A Royal Obligation
Chapter 205: Vigil by the Bedside.

Chapter 205: Vigil by the Bedside.

The room was cloaked in a heavy silence, broken only by the rhythmic rise and fall of Eirik’s shallow breaths.

Prince Kaelix sat beside the bed, his hand gently clasping Eirik’s cold fingers. Shadows formed from the flickering candlelight played across his face, tracing the exhaustion etched into his features.

His eyes, red-rimmed and weary, were fixed solely on Eirik, his expression filled with unyielding love and a sorrow so profound it seemed to settle over him like a second skin.

Kaelix hadn’t slept for two days now. He barely ate, only taking a sip of water when his strength threatened to fail him entirely. His entire world had shrunk to the confines of this room, to the man lying unconscious before him.

Eirik, his beloved husband, the one he had promised to protect, to cherish. And he had failed. The knowledge of that failure weighed on him, an ache that pulsed with every heartbeat.

He gently lifted Eirik’s hand to his lips, pressing a tender kiss to the knuckles, his voice barely a whisper.

"I’m so sorry, my love," he murmured, his voice thick with guilt.

"I should have been there to protect you... to protect our child." His throat tightened, and he paused, struggling to find his voice amid the rawness of his emotions.

"I wasn’t given much of a choice. I wish I could have stopped all these from happening and keep you both safe." He let out a shaky breath, blinking back tears.

Every moment replayed in his mind, haunting him, the moments he had hesitated, the times he hadn’t pushed harder to uncover the truth, the times he wasted not finding him on time.

"Wake up, Eirik," he pleaded, his words barely audible. "Please... I need you to come back to me. We have a life to build, more memories to create. I’ll be a better husband, I swear it. Just... come back."

As Kaelix sat there, pouring his heart out to the silent figure before him, the sound of soft footsteps broke the stillness.

Julian and Lucian, Eirik’s younger twin brothers, entered the room, their faces somber, eyes reflecting their own quiet despair.

They had been keeping watch over their brother as well, but had allowed Kaelix this solitude, knowing how deeply he ached to be by Eirik’s side. Now, however, they couldn’t bear to leave him alone any longer.

Julian walked over, placing a gentle hand on Kaelix’s shoulder. "Kaelix... you need to rest," he said softly, his voice carrying a mixture of concern and empathy. "You’ve been here for days without pause. Eirik wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself like this."

Kaelix didn’t turn, his gaze remaining on Eirik’s face. "How can I rest?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can’t leave him... I won’t. If he wakes up, I want to be here. I want him to see me first."

Lucian sighed, stepping around to the other side of the bed, mirroring Kaelix’s position. "He’ll need you strong when he wakes," Lucian said gently. "Please, Kaelix. Take a few bites of food at least."

The Neomenian servants had brought a tray of bread, fruit, and warm broth earlier, but it remained untouched on the table. Julian reached over, tearing a piece of bread and offering it to Kaelix. "Just a little," he urged. "For Eirik’s sake. You can’t waste away here."

Kaelix reluctantly took the bread, nibbling on it without tasting, his eyes never leaving Eirik’s face.

The twins exchanged a glance, a silent agreement forming between them.

They settled beside him, choosing not to press further. They understood his pain, the sense of helplessness that gnawed at him. In these quiet moments, they didn’t need words. Each of them silently willed Eirik to recover, their shared grief weaving an unspoken bond among them.

Hours passed in a solemn silence, the three of them keeping their vigil over Eirik. Occasionally, Kaelix would break the silence with soft whispers, speaking to Eirik as though he could hear him.

He spoke of the life they still had to build, of the places he wanted to show him, the dreams they hadn’t yet fulfilled. He promised to be a better husband, vowing to protect him with every breath he had.

And as he spoke, the twins listened, their hearts aching for their brother and the man who loved him so deeply.

At one point, Julian looked up, his gaze filled with a quiet determination. "Kaelix... none of this is your fault," he said gently, his words weighted with sincerity. "You did everything you could. Don’t carry this burden alone."

Kaelix clenched his jaw, a muscle twitching in his cheek as he struggled to hold back his emotions. "But I should have been there... I should have protected him." His voice wavered, a mixture of anger and guilt surfacing. "I promised him safety, and yet... look where he lies now. I couldn’t even keep our child safe."

Lucian placed a hand on Kaelix’s arm, squeezing it reassuringly. "No one could have predicted this, Kaelix. What happened to Eirik... it was beyond any of us. You didn’t fail him. You were his strength, his hope. And now, he needs that strength more than ever."

Kaelix’s shoulders slumped, the weight of their words sinking in. He swallowed hard, nodding, though the guilt lingered. He knew they were right, this wasn’t something he could have prevented. But that knowledge did little to ease the ache in his heart.

As the night wore on, Julian and Lucian took turns sitting with Kaelix, gently urging him to rest. When exhaustion finally began to claim him, he leaned back in the chair, his hand still holding Eirik’s, his head drooping as his eyes closed. The twins exchanged a glance, relieved that he was finally giving himself a moment’s respite.

They continued their vigil in silence, each brother silently praying for Eirik’s recovery. They could feel the bond between them strengthening, a connection born from their shared grief and their love for Eirik. In that dimly lit room, the weight of their sorrow felt almost bearable, knowing they weren’t alone.