There is a saying that when you wish for something from the bottom of your heart, the entire universe conspires for it to happen.
How much does it hold of the truth?
Does the universe do it?
What if someone is wishing for another person to have a setback in life, for something worse to happen?
Will the universe allow it to happen?
Arson took hay from the shed to feed his horse. The sky was wrapped in silence, or perhaps stars were whispering to one another.
The commander smiles, scrubbing the horseshoe of Arson's horse. "Your Highness, what you are doing is very kind of you. However, we cannot stay here forever, Your Highness."
Arson paused, feeding the horse. While heaving a sigh, he whispered, "I do understand. However, something is not allowing me to move away from here."
Suvain grins. "Perhaps it is called Young Prince Elric Ryan."
Arson chuckled, caressing the horse's neck. Until they heard a chain shuffling in the quiet place.
Noticing Arson's face, Suvain quickly checks for the source. "Your Highness, it is nothing. Just some prisoner."
Arson nods, getting back to combing the horse's hair.
"Crown prince!" A yell cuts through the thin, cold air, making the named person flinch.
"Your Highness!" Another shout followed by loud chains resonating nearer.
Before Arson could turn and see, a pair of arms enveloped his leg.
"Your Highness, please forgive me for my sins." The primary child cries, hugging his leg. "I have committed a crime. I tried to kill you!"
Arson froze, trying to pry the man from his leg. "Please calm down."
However, the man continued weeping at his feet. The guards and Suvain were able to pull him away. One of the guards raised his spear to hit the wounded man.
The man shields his arm overhead with a hiccup. However, it did not reach him. With curiosity, he looks up. Arson was towering above him.
"Your Highness," Suvain calls, "are you OK?"
Arson nods his head.
The guard threw the spear and bowed down. "Forgive me, your highness."
Arson hissed while standing up. "You cannot punish someone who is forced to commit the crime. Instead, you should look for the one who made this person do so."
One guard glanced at his subordinates and whispered, "Your Highness, he is not cooperating with us. We were asking for the name. However, he would never whisper a single word."
Another guard said, "This was the only way to make him talk."
Arson frowns, "How did you know this was the only way?"
The guards exchanged glances and did not dare to argue with the prince, whom they had come to know through his subordinates, who had spread the word that he was the only one who had spoken with the prince of Amorite.
Arson turns his attention back to the man. "You are trying to protect someone who tried to hurt me."
The hunter nods without looking up.
"If the person is a resident of Amorite. Do you understand that my father could be the next?"
The man swiftly looks at Arson with wide eyes. "No, your highness. The person will never harm his majesty."
Suvain and Arson frown at the new information.
Arson nods, "If you say so. What if they try to harm Prince Emerson?"
The man slowly looks down at his feet again. "Your Highness, you are very kind that you do not see the evilness around you."
Suvain stepped forward. "Watch your words. Choose your words carefully before speaking with his highness."
The man did not dare to mutter another word again.
Arson crouches down. "I do understand that your family must be waiting for you," smiling, "You shall meet your family."
Arson tilts his head to the guards. "When is his next hearing?"
The guard bowed. "Tomorrow, your highness."
Arson pats his shoulder; the prisoner glances at him. "We shall meet tomorrow. You must eat well. You would need energy to travel back."
Suvian frowns, "Forgive me, your highness. What you are thinking will be an unforgettable right judgment. Although I was thinking that we must--"
Arson raised his hand in the air.
Suvain steps back. "Please pardon me, your highness."
Elric, watching the scene from the window, pulls the wheelchair back.
Why is he so adamant about saving the man? Were it not for him, I would not be confined to this chair.
He says he loves me. Is this love when you protect the one who harmed your love?
Elric snickers to himself, trying to guide the wheels to turn left. However, it is so difficult. The wheels could function to move either forward or backward.
He was trying to gain my empathy. So that when the prisoner gets punished, he would have support to defend himself.
"Your Highness," Fawther calls, keeping the medicine on the table and running to him. He carefully turns the chair. "To where, your highness?"
Elric looks ahead. "I wish to get some fresh air."
Father smiles. "Alright, we shall go to the garden." He moves to the table and brings the medicine. "First, we have to drink this concoction, your highness."
Elric made a sour face as though he could already taste the bitter concoction in his mouth.
Arson knocks on the door. "Your Highness, would you like to visit the garden?" He did not dare to step in without permission. He cannot make the prince uncomfortable again.
Elric, hearing the voice, took the concoction and drank it in one go, shaking Fawther in the process.
Elric coughs, keeping the cup back on the tray.
"Your Highness?" Arson called, hearing the coughing sound. "Are you not well, your highness? Should I call the physician?"
"Ask him to go," Elric instructs Fawther, who frowned but followed the order.
Arson with dejection left the room. For a second, he felt that Elric was avoiding him.
Is it because of what he said? He should have kept quiet. His feelings are his problems and have nothing to do with Elric. The prince is facing his problems, and he has added a new one to the list.
"When will I know how to understand and speak so that it could make him happy?"
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
When the king announced the man to be hanged. Arson raised his concern. Elric is staying in the chamber, watching the sparrow making a nest in the tree growing in front of the balcony.
The king frowns. "May I ask why I should not punish him by hanging?"
Arson steps forward, standing next to the hunter. "Your Majesty, I am no one to question your judgment. According to my information, this person—he looks at the man—"is a mere tool used by someone else."
Ministers and advisors murmur among themselves. This is the second time someone has questioned the judgment.
The king thought deeply. "What do you suggest?"
Arson glanced at the man once. "Your Majesty, I suggest he be imprisoned until His Highness recovers."
The king narrowed his eyes at Arson. "Why would I do that?"
Arson took a deep breath. "Your Majesty, point number one is that this individual is a tool of someone powerful. Point number two, he is a citizen of Amorite, and I can assure you that the subjects are merciful enough not to hurt an ant. Point number three, he is guilty of his actions, and point number four, he said he knows the medicine that could heal his highness."
The complete courtroom fell into a pin-drop silence. Everyone glanced at each other.
The king nods his head. "Very well. What could guarantee that the assassin would not flee?"
The advisor steps forward with a bow. "Your Majesty, I suggest you reconsider the decision. This is taken from keeping Prince Arson's words and the prisoner's words in the previous court session."
With this statement, many individuals remembered the way the prisoner spoke about the prince of Amorite. The pride-filled chest pumped up, and there was fire in his eyes.
So, this is the prince?
Well, he looks ordinary, like the rest.
"I shall give my head if he flees." Arson, he said, shocking every single soul.
"Your Highness," Suvain calls, "what are you saying?"
The prisoner grits his teeth. He turns around and kneels in front of Arson.
"Your majesty," the prisoner called Arson said, "for an individual like me, a normal hunter, you are my king." I do not care who would be the king. For us, your subjects, we have chosen you, your majesty." He bows down. "This slave will never disappoint you. This life is dedicated to you."
Arson blinks his eyes, refraining from feeling the ache in his chest. "You have said this today: never call yourself a slave. You are a person of your own. I am trusting you because I can see you never meant to harm me."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"Your Highness," the commander whispered, watching Arson strolling back and forth around the room.
The general sighs to himself. "You promised to heal the prince. However, you do understand that this is going to be difficult."
Arso nods, "That is the task. I must make sure he is back on his feet before my departure."
Suvain nods, "If our royal physician is present here. They could have helped with the price's cure."
Arson paused on his steps. "You mean to say I should get an Amorite physician to Elysia, right?"
The commander shook his head. "How about taking the prince to Elysia? Our royal herb store has the rare herbs, and the physician shall not be able to carry them all."
Arson nods, "I agree. Yet, I do not understand how to make the prince agree."
The commander nods, fixing the strap of cloth on his palm. It is more irritating than curing. "Your Highness, how about we explain this to His Majesty? Perhaps he could convince Prince Elric."
Arson smiles, "In these few days, I can assure you he would not agree."
Suvain falls silent.
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Emerson glared at the visitor. His eyes made the man quiver. He kept one elbow on his thigh and crossed his legs.
"What you are saying is that my brother promised to cure the prince and let the prisoner go."
The shaking figure nods his head.
"Answer, you peasant!"
The man flinched. "Yes, your highness. If he is unable to do so. He requested to be beheaded."
The man did not understand whether it was the place in silent space away from the palace or the wide smile of the prince. Both sent shivers down his spine.
The prince tore a golden bracelet from his wrist and threw it at the man. "You have given me good news."
With all the scary feelings, the reward is worth it.
"You have made me happy. I shall reward you more." The prince added further, with a wide smile.
The man weighing the bracelet and touching the surface looks up at the prince.
"Your Highness, you are kinder than anyone."
The prince smiled, gesturing to him to step forward.
The man, filled with immense joy, moves forward to receive another gift, something more precious perhaps.
Emerson takes his sword, and with a slight flicker of his hand, the man's body is sliced into two parts.
The man's blood splattered on Emerson's face. Feelings iron taste on his lips, he spat on the dead body. "Bury him."
He steps on the body and walks out of the throne room created for him. The guards were no ordinary people; they were the ones against Arson.
Emerson sits near the riverbank, taking a handful of water. He splashed it on his face, rubbing it thoroughly.
How many more lives are to be taken? All for one throne, which should belong to me alone. I should have poisoned him when we were kids. But I did not understand the power of the throne; the complete world bows to you as long as you are the crown. That is a superior and powerful feeling, which I want to feel for the rest of my life.
Emerson smirks at his reflection in the water. "You shall be the next king of Amorite."
He sits upright on the grass. "My brother will be my right hand. He shall become my puppet. I ask him to—no, no, I order him to turn left. He shall comply without a single word. I shall crush his head under my foot; he would never dare to whimper."
He stood upright, pushing himself from the ground. Pressing his left hand behind him and his right hand holding the sword. He mimics Arson's walk on the battlefield.
"The power feels wonderful. If I visit a place where there is no chair. My brother would become a chair for me."
Emerson grits his teeth. "How I wish to kill him. However, an Amorite king cannot kill the innocent unless they have committed an unforgivable crime." He looks at the sky. "My brother does not make any such mistakes. I need one valid reason, and I will cut him tenderly."
"Your Highness, why do you hate your brother?" a guard dared to ask the question itching in his mind.
Emerson smirks, "What is there to love about him? He is perfect in everything; that's what makes me hate him."
The guard frowns with a nod. "As you say, your highness."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Emerson hired or bought people from Elysia with money and jewels. He gave the one important command. "Get the prisoner out of the prison and forever live with treasures."
Human greed is very easy to persuade. It does not require much effort. Once you know the soft spot of the individual, it's more than enough to tame them.
Emerson understood that the subjects of Elysia are not rich. They earn each day, and this is the opportunity. This is how Emerson found out about the guards of Elysia and lured them into greed. The urge to have more money.
That's how 5 guards of Elysia, who are assigned to guard the prisoners, end up being bought.
The metal gate of a large door opens, startling the inmate.
"Get out of here," a guard instructs, opening his chains.
The prisoner looks at the guard with confusion.
With gritted teeth, the guard pulls the man by his forearm. "Do you not wish to leave?" pushing him out of the prison.
The man pries his hand away. "I-I am not going anywhere." The man turns around to go inside the prison again. "His Highness has taken the oath to cure your prince. I shall leave with his highness."
The guards exchanged glances and nodded to themselves. One guard raised his spear and banged on the man's head.
"You shall escape from here."
The man heard faintly while holding his head. He closed his eyes, falling on the ground with an ache in his head. He tried to keep his eyes open. Yet, it preferred to close silently.
"I am sorry, your high--"
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
Elric's life has become calm and relaxing now.
He paints, rests, eats, and sleeps most of the time. Sometimes, he would talk for hours with Fawther and Arson about random things.
What is special in his kingdom? What is there in Amorite? Is it more beautiful than Elysia?
Things are so beautiful that it feels like the calm before the chaos.
The physician is grinding curcumin and mixing it with other herbs. A permanent frown is evident on his face as he grinds the herbs carefully.
His concentration broke with a gentle knock on the door. He looked at the source and bowed his head. "Your Majesty, you could have summoned me."
The king steps inside the room, where different herbs and flowers are fragrant. "How is the progress of the young prince's legs?"
The physician bows his head. "Your Majesty, I am afraid I have used all the knowledge, yet I am unable to cure his highness." He falls to his knees. "Please punish me, your highness. I do not deserve the title and honor of royal physician."
The king shook his head. "You are doing your best, and I am grateful for that." The king crossed his arms behind him and walked towards the exit. "Perhaps I should send the prince to Amorite."
The physician bowed, not having any reply to that. It shows that he failed in his task. He is insufficient for his role.
The king steps towards the garden. This is the place where the young prince spends most of his time. It is always Arson who is the apple of his eye. What the king has noticed is that they have become inseparable now. Most of the time, it's Arson taking care of Elric rather than Fawther.
The king stood upright, watching his son smiling and talking with his hand gesturing, sparkling eyes, and bright smile, with Arson sitting on the ground. Right next to Elric's feet.
The king glanced at the nearby guard. "Can you bring Arson to my chamber?"
The guard bowed and marched to the said male.
"You do not understand, prince. I am telling you, roses are the most beautiful flowers."
Arson grinned, shaking his head. "As you command, your highness."
Elric huffs playfully, being done with Arson. "See, you are not believing me yet again."
Arson chuckled, crossing his arm over his left knee, his other hand gently caressing a wildflower.
The guard bows to the duo. "Greetings, your highness and prince. Our king wishes to talk with you."
Arson and Elric shared a confused gaze. Arson nodded, pushing himself from the ground and patting the dust off. "I shall be back, your highness."
Elric nods, gesturing for him to go. He looks at the sky where the falcon is circling over his head. However, a tiny chirp caught his attention.
The brown-eyed prince smiles, lifting his hand for the bird to sit and chirp again.
I am very proud of you. You are completely healed now. Unlike me, who is bedridden."
The sparrow, unable to understand, chirps again. "Yet, I like your positive attitude."
⋇⋆✦⋆⋇
"Your Majesty, you expected my presence?" Arson asked, stepping inside the large room after getting approval from the guard.
The king nods, gesturing for him to get inside.
Arson gives a slight nod and steps towards a chair.
The king lifts the crown from his head, gently placing it inside the box. He closed the cupboard with a deep sigh.
"Young prince, this father requests help from you."
Arson stood upright. "Your Majesty, please command."
The king smiled, sitting on an available chair, gesturing for Arson to sit too.
The king smiled. "I have met many princes and kings in my life." He takes the steaming, warm tea and sips it. "I have never met a down-to-earth prince like you. Even my elder son is not like that." The king smiles, "He has become like me. Fortunately, Elric is just like his mother."
Arson nodded; he had seen the kindness and pureness the young prince holds. There is a different aura or feeling around him that Arson feels; he is in the best place if Elric is with him.
The king noticed the tender smile on Arson's face. He hides his smile behind the cup of tea.
"The king pours another cup and pushes it towards Arson. "Have some tea as we talk. This tea is brewed in our kingdom with a lot of care. You shall never find another tea like this."
Arson nods, holding the cup. He took a tiny sip and nodded along with the king.
"I have heard that your kingdom has the best physician."
Arson nods, "Yes, your majesty. My king has made all the physicians travel and learn about herbs, their uniqueness, and their power, and understand them."
The king nods. "Would you mind taking Elric with you to Amorite?"
Arson's eyes grew bigger.
The king further added, "Our medicine is not working. The royal physician said Elric's leg should have responded or felt some sensation. Yet, none of it has occurred."
The father took a shaky breath. "This is a father requesting you to help my son. We shall forever owe you our lives."
Arson shook his head when tears fell from the king's eyes.
"Your Majesty, whatever has happened is all because of me. I am the reason his highness is bedridden. I have taken the oath to cure his highness, and I shall fulfill it."
Arson stood up. "Please grant us the permission to depart by next sunrise."
The king nods. "Take care of my son." The king held Arson's hand.
"His highness is more important to me than my life."
The king smiled, feeling relieved that his son was in good hands. He would never harm Elric. This boy has shown his truthiness and gained the king's trust.
"Your Majesty! The prisoner has escaped!" A guard informed, shouting from the doorstep.
Arson widens his eyes, locking with the king.
Panic surged through the room as the reality of the situation settled in. "What do you mean he's escaped?" The king demanded, his voice rising in alarm, while Arson's heart raced.