IV. The Impact of Her

~ Three ~

I turned my head as someone called me from downstairs.

In the middle of the main hall, Gonzalo stood as he stared at me.

Immediately, I sprinted towards him. Gonzalo was just the person that I needed in James' absence. "Thank goodness you are here, Gonzalo," I remarked.

Gonzalo bowed even before I arrived before him. "What can I do for you, Your Highness?" he asked as he slowly stood properly, with his hands in front of him.

"Is His Majesty home?" I asked as I panted.

"His Majesty was summoned to the Crystal Palace. He was asked to attend a meeting with the Elder Council," Gonzalo replied. He then explained, "According to the invitation, they wanted our king to plan for gaining new territories. It seems that there have been bandits in other kingdoms who are trying to exploit your fellow monarchs."

"And as for Mother?"

"She accompanied him, Your Highness," said Gonzalo.

I groaned as my hands landed on my face. I sighed desperately as I ran my hands down my face. Why was it that whenever I needed them the most, they were nowhere to be found?

"Do you need anything from them, Your Highness?" Gonzalo asked as he stepped closer to me. "Perhaps, I can be of some assistance in their stead."

"I appreciate your concern, Gonzalo. However, my debacle is to be discussed with the king," I replied. "Only he can help me with my crisis."

"May I ask what it is about?" Gonzalo asked as an imposing look appeared on his face.

There were advantages and disadvantages if I told Gonzalo of my plan to rescue Laura. He was the assistant strategist of James, as well as third-in-command when it came to authority over the palace guards. He was more than capable to help me in such matters.

But, in spite of all that, I knew very well where his loyalties lie. And it was to James and to the laws of the Immortals. Even if I commanded him as his master, Gonzalo would obey no one but James and the proper order of things.

"Your Highness?" Gonzalo called my attention.

I cleared my throat and replied, "I need to help someone. A rescue mission, to be specific." My inner self slapped my head from behind. But it was a risk that I had to take for Laura.

Gonzalo tilted his face, his brows knitted together. "A rescue operation?" he asked, baffled. "I never received any rumour or news that another monarch or fellow Immortal is in dire circumstances."

"It isn't for another royal or Immortal, Gonzalo but for... a mortal," I replied, hesitant when I came to the end. Carefully, I continued, "A close friend of mine has been abducted. And I need to plan a rescue mission for that friend."

After my explanation, Gonzalo didn't say anything. He simply stood before me with eyes that I couldn't read. On the inside, I prepared myself for whatever outburst that he was about to have about this matter.

To have associated myself with a mortal being was already a good reason for punishment. But for an Immortal - a royal, to be specific - was too much. Every single Immortal abided by the rules regarding the association between us and the people that lived below.

For a prince to disobey that rule was highly unacceptable.

Gonzalo blinked and let out a long sigh as he slowly shook his head. "Is this the mortal woman that you have been secretly visiting?" he asked as he put his hands behind him.

My eyes widened as I was caught off-guard.

Gonzalo knew who Laura was and he knew that she was mortal.

Could he have been spying on me all this time?

As a range of questions ran through my mind, Gonzalo smirked as he continued, "Did I surprise you, Your Highness?"

I looked back to him, confused and admittedly horrified.

The side of the mouth curled into a grin. "Your Highness, the king and queen may have been oblivious to your actions. But I certainly am not. I am well-aware that you have been visiting this peasant for the longest time. I have been following your every step ever since you kept returning to their realm."

My heart raced as anger slowly built inside me.

He dared to regard her in such a lowly manner!

"For a man of honour, I expected for you to see her as another living being, not just some peasant," I remarked. "And didn't I tell you not to meddle with my affairs?"

Gonzalo immediately bowed his head as he humbled himself. "Forgive me, Your Highness. But I am left with no other choice." He stood upright and added, "I am doing this for the crown and for the greater good of everyone."

I chuckled as I turned away from him briefly. "I know that your loyalty is to the king. However, when I give you specific instructions, I expect that it will be followed without hesitation."

"Your Highness, I beg of you," Gonzalo took a step forward, "Do not question my loyalty. My loyalty is to you and you alone." His gaze shifted from unapologetic to frantic.

"Now, you are contradicting yourself," I said as I faced him. I raised a brow and continued, "You just said that your allegiance is to the crown. You have admitted that you comply only with the rules of the king."

Gonzalo shook his head in a panic. He gulped before he continued, "I am loyal to the crown that you will be wearing, to the kingdom that you will be ruling. I only want what is best for your reign. And that means that I have to protect our tradition and your reputation."

I shook my head as I chuckled. Gonzalo truly wanted to pass his reasons as acceptable. He wanted it to be justification for his disobedience.

"Gonzalo, if your allegiance is to me, you should never interfere with my plans," I lowered my voice as I stepped closer to him. Our warm breaths landed on each other's faces. Our distance was almost diminished by our nearness.

I added, "As a servant who has been with us for the longest time, you should know that.

"But, Your Highness, the rules–"

" I do not give a damn about the rules!" I bellowed as I stepped away from him. I continued, "Change is inevitable. And at times such as this, the only solution is to do the right thing, despite what traditions have been placed."

Gonzalo's brows furrowed, his eyes widened with my sudden outburst. He had to realise that Laura's safety was much more important to me than my reputation - my dignity, even - as the future king.

He remarked, "How can a mortal corrupt your mind so easily, Your Highness? She is nothing–"

With one swift swing of my hand, I released a big ball of air up to the ceiling.