The Unicorn Prince

Ru could scream and cry as much as he wanted, but no one would listen to him. Only someone would enter the room where he was locked up, give him an injection, and leave.

This went on for three days. On the fourth day, while Ru was sitting on the sill of the iron-barred window looking out with unconscious eyes, there was a knock at the door.

"Hello, is anyone here? May I come in?" asked a voice as soft as cotton and as sweet as sugar.

Ru smiled and held back a tear that had escaped from his eye, trailing down the side of his cheek.

When the door opened, Ru continued to view the doves in the hospital's therapeutic garden, as if he didn't notice the guest. But not for long he surrendered to his curiosity and gazed at the visitor's reflection on the glass.

Ru averted his gaze and frowned as soon as he saw the white coat.

"Hello," the doctor waved as he noticed he was being watched via the window. "I'm Claude Leblanc." As he introduced himself, his voice had a faint French accent, which added elegance to his remarks.

"Hi, get me out here," Ru said fast.

"That's exactly why I come to see you. I want to discharge you more than anyone else, Lirui," Dr. Claude Leblanc said.

"Am I sick that you want to discharge me?" Ru asked, glaring at the doctor's reflection.

The doctor appeared youthful enough to lead Ru to think, "He must have just turned fifteen." He was also slender. Additionally, he was charming, with neatly styled short white hair, large-rimmed glasses, and eyes that sparkled with a spectrum of rainbows.

Ru couldn't stop looking into the doctor's eyes. He felt like he was looking at a magical being, but what kind of being?

The doctor took a step deeper toward the center of the room, his white coat rustling quietly. His eyes, a brilliant mix of pink, yellow and blue, radiated a strange warmth that contrasted with the sterile surroundings. Even though he was suited for work, he was still a youngster, with a boyish charm that made him appear more like a high school student than a seasoned doctor—which was cute for Ru!

"Is that a unicorn prince I see?" Ru thought, couldn't help but wonder.

Claude's delicate hands, adorned with simple silver rings, moved with graceful precision as he adjusted his glasses. His one diamond earring was a sign he was doing well financially. A tiny, adorable smile tugged at the corners of his lips. There was something undeniably captivating about him—an aura of mystery that drew Ru in.

"Who is this sweetie boy?" Ru couldn't help but think. He eyed him sharply. "This one is more pretty than me."

"I'm sorry if I'm bothering you. But we need to talk," Claude said. As he spoke, his voice carried a gentle cadence, like a soothing melody. It was clear that he possessed a natural ability to connect with people.

"You're not sick; you're not insane. You may be a bit confused," Dr. Claude Leblanc said as he sat on the edge of the bed.

Ru gave him a dirty look and said, "Then don't make me get injected!"

Shaking his head no and flapping his hands like a bird's wings, Dr. Leblanc exclaimed, "This is the professor's treatment, not mine!"

Ru found the doctor's panic amusing: "I like clowns," he said, "especially the ones who don't give injections."

Dr. Claude Leblanc chuckled and replied, "I'm glad you find me amusing. Now, if you like, let's talk about what happened in the woods. Do you remember?"

Ru turned to face the doctor, crossed his arms, and leaned back against the window frame. "Yes, I remember. I ran into a hellhound and a bunch of imps. I thought I was going to die. I climbed a tree, and I think I fell. So here I am, trapped for some reason."

"Mm-hmm," Dr. Claude Leblanc nodded. Perhaps Claude had believed Ru; perhaps Claude had tried to deceive him by pretending to agree with him.

Ru had a strong card and was ready to play it. "Look, Doctor, I left Vaelan beside the campfire that night. I had gone a long way from the scout camp. I don't even know how Vaelan got to me or what happened to him. Why are you holding me here and poisoning me instead of investigating what happened to Vaelan?"

Dr. Claude looked up and said somberly, "You can be sure that I asked Vaelan about what happened the other night. And I am sorry, Lirui. Vaelan told me that he didn't remember any of it."

"That's how it always happens," Ru said tearfully, standing up from where he was sitting with his head bowed.

Dr. Claude Leblanc watched him walk around the room for a few seconds and then calmly said, "Don't get upset for nothing, Lirui. The good news is that Vaelan and his family said that the instructors at the camp overreacted to the incident. They are not complaining about you."

Ru turned his back to the doctor and then stopped walking. He clenched his fists and probably his teeth. "Is that it? There are no complaints from Vaelan and his perfect stepfather," he grumbled.

Dr. Claude Leblanc stood up and walked slowly, taking note of Ru's body language. The patient was probably crying. Claude remained calm and let the birds break the overwhelming silence in the room by opening the other side of the window.

Yes, the patient was shedding tears, but not from sorrow. His clenched fists and furrowed brow revealed the intensity of his anger, the tears serving as a release valve for his pent-up emotions.

"You're done; you can go, Doctor," Ru said.

At that moment, Claude said, "How about a walk in the garden? We can drink lemonade and pet the cats."

"I am not a child anymore. If you want to buy me a beer, fine," Ru said in a half-relaxed mood.

"Alcohol is not available for purchase in the hospital cafeteria, but we will find a solution," Claude said, his voice brimming with joy.

Ru quickly adjusted his appearance. Then he turned to the doctor and said, "Let's go."