Mallory wasn’t able to reply, fear crippled throughout her body.

“Let’s go,” Gonzalo gently started walking towards the door with Mallory. All Mallory could do was glance at me before they left my room. I let out a breath of relief and closed my eyes, going back to sleep.