The Royal Spare (COMPLETED)

50-Of A Princess's Worries

I listened to the call ring out again then a familiar automated voice message followed. With a heavy sigh, I disconnected the call and stared at my phone screen. "Aidan, where are you?" I frowned.

I understood that the city has been in chaos for the past few hours and all the Knights and Royal guards have been very busy putting everything in order and securing the palace that has been put on lockdown but Gali was hurt. How can he not come here and check on his brother? Lord Gerardo was with Nikolai in the throne room with the privy council. He checked on Gali earlier and talked to the doctor. After being reassured that his son would be fine, he went right back to work.

I knew Aidan's task was urgent too and he must be more physically tolled but why couldn't I reach his phone? I just wanted to know if he was okay and to update him about Gali's situation. I didn't know what it was exactly but there was a nagging feeling in my heart that told me something was wrong.

"Sir Gali!" I heard Cora's excited voice exclaim.

I immediately turned to look at the bed and saw Gali slowly open his eyes. He has been unconscious for over two hours. After the doctor sutured his wound and gave him some medicine, Gali stayed in one of the rooms in the right wing of the palace that has been quickly prepared for him to stay in while he recuperated. I have been worrying and stressing beside him while I waited for him to wake up and get a hold of Aidan.

I rushed to the bed and smiled at Gali who looked up at me with some concern in his gentle eyes. "You're finally awake." I sighed in relief as I held his hand.

He tried to smile back but winced in pain instead. There was a little pinch in my heart as I watched him endure the pain. I couldn't help blaming myself in a way. It was my fault that he was hurt.

As if reading my mind, Gali tried to sit up and prove he wasn't hurt that bad. His face became more distorted and he bit his lip hard as his fists clenched tightly.

"Hey..." I touched his cheek softly and carefully helped him lie back down. "Take it easy. It's alright." I smiled a little. "Don't strain yourself."

He kept looking at me intently then carefully lifted his hands and signed, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

This man. He was the one who has six stitches above his ear, has his head wrapped in gauze and was unconscious for two hours.

I chuckled and shook my head as tears brimmed my eyes. "Silly Gali." I pouted and pretended to be annoyed by him. "How can you ask me how I am when you're the one lying on a sickbed?" I rolled my eyes at him.

He grinned but doing that also brought him some pain and it showed. I sighed and sat on the bed beside him. I gently patted his shoulder. 

"Don't worry about me, okay?"

He frowned as if to tell me he couldn't do that.

"I'm perfectly fine. You did a great job protecting me, Sir Gali." I smiled and his face finally relaxed.

Just then, there was a knock on the door and Lady Marian entered. After a quick curtsy, she spoke to me. "Your Highness, let Lady Cora help you clean up and change out of these clothes."

I looked down and saw my blood-stained dress. I looked at Gali and scowled. "Is this why you're so worried?"

He gazed back at me solemnly and signed, "Yes."

I giggled and shook my head. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

He waved his hand in front of his to chest to sign, "It's fine."

"Okay then." I got up from the bed and patted his hand. "I'll leave Lady Marian here to watch you while I'm gone. I'll be back to keep you company later." I said.

He immediately signed, "No need."

"What are you talking about?" I raised an eyebrow at him. "Am I not your friend?" I asked.

He signed, "You are."

"Don't you want me around you anymore?" I pouted and crossed my arms over my chest.

He snickered and looked at me with amused eyes like he was watching a little child throw a tantrum. He has always been that way. For 16 years, he has been with me through my best and worst. He has seen and withstood all of my moods even the really bad ones but he never got annoyed or angry. He would always look at me with amusement and smile then agrees to whatever I want to brighten my mood. Despite the pain, he slowly shook his head then smiled and signed, "Of course I would always want to be around my little Princess."

I raised my head smugly and sneered at him. "It's settled then. I shall see you later and keep you company." I stated and he finally acquiesced. "You have protected and took care of me since I was little. It's my turn now." I told him. "Besides I should stay by your side so you can guard me, right?"

He smiled softly and his eyes told me how relieved he was to hear what I said.

I brushed the wrinkled skirt of my dress and bowed my head slightly. "Rest well, Sir Gali. See you later."

He smiled then signed, "See you later."

With that, I turned to leave with Cora. Once I got out of the door however, I was not as calm as I showed Gali. I immediately turned to my phone and dialed Aidan's number for the God-knows-how-many-times that night. I held my phone to my ear as I walked to my room, hoping for Aidan to answer my call but all I heard was another string of rings and the automated voice message. My heart felt heavy in my chest as I gripped the phone tightly in my hand.

"Your Highness!" Sir Desmond rushed up the stairs and dropped to bow before me.

"Sir Desmond, what's wrong?" I frowned.

He got up and looked at me. "Your brother needs you in the throne room." He informed me then noticed my bloody dress and added, "After, you changed."

I nodded my head. "I'll be there. Would you know what for?"

He shook his head. "He didn't tell me but, all the royals present in your engagement party and the entire privy council are there. The mood is mixed. Emotions are high and the phones have been ringing off the hook. All the world leaders are calling to clarify your revelations."

I nodded. "That's understandable. Alright. Please tell Nikolai that I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Yes, Your Highness." He answered and bowed. He was about to leave when I called him again. He turned to face me. "Would there be anything else, Princess?"

I hesitated but still asked as calmly as I could, "Have you heard from Aidan?"

He shook his head. "I apologize, Your Highness. I haven't. I know that he went back to his station near the gate this afternoon and has stayed there since. It's pretty busy there right now since a lot of citizens are coming towards the palace to learn more about what happened earlier." He explained. "I'm sure he'll call you back as soon as gets the chance."

"Yes. You're right. Thank you, Sir Desmond." I appreciated his response but it didn't comfort me. I didn't find fault in what he said but I still somehow felt that something was not right.

I nodded to let Desmond go and kept the question that bothered me to myself. "Where are you Aidan?"