Chapter 6: A Royal Promotion
Damn this!
I tilted his head to give more space to his wound. In frustration, I am now able to hear my own breathing. As my face was getting closer, I can smell his scent of mixed cologne and sweat. How can he still manage to smell manly and delicious after all that running? Hrrrhrhrhrhh. Focus James! He might be a dead man any minute now.
My lips touched his warm soft skin. If anyone saw us here, he might think that I am kissing his neck. Gross. I started to suck the poison out of his neck. It's not really an advisable solution but it's the only option as of the moment. He started to moan as the blood was sucked off him. I really feel like a vampire here. It lasted for god knows how many minutes until I decided to spit the poison. Not that I enjoyed it but I needed to make sure that the poison's gone.
"Thanks." He managed to say but it's obvious that he's getting weak.
"Can you stand?" I asked. I need to get him to the infirmary quick or else you know. He nodded. Good. I can't carry him myself.
I helped him stand with my support by putting his arms around my neck to my shoulders. This man was also shot in the stomach so it's a double whammy on his behalf.
It was a good thing that we are not that far from the castle. God! He was so heavy the I feel like I am carrying all the burden of the earth. On the bright side of things, I'm grateful that he's taller than me because it was easier for me to support him. We walked the slowest walk in history on our way to the palace.
Minutes later, the castle was now in view and it was the first time that I felt joy seeing it. I looked at Prince Gregory's face. He looks weary but it was no doubt the most attractive face I saw. His flawless face is now glowing with the fullness of the moon. It's sad that his attitude is awful.
"Take me to the infirmary..." He whispered weakly.
"I don't know where that is..." I replied. "And I don't think I can carry you any further." I wheezed. He leaned closer to me as if any moment he's gonna faint. I held on to his chest, feeling his warm body more. We were getting closer to our destination when he lost his consciousness. All the weight I carried became even heavier and that caused us both to fall on the ground; my face directly to his broad chest.
Crap. This is not happening.
"Help! Can somebody help me?" I screamed hoping someone would come to our aid. "Help!"
Suddenly, a light was turned on and it gave hope. A man peered from the door and ran outside to our direction. As he moves closer, I can finally see a familiar face.
"What's the matter?" he inquired. Thank god Mattheo was here.
"The princeâ" I pointed to Greg who is now lying on the grassy ground. "He needs help."
"Shit." He cursed and immediately checked for his pulse. "Help me take him to the infirmary." Mattheo ordered. I nodded and helped him carry the unconscious prince.
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Somebody was knocking loudly on my door which woke me up. Ugh. What now? It's not yet time for work. I ignored the sound and closed my eyes. I decided to drift off back to sleep. Them poltergeist should try harder to scare me. The lack of sleep for this night can never wake me even if ghosts come in my room to float around. I don't care. I just got back to my bed after leaving Prince Gregory on the care of the infirmary. I think I deserved some shut eye because I am awfully tired and service to the sorb resumes tomorrow.
"Mr. James Inkwell." Somebody called my name. I must say, this castle must be really old to house a speaking ghost. Nevertheless it didn't scare me enough to not sleep for this night. I held my blanket tighter.
Without a warning, the door opened and guards started to flood my room. The hell? Am I dreaming? If not, why can't I get a proper sleep for this night now that I'm very exhausted and drowsy.
It is then that I stood firmly and bowed to the King who is now standing in front of me. Ugh. Now what do they want?
"Your Majesty.." I said as a sign of respect to the leader of this country.
"I heard you saved my son from an attempted assassination. Is that true?" The king inquired. Huh? Now what is it?
"Yes, your majesty." I replied head down looking at the floor.
"What we're you doing at this time of night in the forest?" he probed. I hesitated in telling the truth but he's the king. I need to tell him the truth or else I will be charged with perjury.
"I was planning to escape your majesty." I mumbled. "I'm sorry but I really wanted to go back home to my family. It was a stupid decision to escape the sorb. I hope you forgive me and I promise not to do it again in the future." I continued to bow my head. I bit my lip. Refusal of Sorbea Perpetua equates to life imprisonment or even death.
"Then I must thank you for your bravery and courage to save my son. Mattheo already told me about your noble act and I am here to offer you a proposition as an act of thanking you."
I lifted my head up to look at the king. "I'm sorry but I don't understand." I'm not sure if I heard it correctly but he's offering something to me? Is it freedom? Can I finally see my family at last? Sleep was now the last thing on my mind. Excitement was taking over. But more importantly, I'm relieved to know he's not mad for my attempt to escape my servitude.
"I'm appointing you to be the Prince's Gardein*." He stated while attaching a pin on my shirt.
The prince's guardian. That's it? Disappointment sure felt heavy on my shoulders.
"I apologize your majesty but I can I first say my piece because I really think that appointing me as a royal guard is not the best thing for the prince." I said and started to remove the pin from my shirt. I tried to hand him the pin but the King never bothered to take them. "You're majesty, I am not trained or competent to protect a member of the royal family, if things like that happens again I may not be lucky enough to save his life. Second, loyalty to the ward is required and must be tested before appointing a royal guard. It was not my intention to save the prince since I wanted to escape. It just happened that someone was being murdered tonight."
"Yes but you still chose to save him. I chose you to be his Gardein because you decided to put your life at stake before the prince, that's bravery and loyalty."
Right now I just wanted to pull all my hairs on my head. Asdfghjkl! That's the thing, I don't want to serve the prince not in a thousand years. That guy already hates me and I feel the same way for him.
"I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to decline your offer. I think the prince already has a more competent Royal Guardian to protect him. Thank you for your offer though."
"He's been murdered tonight." the king said grimly. Oh. The more reason I'd like to decline his offer.
"Aren't you worried that I might be too young to become a royal guard? I beg you your majesty, please choose somebody who can really protect the prince at times like this." I tried to give him the pin again but the King never took it. He's still thinking about the possible options. "I have to work tomorrow and I really need the sleep. Can you at least grant me that luxury?" I pleaded. My mind is now on the edge of breaking down.
"But you did save him." he finally managed to say. "I know that you're knowledgeable about things. Things that actually saved my son. I can see potential in you. Young but very wise. That's why I'd like you to be my son's Gardein."
I wanted to skin myself alive. Can they understand the meaning of the word no? Or do I need call Meghan T. to explain to them what no means?
"We will be training you in the process so don't worry." the king assured me. "I actually want someone younger to serve the prince because you will also serve as his advisor in the long run. That way, you will become his confidant, his conscience, his friend" he added. I almost want to gag when he said friend. If he said enemy I would have believed him.
"How about older people who has experience and wisdom? I can't offer those things if I will be protecting someone who is older than me." Please agree with me. Please agree with me.
"If you don't want to see your family again then I'll be fine with that." the King finally said and decided to retrieve the pin on my finger. His words began to process in my brain. I didn't let go of the pin and the king smiled with victory.
"What do you mean when you said that I can't see my family again?" I asked him.
He put his hand on my shoulder, his smile getting broader. "You do know that I am giving you a promotionâa royal promotion as we call it. A Royal Gardein is equivalent to being in the upper class and so you will be given the benefit to visit your family or stroll outside the palace once a month or if time permits. I don't really understand why you would choose to refuse an offer to become one of the Royal Guardians. It has some perks you know." He stated with a victorious grin on his face knowing that I can't resist his offer.
"O-once a month?" that phrase made me drool in anticipation.
"Yes but in your case, after a year of training. You still need to undergo intensive coaching and you need to upskill your talents before reaping the full benefits of a Royal Gardein."
"So be it." I took the pin back. If it will take me a year before I see my family then so be it. "I'll accept the position but I really need to sleep right now. I'm so tired from all the action that happened tonight. Let's talk about it in the morning." After hearing what he wanted to hear, he shook my hand to congratulate me.
"Alright. We'll disturb you no further. Don't worry about waking up early in the morning. Mattheo will guide you tomorrow." he said and they left my room in unison. I just nodded in reply before positioning myself to sleep. I can already feel myself close to dreamland. I just hope I'll survive after a year with the prince.
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*Author's note: Yes, I intentionally spelled it as Gardein. It's a middle English word which means guardian/warden.