The Golden Throne

Chapter 38: Meeting Mr. White

The chirps of Taillows woke Hilbert up. He slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. Rays of morning sunlight poured into his room from the window. For some reason, his knuckles were in intense pain. Still a bit dozy, Hilbert brought his knuckles to his face and saw a deep cut on it. Hilbert's eyes widened in shock and then he remembered what happened yesterday. He sat up on his bed and witnessed the wreck his room was in.

What have I done? Hilbert gasped. He reached for the first aid kit in his bag and bandaged his wound. He got up from his bed and walked towards the door, being careful not to step on the broken pieces of furniture and glass. He was still a little groggy. He massaged his forehead as he opened the door.

Hilbert heard someone's footsteps approach him. "Woah dude, what happened to you? Zeno and I thought you weren't home last night," Kye said. Hilbert opened his eyes and saw Kye standing in front of him. His arms were crossed and he had a concerned look on his face.

"Ughh..." Hilbert groaned, "where's Hilda?"

"She's downstairs. What happened to her? Zeno and I heard her crying in her room when we came back. We tried asking her what was wrong, but she wouldn't respond. And now, she's keeping to herself."

Hilbert remembered his shameful actions yesterday. "I.. I need to talk to her."

Kye made a gasp as his caught sight of Hilbert's bandage. "What happened to your hand?"

Hilbert hid his hand away and turned around. "It's nothing," he slowly walked down the stairs.

"Hilbert, I'm worried. Is there something you aren't telling us? What happened between you and Hilda?"

"I said. It's nothing,"

Hilbert went downstairs to search for Hilda. The sound of a water hose reached Hilbert's ears and he could see Zeno watering the plants outside. It wasn't long before Hilbert spotted Hilda making a drink in the kitchen. She had her back to the kitchen doorway.

"Hilda," Hilbert said as he stepped into the kitchen.

She focused on making her drink. Hilbert walked towards her but stopped halfway. "About yesterday... I... I don't know what came over me. I-"

Hilda poured her drink into the sink and walked past him. "Hilda?" Hilbert mumbled, but she ignored him. He stopped her by the arm, "Hilda, look at me-"

"What?!" Hilda raised her voice, jerking her arm free. She looked at him for the first time today and he saw the bruise on her head.

What have I done? Hilbert's mouth trembled. "Hilda... I-"

"Hilda!" Zeno came running in. "There is a gentleman at the front gate looking for you."

"Okay, let's go," Hilda nodded to her, wanting to stay away from Hilbert. They both left Hilbert standing there by himself.

Hilda and Zeno exited the house and saw a man in his fifties standing outside of the front gate. For his age, he had a strong build- the body of a typical adventurer. He was dressed in a green button-up shirt with black cargo pants. He sported a short boxed beard and wore a captain's hat. On his back was a big travel backpack. The brightest smile flashed across his face when he saw the young girl and he spread out his arms, "Hilda!"

"D-Dad?!" Hilda gasped, not believing the sight before him for a moment. Her eyes lit up with joy and she rushed to her father. "Dad!" she hugged him.

The man laughed as he held her gently in his arms. Hilda buried her face in his chest and he kissed her on the top of her head. At that instant, she felt like the safest girl in the world. He gasped as he caught sight of the bruise on her forehead, "how did you hurt yourself?!"