Pretending To Be Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard

"Is there something that you are keeping from me? Is there something that I should know about huh?"

The look on Alex's face instantly changes from being serious into something else the moment he heard me ask this question to him. So, I am definitely right huh. There is really something that I don't know about.

However, the answer that came out from his mouth disappointed me big time.

"No, there isn't," he answered without making any eye contact at me. "Why should you think about that?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I just.. feel it."

"Well, there isn't," he said.  Trust me," 

His last sentence came out more like a plea rather than just a plain statement. And before I knew it, Alex started walking away from me.

"Come on, I think it's already okay to start walking back to the castle," he said and continued walking, leaving me behind.

As we are walking back to the castle, there are certain questions that keep on circulating inside my head.

Like, why? Why do you need to hide something from me? Why don't I get to know about the things that they have previously discussed? 

Is it really that confidential? Am I not entitled to know the whole truth?

Yet…

"Trust me…"

He wants me to trust him even though he did not directly answer my question.

Can I… really trust him at this point? 

---

The blaring sound from the alarm clock placed on the nightstand next to the king-sized bed that I am currently sleeping on instantly woke me up from my deep slumber.

With my eyes still half-closed, I reached for it and slammed the top portion of the alarm clock to stop it from further hurting my ears.

The next thing I did was get up from bed and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. As I opened it completely, the light coming in from the window slowly filled my amber eyes right now.

What a bright day it is…

Wait a minute…

My eyes instantly went round the moment I was able to take a glimpse of the time on my alarm clock. It clearly says eight in the freaking morning!

Bloody hell, I am going to be late for my first-period class! I was so lost yesterday night by the time I went back and set my alarm at the wrong time.

"Aaahh! I better hurry!" I exclaimed and dashed my way towards the bathroom.

"Good morning Krisella," I heard Lucas greeted me from behind but I only ignored him. If it's him entering the room, I simply don't mind.

"Why are you in such a hurry? " he curiously asked when he saw me panicking.

"I will be late for class!" I exclaimed.

"Krisella, have you forgotten?"

"Forgot about what?"

"Classes are suspended for a week."

I suddenly remembered Mr. Pumpkin's announcement yesterday morning. I almost slammed my head against the wall for embarrassing myself in front of my mentor.

"Ah, how foolish of me to forget about that," I said and smacked my forehead with my right palm.

"Anyway, Lancelot just wanted me to check if you have already woken up. And it seems you are now fully awake," he said, suppressing a chuckle.

"Have your breakfast with us once you're done cleaning yourself," 

That was his last statement before he excused himself and went out of the room.

By the time I arrived at the dining room in my complete princely apparel,  Lancelot and Lucas had already started eating. But there was no sign of the jerk around here.

"Where is Alex?" I can't help but wonder about his whereabouts.

"He's out, I guess," Lucas answered for me. "You know him, he doesn't let us usually know where he goes or what he does with his life,"

That may be true… but still, I can't help but worry for him every time he is not around.

"Okay," 

There are still a lot of things I wanted to ask of them, but all I said is this. I forced myself to ignore the worries that started to inhabit my mind and proceeded to eat peacefully along with my mentors.

Afterward, Lucas and Lancelot openly admitted to me that there were things they should take care of before we can proceed with our training. And so I was mostly left alone in the castle with the servants. 

I was instructed to stay put inside the prince's castle. And if, in case, there is someone who likes to see the prince, I should remain in an invisible state until they decide to leave. I am not allowed to face the visitors without my mentors' presence.

Since school has been suspended for a week, I've been confined to the castle and didn't have much to do. All I could do is sit still and let the time pass.

Well, I should just spend this spare time learning new spells inside my father's spellbook. Right, what a lovely idea it truly is.

Feeling determined, I left the prince's office and decided to get the spellbook inside the prince's chamber where I had left my bag hidden from those that could possibly see it.

I was halfway to the prince's chamber when I noticed something. It was Alex in the flesh. He looked tired and sleepy for some reason. Wearing casual clothes, he indicates he has not left the castle since early this morning. I suspect he is heading to the kitchen to get something.

"Oh my, captain… Do you need anything? Let me get it for you," said the head servant of the castle upon taking notice of Alex's poor state.

"Don't mind me. I could get it by myself," he said and started coughing lightly.

And then it hit me. The captain of the magic army is sick today!

Because of that, I totally forgot about the spellbook and just rushed to the kitchen as well. When I got there, I saw Alex fetch a glass of water and nearly flinched by the time he spun around.

"You almost gave me a heart attack!" Alex yelled but was immediately cut off by his cough.

"Geez, it's not my fault if you're easy to scare with," I teased. 

I heard him click his tongue in irritation before drinking the water from the glass. After he did so, he left it at the counter and proceeded to walk out of the kitchen again, but I blocked the path for him.

"And what do you think you're doing?" He raised one eyebrow at me as he asked that.

I did not answer him directly, but instead… I lifted one hand and gently touched his forehead. 

My eyes widened. He is literally burning hot at the moment, compared to my body temperature!

"Bloody hell Alex! You have a high fever!" I nearly screamed but was able to suppress it on time.

"So?" He spoke as if it is not a big deal.

"So you need to take a rest!"

"T-that is what I am currently doing."

"Just… let me take care of you. No buts!"

Geez… now I wonder how did he end up getting sick all of a sudden.

As soon as I prepared a bowl of cold water, I ran to the storage room and grabbed a towel before running with him to his room. Then, I told him to lay down while I placed a wet towel on his forehead.

"Really now, you don't have to do this. Think of what the servants would say if they'll see us here," he complained.

"I said no complaints!" I reprimanded and stood up from the bedroom chair I had settled down earlier.

"You haven't eaten anything…so let me cook something for you. I'll be right back."

And before he could complain, I left his room to go to the kitchen. 

Hours later, when I returned to his room, I had a bowl of freshly-cooked rice porridge, a glass of water, and the medicine the servant had given me. 

It took me a long time to get back here because the servants insisted that they should do all the cooking.

After a while, I let them do their thing and not argue with them anymore. But I insisted on delivering the tray to the captain's room by myself.

He was already asleep when I returned here.

"No… I can't," 

I was placing the tray on top of the nightstand when I heard him mumbling something in his sleep.

"I can't… lose her," 

My forehead creased. Lose her? Who is it that he doesn't want to lose? Is there someone that the captain likes?

Before I knew it, my heart ached just by merely thinking about it.

As much as I hate waking him up now, I do not have much choice. Because I am irritated at the moment, I kicked his bed hard, waking him up instantly.

"Krisella, what the hell?" As expected, he yelled at me.

"Eat and drink your medicine. Go back to sleep afterward. That should make you feel better." 

That was the last thing I said before I left his room.

At this point, I can't help but wonder who this lucky girl is who he's mumbling about in his sleep.