James caught a big fish during our fishing trip and Mother decided that the best way to celebrate his catch is to have the fish for dinner. It was surprising enough to please all four of us and the way the fish was cooked: amazing.

“They shouldn’t thank me. They should thank Robert,” James said, looking in my direction.

I stopped with my actions, looking at all of them with wide eyes. “My apologies, my mind was somewhere else when I heard my name.”

James chuckled and put a hand on my shoulder. “I sent the proposal you approved to the orphanage and Elizabeth said that they were very pleased with the decision,” James explained.

My brows furrowed as I felt even more baffled by what James just told me. Approved proposal? He hated that decision. He said it’s not right to send it back to the orphanage. How come he’s all of a sudden telling me that the orphanage is thankful for their request being approved by the crown?

“I don’t understand,” is all I can say at this point.

“Robert,” Mother called, making me turn in her direction. “I saw that you approved their request for additional support with their finances. Although it wasn’t a smart decision to make in regards to our economy, I’m proud that you’re willing to give them what they needed to make sure everything that they need will be provided for,” she continued.

Turning back to James, I answered, “When you received that report, you said it couldn’t be sent back and it shouldn’t be approved. Why did you go through with my decision if you were opposing it in the first place?”

“I thought about what you told me and I realized that you were indeed right,” he pulled his hand back slowly. “They are our people. As much as we’re taking care of them, they are taking care of us by being loyal to the crown. Your mother is correct about one thing: if we always approve of everyone’s request for additional income, the economy might turn upside down,” he explained, “But our advisors are currently looking for ways to give everyone what they need without sacrificing the economy.”

I am still confused about what just happened. I wasn’t expecting that James would even consider going through with that approved proposal. But I’m satisfied and relieved that he did because the orphanage has been one of the most loyal people to the monarchy. And they have been giving all of their time and effort to children with no families, something I’ve always admired since I was little.

“Now, enough about that. Let’s discuss Robert’s knighthood,” James started a new topic as he returned to his food. “I would like to discuss it with the three of you, especially Robert since this is such an important step for the prince.”

“Indeed, it is,” Elizabeth nodded with an excited smile.

“Have you thought of what you want for your celebration, dear one?” Mother quickly asked.

“Um, I haven’t given it any thoughts yet. James and I agreed that he will be the one to take care of the knighthood ceremony as I handle the one for the crew,” I explained.

“Celebration for the crew?” Mother asked, turning to James for answers.

“Haven’t I mentioned it to you, Amelia?” James replied, puzzled. “Robert believes that the ones who should be celebrated and decorated with honors are the captain and his crew. He wants to make sure that they receive their respectful rewards for their bravery and loyalty.”

Mother and Elizabeth looked at me, amazed and astounded. I lowered my head to avoid their stares, trying to keep all of my focus on the fish in front of me. My hands began to shake in embarrassment. I don’t want to be seen as such a kind and perfect human being but the captain and his crew deserve all the praises for what they did for my mother and me.

“I would be more than happy to help Robert with the preparations for the crew,” Elizabeth replied, enthusiasm radiating from her. “I would like to extend my gratitude for making sure my mother and my brother returned safely from their voyage.”

“Would that be okay with you, Robert?” James asked, turning his head to me.

I nodded with a smile.

“Then it’s settled,” James remarked, happy that everyone got along with one single decision.

♔♔♔

It’s been a couple of hours after lunch and all I did was look out the window and admire the view of the garden. Although there’s nothing new about the view, the undying beauty of nature is refreshing and relaxing. I should be doing other princely duties but my mother did say she preferred that I do nothing today. I decided that having some peace all to myself would be the best way to pass the time. My peace, however, was disrupted by a sudden knock on my door.

“Enter,” I slowly faced the door, crossing my legs.

As the door opened, my page entered and quickly bowed. “My deepest apologies, Your Highness, for disturbing you. Mallory is here, she wants to have a word with you.”

I groaned as my face landed on my hand. The only time of the day where I don’t want to be bothered by anything but Mallory managed to make it worse. I’m not surprised at this point because she’s been doing this consistently ever since we had our agreement.

“Please don’t be angry at me, Your Highness,” my page knelt, humbling himself in a panic. “I tried telling her that you don’t want to be disturbed but she insisted.”

“Let her in, please,” I said along with a sigh.

He stood up in haste and left the room. Mallory quickly entered and closed the door, doing a curtsey after.

“Mallory, I have the utmost confidence that my page told you that I didn’t want to be disturbed right now,” I began the conversation with an agitated tone.

“Yes, he did,” she quickly replied.

“Why would you still insist on bothering me?” I continued. “I still need time to rest and instead of being an understanding person, you insisted on disturbing my only time of peace for today. Are you that inconsiderate?” my teeth gritted as I grew even more frustrated.

“I’m sorry if I’m bothering you but I have to talk to you about something,” she began walking towards me, her hands in front of her.

“Can’t this conversation wait for another day?” I complained.

“This is very important. It’s about something you agreed to,” she quickly answered.

“What do you mean?” I raised an eyebrow, tilting my head to the right.

She stood in front of me, quiet with her eyes looking in every direction. She was thinking of something, in a bit of a panic.

“Mallory, please stop with the theatrics and tell me the reason why you’re here,” I groaned, patience growing thinner and thinner by the minute.

“Do you remember the promise you made before leaving for Middle Earth?” she stuttered, cautious with her words. She wasn’t showing her usual confident side which was odd.

“I don’t recall any promises made before my voyage,” I bluntly replied, my brows creased out of confusion.

She looked at me with shock which turned to disappointment in a matter of seconds. “Robert, are you deliberately doing this to make me angry?”

“Mallory, if I want to make you angry, I would do more than just tease you about a small matter,” I chuckled. “But in all honesty, I don’t remember making any promises with you before I left.”

She sighed. “Do you remember that conversation we had in the garden?”

Oh, how could I forget, Mallory? Playing the whole conversation in my head makes me even more irritated with her. She doesn’t respect my boundaries and the conditions I made for the relationship that we have. My blood continued to boil to the point that I can’t control it anymore.

“What about that conversation?” I asked, doing my best to keep myself calm.

“You agreed that I can introduce my friend after your voyage,” she answered without letting me finish the last word of my question.

My mind froze as she said that. I suddenly remembered agreeing to that and now that she’s asking me about it, I am beyond terrified. Inside, I began to tremble, my heart raced as I tried to find my way out of this situation. On the outside, it may seem like I have everything under control but on the outside, I am in turmoil.

“Why are you bringing up this topic?” I asked, sounding unbothered as much as possible. She mustn’t see that I’m secretly in a panic.

“Do you remember it now?” she asked victoriously.

“Yes, I remember it well, Mallory,” I gruntled. “How can I forget the day that you did not consider the agreement we made before this relationship?”

My snarky remark caught her off guard, making her take a step back.