Conquering His Cold Heart

152 Sowing

Romulus had a short conversation with the King. After seeing how serious the King’s health was, he didn’t want to keep on lingering around for much longer.

So, he glanced at the sick King with the intention to conclude their short meeting and said, “Your Majesty, I think I should take my leave now. I don’t think I should make you waste your energy by letting you talk to me. I would rather you to use that energy to recuperate sooner.”

King Alfred gave a nod, happy that the guest was about to leave, and replied, “I really appreciate that you came all the way here to the capital to check up on my health. I know you are a busy man, especially considering how you’ve got a whole batch of new wolves.”

“I’m not so busy that I wouldn’t have time for you, Your Majesty,” Romulus said with a slight smile on his face. “May the Moon Goddess bestow good health upon you.” He gave a bow to the King and upon getting his approval, he got up and turned around to walk out of the room.

“Everard, why don’t you see Lord Romulus out?” the King gestured for his son to follow the alpha.

Everard gave a slight bow to his father and also instructed the nurses, “I will come back after a few hours. But if anything happens, call the royal doctor immediately and also send someone to call me. I will come right away.”

“We will do as you say, Your Highness,” one of the nurses replied to the Crown Prince.

Everard went out of the room and caught up with Romulus, who was walking down the corridor at a slow pace.

When Everard started to walk side by side, Romulus gave a smile to the Crown Prince and politely said, “You didn’t need to trouble yourself, my Prince. I wouldn’t want you to walk me out when the King needs you by his side. I can see myself out.”

.....

“Oh, it’s alright, Lord Romulus. I was going to rest for a while anyway.” Everard gave a slight smile and continued walking along with the alpha.

“Ah! That’s a relief then.” Romulus instantly snatched the chance to have small talks with the Crown Prince in an attempt to get on his good side, “So, how is your stay in Lavinya, my Prince? I hope that you don’t get homesick that often.”

“So far, it has been good.” Everard took a deep breath and said in a rather melancholic voice, “I do get homesick at times. There were times when I wished my father would send someone to pick me up... But I never expected that I would be coming home because of my father’s illness. He never got sick like this before.”

“Yes, our kind doesn’t get sick that easily.” Romulus and Everard took a turn to the left and headed toward the main gate of the castle.

“What did the doctor say?” Romulus asked, though he already had a guess what the King was suffering from, “Did they find out what kind of illness it is?”

Everard pressed his lips together. An overwhelming storm of sadness swirled in his heart.

He shook his head with great difficulty and answered, “Unfortunately, the doctors haven’t diagnosed his illness yet. All they are doing is giving him tonics to relieve his cough and his heartburn. Other than that, they aren’t doing much... and...”

“And it is making you frustrated because you are feeling helpless...” Romulus looked into Everard’s ebony eyes and completed Everard’s sentence for him.

Everard clenched his fists tightly and gave a nod. ‘It is that apparent, huh?’ he thought.

“I think I will be overstepping, but... would you like me to give you some insights regarding your father’s situation?” Romulus was giving off a suspenseful vibe when he asked that, as though he knew some deep secrets about the King.

Everard turned his head to look at Romulus. He had a serious look on his face. Thus, Everard agreed to hear what Romulus had to say.

“It’s been years since the Queen died.” Romulus declared as though that sentence alone was enough to make Everard understand the depth of the situation.

Everard furrowed his brows, waiting for Romulus to speak further.

The two of them reached outside.

Around five men, who clearly were werewolves, were standing while resting their arms behind their backs. As soon as they saw Romulus, one of them ran to get the carriage for their alpha.

Romulus stood while facing the Crown Prince. He looked into the Prince’s expectant eyes and began speaking his mind, “I don’t know if everyone else in the castle, including the King, is unaware of the root cause of his illness, or if they are deliberately trying to hide it from Your Highness. Whatever the reason, I think you have the right to know exactly what is going on with your father. I don’t want you to have any regret or anger, later on, thinking if things would have been any different if you knew.”

Everard felt a sharp sting in his heart. “You mean, the others know what my father is going through, and yet they aren’t telling me?” he asked with a frown.

“Not just that, you also know what is happening to him?” Everard wondered if everyone but he was aware of the King’s health condition.

“Yes, I’m afraid I am aware of what is happening to the King. I am sorry that everyone kept you out of the loop, Your Highness.” Romulus gave a slight bow to the Crown Prince as if he was also deeply saddened by the fact that the truth was being kept from Everard.

He further spoke as if he understood why Everard was being excluded. “But I don’t blame them, Your Highness. I think they all must be trying to protect you from the bitter truth. If I were in their shoes, I would also try to do the same, especially considering how you are a new turner and how little you know about this other side of us.”

“What truth, Lord Romulus? I want you to tell me.” Everard asked restlessly, his face getting red with anger.

Romulus was happy on the inside. He had successfully sowed the seed of distrust and doubt in the heart of the Crown Prince towards the others. However, on the outside, he looked so heartbroken and empathetic that anyone would want to lean on his shoulder and cry during their hard times.

The two of them could hear the rhythmic noise that was being produced by the wheels of Romulus’ carriage. Soon enough, the carriage stopped in front of them, and the coachman opened the doors of the carriage for the Head of the Atkinson clan.

And before Romulus got the chance to speak, they heard a voice from inside the carriage.

“Everton? Everton! It is indeed you! What are you doing here?”