Rest

I am being carried by the king. And Jessica is holding up to my father's requests. He doesn't fuss over her even if he's trying to break a wall that was built. I missed something between them. Father places me in my bed and walks off without further comment.

Jessica is the one to pull a blanket around me. "They know about the true love mark."

"They guessed before. How'd they find out the truth?"

"Odin told them." Jessica sits on a chair facing the door. Her sword is at the ready. "So Odin isn't trusted because he couldn't keep such a secret."

I grunt. "Odin is only so trustworthy."

"He won't threaten your life. He sees you as future king, but the king worries what that means."

"As if he will use the connection for something more." I cover my face. "Mana is heavy. I had no idea the level I was asking for."

"You can wield a lot of mana, Thomas. Most mages cannot even touch a fifth of your amount." She shifts how she has her sword. "The queen suggested there is a chance your child will need to die upon birth."

"Burn out...?"

"No. A prince or princess without mana use...?" Jessica shakes her head. "I won't be able to. Would you?"

"Adopt them out?"

"Yeah... That was my thought. But even if we don't let others know the connection, they will be an access that's..." Jessica grits her teeth.

Frowning, I try to just settle with the weight. "Do you think my parents had other children?"

"There are no records."

"Mom has spent plenty of time in situations that would hide a pregnancy. Weeks randomly in my life where she was too ill to be seen."

Jessica grabs my hand to squeeze. "I'm sorry."

"Never would've thought that. Although... Maybe that's what caused the rift with my parents. Mom is willing to... Do that... Is Father? Xavier is weaker than me. I know that."

"I cannot even... Imagine... But your mother had a different life. She's taken lives. In a more vicious way than you have." Jessica moves the chair to be closer to me. Father said she is the only one he trusts beside me.

I'm in a dangerous position. And I don't know my spells. "Jessica... Odin forced my mana open to protect Mom. I can't blame him, but I think I get why Father wanted him at a distance from me. Can I ask for a different mage trainer?"

"I cannot help you. Healing though cannot be taught by Odin, so yes you should get a different trainer."

Who? I can't ask the question, though. The weight is a lot. The comfort of having Jessica here is enough. My eyes close letting me sleep. Sleep should give me the chance to get used to everything.

Jessica pats my hand. I am awake enough to feel it. And hear her move. My eyes open to see her checking the door. She chats with whoever is out there before coming back to my side. "Thomas?"

"I woke up when you moved."

Her face shades. "Don't make it sound like I was in bed with you. I was just holding your hand."

I chuckle. "Thanks."

"Can you sit up? Stand? Mana regulation can take a while, but you should be up for stretching."

"If I waited until twenty, it wouldn't've been so bad."

"No. You're just strong enough now." Jessica pulls back my blankets. "Come on."

"Thanks, Jessica." I sit up slowly. Letting my feet hit the floor... The weight isn't as harsh as it was at first. No. I'm just getting used to it. I'll exhaust out faster now. "Can't wait to return your spell. You'll still need to wait, though."

"Don't worry about that, Thomas. Focus on basics." Jessica helps me stand up. "Still feels like a lot?"

"Yeah. But I think I can pretend for a bit." I break free of Jessica to just walk about the room. It takes more effort, a noticeable effort, just to walk about. "I'm going to look ill for a bit."

"Healing magic can have backlash, too. This may also have to do with healing your mother first thing."

"I don't regret it." I offer Jessica a grin. "I'm going to call William here. Are you fine with that?" Jessica nods and sits back down. Once on the bed, I squeeze William's gem. He shows with a smile on his face. But I spot blood on her clothes as well. He shouldn't be in battle, but maybe he was close enough to the injured. "William?"

"Here. What do you need?" He looks to Jessica. "Next time use your gem, please." Jessica nods. I didn't know she had his calling stone.

"Clothes that suit a prince trapped in a castle."

"With your parents about. Be thankful they'll leave in a few hours. You're not going anywhere yet." William teleports a new outfit on my bed. Then a match for Jessica. "And Your Highness as well."

"I was fine."

"Nope." William looks around the room. "I'll be back after I ready." He pulls open the bathroom door. "Any servants to call for this?"

"I can bathe myself. I know how it works." I slowly follow. Jessica is behind me. "I'm not covered in blood."

William looks at his sleeve where blood trails. "Oh. Yeah. That's a thing. I wasn't confronting enemies. I was teleporting the injured." That was my thought. "But I need a break."

"Your mana is limited?"

"No, no. I'm hungry. I'll be back after readying. We'll go get a meal together. I'm supposed to be at your side, remember."

"A tracer doesn't need-" I try. William smirks and leaves us. I sigh seeing the empty space. "You can bathe first if you want."

"I don't need it." Jessica turns back to the room. "I can change while you're bathing. Unless you need help."

"I do not need your help." I scowl at the tub. Jessica jumps at the aggression in my voice. I didn't mean to. "Sorry. I'll be fine. Close the door while you're dressing. I'll wait in here if you're not ready."

"So I am supposed to just open the door when I'm done?" She fidgets. "I... Don't wish to see anything..."

"Sorry. I would rather you accidentally see me instead of the reverse. I should take longer, but who knows." I turn on the water. The door closes leaving me alone to ready. I don't need any help. Even in my exhausted state, I can manage bathing.