In Another Era

Chapter 37: The Broom Is Mightier Than The Sword

"Drink a single sip of this whenever you are in pain. And drink this one mixed with water at night, it will help you sleep better," the physician said as he handed Archie two bottles of medicinal potion. "Come to me tomorrow and I will re-apply the salve and change your bandages. You have to keep them clean otherwise you are at risk of infection."

"Thank you," Archie replied with a nod as he listened intently to the doctor's instructions.

"And stay away from the stables for a bit. Do not return to work until you are better. And do not overexert yourself or do anything that will be strenuous for your back," he finished. "You are in a fragile state and you need to be careful if you wish to prevent any permanent damage."

Archie frowned a little. He knew that he needed rest, but he did not want to do nothing for too long. He liked working, and he absolutely hated sitting on his ass and being useless. So, the idea of staying away from the stables was not exactly pleasant to him.

"Uh..."

"He will rest. I will make sure of it," Kenric interrupted.

He was looking at Archie with narrowed eyes as if he knew everything that was going on in the stable boy's head. Archie nodded once more, not meeting Kenric's gaze. Even if he wanted to get back to work, he knew Kenric would stay true to his word to the physician and not let him.

Kenric helped Archie get up, grabbing his arm and avoiding touching his back as he supported him. They left the physician's quarters, walking slowly but steadily.

"You can lay down in my chambers," Kenric said softly, making Archie look at him as if he was crazy.

"Ken, no," Archie retorted. "I should be going back to my own room."

"It will be better for you if you stay with me. That way I can keep an eye on you and take care of you if needed," Kenric replied.

"And what if someone finds out? It will turn heads, Kenric. A servant staying in the prince's room? We cannot risk it," Archie argued, making Kenric sigh in frustration.

"Right," Kenric muttered. He knew that Archie was being logical and smart, no matter how much he hated it.

Archie exhaled in relief when they started walking towards the stable. A few guards and servants that the two came across looked at the prince and the stable boy with raised brows, but nobody said anything or dared to stare at the warrior prince for too long. Everyone in the castle was aware that Archie had been wrongfully punished, and that he and Kenric were childhood friends.

So, even though it was weird to see the prince helping a commoner out, it was not anything extremely out of the ordinary given the circumstances.

But that did not mean that Archie was relaxed. If anything, he felt nauseous to the core whenever he saw someone looking at them. He felt scared. Paranoid. He felt like everybody knew their secret. He was just waiting and waiting for somebody to scream at them, to yell at them and say that they were going to burn in hell for being sinners.

But nobody did.

Archie could only breathe properly once they reached his room and locked the door shut behind him. He closed his eyes immediately, inhaling and exhaling deeply. The walk, too, had taken a toll on him and tired him out, even though it was not very long. Kenric rubbed his shoulder to soothe him, reassuring him that everything would be okay.

Archie almost wanted to believe him, but then he opened his eyes, and he could not help but frown at the sight in front of him.

His room was trashed.

This would have had to be done when the guards were searching his room, and Archie had almost forgotten about it. It seemed so long ago even though it had merely been less than a fortnight since the stolen necklace was found in his room. All of his belongings were thrown around, some of his things were broken, and he could see shards of glass and whatnot on the floor.