Lupesia Palace — Royal Treatment Room
William slowly opened his eyes.
Blurred faces. Loud voices. Too many people.
For a moment, he wondered whether he had returned to the living world or accidentally entered a marketplace.
Beside his bed, Kristen wiped the remaining saliva from her lips, trying very hard to look as though nothing unusual had happened.
Unfortunately, everyone in the room had witnessed the kiss.
Everyone: 😶😶😶
The doctors looked tense. King Richard appeared overwhelmed. Rowan was fighting the urge to laugh, while Leo looked as though he regretted being born into this family.
William blinked.
William (softly): "…Why is everyone looking like I owe them money?" 😑
King Richard rushed towards him.
King Richard: "William! My son!"
He grabbed William's shoulders, examining his face as though he needed proof that his eldest son was actually alive.
King Richard: "You frightened us half to death!"
William: "I'm sorry, Father. I didn't realize my unconsciousness would cause such a disturbance."
Rowan: "A disturbance? The entire palace nearly collapsed!" 😭
Leo: "You also fainted when you heard we were missing." 😑
King Richard: "LEO!"
The doctors hurried forward, their earlier anxiety transforming into overwhelming relief.
Doctor: "A miracle! The prince has awakened!" 😱
Another doctor: "His pulse is stabilizing! His breathing is normal!"
Rowan folded his arms proudly.
Rowan: "I knew he would wake up. I prayed once." 😎
Leo: "You screamed once too."
Rowan: "That was my prayer reaching a higher volume!"
William sighed.
William: "I see nothing has changed while I was unconscious."
He slowly sat up, looking as calm, elegant, and composed as ever.
Then his eyes landed on Kristen.
She stood beside the bed with her arms crossed, looking as though she owned the entire palace.
William studied her for a moment.
William: "And who might this be?"
Kristen: "The reason you're not dead." 😤
The room went silent.
Everyone expected William to respond with arrogance, suspicion, or perhaps a royal command.
Instead, he looked at Kristen quietly and gave her a small, respectful nod.
William: "Then I owe you my thanks."
Kristen blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Kristen (thinking): …Huh? 😶
William: "You helped when others could not. I am grateful."
Kristen (thinking): WHAT THE HELL?! POLITE? WHERE IS THE ARROGANCE?! 😶
Rowan leaned towards Leo and whispered.
Rowan: "She looks confused."
Leo: "She prepared herself for a fight. He said thank you." 😑
Kristen glared at both brothers.
Kristen: "I CAN HEAR YOU!"
William gently moved his legs over the side of the bed.
Doctor: "Your Highness, please rest!"
William: "I have rested enough unwillingly."
Doctor: "But—"
William: "I assure you, Doctor, I will not collapse again merely to give you more work."
Doctor: "YOUR HIGHNESS, THAT IS NOT REASSURING!" 😭
William stood, although his legs were still slightly weak.
Kristen instinctively stepped forward to support him.
Then she stopped halfway.
Kristen (thinking): Why did I move? Control yourself! 😤
William noticed her movement.
He said nothing, pretending not to see it.
Gentleman mode: fully activated.
William turned towards the physicians.
William: "You have all worked hard. Thank you for taking care of me."
The doctors stared at him.
One of them actually looked close to tears.
Doctor: "He thanked us…" 😭
Rowan nodded solemnly.
Rowan: "He does that. It's unsettling at first." 😌
Leo: "You should be grateful. Most princes would complain about the quality of their pillows."
William: "I heard that."
Leo: "I intended you to." 😑
William turned back towards Kristen.
William: "If it is not troublesome… may I know your name?"
Kristen hesitated.
Kristen: "…Kristen Ramrizz."
The atmosphere changed immediately.
The name Ramrizz hung in the room.
Campbell and Ramrizz.
Two families separated by centuries of curses, blessings, and political restrictions.
King Richard's expression grew guarded.
Rowan and Leo exchanged glances.
Kristen waited for William's reaction.
Would he question her? Order her away? Remind her that the two families were forbidden from growing close?
Instead, William smiled faintly.
William: "Then, Miss Kristen Ramrizz, it seems fate has better taste than politics."
Kristen's brain stopped working for three full seconds.
Kristen: "…"
Kristen (thinking): WHAT KIND OF SENTENCE WAS THAT?! 😱❤️
Leo slowly turned towards Rowan.
Leo: "She's gone."
Rowan grinned.
Rowan: "Our brother has begun hunting accidentally." 😎
William glanced at them.
William: "I can hear you both."
Rowan: "We know."
Leo: "Unfortunately, so can everyone else."
Kristen pointed at them.
Kristen: "Both of you. Shut up!" 😤
William noticed a little dust on Kristen's sleeve.
He reached into his pocket, took out a clean handkerchief, and offered it to her.
William: "You came here in a hurry… and through considerable trouble."
Kristen: "So?"
William: "So you should not have to carry the dust alone."
He held the handkerchief out patiently.
Kristen stared at it as though he had just presented her with a legendary magical artifact.
Kristen (thinking): Why is this man behaving like sunlight? 😶❤️
She snatched the handkerchief from his hand.
Kristen: "Fine! I'll borrow it. Don't misunderstand!" 😤
William: "I wouldn't dare." 😊
Rowan slowly leaned towards Leo.
Rowan: "Ohhh…"
Leo nodded.
Leo: "It has started."
Kristen: "SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!" 😤
William watched her with quiet amusement.
For some reason, the loudest person in the room had become the most interesting.
And Kristen Ramrizz, who had entered the palace intending to save a prince, was beginning to suspect that bringing him back to life might have been the biggest mistake of her day.
Especially because the prince was smiling at her. ❤️
To be continued...