Classy, Controlled Chaos - The STEAM Team Adventures

☁️ Seven Days [4/7] ☁️

Edward's POV:

I woke up in the palace's infirmary, surprised to see myself in a patient's bed.

My head was throbbing, and my knees were weak.

It seemed like I had been hit in the head before I lost my consciousness.

"Hello?" I called out, scanning the room. "Is anyone there?"

"Edward!" I recognized one of my knights, Sir Blizzard. "How are you feeling? You took quite the long nap."

I let out a sigh. "I am so, so sorry. I believe I have been out for far too long to finish my royal duties. Please forgive me, I will be up at once."

I tried to step out of bed, only for a stab of pain to shoot up through my leg when I made contact with the floor. "Heaven almighty!"

"Now now," The knight hushed me, ushering me to stay on the mattress. "You need to rest. A healing spell was cast upon you to improve your sanity, that was all. However, it took a lot out of your energy, so you have to rest here for now."

Something told me he was hiding something, but I decided not to pry further.

"Where are my companions?" I asked, switching the subject. "I... I don't remember their names yet, but... The captain is who I remember the most."

Sir Blizzard lifted off his helmet, revealing a very handsome face. "Not to worry, Your Highness. Your friends are safe; They are waiting to see you soon."

Again, I made my attempts to stand up, but to no avail. "I must see them at once, kind sir. What if they have worried about me for too long?"

"All of them are aware of your condition." The knight chuckled, laying a hand behind my head and laying be back down on my bed. "Please, Your Majesty, just rest. You must recover from the spell."

I gave him an appreciative nod, giving in to his care. "Thank you..."

"Of course, Your Highness." He dipped his head in a subtle bow, slipping his helmet back over his head. "I best be off now, I have a shift to run at the gates."

I watched as he marched off, his armor clinking against his lean body as he left.

A short, sleek figure slipped past him, taking his place. "Edward?"

Making out her silhouette through the dim lights of the infirmary, I realized this was the captain that I was friends with. "Ah, yes. Hello there, friend."

She gave me a suspicious look, eyeing me up and down. "Friend? You sure we're just friends, in your eyes?"

"Why, of course." I smiled at her, watching her take a few steps closer. "I wouldn't be surprised if you were my lover or my wife, though. You have quite the build, if I do say so myself. I wish I could remember your name, though..."

"Tia." The captain replied, lifting up the orca tail that made me recognize her. "Captain Tia Aquaticlaw. We're just friends."

"Nice to meet you again then, young lady." I chuckled. "Say, this may be a little weird, but do you know why I don't remember much? It might have been the aftermath of the spell, but still."

She sighed solemnly. "Yes, Edward, it was the spell... Hopefully you regain your memories soon. Or not, maybe you're better without them."

Like Sir Blizzard, it seemed like she was clearly hiding something.

Out of respect, I decided to keep my mouth shut.

"No worries." I replied, eyeing her up and down. "Where are the others?"

"They're resting," Tia mumbled, drawing a trident from her captain's coat. "Your father, King Arthur, let them sleep in the guest rooms. I hope you don't mind that."

"Why, of course not! They're called guest rooms for a reason." I laughed, falling quiet at the sight of her weapon. "Ooh, I see you carry a weapon on you. Did you name it?"

Again with the solemn look. "Yes, actually. I call it the RipTrident. Many have seen this tool be the last they see before they expire."

"You must be a powerful fighter, then?" I asked, watching her nod her head. "Wow. Then, who must have trained you?"

She shook her head. "I'm sorry to cut the conversation short, but... You need to rest."

As the captain turned her back to me, just about to leave, I stopped her. "Wait."

"Yes?" She cocked her head at me, visibly irritated.

"I have just one more question." I began, thinking deeply about what I was going to say.

"That spell... Did it change me?" I finally asked, looking up at her. "My personality, my attitude, my looks, even?"

Tia's eyes stared back at me, a cold glare piercing through my gaze.

Whatever she was trying to hide from me was clearly what held the answer.

"You don't need to know that." She whispered, her voice wavering. "You don't need to know."

"But I have to," I protested. "What's wrong? Was I worse before this and you changed for the better? Was I a jerk? Did I do something wrong to you or your friends and you guys just hated me for that? Maybe I was, and if so, I'm sorry, but you can't leave me here in the dark!"

A lone tear welled up in the corner of her eye, threatening to spill over. "Edward..."

I watched as she silently made her way back over to me, wiping the tear away with her sleeve. "I can't tell you, Edward. It would hurt you and me. We'd both like it better if we simply moved on and face the present."

Now was not the time to argue with her any further, and my moral compass decided to let this slide.

"Alright, then." I mumbled, watching her nod in agreement. "I'm aware that the spell definitely altered me for the better, though. However, I won't question you any further."

Her hard glare gradually softened into a regretful look, and it seemed like it physically hurt to look at me,

"I'm sorry, Edward." She managed to choke out, a tear streaking down her cheek. "I am so, so sorry..."

I couldn't stop her as Tia sprinted out of the infirmary, breaking down into tears.

What did I do wrong?