Special Chapter: Lark's POV (part 4)

The moment I glanced at Sirius I flinched and thought remorsefully, this will not be easy…

"Why did you lie?" he began questioning.

"I didn't-"

"How was this your fault Lark?" he interrupted me.

"I was supposed to protect you! Not the other way around!!" so technically it was my fault. I was frustrated, I should have been faster, better… I should have sent him away at the first sight of trouble but, I didn't. I thought we could fight them on our own, we could but of course I didn't think about the other members of their group into account. I was careless.

He sighed in frustration, "If your dead then what happens next huh?"

"I-"

"LARK! I'm not the actual Sirius!" there it was again, I don't know what to call it but it's like he didn't care about the life of 'Alec', what happens when 'Alec' dies won't this other so-called 'actual Sirius die as well? It was frustrating, annoying and wrong. "What… I want to say is, I'm not an actual prince of this country. You don't need to protect me like that…" he finished.

I clenched my fists hard, probably turning my knuckles white too with the amount of pressure I used, it was frustrating to hear him say that. No matter how many times I think it's frustrating it doesn't become any less, so I decided it was time to speak out, "But you are."

"What?"

"You are the prince; you are Sirius Luca Licht! That is who you are here. Why do you not accept that?"

"I-I-I don't-"

"Exactly! Everything you've done for this country for your family, I've been beside you! I've seen how much trouble you've taken, how much you've worried about the subjects. You are the Prince now."

It was he who froze this time, I don't if it was due to the lack of words to counter what I said or the frustration he felt because we both knew I was right. "But-But… But why did you lie and get punished for it?" Ahh he just had to ask that; I was hoping he would forget about it since our conversation did stray from the topic. I guess being honest would be best right now. "I couldn't protect you, it's my duty."

"You didn't even know I left the castle. I sneaked out!"

"Which is my fault, I should have known that."

He didn't try to counter or comment back or say anything, he just sat there, with a hard stare and the next thing I know he began getting of his bed; I immediately telling him to stop that and go back on the bed, he is supposed to be on complete bed rest!

"Hands off Lark." he ordered sternly. And my body listened before I understood what he said. He stumbled a bit, winced at every shift or step but, he pushed through that and walked out. The moment he was out of the room he looked around searching, I couldn't understand what he was trying to do or what he was looking for, I wanted to force him back to bed but I couldn't so I silently followed behind him. If he looks worse than he does now no matter what I will make him go back to his room, even if he hates me for it.

He walked through halls silently, I didn't know where he was going or why he had to go now then a thought came to me, is this his way of making me feel guilty? Then it was working, he might be worsening his condition like this and I didn't want that to happen. I wanted to say something, stop him, just do anything to make him stop and go back to rest instead but that hard look on his face stopped me again and I don't even know why. When he first stumbled, I thought that this much was enough, wherever he was going and whatever he was trying to do- he could do it another time and I started to verbally ask him to stop and turn around. And then all of a sudden, he just stopped, I looked to see where we were and realized, the Throne Room.

The guards in front of the door seemed a bit shocked to see us there and for good reason- everyone knew that he was ordered by the doctors to be on complete bed rest for more than a few days but to my dismay they didn't try to stop us from going in and quickly opened the door. Sirius went till the edge of the steps, and bowed down saying his greeting, while I stayed two steps behind him.

"Why are you here dear? You should be resting." The Queen asked. They both looked surprised to see us too. I hoped they would tell us to go back, that whatever Sirius wanted to talk about could wait for a few days. But they didn't and instead waited patiently for him to reply to them.

"Lark wasn't at fault. I sneaked out and he barely even managed to follow me. If it wasn't for him, I'd be dead and the wounds I have are of my own accord." He began to explain everything that happened that day. I wanted to say my piece but speaking without permission or if I wasn't spoken to wasn't allowed and Sirius probably wouldn't let me either way. They- The King and The Queen and the Court all listened in rapt attention, Her Majesty shocked when I took a glance at her reaction, His Majesty on the other hand remained expressionless.

"Why did things turn out like this?" Mid-way His Majesty interrupt Sirius with that one question, I watched as Sirius stilled maybe thinking about how or what to answer exactly until he just shrugged and motioned at me to tell him himself. I stepped forward bowed deeply for a moment before I began, "Your Majesties, I deserved it. My duty is to serve and protect His Highness and not only did I let him sneak out to some unknown location he was put in danger because I wasn't careful and observant enough."

"He has a point." The King added when I finished. A small smile pulled at my lips while Sirius stared at him in shock; probably not expecting the King to take my side, I wasn't either but I'm glad he did.

"Father!! You cannot be serious about this!?"

"Prove him wrong and I'll accept." His Majesty said smugly smiled, I stood a bit shocked not expecting this turn of events… Was I wrong? Is the King actually on Sirius' side and using this situation to test him??? I looked at the man and woman who rule us both smiling, they both agree on this…

"Alright then, firstly as I stated- Lark had no clue where I was, how far or near; it was just a coincidence that he found me. Secondly, he did actually save me; considering the number of bandits I would have been severely injured if not dead or sold in the black market as a slave. Thirdly, I had ordered Lark to go to the kitchens before sneaking out of my own violation; considering the time it takes to go there and come back not to mention he would have searched the castle grounds first before trying to even follow me, I was way ahead of him. Fourth, we all know that Lark is more of a friend than a servant of this castle and you can't deny that. We would all trust him with our lives in a blink of an eye. Is this enough?"

"Hahahaha" His Majesty laughed, I wanted to argue that everything is childish but now that I know that the King and Queen were never on my side in the first place, I doubt it would be any good. "There's nothing we can do about the punishment given other than apologize for our mistake, the suspension order and deduction in wages will be retracted. Lark will continue his duties as before." I gulped when Sirius swiftly turned to glare at me, I looked at anyway but him, seeing that His Majesty finished giving out the new orders I quietly bowed and thanked them.

"That's all I had to discuss for now, I'll be going back for now. Thank you." Sirius said and stormed out while I followed behind. I was worried he was going to burst again once we were out or in his room again. But the moment we were out and the doors shut Sirius fell heavily on the wall "Your Highness!" chorused multiple voices- the guards, I forgot they were there for a moment, I yelled at the guards to get the doctor immediately. One of the two nodded and rushed off, I tried to help him stand but I noticed that he wasn't really cooperating nor pushing me away. Fear gripped at me, I tried to get his attention, "Sirius!?"

"Brother Si!!" I looked up and saw Lady Celeste and Her Highness Raven not too far away from us. They were both shocked and rushed to us immediately shouting, "Are you alright?"

"What's wrong!? Did you call for the doctor?" I assumed that was for me and nodded saying, "Yes, the guard should be on the way with him soon enough."

"I'm… alright. Don't worry…" Sirius mumbled through the pain.

"Clea-" Lady Celeste began but stopped when she saw Sirius use the wall as support to stand up, very shakily I was about to reprimed him and stop him from moving about anymore but he took a step saying, "I just need to rest a bit." And he tried walking off but it looked like the pain just increased at every step he took if the whitened knuckles, breathlessness and twisted face were anything to go by, what am I saying he was ordered complete bed rest for a reason!! I saw him stumble and barely managed to catch him before he hit the floor and cause even more injuries. I put one hand under his knees and the other to support his back whispered, "Hold on tight Si." As I lifted him up and began walking back to his room. I can't let him do any more than this, he's already hurt himself enough.

"Lar-Lark! Put me down at once! What are you doing!?" Sirius shouted, I looked down at him. He was embarrassed, redder than I thought anyone could be, it gave me the urge to tease him more I smirked down at him saying, 'I'm just doing my duty, 'support'- I'm supposed to be yours to use and make sure you are safe, relaxed and comfortable." I heard a few gasps and glanced around us and saw a few maids staring in shock, some covered their mouths with their hands and giggled and Sirius turned a brighter shade of red- if that was even possible. But I didn't say anything and tried to keep a straight face.

Once or twice on the way back he tried to persuade me to let him back down but honestly this was much more fun than I had anticipated. But I also didn't want him to push himself anymore, the embarrassment wouldn't hurt him though I can't say the same for him if he walked back not matter how far or close, we are to his room.

"Don't be silly Your Highness, everyone is doing their jobs and just happened to be here." I tried telling him again when he whined that everyone was coming around here just to see him in this state.

At first, I really did think he was exaggerating but then I noticed that maybe he was right, I saw Lenny- a maid at least five times now, she kept appearing from different halls. Then I noticed John, Fell and Jamie multiple times as well. I kept a straight face acting like I didn't notice and walking with Sirius in my arms.

I laid Sirius down on the bed gently pulled the covers over him as I asked, "Do you need anything?" Sirius all but glared at me in return, I nearly burst out laughing he was still red from the tip of his nose to the tips of his ears and even his neck was a slight color of red. He hardly looked threatening no matter how much he glared, "It wasn't all that bad, you're over reacting." I said trying to distract myself from laughing, I doubt he would appreciate it at the moment.

"EVERYONE SAW!!" He shouted back.

"Not everyone Sirius."

"Yes, Every. Single. One!" He emphasized.

I looked at him blankly in return. There was definitely no chance that 'everyone' saw him.

"Fine! Not everyone… but still…" he trailed of this time.

"What exactly would be the problem in such a case?"

"Well for starters… it- it…uh..."

"I'm waiting."

"Shut Up! Get Out!!" He yelled out and promptly hid under the covers probably pouting and trying to calm down.

"Call if you need anything." He grunted in turn as I hear the door shut. I smiled widely and went off wondering where the doctor even was after all this time. I found him a while later so I made my way to him asking, "Why did it take you this long to get here."

He froze and shuttered out, "Uh… Uh... I was busy?"

I gave him a look, was about to ask him when Ares suddenly came out of nowhere and softly said, "You two seemed busy so I told him to wait"

I made a face of confusion that made him chuckle before saying, "I'll take care of it, report his condition to my parents please." I nodded and went to do the same.