LEON
“PRINCE Leon!”
The sun had risen by the time I arrived at the Freesian castle—Pride’s castle—in my carriage. I’d returned to Anemone for a few hours before setting back out for Freesia. I absolutely needed to see Pride after her sudden collapse the night before. The moment she was allowed visitors, I was desperate to be the first.
Mother and Father were extremely concerned about Pride too, so they had given me permission to return to Freesia at once, only requesting that I send word as soon as I learned anything about her condition. Pride meant so much to my parents. They would never forget how much they owed her.
I greeted the castle guards and requested a visit with Pride, telling them I’d wait in my carriage for as long as it took. A swarm of knights joined the usual guards in defending the gates, the whole castle clearly still on high alert. While one of the guards went inside to request permission, I squeezed my hands together, but interlacing my chilled fingers did not tamp down my dread whatsoever.
Pride…
I’d watched her suddenly collapse in front of all the party guests. Those shrieks, so unlike her usual regal voice, still echoed in my ears. I knew a little about medicine—enough to realize how serious her condition was, maybe even life-threatening. She was screaming and suffering before she suddenly passed out. Anyone could tell her condition was serious.
Judging by the guards’ reaction just now, they were still searching for the source of her ailment. She probably hadn’t woken up yet either.
I knew how easy it was to lose the things you loved in the blink of an eye, which made this all the more dreadful if she really was sick. As the prince of a Freesian ally, I knew this kingdom was home to multiple people with healing powers, but none of them could cure diseases. I wasn’t stupid; such a convenient ability couldn’t possibly exist. All I could do was hold on to the ridiculous hope that maybe, just maybe, I was wrong.
Though I’d spent my brief time in Anemone reading about poison and medicine, our books didn’t contain anything that fit the description of Pride’s ailment. She’d clutched her head, not her throat or her chest. Perhaps it was a sickness, then. Some of Anemone’s trade partners had developed advanced medical knowledge; if Pride didn’t wake up within the next day or two, I’d have to go to them.
I couldn’t bear to lose her. My hands shook at the thought. The trembling took over my entire body until I had to wrap my arms around myself to suppress it.
When Pride collapsed, my vision narrowed until she was the only thing I could see. I was so terribly, dreadfully afraid of losing her. I couldn’t breathe as she lay lifelessly on the floor. In truth, I didn’t want to leave her side for even a second. I hated how much I regretted ending our engagement. I needed to get a hold of my wishful thinking.
I clenched my fists, released them, and thought back to the dance we’d shared. She had worn such a dazzling smile as she swayed in my arms, and so close to her collapse afterward.
“Please…don’t leave me!”
I tried my best to hold it in, but the whine tore from my throat, freed by my terror over losing her. I clutched at my heart, but it did nothing to push down the fear rising within me.
It’s too soon for this. I can’t break down when it hasn’t even been a full day. We don’t know what caused it yet. I’ll have to be careful with my words if they let me into the castle. I have to believe that Pride will wake up, and that every other outcome is impossible.
Pride lay on the other side of those castle gates. I would’ve jumped over them if I could. Each second I waited outside stretched on for an eternity. Please, please, please, please, please!
Knock, knock.
A knight peered into my carriage. “Prince Leon, Prince Stale has granted you special permission to enter as Princess Pride’s sworn friend. Allow us to escort you inside.”
When did all that time pass?
Footsteps and hoofbeats sounded around me. The royals and nobles who’d attended last night’s party must have been nearby. My carriage, at the very front of the line, was the only one allowed through the gates. The guards followed close behind us as soon as we passed through, but they didn’t let anyone else in.
We slowly made our way toward the palace. A knight opened the door, apologized for intruding, and inspected the inside of the carriage. Once he finished checking the interior, he gave me the all clear, bowed, and positioned himself outside the door. He must have done his inspection with a special power.
Keeping such knights outside the castle reinforced my suspicion they were still on high alert. It was already unusual to see knights stationed at the gates, but now they were inspecting the insides of carriages with special powers too. Guards already had special powers, so adding specific knights for security showed a great level of thoroughness. Perhaps Prime Minister Gilbert himself had ordered this.
I exited my carriage, which was parked in its usual spot. A crowd of knights rushed up to accompany me into the castle. I wondered if another special power user was inspecting me even while I stood there.
The knights led me through the palace. I offered Prince Stale my heartfelt gratitude for granting me permission to see Pride while tensions were high. I’d felt as much during the defensive war, but this incident only emphasized what a truly powerful ally the prince was. My heart ached when I imagined the despair he and Tiara must have felt at that moment.
Buzzing with impatience, I followed the knights to Pride’s room. All the while, I gritted my teeth and prayed for her to open her eyes.