Chapter 16

Ralph was working on some important documents in his room on his black wooden table, which was messy because of papers all over it and down. His glasses were perched on his nose, his deep blue eyes scanning the papers over and over again, when he suddenly heard a light knock on his door. "come in" he said while still focusing on his paper with a slight frown.

".... Can we talk, Ralph?" Wilfred stood outside while peeking inside Ralph's room.

"Oh... Wilfred. Yes sure. Wait for me in the garden?" he said.

"ok."

Ralph arrived at the Cansevain Garden. Though he looked drowsy, he decided to make some time for his friend "What did you want to talk about this late Wilfred?" he was worried about what Wilfred had to do with him.

"How did you know.... About my feelings for Her Majesty?" Wilfred asked him suspiciously, as he should because he never shared it with anyone who worked in the Palace even if Ralph was his best friend. Ralph's drowsiness vanished as soon as he heard what Wilfred had asked. He raised his brow. Has his friend finally decided to tell him everything?

"..... It was really obvious." he said calmly "From the way you looked at her all the times whenever she used to talk about things that she loved, whether you liked her topics or not, you had this weird smile plastered on your face and a look in your eyes that explained it."

He saw Wilfred's expression changing from cautious to heartbroken "To the look in your eyes when she was getting married to His Majesty and the way you always used to backbite about him in front of Wilona to make her reject His Majesty the jealousy was obvious."

Tears welled up in Wilfred's eyes as he listened to Ralph's words. The words brought back memories which he was trying to forget and feelings that he was trying hard to bury deep within him. "And how you stepped forward to take care of Curtis when the kingdom was in panic, for Wilona never getting better again. You loved her, and you loved Curtis. You took care of him when we all were too busy that we forgot, that Curtis even had existed. The pain in your eyes gave it away when she didn't recognize you after waking up. But there also was relief, to see her alive again. You never married any woman, because of your undying love for her. That explains.... A lot my dear friend. "

In the end, he broke down in tears. How long has it been since the last time he cried, since when Wilona was cursed? It hurted Ralph, to see him this way. But it felt right too, his friend needed a break, he needed to let his feelings out and talk.

" Why haven't you told me earlier Ralph? " he asked as the tears streamed down from his cheeks.

" At first. I wanted you to get confident in yourself and confess to her by yourself without anyone's help." He said stepping closer to him "But you didn't. I waited and pretended not to know anything to make you feel comfortable. But it started getting annoying. Then she got married, at that time i hoped that you would say something. But you still didn't. And then Curtis was born so I kept quiet and we all got immersed in our own things. Today I wanted to get things clear with you. So I asked, whether if you did, or still do."

".... I did..... I still do." he said hiccuping. "I loved her so much Ralph that I wish that it was me in the place of her"

"don't say that -!" he brought his arms to steady Wilfred but Wilfred pushed his arms back down

"Yet she never noticed it. You knew that His Majesty was scheming bastard didn't it hurt to see your sister married to a monster like him? He took away Curtis too! God!... Oh God! I'm so furious!" he clenched his fingers around his golden locks in frustration "I.... I wish.... I could save her Ralph! How do I bring her back? If she comes back, I will not shy away from my feelings and reveal the truth, even if it doesn't make any difference between His Majesty and her! "

After a long silence, Ralph asked " Do you want to know His Majesty's decision?"

Though Wilfred wasn't in the mood to hear about His Majesty, he still was curious about his decision after hearing the letter. ".... Now what? "

" He said we can search for Prince without telling anyone that he is the prince. And find the abductor with the help of the people. We won't have to conduct a silent search anymore Wilfred." he said placing his hands on his shoulders.

"He really made a good decision at last this time? Is it because that the abductor provoked him?" Wilfred scoffed "Hahh... I can't believe this old man... Let's bring back the Prince and get over with him." they both shared a look. A look that means that they'll never stop now. They will bring back Curtis, and protect this kingdom from the king.