An hour has passed and Gonzalo has been writing right across me, nibbling on the end of the pen he’s using as he thought of what to put on the speech.  

“Gonzalo?” I called out.  

“Yes, Your Highness? Do you need anything?” his head was quick to look up in my direction.  

“No, I’m perfectly fine,” I smiled. “I’m just a bit concerned and confused because you seem to be struggling with the speech.”  

“I’m trying to create something that you requested specifically, young prince,” he replied, looking down at his speech. “I guess writing speeches aren’t as easy as I thought it would be.”

“Gonzalo, as I mentioned, you don’t have to create a perfect one. All you have to do is the foundation for the speech and I will do the rest,” I answered with a smile.  

A knock on the door interrupted our conversation. “Who is it?” I spoke.  

The door creaked open and my page entered, carrying a scroll with two hands in front of him, his arms stretched forward. “Your Highness,” he bowed with his arms still stretched forward. “This document is from His Majesty. He said that it’s what you requested of him.”  

Oh, it must be the decrease that we talked about a while ago. Gonzalo was kind enough to be the one to receive the document. As Gonzalo walked towards me with the scroll, my page bowed and went on his way.  

As the scroll arrived in my hands, I opened it and Gonzalo returned to his seat. I began to read through the decree until the very end, making sure that James didn’t leave any important details out. After reading, I closed the scroll and set it aside.  

As I looked across Gonzalo, he’s still struggling with the speech. He already has his head in his hands, sighing and groaning in frustration.  

“Gonzalo,” I called out as I closed the report I was looking through, moving it to the side. “I have another task for you.”  

“Yes, young prince?” he looked at me with attentiveness.  

“I want you to prepare my study room for my guests. I’ll be having the captain and the crew members visit me and my study would be my accepting room,” I explained.  

“What about the speech?” he inquired.  

“Leave it here so I can take a look at it,” I said.  

He nodded and handed the speech over to me. He took a quick bow and proceeded out of my room.  

As my eyes landed on the paper, he’s only written three lines, which were part of the opening remarks for a speech. I sighed as I grabbed my pen and began writing the speech myself.  

♔♔♔

In the midst of the silence within my room, my door opened without any warning, causing me to stand up from my chair.  

As the door opened wide, Mallory appeared.  

I sighed and sat down, returning to my report.  

“Well, that’s a way to welcome someone into your room,” she remarked sarcastically, closing the door behind her.  

“That’s because I wasn’t giving you an inclination that I’m pleased to see you,” I snapped back, not paying any attention to her.  

She started walking towards me, sitting across me with her arms on the table. “Aren’t you even going to talk to me while I’m here?”  

“Should I?” I asked back, still not paying attention to her.  

“Robert, why are you playing this kind of game?” she replied with another question. “I thought, even just a little bit, you’d be pleased to see me today.”  

I sighed and looked up to her, irritated. “Can you give reasons why I should be happy to see you?”  

Her face painted an expression of shock, offended about my statement. “How are you this heartless towards me? I’m doing everything to make sure you’re okay and in good spirits and yet you treat me like this?”  

“Did you come here to annoy me and complain about my attitude towards you?” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Because I’m not in the mood to do this. Having a conversation with you has been tiring and I don’t need that right now.”  

She scoffed. “You’re tired of talking with me but you’re not tired of handling reports?”  

“This is my responsibility as prince of this kingdom. My responsibilities come first before anything,” I replied, reverting my attention to the report.

“You have a responsibility to me, Robert. We have a relationship together.”  

“Mallory, I’ve told you many times already about the relationship we have and that relationship doesn’t make you my responsibility,” I answered, not looking at her. “And even if you’re my official mistress, my responsibility will still come first before anything.”  

She stayed quiet after my answer. I don’t want to be rude towards her but she should know her place in this castle and my life. I’ve told her before that she’s like a sister to me and it will stay that way until the very day I die. And now, we’re in this kind of relationship, that didn’t change, even the slightest.  

“If you don’t have anything else to say, could you please leave me alone and let me do my work in peace?” I folded the report I finished and put it on the pile on my left.  

“I have one other thing to discuss with you,” she replied.  

“Please make it quick. I have a lot of things to do today,” I said, grabbing another report to go through.  

She let out a sigh and continued, “I’ve decided to introduce my friend to you later today.”  

My head shot up; a look of horror splattered across my face. “What?” was the only word that I could mutter.  

“I wasn’t sure about your duties so I’ve decided to get it done and over with,” she explained. “And besides, she’s ecstatic to meet you.”  

I slammed my hands on the table, now in fists. “Are you trying to get on my nerves, Mallory? I just got out of bed and the very next thing you’re going to do is give me something to worry about?”  

“Robert, we talked about this. You said that once you returned, you’ll allow me to introduce my friend to you,” she complained.  

“Yes, I did but I never gave you the right to decide on when you’ll be introducing your friend to me,” I snarled back. “You already did something against our agreement and you just keep on adding more to this mistake?!”  

“Mistake?” her voice cracked. “You think this relationship between the two of us is a mistake?”  

“I don’t think, I know,” I emphasized.

She looked down to her feet, trying to stop her tears. Without any more words, she ran out of the room, slamming the door closed.  

I let out a deep breath, combing my hair with my fingers. I groaned as I put my face in my hands. She’s been nothing but a pain ever since I agreed to this. I can’t bear this anymore; I have to put an end to this nonsense.  

I need a breath of fresh air. Maybe I should visit Laura. I know I’m not supposed to be going outside on my own in this condition and I don’t know if she’s worried about me but I’m worried about her.  

I need to see her now.  

I stood up and proceeded to my bathroom to have a quick shower and a bath.  

♔♔♔

As I was fixing the wrap on my chest, a knock came upon my door. “Come in.”  

The door creaked and a voice greeted, “Your Highness.” It was Gonzalo.  

“Ah, Gonzalo,” I greeted before putting my focus back on my wound. “What news do you have for me?”  

“I’ve successfully finished arranging your study. Would you like to come and see?” he asked.  

I groaned after I gave myself a slight stretch, finishing the wrap around my chest. “Where are my parents?” I asked, not answering Gonzalo’s question.  

“His Majesty went with a few lords to the town to oversee brewing trouble with the traders. Her Majesty went on to visit your Aunt Bethilda,” Gonzalo replied. “Is there something wrong, young prince?”  

I stood up and walked towards him. “I’ll be taking a quick trot. I need a bit of fresh air,” I put the remaining wrap on his hand. “And as before, I would like to go alone and no one should know.”  

Gonzalo nodded. “I won’t disobey you with what you want, Your Highness. But I do have to ask if you’re sure you’re capable of leaving the castle in your condition.”  

“Of course, Gonzalo,” I smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I wouldn’t do this if I know to myself I couldn’t. I’ll be back before you even know it.” I pulled my hand back.  

He nodded. “Should I have a few servants prepare your champion for you?”  

“There’s no need for that. I’ll cater to Lady myself,” I answered.