Chapter 5 — Warned

As the door closed behind me, what happened in the master bedroom continued to boggle my mind. I asked myself as I settled down on the bed, ‘What just happened?’ I never expected to have such a light-hearted interaction with James.

For the longest time, we’ve been nothing but rude to one another. We were always at each other’s throats. However, I shared a laugh with him today. And without any explanation, my mouth called him a father. Mother prayed for that to happen and even she was caught off-guard with it.

Could it be that I’ve started to warm up to James?

Someone knocked on my door as I took off my shoes. “Enter,” I answered.

Gonzalo entered and quickly bowed as he reached me.

“Always at the proper timing, Gonzalo. I was just about to summon you,” I smiled, putting my shoes to the side.

“Is there something you need, Your Highness?”

I nodded. “I want to send a letter to a bakery in the Mortal Realm. It’s called the Winston Bakery. Are you familiar with it?”

“As a matter of fact, yes,” he nodded. “From time to time, the servants would purchase some of their pastries as their snacks. It is, however, a secret tradition between the servants. His Majesty might have forbidden any contact with their realm because of that. But the servants couldn’t help it,” he explained.

My brows furrowed. I wasn’t aware that James already forbade anyone from visiting the bakery. Now that Gonzalo has mentioned it, I have to be more cautious with my visits. Who knows what he could do if he finds out that I was the one who’s been breaking his rules?

“Why do you ask, Your Highness? Did His Majesty find out?” Gonzalo asked.

I shook my head. “I stumbled upon one of their pastries from a servant. I tried one myself and took a liking to it,” I lied. “I wanted more but I wasn’t sure whom to ask about it.” I cannot tell anyone the truth, even Gonzalo. It’s not just the bakery and my life that I’m protecting but Laura’s.

Gonzalo nodded. “If you’re craving for sweets, young prince, we can always have the cooks make you something you like,” he suggested.

“I don’t want to add more to the cooks’ work. I know that they never have much time to do something else because they always prepare our food in advance,” I answered. “And since that incident, I’ve been intrigued with what a mortal bakery can offer.”

“Understood,” he briefly bowed his head. “Would that be all, Your Highness?”

“Kindly fetch my quill and a paper. I would like to send a note to the bakers in Winston Bakery on what I would like to have,” I said.

“As you wish,” he bowed. “Also, this was left by your door,” he then handed over a folded note.

“Who’s it from?” I asked, examining it.

“We’re not sure, young prince. The guards said upon their return, this was already at your doorstep,” he explained.

“Where’s my page?”

Gonzalo replied, “The guards said he wasn’t able to report to work today. He caught some kind of flu this morning.”

I nodded. That’s understandable. He has worked non-stop to serve me. He deserves to have a few days away from work. I still have Gonzalo and my guards to watch over me.

“I would also like to ask if you have any plans for dinner tonight, young prince?” he asked.

“I’ll call for you when I’ve decided,” I said as I continued to examine the note.

He bowed quickly and went on his way.

The note had no indication as to where it was from. The only thing that was on it was my name. The handwriting wasn’t familiar to me either. I’ve studied almost every single handwriting from the members of this household. This one didn’t seem like it came from the castle walls.

I opened the note and there was a brief message:

Had a rush with poison, young master? Wrath shall haunt you and bring you to my knees.

Horrified, the paper fell from my hands. My eyes widened as chills ran down my spine. This person is the one responsible for Lady’s poisoning! But what did they mean by “wrath”? How have I offended someone I don’t know?

James must see this. This is pivotal for the investigation.

I shoved my boots back on and rushed to the master bedroom. My hands clutched the note and I sprinted through the halls.

♔♔♔

Mother’s giggles were heard as I approached the dining hall. The guards at the master quarters told me that she and James were already having dinner. I recollected myself and knocked on the door.

The door opened and James’ page appeared, quickly announcing me into the room. As I entered, it was only the two of them who shared the table.

“Robert, is there something wrong?” Mother asked immediately.

“Forgive me if I disturbed your dinner. I can return later,” I replied as I was about to turn.

“No, son, you didn’t disturb anything,” James stopped me right on time. He stood from his chair and asked, “Would you like to join us? We can have a place prepared for you.”

“I appreciate your offer, James. But I will be having mine in my room,” I smiled as I kept my hands behind me.

“Is there something you wish to tell us?” he asked another.

I raised my hand, showing the note. “Someone left this on my doorstep. I think this could help in the investigation of Lady’s poisoning,” I replied.

“Come forward, then,” Mother said.

I walked towards them and handed the note over to James.

“This is definitely a big help, son,” he smiled as he received it. He then opened the note and read its content.

“What did it say?” Mother asked.

James closed the letter before he turned to Mother. “There’s no need to worry, my love. It was a mediocre attempt to scare our son.”

She nodded with a smile, but her eyes weren’t entirely convinced. She may not do it now, but she might talk more about this in the future. “I would like to return to our room, darling,” she said as she stood up.

James walked to her and gently held her arm. “You go ahead. I’ll follow you right after.”

Mother nodded and left. Her handmaidens walked right behind her and the guards behind them.

“My son,” James returned to me as the doors closed. “I will talk to my investigators about this as soon as possible. In the meantime, I want you to be careful at all times,” he started. “Whoever sent this,” he raised the note a bit, “has their wrath prepared specifically for you.”

“Do you think there’s a possibility that they’ll come after our family?” I asked.

“That, I’m not certain of, Robert. But because of this, we have to be cautious with our every action,” he continued. “In everything we do, we have to ensure our safety. We can’t have someone stab us on our backs when we’re not looking.”

I answered with a nod. I couldn’t agree more with him. This matter has escalated much more quickly than what I expected. And it wasn’t just about Lady and me anymore. It was also about my family. The perpetrator may have their wrath aimed directly at me. However, they can still include my family in this mess. And I will not allow for that to happen.

“I’ll discuss this with your mother and sister tomorrow,” he added. “For now,” he put a hand on my shoulder, “rest your mind.”

“Yes, Father. I mean, James.” My heart raced again as my tongue slipped. Why do I keep calling him that? “I shall take my leave then. I know Mother is waiting for you. I don’t want her to wait that long.” I turned around and started walking.

“Son,” James called, stopping me on my tracks. “You can always call me father. You know that.”

I stood silent, not knowing what to say. Emotions rose within me. I didn’t know what to feel.

This should be an exciting moment, right?

He wanted me to call him father. It’s something I’ve always wanted to happen. But after waiting for such a long time, I don’t know how to react to it anymore. Without turning around, I replied, “Have a good evening, James.” I then proceeded to walk out of the room, struggling to keep a calm exterior.

♔♔♔

I was about to enter my room when Gonzalo called from behind. “Yes, Gonzalo?” I turned and he approached me with a basket in hand.

“Here’s what you asked for, Your Highness,” he carefully gave me the basket. “Also, the owner wanted to give you this,” he handed a letter next.

My brows furrowed upon receiving. But as soon as I saw my name, written in Laura’s hand, a smile slowly crept on my face. “Thank you, Gonzalo,” I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You never failed me.”

He nodded and I proceeded into my room. As the door shut, I put the basket on the table as I sat down. The letter read:

Robert, this is Grandpa Ben.

A man from your castle said you asked for the best of our products, so I gave every single one on the list. I’m also aware that you want to speak to a certain person through a letter. But I thought that would be too conspicuous. That is why I asked the man to hand over this letter to you.

As you read this, I’m acting as a bridge between you two. I’m uncertain if the man will keep his word not to open the letter. After this, the person speaking isn’t me.

Thank you for taking a stroll with me. Though I know our lives were in peril today, every single second with you was well-spent. Forgive me for making you worry too much. I even gave you a tiring job of bringing me back home.

Rest well, dear prince.

Cordially, me.

The handwriting inside the letter wasn’t hers but every word came from her. Her words, the way she spoke in letters, was easily recognizable. Even on paper, her gentleness shone through.

I grabbed a paper and quill,

Dearest you,

Ensuring your safety is my pleasure. I’m more than happy to make sure you arrive on your bed without somebody doing unthinkable things on you. To be trusted with your well-being…nothing in this world—not even being a prince—can measure that.

Your brief message gave me happiness. And to send it through another fascinated me on how quick you thought of it. With all honesty, I can’t read what goes through your mind. But I guess that would make everything a lot more interesting.

I want to tell you something. This could’ve waited until tomorrow, but I couldn’t bear it on my own. I couldn’t speak about it to anyone here. I have to be cautious with every step from now on. And I know this will only be safe in your hands.

Lady was poisoned after I returned home. We didn’t know who did it. But she was saved by James. I also called him “father” by accident. It has happened twice today. I don’t know what it means.

Could it be that I have forgiven him? Or is it just a slip of the tongue?

I will wait for your thoughts until we meet again.

Cordially, me. x

I folded the letter as I walked towards the window. I opened it and with a simple incantation, I transformed the letter into a paper owl and flew in the direction of Laura. I prayed in my mind as I closed the window that the letter would directly reach Laura’s hands.

I then proceeded to my bed and prepared myself for bed. The image of Laura’s face suddenly appeared in my mind as I prepared myself for rest. Without warning, my mind reminded me of everything about her. Her inevitable gentleness. Her purity. Her kindness. Her heart just radiated from everything. I was blessed to have met her in this lifetime. And I was even more blessed to have her.