I turned to Bethilda, looking at her with hate. My brows furrowed and I bit my inner cheeks in an attempt of stopping myself from saying anything against Bethilda and her ways. She’s not worth the energy to oppose.
“Bethilda, there’s nothing to worry about,” Mother put a hand on Bethilda as she assured her with our decision. “I trust Robert’s decision. He’s never done something to harm us. You should, too.”
Bethilda pulled her hand back as she slowly stood back up by the other side of the bed. “Of course,” she bowed her head.
I offered the plant to Mother and she eagerly accepted it. She took a deep breath and looked at me before putting it in her mouth and started to eat it. After she chewed the plant, she drank some water and we waited for an effect. She put her hand on the side of the head, her eyes began to look drowsy. “I feel a bit… sleepy. I would like to have some rest.”
I nodded and helped her lie back down. As soon as her back felt the soft mattress, she started to snore. It’s as if she’s only having a good rest right now. Bethilda and I then left the room, letting her sleep.
I went on my way when I was suddenly stopped by a call on my name, “Robert?”
I groaned silently before turning around to face Bethilda.
“Where did you find such a plant?” she asked as she walked closer to me. “And how come you know so much about that plant?”
“Why are you - all of a sudden - curious about the plant?” I answered with a question.
“That plant is an unfamiliar one to me. It may cause more harm than good to your mother,” she said. “At this point, we can’t risk trying anything for her health. One wrong move and everything can go wrong. I’m not sure how much studying you did in order to find that plant but for now, all my tea to do the healing.”
“Here’s the problem between the two of us, Bethilda,” I took a step forward. “You don’t trust my plan, I don’t trust your tea. My mother trusted my decision and by the looks of it, she’s having a good rest right now. Let that be the end of this conversation.” I turned around and started walking.
“Robert,” she called out to me once more, causing me to stop on my tracks. This time, I didn’t bother to turn around. “In order for your mother to get better, we must cooperate with one another. We’re a family. We shouldn’t oppose one another.”
“If you want our cooperation, the least you can do is to stop interfering with our ideas in helping our mother get better.” As she didn’t say another word after my reply, I went on my way.
I may seem rude, disrespectful towards my aunt but I don’t regret it. In the first place, she was only a visitor here. I know she’s the sister but when it comes to the health of the king and queen, she doesn’t have that much of a say about it. It’s so coincidental that when she arrived here, Mother’s health began to deteriorate even more. I will not let her destroy this family. This family has stood strong for generations and I wouldn’t let it be torn down by a woman who looks like a big warthog that’s wearing a dress that has such a big arse.
♔♔♔
I finally arrived in my room but as I looked around, Elizabeth’s things were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps her room has been returned to its original state. Finally, I can have some sleep. I was about to lie down when someone knocked on my door. I sat down on the edge. “Who is it?”
The door opened and Gonzalo entered with a silver plate on his hand. “Your Highness,” he bowed before me. “A letter has arrived for you. It came this morning,” he continued, handing the letter.
My brows furrowed as the letter landed on my hands. “Who sent it?” I asked, looking up.
“Nana Olsa didn’t say. She simply said one of the guards to give it to you,” he replied.
“Nana received it?” I asked, even more confused. She doesn’t usually receive my letters. The messenger would only hand them directly to Gonzalo. Gonzalo was the one I assigned to attend and sort my letters. “Are you certain Nana didn’t say anything about its origin?”
He shook his head. “Nana only told us to give it to you privately.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Gonzalo.”
He bowed and left the room quickly. I opened the letter,
“Robert, I don’t know if you’re still looking for me. I don’t know if you’re wondering where I am or still curious to see me. But I would like for you to know that my disappearance, my absence in your life may be the best thing for us all. I want peace and I know you would want that as well. Forget me. Continue on with your life. - Laura”
The paper fell slowly from my hand as I stared on the floor. Her absence is needed?! How could she think like that?! I never said such a thing! Without any second thoughts, I rushed to the stables. I must get to the bakery as fast as possible. I don’t want her to think and feel that she doesn’t matter to me.