Hinrik's heart

"Hyah!" the horses neighed loudly outside the castle walls of Bezmun.

Prince Hinrik stepped out of the carriage. His father's right hand came to greet him, bowing deeply to show his respect.

"Your Highness."

"Greetings, Abel. How is father doing?"

The man lifted his head, giving the people around them a glance.

"It's best to see him in person, Your Highness. The walls have ears."

Prince Hinrik nodded, clapping the man by the shoulders before heading inside the palace. His personal guards trailed after the prince.

The castle doors were pushed open, and Hinrik hastened his pace to get to the King's chamber. The servants and royal guards bowed in greeting as he passed by.

Acknowledging them, the young monarch smiled and bowed as he walked on. The palace had been quiet after all the children had grown up, and there was only the King and Prince Hinrik to live indoors with the servants, and all other people needed to be there.

Upon arriving at his father's bed chambers, Prince Hinrik met the royal physician. The latter bowed, paying respect to the prince.

Prince Hinrik glimpsed his father's room and waited for the double doors to close before he turned to the physician.

He had thinning hair and no longer practiced his medicinal capabilities outside the castle. He was the only physician who knew how to deal with the King's rare illness.

"How bad is it?" Prince Hinrik asked, not wanting his father to hear this conversation.

The physician gathered Prince Hinrik's hands in his. He looked him in the eye.

"He doesn't have long. But I found a medicine to help him with his headaches and chest pains. Beyond that, I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness, but there's nothing more anyone could do."

Hinrik nodded, his heart feeling heavy.

"Thank you, Abel. I'll take it from here."

Abel lowered his head in a gracious bow before taking his leave. Hinrik took a deep breath and turned to face his father's chambers.

Plastering a smile, the young monarch entered his father's bedroom and stood by his bed.

Hinrik bowed and showed his respect for the King. He then sat beside him and took his hand in his.

"Why are you back so soon, my boy? Did you win her heart yet?"

Prince Hinrik chuckled.

"I tried, father. But it seems I need to up my charms."

The King patted his son's hand and looked deeply into his eyes.

"I hope you don't force things to go your way, Hinrik. You are young and have yet to experience life's greatest joys. May the decisions you make not be influenced by my condition. I am unfortunate, and my only wish is for you to find your happiness."

Hinrik smiled tenderly at his father.

"And the only thing that could make me happy is for you to recover."

Father and son chuckled.

"Get some rest, father. And don't worry about the affairs in the kingdom. I shall look into it."

"Thank you," the King patted his son's hand for the last time before releasing it and lying down on his bed. He closed his eyes, assuring Hinrik that he was not going anywhere.

Bowing respectfully, Hinrik left his father to rest.

Outside the King's chamber, the treasurer was waiting for the prince.

"Your Highness," a bald man bowed respectfully at Hinrik. His black robe swept the floor at the gesture.

Hinrik lowered his head in response.

"Balamon."

"Sire, I'm glad you're back. I hope you enjoyed your stay at Eyeris."

"I surely did," Hinrik replied, reminiscing on the brief kiss he and Ysabel had shared. The soft touch of her pink and innocent lips distracted the prince for a minute. He had forgotten to continue what he was going to say to the treasurer.

"Very well, Your Highness. I am pleased to hear that. Shall we be preparing a Queen's bed chamber soon?"

Prince Hinrik chuckled good-naturedly.

"Now, now, Balamon. Let's not make any haste actions. The future Queen of Eyeris won't be easy to woo. I don't see her giving up the crown any time soon."

"Ah," the treasurer's face fell. "But any news of a solid alliance with them?"

Prince Hinrik took a deep breath. He eyed their surroundings before gesturing for him and Balamon to walk the halls.

Balamon immediately understood and followed Hinrik. Their short walk to the King's study was bathed in silence.

Until the door shut close, Hinrik held his tongue.

"How bad is it, Balamon?"

Hinrik asked. He had his back to the treasurer. His gaze was transfixed on the small globe standing on top of his father's desk inside his study.

Shelves of books surrounded them. Paintings of his ancestors and him with his father and mother were allocated to the empty spaces of the wall.

"The recent borrowed pieces of gold and silver from Eyeris would be sufficient until the cold season, Your Highness. In an approximation, that would only last for six more months. Collecting higher taxes on the people wouldn't save us at all. I'm sorry to have to say this, but a solid alliance with one of the other kingdoms would be the only way to save Bezmun."

Hinrik nodded. He toyed with the globe in his hand. It had the map of the kingdoms, and Eyeris was the largest.

The prince recalled the talk he had with King Baltimore.

"Sienna is headstrong, fearless. But she is young and susceptible to making mistakes. I wish to implore what you think of her being the Queen for Eyeris."

Hinrik pictured the princess clearly in his head. She wasn't only strong but beautiful. Once King Baltimore passes the crown, all other monarchs in every kingdom would want to win her hand.

King Baltimore was aware of this. For that reason, he had asked Hinrik what he thought of his only daughter.

Ysabel was dear to his heart. He didn't want to become like everyone else who wanted nothing but to marry her for political reasons.

But the fate of Bezmun was at stake.

Hinrik clenched his hands. He turned to Balamon, plastering a stoic expression.

"Prepare for a feast. We must stay strong in this crisis. I shall save Bezmun, no matter what it takes."