It’s been a couple of months since the trip to the village. Cecilia noticed a change in the attitudes of her young charges. Lady Elaina became nicer, Prince Kaiden paid more attention to Crystal and Crystal seemed happier.
One morning, the Prince didn’t come down for breakfast. Everyone thought he was still asleep so they left him. By lunch time, he still hadn’t appeared so the King was told. The King waved off the worries, saying the boy was tired and just sleeping. But when the Prince hadn’t come down for dinner, the King whispered to a servant to go check on his son. Cecilia noticed King James doing this and arched her brow. “Told someone to send his food to his room.” It was plausible. Only Crystal didn’t believe it. The same servant came back with a slightly flustered look on her face. She whispered to the king and he nodded. “Girls, go back to the nursery, Cecilia, stay here please.” The girls did as they were told, both looking at the floor. They ended up falling asleep, Lady Elaina on the settee, Crystal on the window seat.
Cecilia on the other hand looked at the King. He stood up and motioned for her to follow him. King James took such big, hurried strides that she had to all but run to keep up. When they stopped, she noticed they were at Prince Kaiden’s room. Was the Prince alright? The door opened and Cecilia saw him straight away. Pale as a sheet, sweating, eyes closed and laboured breathing. She gasped. “My lord…what is wrong with him?” The king had lowered himself into a seat, his head in his hands. “I have not a clue Cecilia. The physician has been sent for. The girls can not know.” Within minutes the royal physician had bustled through the door, ordering everyone out. The King ordered the few who knew not to breath a word, or it would be their heads. Only he and Cecilia stayed outside the Prince’s room.
After an hour or so, the physician opened the door and motioned for them to enter the room, once they were inside, he closed the door. The physician paced slightly, wringing his hands, nervous as to how the King would react. Taking a deep breath, he spoke. “My lord… I’m afraid to say that your son…that the Prince…” taking another deep breath, he restarted. “My lord, the complaints your son suffered as a young infant have returned…with a vengeance. And I’m afraid this time, he won’t pull through. I give him a few months, no longer. I am sorry my lord.” and with that, the King broke down. The fever had, for now, taken Prince Kaiden into a deep sleep but he heard everything. Cecilia felt the tears flow but she had to comfort her king. When the girls awoke, they looked at each other and headed to their rooms. Cecilia and the King went to breakfast early to wait for the girls.
Everyone carried on as if nothing was amiss. But the King was growing tired after days of very little sleep, Cecilia always looked sad. And the castle it’s self seemed to be in mourning. Elaine walked into Crystal’s room early morning, tears in her eyes. She shook the sleeping girl awake, no longer hating her. “Crystal…Crystal…” she awoke, mumbling as she did so. “Lady Elaina, what do you need?” Yawning, she sleepily rubbed her eyes. “I am worried. Kaiden hasn’t been seen for three weeks now…but surely they’d tell us if something happened to him?” Sighing, Crystal silently doubted wither they would, unless he died. “Do you want me to find out?” Elaina never liked snooping but this called for something. “Please.” They both got up and Elaina went back to her room to bathe and dress, Crystal started as soon as Elaina closed the door.
At breakfast, the King announced that he was going away for the day and that Cecilia was in charge. When breakfast was over, the King left and Cecilia lead the girls to the nursery. Crystal however crept off near the nursery, knowing Cecilia would think she just went outside or to the village like she so often did.
Crystal snuck around the castle to Prince Kaiden’s room. Once there, she opened the door enough to peak in, no one was around. After confirming there really was no one, she went in, closing the door behind her. What she saw almost brought tears to her eyes. Prince Kaiden looked to be in his death bed. His skin was sickly pale, beads of sweat running down his face and neck. His hair soaking and his nightgown clung to him. He had dark circles under his eyes and he looked ever so frail.
Walking over to the balcony window, she opened it and stepped out, taking a deep breath. She started to sing. “
I'm running out of patience, 'Cause I can't believe what the hell I'm hearing. And speaking of hell it don't compare to this heat, That I am feeling. I love you too much it shows, All my emotions go out of control. Good for you bad for me. When I can hardly see from the tears that flow. Can't forget to breathe slow, Count from one to ten with my eyes closed. 'Cause ladies take it in and get composure. Before I lose it get composure. I am gonna breathe slow, Count from one to ten with my eyes closed. 'Cause ladies take it in and get composure. Ladies never lose composure. Not gonna lie or even try, You've got my wheel spinning. And I ain't the one to shoot the gun. 'Cause that means you will be winning. I love you too much it shows, All my emotions go out of control. Good for you bad for me. When I can hardly see from the tears that flow. Can't forget to breathe slow, Count from one to ten with my eyes closed. 'Cause ladies take it in and get composure. Before I lose it get composure. I am gonna breathe slow, Count from one to ten with my eyes closed. 'Cause ladies take it in and get composure. Ladies never lose composure. Somebody better hold me back, You're lucky I know how to act, So lucky I ain't gonna attack. I'm being calm and cool, But believe me you it's taking everything to just breathe. Breathe. Breathe. Can't forget to breathe slow, Count from one to ten with my eyes closed. 'Cause ladies take it in and get composure. Before I lose it get composure. I am gonna breathe slow, Count from one to ten with my eyes closed. 'Cause ladies take it in and get composure. Ladies never lose composure. Composure.”
When she opened her eyes, she walked back into the room and closed the balcony doors. He was looking at her with almost blind eyes. “You never cease to catch me in your spell when you sing.” He said, his voice raspy. She went over and filled a glass of water, putting it down and the climbing onto the bed next to him. Picking it back up and placing it on his lips, she helped him drink the water by tipping the glass. When he’d had his fill, she put it back down. “What is the matter with you My Lord?” He sighed at her question. “Please… call me Kaiden. Just Kaiden.” After Crystal nodded, he continued. “I used to be ill as an infant. Something about my heart and fevers. They said it has resurfaced. Whatever It is. They have given me a few months.” Crystal’s eyes went wide. He couldn’t die. Not now. Not of this. He was meant to die of old age.
