Was Papa a fool or something? I had always trusted his decisions and believed him to be right all the time, and he had never let me down. But this time I wasn't so sure.
No wonder he wasn't so agreeable to letting the stranger stay? If the Dark Lord found out we were harboring royalty in our abode, we would be labeled at traitors and it would be off with our heads.
And the individual who has managed to put us in this position of unease was casually taking a bath in the spring?
"He's royalty Papa?" I whispered loudly so no one but Papa could hear.
With the look on his face, he didn't want me to know or get involved. Still I was pretty much involved as it is. He waved for me to follow him back into the house. When we stepped into the room, he made sure to shut the door and the windows.
Papa pointed to the floor and I sat. "Yes. That young man is royalty. He is in fact the first prince and heir to the throne...until the Dark Lord took over."
I wondered how he couldn't be so calm in this situation. I was barely keeping my hands from shaking.
"You know he's an outlaw Papa. Why do you still let him stay? You know we could get into trouble."
Papa nodded with a straight face. "I know. But I had pledged my loyalty to his father the late king. I must keep my word."
Men and the stupid words they speak. I couldn't blame Papa though. When he made this promise, there was probably nothing like a Dark Lord.
"If the crown prince is successful in overthrowing the tyrant, we will take part in his glory. And I will die a happy man knowing that I played a part in it."
I looked up at my very old father in admiration. He was truly a man of honor. After all, it was not easy to be the Royal head physician for forty years. But still, honor would get us nowhere except our graves.
"Bear with it, my child. I promise that no harm will come to you."
I nodded. Papa had given me his word. I knew he was going to keep it.
I went out to complete my other chores after our little talk and I came face to face with the stranger, whom I know know is the first prince, Crown Prince Rowland.
He was a very handsome man upclose. I haven't had the opportunity to meet a lot of men in my life. I was only twenty and I barely left the house because Papa always needed my help with the patients I the infirmary. Only sending me to town once in a while to run important errands.
I could tell from a glance that this man was not like others, he had a dignified way of walking. He was easily the type to make women swoon, but for some reason, I disliked him.
He was the reason why I had to live in fear even when I did nothing wrong. He was a potential threat to our peaceful lives, I and my father.
He opened his mouth like he had something to say but I wasn't willing to hear anything that came from him, no matter how dignified he was.
I made my way back to the spring for the second time to get water for our daily use. Maybe the spies we're only a tale to scare the people not to do certain stuff. The whole of Kerva was really big. Was it really possible for the Dark Lord to have spies everywhere?
At the spring, I met two other ladies I knew who lived in the village. Adeline and Kathryn. We weren't really friends but we were on good terms.
"...he must really not be from here, else why would he bathe in the spring." I heard Kathryn say.
"Handsome men such as him aren't really found in this village you know. There is something about him that I can't really place my finger in. I just can't tell what it is." Adeline said folding her hands over her chest.
They must be talking about the prince. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. If they had an idea of who he was, they might never speak of him out loud again. But I wasn't going to be the one to tell them either.
"Hello Frieda. You are quite late today." Adeline smiled pleasantly, showing her cute dimples. She was truly a beauty, with long golden hair and green eyes that glowed like an amber.
I smiled back. "I had something to do earlier. I didn't finish until now."
"Oh. Being the physician's daughter can be a lot of work, tending to all those sick people. And you work so hard..." Kathryn sang my praises like she always did whenever we meet. It was nothing new as the villagers often looked up to me in admiration. Like I was some sort of local celebrity or something.
But I could never get used to it. I blushed profusely. "You needn't say all that. I'm happy doing what I do."
"And she's so modest about it too." She added.
"I noticed the man had an arm wrapped in cloth so he must be one of your patients." Adeline said coming closer to me, interest shining in her eyes.
"Which man?" I said playing dumb.
"He must be a new patient of your father's. Tall, short hair, muscular, brown eyes." She decribed avidly.
I pretended to think for a while and then I shrugged. "We've had a number of such men come to be treated. You know, the soldiers from the battle front?" I asked in the most obvious manner.
Adeline retreated looking disappointed. I felt bad for not telling her the truth but it was for her own good. If she was found to have anything to do with him, the end would not be nice.
I got the water I needed and hoisted it unto my shoulder slowly making my way back home. I filled the water basins and went to the infirmary to help Papa.
Papa was feeding medicine to a young boy of about seven who was suffering from an acute stomach ache. The medicine was quite bitter. I knew because Papa usesd to feed it to me. I came closer to assist him but he shook his head.
"Go and change the bandage of the new patient. He has soaked the first one." Papa instructed.
"I'll help you feed the child..."I tried to offer. One look from Papa sent me scurrying out for safety. He sure was a scary old man when he wanted to be.
But why did I have to be the one changing the bandage of that man? Couldn't he do I himself?
I got fresh cloth and reluctantly headed to the guest room behind the house. I knocked on the door.
"It's me Frieda. I've come to change your bandages." I heard no reply and I pushed the door open, and then immediately regretted it. What if he had been uncovered again? I could barely get the first scene out of my head.
Luckily for me, he was clothed, from the waist downwards, leaving his chest bare. He sat on the bed writing on a piece of parchment. The royals were so fortunate, they were educated too.
He looked up at me and dropped his quill.
"I'd like to do it immediately too, if you're not too busy." I told him curtly.
He surprised me by nodding eagerly. "Yes please. I got this one wet by accident."
I moved closer to him and knelt down, untying the previous bandage before proceeding to wrap his arm in a new one. I got a good look at his injury and it looke pretty deep. It was definitely a sword wound that he got from fighting.
"I apologize for my words at the spring earlier." He said breaking the awkward silence in the room. I nodded as response, trying hard to focus on the task I was performing.
"You seem as responsible as your father. He must have told you who I am. Can I trust you?"
My eyes met his, and he looked back at me with expectant eyes. I knew I could not say no to him.