The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 57: The Prince Connects the Dots

It's strange waking up to the feeling that something is missing. Something that I can't pinpoint exactly, but there's an impression of something being left behind. The doctor said that there was nothing wrong with my brain. Instead, the impact of force my head took on the asphalt is the cause for my amnesia of a few things. Except, I remember just about everything aside from what led to my accident.

When I was asked if I could remember what I did for New Years, I remembered the gala my father hosted in our castle's ballroom. The room was filled with guests lavished in expensive suits and dresses and the servants wearing the uniforms my mother picked to match the decorations of the room. I could even recall what I did throughout the night: I greeted the guests personally, I gave a moving speech about the gratitude I felt for my citizens to wait so patiently for my family and I to return home before officially announcing the start of the gala, and how the crowd gathered around to watch me and Natalia waltz at the end of the night.

The doctor was befuddled by this, but he assured me that it is normal for patients to experience a temporary memory loss about what led to the accident. He instructed me to take a much needed rest before I returned to school and that I don't stress so much about my lost memories. They will return in due time supposedly. With that last bit of advice, I was taken home from the hospital and spent all day yesterday in bed while Sebastian watched over me.

Today is Sunday and although I haven't gotten more time to rest, I had already made up my mind to get back to school despite my parents' wishes. I didn't want to waste any time now that I am so close to returning home permanently. The only way to achieve that is by delaying my feign need for a high school education. Fortunately, Natalia has taken the homework I've missed while I was in the hospital.

"Antonio?" I hear Natalia's voice calling me back to the present.

In response, I made a soft hum as my eyes focused on Natalia's face. Her brown eyes filled with concern that I thought maybe a smile could calm her down. Perhaps a few words or two will lessen it as well. "I'm fine. Please forgive me, I had my mind somewhere else."

"Where would that be, if it's alright to ask?" Natalia asks while I look down at the homework I left unfinished. That could explain why Natalia was worried. . . Leaving it half done is a bit concerning. . .

"I was thinking about what the doctor said about my lost memories. I know that I shouldn't be so concerned, but I can't stop thinking about the boy that was there." I respond, setting my pencil down. I can finish this after I have a five minute break.

"The one that hugged you when you woke up?" Natalia questions to which I nod my head.

The biggest reason that motivated me to go to school tomorrow is the boy I saw in the hospital when I woke up. I don't remember seeing him before and I've mentioned this to the doctor, but he doesn't know why I can't recall him. He simply assured me that he might be involved with my lost memories that led to my accident. I know he was involved because he told me that I pushed him away from an incoming car.

Why would I do that for him? I suppose I was nearby and he was distracted. That could explain why I pushed him, but not why he embraced me. I saw the manner in which he reacted when I woke up. He came at me with a sense of familiarity that I was never given before. His touch spoke volumes of an intimacy we share, but I haven't seen him in my life until today. Why did he felt free to pull such a stunt towards me?

"Yes. He seems to care an awful lot about me. Except, I don't remember him at all. Do you know him perhaps? He's a short, pale boy with white-brownish hair and blue eyes." I ponder, hoping Natalia would help me.

Unfortunately, my heart sank in disappointment when I saw her shake her head and reply, "I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone with that description."