CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE – KING'S ORDERS
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True to the Crown Prince's words, he went back to visit Laurence early in the morning, together with a royal physician, to check up on him.
'Just get this done as I need to organize and familiarize myself with this world.'
With that thought, the former assassin gave consent to the royal physician to check up on him, with the Crown Prince by his side to watch and observe.
However, for some unknown reason, his body trembles in fear whenever the royal physician tries to touch him, which confused him and, at the same time, uncomfortable with it.
'Wait. What the f*ck is happening to this body? I know it's not me but… is the original Laurence had touched aversion? But why?'
He is also having a hard time breathing as well, which complicates the situation further.
'Are you f*cking kidding me?!'
The former assassin would like to delve through the original Laurence's memories to find the source, but this isn't the right time for that, as he needs to gain control of whatever is happening to this body.
'Just what kind of f*cking trauma does this child had experience that makes his body trembling from another stranger's touch?'
While the former assassin tries to fight the urge not to attack the physician since he didn't want to make trouble for now, a familiar warm embrace from his side that calms him down without a second thought.
"Jules, it's alright. No one's going to hurt you. Just let the physician to examine you and you'll be fine."
From those words alone, his body stops trembling and his breathing seems to go back to normal.
As they had stabilized his breathing, the Crown Prince signals the royal physician to do his task, and the man immediately complies without further ado.
While the royal physician is examining him, Laurence's hands clenches whenever the royal physician examines him, but the Crown Prince tries to soothe him down by humming some lullaby that he isn't familiar but the body he's occupying knows as it stops trembling from time to time.
After some minutes passed, the royal physician withdraws from his place and distance a little backward and delivered his diagnosis to the Crown Prince, who hasn't left the Fifth Prince's side.
"Answering to His Highness the Crown Prince, the Fifth Prince only needs to rest for a couple of days and there is no danger to his health. Aside from the minor scratch on his hands, there is nothing else to worry."
The Crown Prince sighs a relief to know that his little brother is out of danger. Even so, he asked some other questions of the royal physician.
"Are you going to report this to His Majesty, the King?"
Knowing the answer already, but he just wanted to confirm something and that will depend on the royal physician's answer.
"Forgive this subject for being bold but it's this subject's responsibility to report this directly to His Majesty, the King as the Fifth Prince is also one of His Majesty's son even if the Fifth Prince is a magical wastrel."
From the beginning to the end, the former assassin didn't speak and only observe what the royal physician was doing while the Crown Prince was still comforting him at his side.
'The original Laurence is so lucky that he had the Crown Prince at his side, from the previous life and even now, he will do everything for his little brother. Which I find it uncomfortable with it.'
What would the Crown Prince's reaction when he learned that in this life, his little brother is no longer existed?
For Laurence (Dark Phoenix) perspective, he doesn't care about that since he only thinks about what would benefit him in order for him to survive in this new world that forced him into.
However, on one note, although his understanding of emotions is lacking, but he could feel, at least, a bit of a pity for these two brothers.
'What a cruel fate indeed…'
«….. ["This old bastard is still the same as before, even in my previous life. His words held no mocking tone but only speaks for the truth as he was on the neutral side. However, even if that's the case, he also tried to help Jules before, which I find it odd since he never takes part in disputes within the court."] …. »
As usual, the former assassin heard what the Crown Prince's inner thoughts were and from those words alone, it looks like this royal physician was shrouded with mysteries as well.
"Also, this subject almost forgot that His Majesty the King would like to see the Fifth Prince, and His Majesty summoned him to the Royal Throne."
Crown Prince Eugene; "Hm. I'll tend here from now on and pass this message to our Royal Father that Jules needs to recuperate for a couple of days before he could meet him."
The royal physician's composure almost collapse because of the Crown Prince's statement.
"B-but Your Highness—"
"Tell that to our dear Royal Father and I know he would understand my words alone. Don't make me repeat it twice."
From the tone of the voice alone, the former assassin could tell that the Crown Prince is restraining himself not to lash out at the royal physician's attempt to persuade him about the King's Orders for his summoning.
As much as he didn't want to meet that trash of a King, he doesn't have a choice but to comply as he didn't want this Crown Prince to be in trouble while he is still only the crown's heir.
"Y-your Highness, t-this p-prince would like…."
His sentence was cut short when the Crown Prince comforted him.
"Jules, I already told our Royal Father about your condition, and he is wise enough to heed my words unless he wants to have unsavory things happen within the court."
He wants to raise an eyebrow at him but since he didn't want to be exposed to this regressor, he might as well just go with the flow.
Laurence just nodded at him and didn't speak, since that is the original owner's timid personality that he needs to imitate.
The royal physician, on the other hand, could only keep quiet when the Crown Prince said those words and didn't dare to voice his opinions because if he were to ask, the Fifth Prince needs a plenty of rest because of what happen back at the Duke Albert's household banquet.
It's not a secret within the empire how the Crown Prince adored and cherished the Fifth Prince and how overprotective he is to the little prince.
The royal physician is worried about what would be the outcome since the Crown Prince openly declared that the Fifth Prince is under his protection and he is worried about the Fifth Prince's safety.
He is just thankful that at least the Fifth Prince is a magical wastrel and he is not a threat to the other royal princes.
However, that doesn't mean that he should let his guard down, as there are still threats within the shadows and he didn't know when an enemy would strike them from behind.
'I will deliver this message to the young master.'