“Nana?” I asked, confused.

“Hello, my dear boy,” she smiled as we finally met. On her left, she carried a black, metal lantern while her other clutched onto her wrap.

“Nana, what are you doing here at this time of the night? You can get lost,” I said.

She chuckled. “Robert, you must have forgotten that I know this maze like the back of my hand. I’m one of the people who planned this maze. Therefore, there’s no chance that I could get lost,” she explained.

“Nana, even if you know this maze from the inside out, it’s still dangerous,” I replied, emphasizing the danger that she’s put herself into. “You’re in here, all alone. Someone can sneak behind you and do something horrible.”

“Son, I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. You underestimate me too much,” she answered as she held onto my arm. “What brings you here?” she asked as we walked away from the arc.

“I saw your lantern from my balcony. I didn’t know it was you but I had to make sure who was taking a late-night stroll in the maze,” I said. “I was absolutely worried because anyone who’s not familiar with this maze can get lost so easily.”

“You need not worry anymore, son,” she smiled. “Let’s go back to the castle. It’s starting to get colder.”

“Just hold onto me, Nana,” I replied as I led the way back to the entrance. “Who were you talking to, by the way?”

“I wasn’t talking to anybody, son,” she answered. “As you can see, I’m all alone here.”

“Nana, I saw you talking to someone by the arc. You can’t deny that to me,” I insisted.

“I was just talking to myself, Robert,” she quickly responded. “You know me, son. I’m of old bones and gums. Sometimes, when I have no one to talk to, I would talk to myself. I guess that’s what happens when you reach such an old age such as mine,” she giggled.

“But Nana--”

“Don’t think about it too much, Robert. I appreciate that you look after my well-being but you shouldn’t worry yourself about this,” she smiled at me with assurance. “Let’s just go back inside.”

I just nodded and continued walking. But I know that she was talking to someone a while ago and whoever it was, I have to find out. I feel something uncertain, like there’s a secret that’s being prevented for me to find out. A secret that I need to unfold in order for me to understand a few other matters within my life.

♔♔♔

Woke up to the sound of birds, chirping right outside my window and the rays of the sun entered through the window. After a quick stretch, I sat up and saw that my sister was nowhere in sight. She’s probably in the library again or having her breakfast with James and Bethilda.

A knock came upon my door.

I turned to the door. “Enter.”

The door opened and Gonzalo entered. “Good morning, Your Highness,” he bowed as he reached me.

“Good morning to you as well, Gonzalo,” I smiled, “On time and polite, as you’ll ever be. I salute you for your undying patience and never-ending service to me.”

“Thank you, young prince,” he bowed once more.

“What news do you have for me today?” I asked.

“I was sent by His Majesty. He requested that you look after Her Majesty while he’s gone for a quick voyage with the lords of the court,” he informed.

“Did he mention any specific day on when he’ll return home?” I asked.

“His Majesty said it could last from three days to a month. But he did assure that he will return immediately once everything is done and settled,” he replied.

“Well, I don’t see anything wrong with that,” I smiled as I stood up. “I have been looking forward to taking care of Mother.”

“Also, the duchess, your Aunt Bethilda, is looking for you and your sister. She said she would want for you to join her for tea this morning,” Gonzalo added.

I groaned as Gonzalo mentioned Bethilda’s name. It’s the very start of my day and hearing her name has added a bit of a sour tone to my day. My head twisted as I asked, “Must we really attend her dreaded little tea party?”

“Her Highness is already with her, sir. They’re waiting for you in the garden,” he replied.

My eyes widened. “Elizabeth agreed to her request?”

Gonzalo nodded. “According to her handmaidens, the princess didn’t want to be seen as rude or anything by the duchess.”

I sighed as I stood up from my bed. I wanted to do something else to prepare myself for everything that can possibly happen today. As much as possible, I want this day to begin with a cheerful tone. But it looks like I am to be irritated at the very first hour of my day.

“Tell them that I will be down in a while,” I said, unenthusiastic.

Gonzalo bowed and left.

I’m not quite sure what Bethilda wants with Elizabeth and me. I groaned another time and began my preparation for a tea party that I don’t want to be in but for the sake of my sister, I have to.

♔♔♔

When I arrived, they were already sharing a laugh together. Without any form of announcement, I walked towards them, coming up behind my sister.

“Robert!” Bethilda squealed as she stood up, an elastic grin plastered across her face. “It’s very delightful to have you with us!” she continued, incredibly excited.

“Would you like some tea, brother?” Elizabeth offered as I sat down beside her.

“No, thank you,” I politely declined as Bethilda sat down as well. “I would prefer to have something to eat.”

“Robert, you need to do something different to add more spice into your life,” Bethilda entered our conversation. “And since your father went on an important trip, I thought that maybe we could have some time together. We could get to know each other more.”

“What does my presence have got to do with your morning tea?” I asked as I leaned back onto the chair. “You can have your tea without us.”

She giggled as she opened her fan. “James mentioned that the two of you don’t really have tea during the mornings so I thought maybe we can do that together,” she explained as she moved her fan back and forth. She added, “It’s better to drink tea before eating. It refreshes your whole body just like how it cleanses the soul.”

“I was told that James left the responsibility of Mother to me,” I answered, changing the subject. Not another word about tea. We’re already in front of it. “I would be very busy today so I would like to keep this little tea party a brief one.”

“Don’t stress yourself too much, Robert. We’ll share the responsibility of taking care of your mother,” Bethilda said. “We all care for her. We all worry for her condition. There’s not one of us that wants Her Majesty to be suffering such a condition.”

“My mother isn’t suffering. She’s fighting,” I replied as I leaned forward, emphasizing my belief that Mother isn’t at all weak and frail just because she’s ill. “I’m quite offended you would think that my mother is suffering. The queen of King James never suffered. She only fought.”

“Robert, you have to step out of the reality that you’re living in,” she answered. “You can call it all you want but in real life, we call it suffering. You have to face the ugly truth sometimes. No matter what kind of flowery words you choose to call it, it won’t make any difference.”

Couldn’t she be more disrespectful towards my beliefs? I stood up, shaking my head. “I’m going to visit Mother,” I turned to Elizabeth.

“You haven’t had any tea yet, Robert,” Bethilda intervened.”

“You can clearly see that I have no interest with your precious tea,” I snapped, turning my head to her. “It might taste like poison.” Without any more to say, I made my way to the master bedroom.

♔♔♔

“How are you feeling, Mother?” I asked as I helped her sit up. I gently laid her back against the headboard of the bed, putting a few pillows to support her back.

“I feel weaker as the days continue to pass,” she said with a sigh, her eyes closed as she winced.

“Mother,” I sat down beside her, holding her hand. “Please give me permission to find you the cure,” I begged as I looked straight into her eyes.

“Robert, your Aunt Bethilda has already been giving me some of her herbal treatments,” she replied, pausing every now and then to catch her breath. She was so weak, she couldn’t say a single sentence without panting after. “She would put it in her tea so I won’t have to taste the bitterness of it.”