Finley's POV
I was getting lost in his eyes; the blue of them was pulling me in, drawing me closer. It was like a spell I couldn't break free of. I was under his spell. I... I love you, Finn. That was more than enough to break the spell. Christopher's soft voice whispered into my mind, causing a physical pain in my chest. That was a man who I loved, the first man I... That was a man who died for me.
I let out a cough to break up whatever was going on. "Um... we should go, it's time for you to have your breakfast." I all but leapt away from the prince and sat up straight. Prince Edward looked confused, like he was lost. Lost in what was going on. No, no, there was nothing going on. Nothing at all.
I stood up and dusted my trousers, stretching my hand for the prince to stand. He looked at my outstretched hand, as if contemplating taking it. He eventually did, holding his stick in the other. "We should get going, people must be looking for you," I said, but the truth was, I couldn't stay alone with him, and I refused to pay attention to why.
"I doubt if anyone would look for me. Ever. I don't even think they know I'm alive," he said with an air of nonchalance, but I couldn't help the violent thoughts directed at whoever made him feel this way.
"Come on, my prince, let's go." We started to walk side by side, but I noticed him smile from my peripheral vision. "Is everything okay?"
"Huh? Yeah, everything is fine. I just..."
As we walked through the corridors, I kept my eyes forward, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of Christopher and keep my mind away from what happened with Edward earlier. As we got closer to the prince's room, a servant ran to us frantically. Her panicked expression made me take a fighting stance in front of the prince, ready to stop any harm.
"Speak, what is it?" I asked as she reached our presence, not having the patience to let her catch her breath.
"Sir, your highness," she curtsied in greeting. "We have been looking for Prince Edward around the castle. We thought something had happened to him. Especially since we hadn't seen you either, sir." Why would they be looking for him with such fervor? I turned around to look at him, and his brow furrowed in confusion. He stepped aside from behind me and stared at the servant.
"Why would you be looking for me? I'm always here. Why do you look like I was missing?" he asked, still looking confused. The servant looked around, looking confused. Edward looked irritated—naturally—at her.
The look he gave her made her begin to talk. "I apologize, your highness. It's just that the last time we didn't find you, you..." Edward stopped her by raising a finger in the air to keep her quiet. A look of understanding crossed his face. It made me curious and wonder what she wanted to say.
"Am I now a prisoner in my own home because of an incident from years ago? Am I no longer allowed to leave my room?" he asked, coming close to her. She shook her head, stepping back in fear.
"No, your highness, I apologize. It's just..."
"This hasn't reached Father's ears, has it?" He sounded truly terrified at the idea that King Edmund had gotten wind of the matter.
The servant shook her head vigorously. "No, your highness, no. We wanted to search exhaustively first," she assured him, and I could see his shoulders visibly relax. My mind went back to the meeting with the king and him talking about Edward leaving the palace. Does this have something to do with that?
"Good, now my breakfast," he asked, trying to act cool, but I could see through his facade. He was simply trying to change the topic. My time with the prince had made me realize he doesn't have the best relationship with food.
"Will be with you in less than five minutes, your highness," she said quickly and bolted, excited to be anywhere but in our presence. Edward turned to me, with a cool mask replacing his previous emotions. I wanted to let him know he didn't have to hide in my presence, but I decided to let him be.
"Shall we?" Prince Edward asked. I nodded, and we headed to the prince's chambers, a layer of silence falling over us.
Five minutes later, while we were both sitting in the living area of his chambers, we heard a quiet knock on the door. I opened it to see the servant from earlier with a tray containing his food and herbs in hand.
I placed the tray on the table, and as always, Edward took the goblet first and swallowed his herbs. He dropped the vessel and looked at his food, then back up at me. I smirked at that. Ever since I had fed the prince, he had wanted it more but was always too shy to ask.
"Would you like me to feed you, my prince?" I asked, amused. He nodded his head shyly, and I brought a food-filled spoon up to his mouth.
A comfortable silence settled between us as I fed him. There was something comforting about sharing this quiet moment with Edward.
After breakfast, Edward leaned back in his chair. "Thank you, Finley. For everything."
"There's no need to thank me, my prince. It's my duty to serve and protect you, and I'll have you know, I like it very much."
He shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Well, thank you, really. It's like you're the only one who makes me feel seen. You make me feel like a person and not just a burden, which is crazy since, like you said, I'm your duty. You make me feel not alone."
His words struck a chord in me, and I found myself reaching out to place a reassuring hand on his. "You are not alone, Edward. I promise you that, and you're not a burden. It's sad for anyone who can't see that."
He squeezed my hand briefly before letting go, his eyes softening. "I believe you, Finley—at least for now, until my mind plays games with me. And I appreciate it more than you know."