ɪɴꜰɪɴɪᴛᴇ ᴠᴀʟᴏʀ: ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇʀᴏ'ꜱ ᴛᴀʟᴇ [ᴏɴ ʜᴏʟᴅ]

ᴇɪɢʜᴛ - ꜱʜɪᴇʟᴅɪɴɢ ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴘᴀꜱᴛ

The Royal Physician gave Leo a careful examination before prescribing some medicine. Now, resting peacefully, the young prince seemed stable, but the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on everyone involved. After ensuring Leo was comfortable, the physician turned to the Emperor and Empress, his expression grim.

"Your Majesties," he began solemnly, "it is crucial that we shield the Prince from any further situations like this. More importantly, we must take steps to distance him from his past and everything associated with it."

The Emperor and Empress exchanged worried glances, their faces etched with concern. The weight of the physician's words pressed down on them—this was not just a matter of their son's health, but of his very identity.

Suddenly, Cavalry Commander Aurora, the Empress's younger sister, emerged from Leo’s room and overheard the conversation. She approached cautiously, her eyes betraying her worry.

"Does that mean I should stay away from him?" Aurora asked quietly, her voice laced with uncertainty.

The Royal Physician looked at her, his expression softening but still serious. "At this moment, I can't say for certain. We need to observe how the Prince reacts when he wakes and sees you. The Empress has already introduced you to him, so if he accepts that introduction without trying to recall more, there may be no need for you to keep your distance."

He paused, lowering his gaze as if burdened by the implications of his next words. "However, if he questions the introduction or tries to remember you... then, yes, it may be necessary for you to stay away."

Aurora's face remained unreadable, but her eyes darkened with a deep sadness. "If he doesn't believe the Empress and tries to remember me, then I’ll have no choice but to keep my distance, correct?" she asked, her voice hollow.

The physician nodded. "I'm afraid so."

"Is there no other way?" The Empress interjected, her voice soft but filled with concern for her sister. She could sense the pain in Aurora’s heart, knowing how much her younger sister had sacrificed for Leo.

"There may be another solution," the Royal Physician responded after a moment’s hesitation. "If you introduce him to his past gradually, as you did today, but more subtly, it could help. Still, we must first see how he responds when he interacts with the Commander again. Only then can we determine if that approach is safe."

A tense silence filled the hallway before Aurorabroke it. "Perhaps it's better if I just stay away," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, as if convincing herself that this was for the best.

But the Empress was quick to respond, her tone firm. "No, you shouldn't," she commanded, her voice carrying the weight of her authority. "If the Royal Physician’s theory is correct, then there is no reason for you to distance yourself. This is not a suggestion, Aurora —it’s an order."

Aurora's eyes widened at her sister’s words. The Empress’s voice was resolute, yet tinged with a deep understanding of the emotional burden Inko carried. "Leo needs us—he needs you," the Empress added, her voice softening, "but we must handle this delicately. His well-being depends on how we approach this."

Aurora hesitated, her sense of duty and love for Leo clashing painfully. She opened her mouth to protest, but the Empress raised a hand to silence her.

"Trust me, Aurora. Keeping your distance will only harm him more in the long run. He needs our support, not avoidance. Patience is key here."

The Emperor, who had remained silent, finally spoke up. "We’ve discussed it enough for now. Leo will need all of us when he wakes," he said, his deep voice carrying a quiet authority. "Let’s return to our duties for the time being, and we will all be here when he wakes."