“I did mention that it could be done out of negligence, young prince,” he repeated. 
“How dare you slander me. I wasn’t raised to be that heartless!” I ranted. “Should I do some sort of experimenting, I would never use it on animals. That is not how I was raised!” 
“Calm yourself, Robert,” James gently pulled me back as he stood in front of me. “Forgive my son’s outburst, good sir. However, your assumptions on him are absolutely false,” James rebutted the Medicine King’s claims. “My son shared so much with Lady. She means the world to him, he would never dare do anything to endanger her.” 
“I didn’t mean to accuse the prince wrongly, Your Majesty. However, because of this incident, someone close to the prince must look after his champion,” the Medicine King answered. “She mustn’t be left alone. I’m afraid that it might happen again and if it did, it would be fatal. I suppose the person who did this has something against the prince.” 
Why would someone hurt a harmless creature? Lady never offended anybody. And if someone felt hatred towards me, let me be the one on the receiving end. My champion did not deserve to go through that pain. I must get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. 
“Robert, why don’t you take an early rest?” James turned to me. “It’s been quite a scene here. I need to have a word with the Medicine King as well.” 
I nodded. “I’ll see Mother first before I head back.” 
“If you wish it,” he nodded with a faint smile. 
“Good evening. And thank you, Medicine King, ” I bowed to them and walked back inside. 
♔♔♔ 
As I made my way to the master quarters, Nana stepped out of a corner and blocked my path. “Nana!” my voice rang through the halls. “You gave me a fright.” 
“I’m sorry, my dear. I didn’t mean to,” she apologized as she walked up to me. “Did I interrupt your thoughts?” 
“Not at all, Nana. I was just surprised when you appeared out of nowhere,” I explained. “Is there something wrong?” 
“The servants have told me that Lady is feeling better. I couldn’t be relieved of such good news,” she smiled. “However, I heard your thanks didn’t extend to your father.” 
The maids must stop with their eavesdropping. Our affairs and private conversations weren’t made to be their source of entertainment. To spread such information might lead to our demise in the future. 
“Nana, I was going to thank him. However, he told me I could leave and he needed to talk to the Medicine King in private,” I said. 
“Robert, a simple thanks can do a great deal to anyone, especially to your father,” she replied. “He doesn’t tell this to anybody but he feels you loathe him too much.” 
“Nana, he was talking to the Medicine King,” I repeated after a sigh. “Interrupting their conversation would be rude of me. 
She stepped closer and held my hands. “There’s always room for a son.” 
I smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Nana. I’ll make sure to thank him during dinner. For now, I need to see Mother.” 
She cupped my face and kissed my forehead. She then gave me another smile and walked away and I continued walking. 
I was thankful for what James did. I owe him Lady’s life. But with all honesty, thanking James is something easier said than done. For years, he never acted as a father. He never did anything that I would be thankful for. But Nana was right. James deserved my thanks for what he did today. 
♔♔♔ 
I knocked as I reached the master bedroom. 
“A private meeting is in session,” Bethilda answered. 
Why am I not surprised that Bethilda is here? 
I ignored her response and entered. There, Mother and Bethilda stood by the window. I kept my hands behind me as I walked towards them. I kept the appearance of the calm, sweet breeze. But within me, a bottled-up fury began to boil, only waiting to explode.
“Well, hello, dear one,” Mother smiled as I stood beside her. 
I smiled and replied, “Greetings to the most beautiful woman in the world.” I then kissed her cheek. 
“As I recall, I mentioned that a meeting was happening here,” Bethilda interrupted our warm welcome with her sarcasm. 
“Dearest sister,” Mother turned to her, a gentle smile on her face, “Robert was present in almost everything meeting James and I attended. Whether it’s a public meeting or private, we allow our children to talk to us if they need to.” 
“And as I recall,” I entered the conversation, “Only the ruling monarchs of a certain kingdom can make those kinds of decisions.” I smirked as I kept my gaze away from Bethilda. I just took a nap and the last thing I would want to see is the scowl on her face. 
Bethilda chuckled. “As you can see, Amelia, your son has no manners at all,” she turned to my direction, her fan in hand. 
I scoffed, facing her fury with mine. “I would’ve been kinder to you. However, from the very moment you stepped foot into our home, everything about you told me not to,” I answered. 
“That’s enough for you both,” Mother blocked the growing hostility. “We’re a family. We’re supposed to be working together, not against one another.” 
“With all due respect, Mother, I don’t think she wants to be a part of our family,” I said as I turned away from Bethilda. “She wouldn’t act all superior if she wanted to have a harmonious relationship with us.” 
“Amelia!” Bethilda stomped her foot. 
“Robert,” Mother gently held onto my shoulders, looking earnestly into my eyes. “We’re the only family your aunt has left. Your bickering with her has to come to an end.” 
I sighed, removing her hand from me. I held them tightly and replied, “Mother, she should receive that advice, not me. She gave us a reason not to like her.” 
The door suddenly opened and as our heads turned, it was James.