Chapter 44 – You look exhausted
2254 Words
When Vince showed up, he quickly ate before discussing a plan with Nate. The others only listened on the side, while looking forward to their own activities. Alec and Corrine prefer training with the knights. They had so much training with their magical abilities back at the northeast that they only practice them once in a while and when they think of a new thing to try.
Speaking of new things to try… Hannah suddenly thought of another. Aaron hadn’t tried uttering an enchantment yet. It is easily dismissed, but still something that a person with magic should try.
Nate and Vince quickly prepared. They do not know how well the enchantment will work. In any case, each prepared a bag with essentials. Clothes and food.
Each copied the enchantment on a piece of paper. Vince extended a hand for her to take.
“Ready?” He asked as he clasped her wrist while she does the same.
The others watched them before going with their respective plans. The king must be too busy not to send them off.
Nate smiled, “On three?”
She counted and then they read the enchantment together. There was no light that enveloped them. They simply dissolved in thin air.
“Well, there is that. Let’s hope for the best.” Alec stated before exiting the hall. Corrine shrugged before following him out.
They already agreed to think of their previous room in the northeast castle as their point of destination. Incredibly, they did appear there. Nate was about to celebrate but then her surrounding moved under her feet. Vince barely managed to catch her as he’s dizzied as well. They laid on the ground for some time. Nate closed her eyes as she kept feeling disoriented.
“Please. I hope this doesn’t last.” She muttered, her hand finding his on her stomach.
“Am I heavy?” Slowly, she rolled over to lay next to him. The stone floor was cold.
“You can’t be too heavy.” Vince replied in a weak tone. She pressed against his ribs when she fell, but he bore the pain. When she moved aside, he caressed his chest with a grimace. Nate would be worried if she knew, but given how he’s feeling… she must be feeling the same. Please let the room stop moving.
It must have been half an hour or so before the dizzying feeling went away. Slowly, he sat up. Nate has her eyes closed and she’s breathing evenly. Wait, is she asleep?
He leaned to tap her on the cheeks. Thankfully, the ground didn’t move below him.
“Nate?” He called out and she fought hard to open her eyes.
“Let me… rest for a while.” She exhaled before closing her eyes again. Vince frowned. Why…? Shouldn’t they be affected the same way? Slowly, he stood up, making sure his steps are firm and strong. He picked her up and placed her on the bed. It was the one he used before.
He touched her forehead and it doesn’t seem like a fever. After calming himself, he went out in search of her parents. The guards who first saw him halted his approach.
“Prince Vincent of the north, here to speak to King Aries and Queen Natasha.” He realized he didn’t even have the energy to scold them.
“Let him through.” Someone rushed forward, bowing as he approached. A knight, based on his armor, Vince assumed.
“I apologize, prince. We received no word of your arrival.”
“It is sudden. Where are their majesties?”
“Did something happen to the princess?” They only know him because of his relation to their princess.
He didn’t have time to explain himself to a guard or knight, “Show me to their highnesses.”
“Yes, my lord. This way. They are currently in the library study.”
Vince hoped he was talking about the normal library and not the heavily-guarded one.
“Prince Vincent to see the king and queen, your highnesses.” The announcement surprised the couple who were spending time looking through some family photos.
“Is something the matter? You mean a messenger came to say he’s on his way here?”
“He’s already here, my queen.” The servant bowed. His answer made both of them concerned. They quickly made their way down to meet him. Queen Natasha noticed his pale complexion from a distance and she became nervous.
“Vincent, why are you here? Did something happen to Nate? You look sick.”
Do I? Vince asked himself, he’s starting to feel drowsy and sleepy. Maybe the effect on him was later than it did Nate.
He nodded as he properly greeted the two of them.
“May I speak with you privately?” There were servants around so he didn’t dare mention anything. They were both quick to pull him inside a vacant room.
“There is nothing to worry about, your highness.” He assured them. When the door was closed behind them, he leaned against it.
“You look exhausted. Did you rush over?” The queen came to hold his arm.
“What happened?” King Aries directly asked, watching the prince looking frail.
“Nate and I used an enchantment to come here. I was just letting you know. She’s exhausted as well.” He now dares to use that word, because no other word is appropriate. It’s a fact that it is what they’re probably feeling.
“She’s in the quarters we occupied while staying here.” He’s having a hard time keeping his eyes open. Is this what Nate felt earlier?
The king held him up when he was about to fall.
“They’re here. Nate’s here.” The queen exclaimed. She wanted to rush out but the prince already lost consciousness.
“Call someone.” The king suggested as he hefted up the boy. He did well in managing to inform them before passing out. A couple of guards carried him to the room he mentioned, carefully laying him down on the other bed.
The queen was already seated next to Nate, stroking her hair.
The couple stayed with them for a couple of hours before Nate woke up. She groaned as her sight whirled in front of her again.
“Are you okay, dear?” Queen Natasha noticed her movements.
“Mother?” She called out as she held her head. She breathed out deeply.
“Yes, it’s me. How are you feeling?” She stroked her hair again. Though she cut it short again, it was a bit longer than the first time she saw her daughter. Maybe she could ask Vince to convince her to grow her hair longer.
“Where’s Vince?”
The queen smiled, she’s still the same.
“He’s resting on the other bed.”
Nate took another deep breath.
“This has to be the most exhausting enchantment we’ve ever used.” She muttered. Still, it’s better than wasting six days on the road. The thought of that made her chuckle. Yes, this is definitely more acceptable. Hopefully, it won’t last a day.
“How long have we been resting?” She asked as she opened her eyes.
“A couple of hours as of now. You found a new enchantment?” As they are unable to make use of enchantments, they hadn’t bothered studying them so they wouldn’t know all the kinds of enchantments there are.
“Queen Elise lent us a book from the fae. We found this one on it.”
“Queen Elise…?” Where did she heard that name before?
“Vince’s mother.” Nate heard her tone and saw her expression.
“I see… are you feeling well enough to sit?” She was startled to find her daughter moving about. Nate leaned against the headboard, seeing Vince on the opposite bed. Her father sat on the end of it.
“You must have passed out before he did. He’ll wake up soon.” King Aries informed her.
“Father.” She slightly bowed her head in greeting.
When they started asking questions, she related their latest visit to the fae.
“King Edward, can he use enchantments?”
Queen Natasha glared at her husband. He still hasn’t let go of that concern.
“He can’t.” Nate answered, smiling as she noticed her mother’s gaze. She can understand her father’s worry, but her mother is right. It could result to a misunderstanding if he continues to be bothered by it.
Seeing both of their gazes, King Aries sighed. Lifting both hands in mock surrender, he stated, “I know. I won’t bring it up again.”
Queen Natasha turned to her daughter again, who now noticed the little bump in her stomach. The baby will be due in five months.
“Are you really not bothered?” She wore a worried expression.
Nate smiled as she reached out a hand, “May I?”
The queen took her hand and laid it over her stomach.
“I don’t think I’ve felt the baby kick yet, but I’ve definitely felt it move.”
“I see.” Nate focused her senses on her hand, wanting to feel the baby. She frowned as she pulled her hand from under her mother’s.
“Nate?” The queen noticed her expression. Even the king was concerned as he stood up and moved closer.
“What happened?”
Nate tilted her head, “I’m not sure. My… heart throbbed loudly for a second there.” She laid her hand on her chest before closing her eyes. What happened?
“Can I?” She’d like to see if it has anything to do with her mother’s pregnancy.
“Alright.” The queen took her hand again and laid it gently.
She winced as her heart throbbed twice. Then, nothing.
Queen Natasha removed her hand and held it between hers.
“What is it?”
“I’m not sure. My heart throbbed twice. It wasn’t the normal beating. It was louder and it was almost as if my heart would jump out of my chest.”
The queen turned to her king.
“Should we be concerned?” She gazed at her stomach and caressed it with one hand while the other held unto Nate’s.
“It’s probably nothing. I might be tired still and my heart’s doing erratic things.” Nate realized her mistake. She shouldn’t have voiced it out. Now she’d worried her parents.
The queen smiled at her daughter’s attempt to dismiss it. She reached out to envelope her in a hug. Nate made sure not to touch her stomach as she returned the hug.
Vince chose that moment to wake up. It doesn’t look like he’s as groggy as she feels. His face was clear and it made her frown even more.
“Why do I feel like the enchantment affected us differently?” She voiced out.
“I think so, too.” He replied while getting out of bed.
He asked the king what day it is and they confirmed that it’s the same day. It didn’t occur to Nate to ask about it.
Vince noticed the odd atmosphere. He frowned as he asked, “Anything happened while I’m out?”
The queen chuckled. They’re both intuitive.
“Nothing happened. Are you both hungry? It has been hours already. The food could help replenish your energy.” She moved to slowly stand. Nate followed.
The king assisted his wife while Vince held hands with Nate as they follow along.
His expression was questioning and she gestured that she’ll explain later. She leaned into him as they walked. She feels safe with him around.
During the meal, an early lunch, Nate told them about Hannah’s relationship with Aaron.
“They look sweet together.” She gushed as she ate more meat.
“Hmm, what are your thoughts, Vince?”
The prince was startled, “Me? Well, when Hannah came, she wasn’t exactly hiding it. She was openly staring at him and followed him everywhere.”
He turned to Nate, “Didn’t she mention that she would be willing to become a commoner again?” Then, he asked the king, “You would allow that, won’t you?”
In a way, he hoped their friends wouldn’t face too many issues. They deserve to be happy.
“What do you mean again?” Both royals frowned.
“Hannah said she was a commoner before and a king granted her a noble status.” Nate explained. It would seem her parents aren’t aware.
The queen herself is surprised, “Well, now… she’d go that far?”
A noble status isn’t easily achieved. To renounce it…
“Has she thought it through?” It is an irreversible act so it isn’t done lightly.
“I believe so, but I’m sure she’ll speak with you about it or at least send an official letter requesting it.”
“This Aaron, how sincere is he towards Hannah?” The king asked with concern. Hannah is one of his counsel members. He grew up with her existence in the palace, being guided and advised. He’d never once seen her this young and… dare he say, impulsive?
“Aaron’s our friend. I’d say he wasn’t really keen on getting into a relationship with her, given the difference in their status. But he does care for her. They’ve been almost inseparable since they came to the north. It has only been a few days since they finally reached an agreement to be together.”
“Or maybe a week. Remember, they went on a four-day journey to get us the potion.” Vince added
“Right.” She readily agreed. They spent so much time together, and then they went on a trip with just the two of them. They could’ve settled their differences then.
“I see…” The king is still bothered by how quick their relationship progressed.
Nate knew, “Hannah didn’t tell you about her curse, did she? She told me. Aaron’s central to it. He’s the reason she turned young again. Apparently, her curse would make her the same age as him. That makes them compatible in a way.”
“Is that so…?” It was all interesting to the royal couple. The queen listened attentively. Hannah holds a very important position and well-respected, even by the two of them. Right, she might look young, but she’s wise. What things hadn’t she seen before? She wouldn’t be too rushed in her decisions and even if she did, she would have thought them over clearly.
- Writer
