Chapter-9|Bridging the Divide

Nick replied, "Yes, my lord?"

"Can you carry this for me to the queen's chamber?"

Nick nodded excitedly. "Yes, my lord! It would be a pleasure to help you!"

Mark smiled. "Let's go then. I like your excitement."

Nick chuckled. "Thank you, my lord! It feels such an honor to be around you."

Mark chuckled too. "Didn't you say you find me dumb? How is it an honor staying with me?"

Nick knelt to the ground. "I am sorry, my lord. I shouldn't have said that."

Mark smiled. "It was true though... Anyway, Nick, would you like to be my friend?"

Nick looked at Mark, blushing, and replied, "I-I dare not, my lord. You are of royal blood. You can't be friends with us peasants!"

"Is that a rejection? Aww, I was looking forward to being friends with you," said Mark with puppy eyes.

Nick chuckled. "You are so cute, my lord. We should go visit the queen now. She must be waiting for you!"

Mark and Nick started walking towards the queen's chamber.

Mark laughed. "So you don't want to be friends with me, I guess..."

Nick blushed again. "It would be my honor, dear lord, but the royals might dislike it..."

Mark smiled. "Why, Nick?"

Nick, looking embarrassed, replied, "I am from a poor house, my lord. All of my family works for you to make a living... Hence, we are not from the same category, so it's not appropriate for us to be friends..."

Mark patted Nick's shoulder and asked, "Do you believe in God, Nick?"

Nick nodded and replied, "Yes, my lord, of course I do..."

Mark laughed. "And do you believe we all are the creation of God?"

Nick looked confused and replied, "Yes, my lord!"

Mark smiled. "Then tell me, would God ever do injustice or treat someone badly?"

Nick disagreed. "No, my lord! We all are His creation. Why would He treat His creation badly?"

Mark smiled proudly. "That's what I am trying to say... If God created all of us, then how are we different from each other? The categories of rich and poor were made by us, but in the end, we are no different..."

Nick smiled. "Well, whatever you said, my lord, I didn't get it, but you must be correct, my lord!"

Mark face-palmed and continued walking... After a minute, Nick said, "We are here, my lord!"

Mark knocked on the door, and Nick shouted, "Madam Queen, Prince Markin is here to visit you!"

Mark wondered to himself, "Well, my real name and my name here are quite similar, I guess..."

The queen opened the doors of her chamber in a hurry and hugged Mark. "My dear, how have you been!" said the queen.

Due to the tight hug, Mark felt a slight pain in his wounds. "Argh!" screamed Mark in pain.

The queen stepped back. "What's wrong, my son?"

Mark smiled. "Nothing, Mother. I am great. How are you? And would you like to have dinner with me? I heard you haven't eaten ever since I left..."

The queen smiled. "Dear, I am great as long as you are too... By the way, Berry came to meet me... She told me you were rude to her... You know her mother almost died saving you, right?"

Mark was startled inside and nodded. "I am sorry, Mother. I wasn't in my right mind... What would you like me to do for her as an apology?" said Mark, smiling at the queen.

The queen chuckled. "My old wish still stands," said the queen.

Mark looked at the queen, confused. The queen chuckled again. "I want you to marry her!"

Mark, startled and blushing a little, said, "No way, Mother - I can't."

The queen looked at Mark angrily and replied, "Why? To marry that Anna? No! If you do that, I'll stop taking my medications."

Mark scoffed and said, "I won't marry Anna, Mother. Don't worry. I know the true intentions of the Ming clan now..."

The queen looked at Mark, shocked. "My dear! I am so happy that you finally understood..." She almost had tears in her eyes.

Mark hugged the queen and said, "Don't cry, Mother! I am going to act responsibly now..."

The queen laughed and playfully hit Mark's wound. Mark screamed in pain. "Argh!!" The wound started bleeding.

The queen was startled. "Oh my dear! I am so sorry. Did I accidentally hurt you?" Suddenly, she noticed the cloth near his chest getting soaked in blood. The queen screamed, terrified. "Mark! How- I don't think it was that hard!!" said the queen, tearing up.

"Nick!" screamed Mark in pain.

Nick came running towards the queen's chamber and opened the door. "Yes, my lord!" said Nick.

The queen shouted, terrified, "Call the royal doctor immediately!!"