Reincarnated as the Most Hated Sovereign

Chapter 7: Reflection and Realization

Chapter 7: Reflection and Realization

Adrian POV:

After we finished eating, Richard immediately advised me to sleep due to my condition.

"Beloved prince, you should rest now," Richard said.

"But I'm not sleepy yet," I replied.

"You need to sleep early because of your condition. You just woke up from a long coma," he explained.

"Can I stay up a little longer? I'm not sleepy yet," I insisted.

"Alright, but I'll watch over you," Richard agreed.

"Thank you," I said with a sweet smile.

"You're welcome," he replied with a smile.

"Can I go out?" I asked.

"But it's already late at night," he reminded me.

"Just here on the balcony," I requested.

"Okay, I'll accompany you," Richard agreed.

After he assisted me, he sat me on a chair on the balcony. As I looked around and admired the beauty of the surroundings, Richard spoke to me, "Are you getting sleepy, beloved prince?"

"Yes, let's go to sleep," I finally agreed.

He prepared the bed and guided me back to rest, tucking me in with a blanket.

"Hmmm, Richard," I called.

"What is it, beloved prince?" he responded.

"Can you stop calling me 'beloved prince' all the time?" I asked.

"I cannot, beloved prince," Richard replied.

"You can call me Angelo," I suggested.

"But, beloved prince—" before he could finish, I interrupted him.

"Alright, let's do it this way. When it's just the two of us, you can call me by my name," I proposed.

"Okay, Angelo," he agreed.

"What did I tell you about quitting the formalities, right?" I reminded him.

"Yes, Angelo," he replied, looking down.

"Alright, I'll go to sleep now. Goodnight, Richard," I said, smiling at him.

"Good night, Angelo," he bid me farewell before leaving.

After that, he left, and I fell asleep.

In the morning

When I woke up, I reflected on my situation.

"My body isn't hurting as much now, that's a relief," I thought to myself.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Beloved prince, are you awake?" Richard's voice came from outside.

"Yes, come in!" I called out, noting the spaciousness of the room compared to my previous one.

"Why are you here so early, Richard?" I inquired as he entered.

Before he could answer, he dismissed the maids accompanying him, closed the door, and spoke to me, "I'm here to bathe you, Angelo."

"Huh? Bathe me? I can manage on my own, and besides, I'm grown up now, Richard. It's not necessary," I protested.

"But it's my job, and I'll be reprimanded if I don't do it," he explained.

"From now on, I'll bathe myself, and a few—" I tried to argue, but Richard's gaze stopped me in my tracks.

"Alright, but just this once," he agreed.

After he bathed me, he dressed me and left, leaving me to ponder.

"Why does he look at me like Samuel?" I whispered to myself, recalling the intimidating look Samuel had.

In the past

Walking towards the office or headquarters, someone tapped my back.

"Oh, it's you, Samuel," I realized.

"You're early today, boss," he remarked.

"Yeah, I wanted to finish our meeting early," I replied.

"Early or did you just not sleep all night?" Samuel teased.

"You know me well," I admitted.

"Exactly, I'm your childhood best friend, or should I say, your big brother, so of course, I know you," Samuel said.

I nodded, remembering that Samuel was a few years older than me.

"Yeah, I didn't sleep," I confessed.

"What?! I told you to rest! You've been sleep-deprived for days!" Samuel scolded me.

"But you know there are many issues at the headquarters, right?" I reasoned.

"Yes, but consider your health. It'll be worse if the leader gets sick. I'm here to help you. Go home, rest, and I'll handle the explanations to our team for our next steps against our enemies," Samuel advised.

I wanted to argue, but his intimidating gaze stopped me.

"Alright, I'll go home. Take care," I said before leaving.

In the present

Smiling at the memory of my closest friend, whom I considered a brother after being abandoned by my parents, I felt a mix of sadness and gratitude.

"Will I ever stop thinking about them after what they did to me, after abandoning me?" I pondered.

As I reflected on the bitter memories of my past as Adrian, there was a knock on the door.

"Beloved prince, you need to see the healer this morning. I'll wait for you outside to assist you," Richard informed me.

I stepped out, and Richard guided me down to the carriage.

"After this, I'll cook your favorite dish, Angelo," Richard promised.

I smiled, grateful for his care, and as I looked at him, I couldn't help but wish he was Samuel, even though I knew that wish would never come true.