A Royal Obligation
Chapter 202: The Princess’s Comfort

Chapter 202: The Princess’s Comfort

Prince Theron sat alone by the fountain in Neomenia Palace, staring into the clear water as it spilled from the carved stone basin, cascading into ripples that reflected the sunlight like scattered jewels.

The fountain was beautiful, an intricate centerpiece in the palace gardens, with tiers of water flowing from an elegantly sculpted marble pedestal.

Around it, lush flowers in shades of deep purple and blue spilled from carefully tended beds, filling the air with a faint, sweet fragrance. Tall, graceful trees arched overhead, casting dappled shadows across the ground and providing a gentle shade that felt more like a sanctuary than a garden.

He leaned forward on the stone bench that curved around the fountain, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped tightly together. His gaze was distant, fixed on the rhythmic movement of the water, but his mind was elsewhere, trapped in the horrors of what had happened to his family, to Eirik, and to the innocent life that had been lost.

The cruelty of Prince Carl of Mbuzuoria clawed at him, tightening his throat and burning through him like wildfire. His baby brother had been so full of life, so eager to embrace this new Chapter, and now, Theron clenched his fists, the memory piercing him with a fresh wave of grief and rrage

He felt a suffocating weight on his shoulders, the responsibility he bore as Eirik’s elder brother, magnified tenfold by the helplessness that gnawed at him. He was meant to protect his family, to be the shield between them and those who would do them harm, and he had failed.

He remembered the joy that had filled the palace when they received the news of Eirik’s pregnancy.

It had felt like a blessing, a new hope for the future, and he had seen how it lit up everybody’s faces, and how it softened his father’s usually steely expression.

His mother had cried tears of happiness, her hands trembling as she had pressed them to her lips, and even Lord Cedric had smiled, a rare and fleeting expression, but one that spoke of pride and anticipation.

Those memories were now bittersweet, tainted by the pain of what they had lost, leaving only hollow echoes of what might have been.

Theron’s jaw tightened as he thought of Prince Carl. He would pay for this, he vowed. Carl, with his hidden poisons and deceptive character, would not escape unscathed.

Theron would see to it personally. And as for Sadiki, Theron’s throat tightened at the thought of him. The man who had once stood by their side, trusted and loyal, had betrayed them in the cruelest way. Sadiki would suffer, Theron thought, and this time, there would be no forgiveness, no mercy.

The soft padding of footsteps broke through his thoughts, and he glanced up, startled, to see Princess Abigail of Neomenia approaching him. She wore a flowing gown of pale lavender, the delicate fabric fluttering slightly in the breeze, her dark hair cascading down her sshoulders

Her maid lingered a few steps behind, but Abigail raised a hand, dismissing her with a gentle nod before she turned her attention back to Theron.

He stiffened, instinctively straightening his posture, but there was something in Abigail’s expression, a quiet understanding, a kindness, that softened his defenses.

Her gaze held his, calm and compassionate, and he felt a flicker of something he hadn’t expected: a faint sense of comfort.

"Prince Theron," she greeted softly, her voice like a soothing balm against his troubled mind. "I hope I’m not intruding."

Theron shook his head, finding his voice caught somewhere in his throat. "No, not at all, Princess."

She gave him a small, reassuring smile, her hands folded elegantly in front of her. "I heard about what happened," she said, her tone laced with empathy. "I cannot begin to imagine the pain you’re feeling right now, but... I am truly sorry, for everything."

Theron swallowed hard, his throat tightening as he tried to keep his composure.

The weight of her words felt like a gentle pressure on his heart, easing some of the ache he hadn’t been able to shake. He nodded, not trusting himself to speak, and for a moment, they simply stood in silence, the quiet sound of the fountain filling the air between them.

After a moment, Abigail extended her hand. "Will you walk with me?"

Theron hesitated, but something in her gentle gaze encouraged him to take her hand. She led him away from the fountain, her fingers light yet steady in his, guiding him along a winding path that led deeper into the gardens, away from the prying eyes of palace servants and visitors.

The air grew cooler as they passed under a canopy of trees, and soon, they arrived at a hidden clearing, a serene lake surrounded by weeping willows that dipped their branches low over the water.

The lake was breathtakingly still, the surface mirroring the sky above in perfect clarity. The soft, filtered sunlight broke through the branches, casting a warm, golden glow over everything, and the gentle sound of birdsong filled the air. It was a place untouched by sorrow, a haven of tranquility that seemed worlds away from the grief and anger that had consumed him.

Abigail released his hand, stepping back with a faint, knowing smile as she gestured to the lake. "I often come here when I need peace," she murmured. "I thought it might help you, too."

Theron took a deep breath, letting the quiet beauty of the scene wash over him. He could feel some of the tension easing from his shoulders, his heartbeat slowing as he absorbed the stillness around him. He felt a faint hint of calm.

"Thank you," he said quietly, his voice rough. "I... I don’t know what to say."

"There’s no need for words," Abigail replied gently. She moved to sit on a fallen log near the water’s edge, folding her hands in her lap, her gaze soft as she watched him. "Sometimes, the best comfort is simply being allowed to feel."

Theron nodded, his throat tight as he sat beside her. They fell into a companionable silence, broken only by the quiet rustle of the wind through the willows. He found himself glancing at Abigail, studying the delicate lines of her face, the quiet strength in her eyes. She had seen him during his brother’s wedding, he remembered. She had likely seen the pride in his eyes, the love he felt for his younger brother, and now, she was here, sharing his sorrow without a hint of pity.

"Have you... Have you ever lost someone, Princess?" he asked softly, surprising himself with the question.

A shadow crossed her face, fleeting but unmistakable. "Yes, I have." She replied quietly, her gaze distant. "A younger sister. She passed when we were children. I was too young to understand, but... the pain never truly goes away, does it?"

Theron felt a pang of understanding, and he nodded slowly. "No, it doesn’t."

Abigail offered him a small, bittersweet smile. "But it does change," she continued, her voice thoughtful. "Over time, it becomes something else. A part of you, but not all of you."

Theron absorbed her words, feeling them settle within him like stones dropped into the lake, creating ripples that spread outward, touching something deep within. He didn’t know if he believed it yet, but there was a quiet strength in her words that gave him a sliver of hope.

They sat in silence for a while longer, until Abigail spoke again, her tone soft but firm. "Revenge may bring satisfaction, but it won’t heal your heart, Prince Theron. Sometimes, it takes more strength to let go of anger than to hold onto it."

Theron looked at her, his jaw clenched, his mind still awash with the anger he’d been carrying. But her words resonated with him, tempering his rage with a reminder of patience, of courage. He felt the weight of his vow still, but her presence, her kindness, made it feel more bearable.

When they finally stood to leave, Theron turned to her, his gaze sincere. "Thank you, Princess Abigail," he murmured. "For... for this. I don’t know if I can find peace right now, but... you’ve given me something to hold onto."

She offered him a warm smile, her eyes gentle. "Any time, Prince Theron. And remember, you are not alone in this. You have your family, your loved ones. Lean on them. Let them be your strength."

Theron nodded, his heart a little lighter as he followed her back to the main path. As they walked, he felt a newfound determination taking root within him, desire not only for vengeance but for how to help himself and his family cope through this storm.

When he reached the fountain again, he glanced back, watching Abigail’s retreating figure with a sense of gratitude he hadn’t expected. In that brief time by the lake, she had shown him a way forward, a glimmer of light in the darkness.

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