Gravensnod (manxman)

Chapter Four

Alexei

I took a shaky breath while walking down the hallway and seeing the two guards always stationed outside my parents suite. They nodded at me before I softly knocked onto the door. After slowly opening it I poked my head inside before coming in all the way. "Mom?" I called out while starting to walk deeper into the room. "Dad?"

"In the kitchen!" My mom's cheerful voice was saying. The aroma of freshly baked brownies greeted me as I walked into the kitchen. They were both standing by the island, my mom working as my dad snacked on treats. "Hi honey," she said as I slid onto a barstool.

"Hi," I said as my father nodded towards me since his mouth was full of brownie.

"Where'd you run off to this morning?" She asked. Of course she knew, because the Queen knew everything.

"I went to the orphanage at Île Oubliée."

Her eyebrows rose as she stuck more brownies into the oven. "It didn't seem like you were there very long."

"I went there to... return something to someone I met recently. And I actually brought them back here. Now before you get mad let me explain." I gave them the brief explanation of meeting Philo and how he hurt himself. "He needs to get better and the infirmaries on Île Oubliée are not acceptable. We need to fix that, right now. Just because a child has lost a parent doesn't mean that they need to live like that. His younger sister Louise is here as well, and will be until Philo gets better."

They remained silent for a moment before looking at each other. When they looked back over at me they were smiling. "I can understand why you brought them back," my dad said after polishing off his brownie. "I've been looking into Île Oubliée for years and trying to figure out how to make it better. Penelope really screwed everyone over when she made that."

"The east suites are open, close to where Ari is staying," my mom said before resting her elbows onto the island. "Is there anything they need?"

My mind wandered to the huge and holey clothes hanging off their bodies. "If we could get Jess to make them some clothes I would appreciate that."

"I'll get her started on that right away."

"Thanks for understanding," I said while getting up and starting to walk over to the door.

"I haven't seen much of Genevieve," my dad's voice suddenly said.

I guess I hadn't seen her too much since we made our announcement to the world. But she also hadn't reached out to me at all. "She's been busy," I easily said while backing out of the kitchen. "Okay have to go, bye!"

Once shutting the door behind me I leaned against it and closed my eyes with a sigh. I should probably go visit her on the other side of the castle, but my legs were taking me to the infirmary instead. I'm sure she wouldn't mind.

Philo

When Doctor Penn finished telling me the physical therapy I would need, I watched as the door suddenly opened after a knock was heard. Alexei was walking back in before leaning against the wall. "Oh god," I hissed when cold fingers were suddenly on my back.

"I am sorry if my hands are cold," Doctor Penn said as his fingers very gently touched my spine. "Is this area still tender?"

"Very," I said while closing my eyes. "My whole spine is hurting actually," I whispered as he touched my skin more.

When he was pulling away I opened my eyes and looked over at him. "Take this," he said while handing over some pills and a glass of water. My face must've looked worried because he said, "It's only pain reliever. I want you to rest today and tomorrow we'll start with your therapy. If your back starts to feel worse please do not hesitate to come over and find me. Alexei, make sure he gets rest."