When the Prince got into the carriage, seeing Martia injured, he felt his heart ache. He held her gently, close to his chest. The carriage started to move towards the city. The Prince, while holding her fondly, said, “I can now live my dream to be with you each and every moment of my life. I will never let you go anywhere now. I will always hold you as close as I can.”

  The carriage stopped at the entrance to the aristocrat’s colony. The Prince moved the curtain slightly from the window of the carriage and saw the house where he had lived. He remembered when he had met Martia for the second time and asked her to take him with her wherever she went, and then thought to himself that now it was his turn to take her wherever he went.

  He came back to the present when he saw a guard entering the carriage to check who dared request entry into the royal enclave.

  The Prince boldly said, “I am the Prince of Absyleous, brother

  of King Coaleme. And she is my lover. She needs immediate medical treatment. Send this news to royal security chief, Saltronve, and if

  there is any unnecessary delay in this process, then be ready to face punishment.”

  Intimidated by this warning, the guards immediately called for the royal guards to check. After some time, Saltronve, along with a unit of royal guards, reached.

  Seeing the Prince in this state, and holding an injured girl, Saltronve decided not to say anything at that time. He stepped out of the carriage and announced to the guards, “He is our Prince, and we have to take him back to his castle as carefully as we can.”

  After some time, the Prince reached his castle. He carried Martia in his arms and entered the castle, bowing his head in respect on seeing it after so long. He turned around to see Saltronve, who was standing beside him, and said, “Call me all the doctors with all the medicines and care necessary for a severely injured person, immediately.”

  Saltronve ordered the guards to arrange for the same. He followed the Prince to his room, which was still clean and intact. It reminded the Prince of his position and privilege.

  He carefully laid Martia on the bed. He held her hand and looked

  at her with sadness and longing. He really wanted her to wake up and look at him. Smile at him, talk to him, kiss him, love him . . . anything. Seeing her in this condition again and again was breaking him. He didn’t want to go anywhere now, far from her, or see anything except for her, even for a moment, so he continued holding her hand and kept looking at her while calling her name in his heart.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Saltronve interrupted the Prince and said, “You have to meet King

  Coaleme. He has been eagerly waiting for you from the moment he got the news that you are here.”

  The Prince stood up while looking at Martia and turned to leave the room to meet his brother. When he entered the king’s chamber, Coaleme ran up to him and quickly embraced him. The Prince embraced him back. Coaleme then let go of the Prince. Holding the Prince’s arms in excitement, he said, “I know you hated the ways of our home—the luxury and extravaganza—and that’s why you left us. But did you not miss me even for a moment? I can’t tell you how much I missed you. You know that you are not just my brother; I raised you as my son. Why did you take so much time to come and see me again? I have no family left, except for you.”

  Coaleme held him again. “I missed you so much, brother. I am so happy that you are back with me again.”

  The Prince replied politely, “I missed you too. I wish to stay here longer this time.”

  Coaleme asked the Prince to dine with him and also asked who the girl with whom he came was.

  “She is just an ordinary citizen,” said the Prince. “I met her while I was working as a doctor in one of the villages. She then started assisting me. And I fell in love with her. Some bandits attacked her a while back and injured her. That’s why I brought her here, to take care of her.”

  The Prince was disappointed in himself for lying but felt it necessary to avoid any assumptions or suspicions from the king.

  Coaleme smiled and said, “She is the person you love so, of course, we will give her the best treatment. But why do you seem unhappy?”

  The Prince replied with sorrow, “My lover is lying there injured; it is difficult to be happy, brother. Can I have dinner with you later? I want to be with her until she is perfectly well.”

  With a smile, Coaleme said, “You have come after such a long time, and you have someone who you want to give all your attention and time to. Never mind, I am happy. I have always seen you lonely. I am happy that you finally have a lover you want to spend your life with. Go be with her. But remember your brother, too, from time to time.” He gently placed his hand on the Prince’s shoulder and bade him farewell.