“Mother, I don’t care if she’s trying her methods to cure you. It’s clear that it’s not of any help with your health,” I hissed. “You have to trust me. Give me permission to find you the cure that the Medicine King told you. I’ll even start looking for it today.”

“Your Aunt Bethilda said her herbal treatments have worked wonders with her. She’s been administering it to me from the moment she arrived,” she explained. “We just have to give it time to take effect.”

“Mother, as of this moment, we don’t need more time,” I moved closer to her. “You’re growing weaker by the day. If her treatments are truly effective, you should’ve been cured by now.”

“But Robert--”

“Mother, please,” I closed my eyes, trying to contain my frustration with her stubbornness. “Let me help you. Let me find the cure.”

“Are you sure, dear one?” she asked, cupping my face with her hand. “I wouldn’t want for you to get into any trouble because of my illness.”

“Mother, I am ready to face any kind of trial, just to see you get better,” I cupped her hands within mine, bringing it closer to my heart. “I will see to it that you will get better.”

She giggled softly. To see a smile lit up her face eases my worries for a split second. “Oh, my dear boy. You’re so much like your father,” she remarked with a smirke. “You won’t take a ‘no’ for an answer. You’re willing to do everything to see things fit and put everything in its rightful place.”

“If I did have that from James then I’m very thankful for that kind of attitude in my veins,” I replied as I kissed her hands.

With a soft smile, she then put a hand on top of my head. “I give you my permission, then.”

My head shot up, shocked. I was lost for words. Did she really mean it? This is a surprise for me because she never wanted me to do anything when she’s sick. If there’s such a thing as a miracle, this is certainly one.

“I can see that there’s no way for you to stop this argument,” she teased.

I kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Mother. I shall return victorious.”

She giggled once more. “Take all the time you need, dear one.”

“Take you rest while I’m away. I will have some of my guards to watch over you,” I smiled as I stood up. After I helped her lie down, she slowly closed her eyes and went back to sleep. Not wanting to waste more time, I walked out of the room and rushed to the stables.

I need to find that cure and I will find that cure.

♔♔♔

I rode to the Mortal Realm in order to get to the Mountain of Heavenly Falls, where the ledoras plant is said to be found. Before I left, I visited the library in the hopes of finding some books that talked about the herb but to my dismay, I didn’t find anything.

As I passed by the town market, I caught a glimpse from the stalls inside. I couldn’t forget the day when I first came here and a sleazy man tried to take gold from me and then turned the people against me. All because I pretended to be a mortal who received a reward from the immortal from the sacred mountain.

Wait, that’s it!

People here know about the Mountain of Heavenly Falls! Perhaps Grandpa Ben and Laura are familiar with the ledoras plant. I turned around and headed to the bakery. I was close to the bakery when I suddenly came into a halt.

Why would I even bother going to the bakery if Laura doesn’t even want to see me? Does Grandpa Ben know what happened between us? Did she tell him about how I treated her on that dreadful day?

I know that right now, it’s an impossible feat to simply ask for forgiveness and expect for her forgiveness. I was disrespectful towards her and I don’t deserve her kindness. I don’t deserve her.

But Mother needs the ledoras now before it’s too late. I know she’s trying to be strong but as the more days pass by, she grows weaker by the minute. I need to take this risk to save her from possible death.

I took a deep breath and proceeded to the bakery, getting off of Lady as soon as I reached the entrance. When I entered, my eyes immediately scanned the whole area for Laura but as expected, she’s not here. Then onto my right, I found Grandpa Ben, sorting bottles by the window.

“Grandpa Ben!” I called as I approached him.

Grandpa Ben turned to my direction. “Robert!” he greeted back, waving his hand high up in the air. “How are you?” he asked as he walked towards me.

Surprisingly, Grandpa Ben is happy to see me. Maybe Laura hasn’t mentioned anything to him yet. But I mustn’t let him notice that there’s something wrong with Laura and me.

“All is well, Grandpa Ben. Is Laura here?” I replied as I continued to look around, hoping that Laura could still be here.

“Unfortunately, Laura hasn’t been speaking to me for quite some time now,” he put his hands on his waist, thinking. “I don’t know what the reason is but now that you’re here, maybe you could tell me why she’s being so strange.”

Oh, no. I don’t want to answer this question.

“Her silent treatment of everyone started on the day that she visited you,” he continued. “Did she really visit you?”

“Um, she did,” I nodded, trying to keep my composure. Sweat began to form within my hands as Grandpa Ben asked more questions about why Laura isn’t talking to anybody. I continued, “She was able to come to our castle. But we had a little fight after. She just walked away after that.”