The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 41: The Prince Confesses

"I'm fine, don't worry. I was about to ask you something silly. Forget about it." Cassiel dismisses over the phone after I bombarded him with my worrying.

Cassiel called me a few minutes ago while I was right outside of my father's study. Prior to Cassiel's phone call, I was assisting my father in a few of the proclamations that has been requested through our king regent, also known as my uncle who is the next heir suited for the crown if I fail to take it until Leonardo comes of age, of course.

"Tell me, Cassiel. I won't think it's silly if it's something that I can get for you. Please?" I attempt to persuade him into telling me what he wanted to ask of me.

"I. . . I wanted to see if you could come over a-and give me a hug?" Cassiel asks nervously and almost in a soft whisper that I barely managed to hear him.

"I'll be right over, mi angelito. See you soon." I answer immediately before I hang up without waiting for him to say goodbye.

I just call Cassiel my little angel. . . Was it too early to give him a- what do Americans call it? A pet name? I have heard how Thomas and Angelica call each other babe, but I don't think Cassiel would like that. Also, I hate that pet name. It's been overused and has gotten under my skin. Hopefully, he wouldn't mind.

Now is not the time to overreact. Cassiel needs me and I won't let him down. I state inside my thoughts and as I return my phone into its rightful place in my front pocket just as the door to my father's study opens. Looking up at him, I notice my father's eyes were on my hand putting my phone away.

"Who were you talking to, son?" Father questions, his voice filled with slight interest.

"Cassiel. Father, if we're done going through the proclamations and the files of our company, I would like to go see him. He needs help with his homework and I told him I would help him." I fib lightly since I'm not exactly lying to him.

Father tilts his head a little to the right as his grey eyes bore into mine, almost analyzing what I have said. I haven't lied to my father since I was a young boy trying to hide Sebastian from him whenever he heard me talking outside in our garden and I told that I made up a friend. Again, it was partly the truth. I've picked up on that since I never had the usual ticks to prove me wrong.

"You've spending an awful lot of time with him." Father muses thoughtfully.

"We're friends, Father. Part of having friends is spending some of your time with them." I respond with narrow eyes. He should have known by now that Cassiel is a close friend of mine. Why is he bringing him up now?

"How long has it been since the accident? Two months, correct?" Father asks out of the blue.

"Yes, why? Is there something wrong?" I ponder cautiously. What is he thinking?

My father doesn't respond as immediately as I hoped, but I can't stand here and wait for him to give me an answer. Cassiel is waiting for me and I can't disappoint him. He sounded desperate, as though he was on the verge of breaking into a sob if I don't hurry.

What could have happened? I know Cassiel is having a study session with Hunter for our upcoming government final. Did Hunter said or did something to upset him? No, that can't be right. Hunter is a good friend to Cassiel, he would never do anything to upset him after what he's been through in their old school.

Then what could it be? I question silently when I felt someone grabbing my shoulder and practically shoving me around to face them. I was about to yell at whoever had the audacity to man handle me, only to face my father glaring at me. How long has he been standing there?