My Promise to Her
“Are you okay?” I asked the Prince as I dressed his injury
“Yeah, better” He replied.
With a soft smile I put final touches to the dressing. I retrieved my hands from his chest and almost immediately the Prince reached out to stop my hand. I looked up at him suddenly.
“Why-”
“Don’t leave” He placed my hand on his cheek
“I have to get back to work,” His eyes saddened, “Just get some rest okay?” I suggested. He let go of my hand and I got up from my kneeling position, took all the materials used to clean his injury, bowed, and left the Chamber.
4 hours later.......
I hate cleaning! It’s worse than having to cook for the whole castle. I thought to myself as I walked into my tiny room in the servant’s quarters. I took off my shoes and changed into something more comfortable. Then flop I went onto my bed, it welcomed me like a mother welcomes her babe. I immediately fell to slumber.
"Ma! Mama!" I heard a distant voice yell. Great, am in another person’s dream, again. My dream-self thought as I see myself walk further down an all too familiar hallway. The voice kept screaming, or was it crying? I wasn’t sure. The distant voice led me to a room. Why does this seem so familiar? My dream-self thought. I saw a boy of about 12 years crying-no, wailing over a bloody body of, am guessing his mother? I walked closer, I wasn’t afraid of him noticing me because I am not able to be seen in another person’s dream.
I blinked once, and then twice, "that’s the queen!" Then I looked at the boy, which means; "Alex!" I thought. I got up as silently as I could and sped briskly down the corridor till I got to the quarters for the Royal chambers. I knew the castle like the back of my palm. I had no need for a candle flame. I walked cautiously hoping not to see a guard. Fortunately, there was none but Rio who let me go, saying "I will pretend I never saw you."
When I arrived before the Prince’s door I could hear his faint whimpers. I looked around again just to make sure, then turned the knob and went in.
“Ma” He muttered restlessly in his sleep. I walked up and knelt beside him.
I reached out and gently stroked his soft curls, ”Shh, it’s okay” I whispered softly and continue stroking his hair in attempt to calm him, he stirred a bit and surely, he opened his eyes
“Crystal?” He asked in a hoarse voice
I smiled in pity for him, “My Prin-”
“Please don’t call me that” He interjected, turned over and sat up straight.
“I am sorry my- Alex” I apologized. Still in my kneeling position I reached out and held onto his hand
"Are you alright?" I asked quietly
“Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if ma was alive” Alex muttered loud enough for me to hear.
“All I know is she would still love you just as much as her spirit still does” I assured
He looked at me, “You are a good friend” He started, then smiled “Am pretty sure ma would have loved you” He said
I laughed softly, “Yeah maybe” I chuckled at a funny memory, “Remember when she used to send the guards and servants to go look for you because you pretend running away from home” I laughed
His lips formed into a small smile, “And whenever you found me on the tree, you would wrestle me down the tree limb and drag me back to her” He laughed
I smiled happily, “I made a promise to your Mother to always make you smile, no matter what.” I touched his smiling dimpled cheeks, “Sometimes I am afraid I fail to carry out that instruction well.”
He closed his eyes and leaned against my palm, "Don't be too harsh on yourself" he whispered.
“How is your injury?” I asked silently
“It doesn’t hurt as much as before” He replied softly his eyes still closed.
“Good” was all I said.
After about 2 minutes, I could tell he was already feeling sleepy. Besides the arm that was supporting his cheek is already hurting.
“Alex, you need to lie on your bed properly or your neck would suffer in the morning” I warned
He moved his head to a straight position giving me a chance to put down my already dead arms
“I don’t want you to leave”
“Don’t worry I would stay till you fall asleep” I assured
“You promise?” he asked hopefully as he lay properly
I pulled the covers to his chin, “I promise.” I stated
He moved his hand from under the covers and held onto mine, “For assurance” He explained then closed his eyes
“You don’t believe me?!” I laughed in surprise
“Not one bit” was his replied. I smiled as I watched him my Prince- sleep.
