"50 SLASHES!!!!" I shouted. Celeste was kind of shocked at my outburst but nodded her head anyways. I found it unbelievable that it even happened, "Call Lark here please." She nodded again and walked out.
A few minutes later Lark walked in anxiously, he glanced at me. Celeste had probably told him what happened, because when I glared at him, he flinched slightly and looked away. "Why did you lie?"
"I didn't-"
"How was this your fault Lark?" I interrupted him.
"I was supposed to protect you! Not the other way around!!"
He seemed… angry with himself, I couldn't help but sigh in frustration, "If your dead then what happens next huh?"
"I-"
"LARK! I'm not the actual Sirius!" it was frustrating, I fisted the covers trying to calm down. "What… I want to say is, I'm not an actual prince of this country. You don't need to protect me like that…"
I noticed him clench his fists, "But you are."
"What?"
"You are the prince; you are Sirius Luca Licht! That is who you are here. Why do you not accept that?"
"I-I-I don't-"
"Exactly! Everything you've done for this country for your family, I've been beside you! I've seen how much trouble you've taken, how much you've worried about the subjects. You are the Prince now."
I froze, what else could I say? "But-But… But why did you lie and get punished for it?" No matter what he still did lie saying it was his fault.
"I couldn't protect you, it's my duty."
"You didn't even know I left the castle. I sneaked out!"
"Which is my fault, I should have known that."
The exasperation I felt at that moment was enough to make me run away forever. I didn't comment any further and just got off the bed, immediately he began nagging at me to lie back. "Hands off Lark." I ordered sternly. As soon as he heard me his hands were on his side. I stumbled a bit feeling a bit groggy and off balance but, I pushed through that and walked out. I searched around and walked around a bit lost on where I should go exactly, Lark followed hardly a step behind; just then I thought of the best place at this time and quickly made my way towards the throne room.
I walked slower than usual which was getting on my nerves and Lark following behind trying to get me to go back wasn't helping- the pain in my back was worse than the one on my shoulder making me stumble around here and there when it got too much but I kept going on, determined to make it there.
After what seemed like hours later that was probably only minutes, I had finally reached the room, by then I was sure my parents were in there. The maids along the way told me so, well at first they glanced at Lark when I asked because he was probably hinting not to tell but when I ordered them too they immediately told me the answer being the one with more power was definitely beneficial, I sent a silent glare at Lark every time this happened but the boy was stubborn each time. He might have a hint as to why I wanted t meet my parents right now but that probably wasn't his main concern. He still followed behind which was both good and bad I guess, even I was concerned I wouldn't make it there but I did and that's all the matters.
The guards in front of the door seemed a bit shocked to see me but didn't try to stop me from going in and quickly opened the door, Lark followed closely behind. I went till the edge of the steps, and bowed down saying my greeting, Lark two steps behind me. "Why are you here dear? You should be resting."
"Lark wasn't at fault. I sneaked out and he barely even managed to follow me. If it wasn't for him, I'd be dead and the wounds I have are of my own accord." With that I began to explain everything that happened that day. Lark stayed where he was quietly. My parents listened intently- Mother was shocked and she was apologetic as she realized what happened, Father kept his expression blank so wasn't sure what exactly he was thinking but I hoped that he was listening to what I was saying and hopefully any further or continuing punishment would be retracted.
"Why did things turn out like this?"
Mid-way Father interrupt me with that one question, I wasn't sure what to even answer, from what Lark told me his reasoning was absurd. So I simply shrugged and motioned for Lark to tell him himself. He stepped forward bowed deeply and began, "Your Majesties, I deserved it. My duty is to serve and protect His Highness and not only did I let him sneak out to some unknown location he was put in danger because I wasn't careful and observant enough."
"He has a point." My Father added. I stared at him; shock plainly shown on my face.
"Father!! You cannot be serious about this!?"
"Prove him wrong and I'll accept." And he gave me a smug smile as I simply glared at him; I can't believe he's trying to test me at a moment like this. I turned to my Mother who just silently smiled telling me that I'm on my own. I sighed; at times I really can't bear with these two. "Alright then, firstly as I stated- Lark ha no clue where I was, how far or near; it was just a coincidence that he found me. Secondly, he did actually save me; considering the number of bandits I would have been severely injured if not dead or sold in the black market as a slave. Thirdly, I had ordered Lark to go to the kitchens before sneaking out of my own violation; considering the time it takes to go there and come back not to mention he would have searched the castle grounds first before trying to even follow me, I was way ahead of him. Fourth, we all know that Lark is more of a friend than a servant of this castle and you can't deny that. We would all trust him with our lives in a blink of an eye. Is this enough?"
"Hahahaha" I sighed in relief, well in my head but still, I wasn't sure what else I could have added to make that argument any better. "There's nothing we can do about the punishment given other than apologize for our mistake, the suspension order and deduction in wages will be retracted. Lark will continue his duties as before." I glared at Lark again, not only the whip but also suspension and deduction in his wages!! He simply bowed and said his 'thank yous'.
"That's all I had to discuss for now, I'll be going back for now. Thank you." I didn't wait for their response and just turned and walked away, Lark following closely behind. Once out of the room I leaned heavily on the wall "Your Highness!" chorused multiple voices- the guards and Lark I assume, I had my eyes screwed shut, the pain coursing through me was way past what I could handle, I'm surprised I even managed to stand properly in the room before all those people. It's a good thing I had just pulled the jacket over my shoulders and not wear it properly I could at least hide my trembling hands from everyone there. I sat down, and took in a deep breath, letting my body rest so that the pain would subside a little.
"Sirius!?"
"Brother Si!!"
Ugh! Not right now… a little ahead I saw Raven and Celeste probably on their way somewhere, at the worst timing. They both rushed to my side, fretting and what not, "I'm… alright. Don't worry…" I managed to push through the pain.
"Clea-" Celeste began before I cut her off as I used the wall as support to stand up, shakily but still, I took a step saying, "I just need to rest a bit." I tried walking off but the pain was flaring through me in waves, just when I very nearly lost conscious but Lark caught me and whispered, "Hold on tight Si."
Suddenly I was lifted up and carried, I felt was cheeks heat up I probably looked red, Lark was going to princess carry me back and, in that moment, I had wrapped my arms around his neck. After the initial shock washed over, I shuttered, "Lar-Lark! Put me down at once! What are you doing!?" The girls giggled and waved me goodbye as Lark began to walk back, he smirked down at me asking, 'I'm just doing my duty, 'support'- I'm supposed to be yours to use and make sure you are safe, relaxed and comfortable." I heard a few gasps and turned to see a few maids frozen in shock as they stared at us, I have never felt so embarrassed in either of my lives!!! I prayed and hoped this was all some crazy dream but even I knew that it wasn't.
By the time we made it back I felt I could die out of embarrassment. It seemed like the entire staff saw me being carries by Lark, I'm pretty sure some returned to look again with some other servants in tow! I even saw the kitchen staff!! When I said this to Lark as a reason for him to let me down again but instead, he replied with, "Don't be silly Your Highness, everyone is doing their jobs and just happened to be here."
At first, I believed him thinking maybe I was overthinking it all but that was before I was the Head Maid and Head Butler peeping around a corner and a maid pointing towards us a smug smile on her face which I would bet my life upon that she was gossiping about our positions and was overheard by the Heads who didn't believe her until now that is, I nearly hid my face in his shoulder but stopped myself when I realized that that idea would be worse than this for me in the long run.
I was laid down on the bed gently the covers pulled over, the shock and embarrassment distracted me from the pain but was it worth it? DEFINITELY NOT! I'd rather go through the pain and the itchiness of the stitches than not be able to look at the staff in their eyes properly for the rest of my years. The staff aside I'd never be able to face Ares again, I saw him and that smirk he gave me promised years of torture. "Do you need anything?" he asked me. I glared at him cheeks still flaring, he just looked amused and said, "It wasn't all that bad, you're over reacting."
"EVERYONE SAW!!" I shouted back.
"Not everyone Sirius." He retorted.
"Yes, Every. Single. One!"
He gave me a blank look in return.
"Fine! Not everyone… but still…"
"What exactly would be the problem in such a case?"
"Well for starters… it- it…uh..."
"I'm waiting."
"Shut Up! Get Out!!" I yelled knowing I couldn't win this argument I promptly hid under the covers pouting and trying to calm down the red.
"Call if you need anything." I grunted in turn as I hear the door shut.
"Stupid…"