“Gonzalo, you may leave,” I said, my eyes not leaving the sight of Laura.

“Are you sure, young prince?” he asked.

“There’s no need to worry, Gonzalo,” I smiled at him. “She’s a friend of mine. Take care of the letter.

He then bowed and left me with Laura.

“Laura?” my mouth finally spoke as I approached her. “Come now, Laura. There’s no need for that,” I helped her up. I lifted her face and smiled at her, pleased that she’s here right now. “You don’t have to do curtsies when it comes to me.”

“Don’t be silly, Robert. You know I have to do that,” she replied, fiddling with her fingers. “I’m in your realm, in your kingdom. I have to show you the respect that is given to you here.”

“Laura, you’re no different from me. Therefore, I say that you don’t have to be all ceremonial whenever you visit me here,” I explained, unable to contain my grin on my face. “You’ve been shaking ever since I got here. What’s wrong?”

She sighed before answering, “I’m sorry if I’ve been avoiding you. I was too heartbroken from what happened. I needed some time away from everything… including you.”

Her words pierced through my heart, so deep like it’s the sharpest blade in any kind of realm. She was so hurt, she had to stay away from me. The person I vowed never to hurt. But I understand why she had to do that. I don’t blame her for it.

“Laura, I should be the one who’s apologizing,” I protested. “I’m the one who lied to you. I didn’t tell you anything about Mallory. I’m the one who hurt you. I understand why you had to avoid me. There’s no need to explain.

She smiled but evidently, she was still shaking.

“You’re still trembling. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?” my brows furrowed.

“I don’t have much time here in your realm because I sneaked in. I didn’t enter through the main gate,” she answered.

My brows furrowed more, my head moved back a bit as I asked, “If you didn’t enter through the main gate, how did you get inside?”

She let out a mischievous smile, grinning like a child who’s done something. Her child-like innocence came out to the surface, replacing the nervousness she’s been feeling.

“Laura, tell me,” I demanded, not taking a no for an answer.

“I went over the wall by your garden. Luckily, no one was there so it was an easy entry,” she explained, smiling and giggling but still cautious. “The thorns hurt, though.”

“Thorns?” I asked.

“Mm… let’s say I landed on a bush… of red roses,” she lowered her head and played with her fingers.

“You landed on Mother’s roses?!” I asked hysterically.

“Hush, Robert. You don’t want to catch the attention of anyone,” she quickly covered my mouth. She slowly removed her hand as she continued, “I planned to land safely on the grass but as I was supposed to jump, I slipped and fell on the bush instead.”

“How badly are you hurt?” I asked, checking every part of her body.

“I’m not gravely injured, Robert. I just have minor scratches on my legs,” she said, trying to calm me down. She raised her skirt just above her calves, enough for me to see the cuts and scratches.

“Stay here. I’m going to get something to mend your wounds,” I led her to the wooden bench beside Lady.

“Robert, there’s no need for anything. These will go away on their own,” she protested.

“Laura, I am not letting you walk around with scratched legs. The least I could do is put something on it to make sure it doesn’t get infected,” I scolded.

“But Robert--”

I raised an eyebrow at her as she continued to argue. Seeing that I can’t be persuaded, she sighed out of defeat. I headed back to the kitchen, hoping that Nana Olsa had something for thorn cuts.

♔♔♔

When I returned, Lady moved closer to Laura and they were having their own time together. “Let’s mend those cuts,” I knelt in front of her as I opened the box.

“Oh, let me do it, Robert,” she leaned towards me, about to take the box from me.

“Laura, no,” I immediately moved the box away. “I will do it. You, on the other hand, should sit down and stay still. Do you understand?”

She then gave a nod and sat upright.

I raised her skirt to her calves so I could see where the cuts were. I began cleaning the cuts when dragged footsteps headed towards the stable. Our heads turned to the entrance and we saw Mallory.

Her head was down upon entering. But as she raised her face, her eyes landed on us. “Oh… I didn’t know you two planned to surprise me today,” she remarked, sarcastically.

I let out a sigh before putting my focus back on mending Laura’s legs. “We’re not going to have this conversation with you, Mallory.”

“Oh, that’s too bad,” she started walking towards us, “I’m in the mood to talk. And since the two of you are here, I think it is only proper for me to say what I need to say.”

“Robert, let me do this, please. I don’t want any trouble with Mallory,” Laura whispered as she put a hand on mine, stopping me.

“Laura, I can do this. Don’t pay any attention to her. She just wants to get into your head,” I smiled at her.

“Isn’t that sweet, Laura?” Mallory entered the conversation, mocking Laura. “Prince Robert is willing to step down from his royal ladder and care for your wounds, a commoner’s wounds,” she continued. “How adorable… and sickening.”

“Mallory, will you please leave us alone?” I turned in her direction, looking up to meet her gaze. “I don’t want to speak with you or even see your shadow today.”

“How about tomorrow? Would you like to see me tomorrow?” she retorted.

“Robert, why don’t you and Mallory have a moment to yourselves? I’ll take care of myself,” Laura smiled, still trying to convince me to let her bandage her wounds.

“Yes, Robert, why don’t you let her do it herself? You don’t care about people lower than you, right?” Mallory snarled.

“Mallory, please. You don’t have to do this,” Laura turned to Mallory, talking to her calmly and kindly.

“Oh, so now you have the strength, the nerve, to talk back to me?” Mallory raised her voice as she spatted on Laura. “Just because Robert is taking your side, that doesn’t give you the right to look me in the eye and tell me what to do!”

“Mallory, I’m not trying to start an argument with you,” Laura explained, frightened by Mallory’s sudden outburst. “I was only trying to reason with you.”

“I don’t need your explanations! I don’t need to hear your stupid, faint voice so it’s better that you hold your tongue and keep your thoughts to yourself!” Mallory continued to scream at Laura.

“What do you want, Mallory?” I stepped in between them, putting Laura behind me to protect her from Mallory. I would’ve kept my composure but Mallory wouldn’t stop. Now, she’s taking all of her pain on someone who doesn’t even deserve it. “What do you want from me?”

“You know what I want, Robert, but you won’t give it to me!” she began to throw a tantrum, a tactic that she’s been using to try and get her way done. “Instead, you gave it to someone you only knew for a few months!” she turned to Laura, giving her a death glare.

“Mallory, would you please leave us alone? We don’t need you here! Nobody needs you here right now!” I shouted back as I walked towards her, which caused her to step back. “I’m doing my best not to hurt you but if you keep on pushing me to my limits, I don’t know what I can do to you.”

“Robert? Robert,” Laura called me, holding me back. “Calm yourselves. Mallory,” she looked to her, “I didn’t come here to argue. I’m here to visit Robert. I don’t want to see you hurt. We’re just asking you if you can give us some time to talk.”

“Ah! So, it’s the two of you against me. Is that it?” Mallory answered. “Let me tell you something: I’m not afraid of you. Even you, Robert,” Mallory started walking towards us. I hid Laura behind me, afraid that Mallory planned to do something to her. “Even if you use your powers on me, Robert, I’m not afraid of you. And there’s nothing to be afraid of Laura. She’s too kind, anyone can easily push her around.”

“Mallory, please leave us,” I repeated, my teeth gritted.

“Is my presence intimidating? Is it scaring the two of you? Are you shocked that I’m able to answer back?” she raised an eyebrow as she crossed her arms, smirking.