“Finally!” Bethilda exclaimed, raising her hands in the air. “A balancing scale has finally arrived,” she added as James walked up to us. 
Not wanting to wait any longer, Mother rushed to James and landed in his wide open arms. They shared a kiss and a tight embrace of longing, not wanting to let go of each other. 
“Oh, my love,” Mother murmured into James’ clothes. 
“My heart,” he smiled as he held Mother tightly. His eyes were closed. One hand supported her head whilst the other held onto her waist. He kissed her hair twice as he pulled her closer, taking in her very scent. 
Mother gently pulled away, her eyes fixated on him. “When did you arrive?” 
“I’ve been home for quite a while now. I just had to help Robert with Lady,” he replied. 
“Lady?” Mother turned to me, confused. She then turned back to James and asked, “What happened to her?” 
James sighed. “She was poisoned and had a brush with death.” 
Mother gasped, covering her mouth. “Who would do such a thing?! What happened?!” 
James held Mother’s hand and explained, “That, we still don’t know. I already told Gonzalo and his men to investigate this matter. We will find the culprit.” He kissed her forehead and proceeded to approach us. “What were you currently talking about?” 
“James, your son has no respect for me,” Bethilda complained as she stood in front of me. 
I scoffed as I rolled my eyes. I guess this is the kind of game we are to play today. And Bethilda doesn’t have to have any sort of problem with making me look bad in front of the king. 
She added as she fanned, “He has disrespected me again and I don’t think he has any plans of stopping.” 
James sighed, shaking his head. “What’s the root of their quarrel this time?” he asked, looking at Mother. 
“We were talking about a few matters when Robert knocked. Bethilda answered, saying that we’re discussing something but Robert proceeded to enter,” Mother explained. “That’s how everything started.” 
“Bethilda, you know by now that our children are allowed to see whenever they need to,” James then turned to Bethilda. “However, I agree that it doesn’t justify the reason why Robert entered. May I ask why Robert wasn’t allowed to disrupt your meeting with Amelia?” he continued. 
Oh, I would love to hear her reason for this one. 
“James, what we discussed was important. Only you can interrupt such a meeting,” Bethilda continued to complain. “We were talking about changing the curtains here in the castle. But then--” 
James and I suddenly snickered. James was quick to stop himself in fear of offending Bethilda. But I struggled to keep a straight face. However, my attempts faltered and I finally let out all of my laughter. 
Bethilda looked at me, even more furious. “Did I say something to amuse you?” 
James struggled to stop his sniggering. “When you said you talked about important matters, I thought it was related to the kingdom’s economy,” he replied, trying to get through his words without bursting into laughter. “But to call the manner of changing curtains as some kind of emergency… that was hysterical.” 
“Well, James, if you haven’t noticed,” Bethilda’s hands now on her waist, “your curtains have done nothing but collect dust for years. Doesn’t anyone in this kingdom know the meaning of sanitation?!” she ranted as she threw her hands in the air. 
I fell on the floor laughing as she rambled on. I couldn’t help it anymore. 
She turned to me and back to James. “I presume that I amused the two of you,” she snarled. 
“I don’t want to say this but… to call something simple to be some kind of heavy matter might have established your idiocy,” I answered, trying to suppress my giggles. “Also, when you said they collected dust, you made me realize that you can be hilarious and stupid at the same time.”
Her mouth hung, insulted. “I don’t think I appreciate the message you’re trying to deliver, young prince,” she spatted. “May I ask an explanation for your baseless theory?” 
I took a deep breath in as my laughter stopped. But I still sniggered, which made it harder to speak still. “First, you don’t need to hold a meeting to change the castle curtains. Only overreacting people would do that.” I added, “And second, how could they be that dirty when you just changed them when Mother was sick?” 
As soon as I gave my response, James turned around and laughed even more. His laughter was contagious, I started to laugh once again. Tears formed within my eyes. I couldn’t breathe and James’ face had turned red. This kind of thinking from Bethilda was incredibly amusing! 
“I have to say,” I wiped my tears, “You annoyed me a while ago. But your idiocy has made my day,” I snickered. 
“Robert, please,” Mother tried to reprimand me even though she was struggling to keep herself calm. 
“But don’t mistake this instance that I like you. I still don’t. Your stupidity has just become a source of entertainment for us,” I added. 
Bethilda’s nose fumed as she watched us enjoy our laughter. She walked over to Mother and crossed her arms. “Sister, I believe we should resume this discussion tomorrow.” 
“Are you certain?” Mother asked as Bethilda headed to the door. Mother covered her mouth with her hands, not wanting to offend Bethilda even more. 
She turned around with an irritated glare. “Your family has shown no respect for family discussions. They call it stupidity and by the looks of it, they’re enjoying it,” she said. “And as I can tell, you’re about to join them as well.” 
“We shall see you at dinner, then?” Mother asked another. 
“I would like to have my dinner served in my room tonight,” Bethilda replied as she turned, her head held up high. “Now, if you’d all excuse me, I have something to take care of.” She then walked out of the room, not even taking a second look. 
James and I sat across each other at the table, still recovering from what just happened. 
“What were the two of you thinking?” Mother walked over to us. She was frustrated, annoyed. But there were traces that she enjoyed it.
“Oh, my darling,” James said as he slowly recovered, “don’t act as if you didn’t enjoy it.” 
Mother’s smile slowly crept on her face. She then snickered a bit and replied, “I admit that it was a good laugh. But why did you have to embarrass her in such a way?” 
“We were simply being blunt with her, Mother. We didn’t mean to. She brought it upon herself,” I said, taking deep breaths in. 
“Well, I think that’s enough for the two of you,” Mother crossed her arms. “Let out every ounce of laughter in your bodies now.” 
“Really?” James’ eyes widened. 
Mother nodded, her lips in a firm line. 
James and I shared a look before we bursted into another session of laughter. Who wouldn’t?! Anyone would laugh their guts out if they heard it themselves. We finally stopped laughing and began to catch our breaths. 
“Whoo!” I exclaimed, elated. 
“That has been very entertaining for us.” James then turned to me and asked, “Don’t you think so?” 
“I agree with you on that, Father!” I covered my mouth as my response silenced the whole room. Our eyes widened, surprised. Did I just call James “father”? 
I cleared my throat as I straightened myself. “I mean, yes, it was a good laugh, James.” 
James nodded, the smile on his face turned into a firm line. 
“I would also like to express my gratitude for saving Lady a while ago,” I continued. “Lady wouldn’t have survived without your aid.” 
James let out a satisfied smile. “I did that for you, son. Lady means the world to you and I wouldn’t want for you to lose her because of someone’s ill intentions,” he said. 
I nodded. “I guess this is where I take my leave, then,” I stood from the chair, putting my hands behind my back. “I didn’t have my rest yet so this would be the perfect time to do so.” 
“Will you be joining us at dinner?” Mother grinned as she walked towards me. 
I laid a gentle kiss on her cheek. “If I wake up before evening arrives, I probably will.” 
She smiled as she nodded. 
I bowed before them and walked out of the room.