Fallen Royals

Chapter 8

It's been days since Princess Ema left Dugodol. The court was still tip-toeing around their troubled king. They all remembered him as a kind boy but his recent action now made him resemble his nemesis, king Noa. Even when he first arrived he didn't show such signs of aggressiveness as he did recently. His bad start of the week continued through the whole week. He was nervous and would act up around his advisors, often raising his voice at them. His limping became so bad that he was hardly walking and he was back to not eating properly.

He was dissatisfied with himself and the world around him. He felt trapped by his own skin and with no idea how to change it, how to make his life bearable. He was also bothered by Marko's words. What if he was right?

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Natan was sitting in one of his private studies. He decided to take upon his father's offer to talk to a professional. Across him sat a man in his late 50s, his dark hair almost white. He had a fatherly look and certain calmness about him. He was a half-fae and his calming nature helped him a lot with his clients. It was Natan's first session. The first session was usually about rules in the session so he could always feel safe and what he wanted to achieve - in Natan's case to deal with his trauma. They also agreed they'll meet twice a week.

"We still have time. Do you want us to start today?"

"I'd like to explain what happened in the past, to give you an overview."

Doctor Horvat gave a nod and waited for him to start.

"In the little village next to our border with Dalma was a travelling circus. I was 15 and wished to see it. My father was against it... but.. Ahhh... Lena, Josip and I went to see it anyway. We were sure that nothing would happen. We took several guards with us. We were ambushed on our way back... Lena... Lena... she was the sweetest girl... she died there. 8 of us were in the group but only 3 survived, including me." - Natan sounded detached and far away.

"Soon I realized that king Noa had us. I demanded to be released. He laughed and told me he had a special treatment planned for me."

"For 3 months I was rotting in the dungeon. It was a filthy place but the screams kept me awake day and night. I got accustomed to it over time... I think that's what put Noa's plan in motion. He wanted me to suffer. He wanted me scared and defeated. Josip and Duje were still alive but they've been tortured and I knew what could happen to me. The guilt, for their position and the other 5 people who died in the ambush, was eating me away. It was hard to see their suffering and not be able to help them. I was a bad prince."

Natan stopped, looking out of the window, children in the backyard were playing football. It was hard to gather his thoughts and then pronounce the horrors he experienced.

"What does it mean that you were a bad prince?"

"I didn't help them."

"How you didn't help them?"

"I didn't secure their release."

"Have you tried?"

"Yes."

"Who could have decided to release them?"

"King Noa."

"Has he?"

"No."

"Could you have changed his mind?"

Natan took a deep breath.

"No."

"How do you feel about it?"

Natan took a pause followed by a deep breath. - "I think we're out of time."