A Royal Obligation
Chapter 206: The Reluctant Departure (1)

Chapter 206: The Reluctant Departure (1)

King Xavian lingered in the quiet hallway outside the healing chamber, his hand resting on the wooden frame of the chamber’s door as he took a moment to steady himself.

His heart weighed heavily , the once lively spirit that filled him as a ruler felt eclipsed by sorrow and guilt, and he struggled to reconcile his duty as king with the urge to remain by his son’s side.

He was leaving Eirik behind in Neomenia, wounded, with only a tenuous hold on life, a thought that twisted painfully in his chest. For days, he had held vigil, but now, duty called him back to Valeidio, a kingdom that could not be left ungoverned.

He took a deep, steadying breath and pushed open the chamber door. A quiet, somber light filtered in, illuminating Eirik’s pale, unmoving form on the bed.

The sight of his son lying there, so fragile, cut through him like a knife. Kaelix sat by Eirik’s bedside, as he had every day, his hands carefully resting on Eirik’s, his gaze fixed, unwavering. Julian and Lucian stood at the opposite side of the bed, flanking their brother protectively, their faces reflecting a shared blend of exhaustion, fear, and determination.

"Your Majesty," Kaelix murmured softly, looking up as Xavian entered the room. His voice was strained, weary, as though he too had felt each passing hour as a weight upon his soul.

"Kaelix," Xavian managed to respond, though his voice wavered. He walked over to his son-in-law, his mind swirling with words unsaid. He reached out, placing a hand on Kaelix’s shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of the devotion and love that Kaelix had shown Eirik.

King Xavian was struck by how Kaelix had remained beside Eirik, unmoving, days and nights, as if he could somehow will Eirik back to health by his mere presence.

"I wish... I could stay," Xavian began, his voice low and filled with remorse. "But my kingdom needs me. They are still unaware of everything that’s happened.

And... Eirik’s mother... she deserves to hear this from me." He paused, struggling to keep his composure. "Queen Morgana... she would want to be here, but I have to prepare her. She has to know that..." His voice cracked, and he clenched his jaw, forcing himself to continue. "She has to know that Eirik is fighting."

Kaelix nodded, his gaze dropping back to Eirik’s face. "I understand, Your Majesty. I would give anything to be the one in his place. If I could have protected him better..." His voice broke, and he took a steadying breath before continuing.

"I’ll stay by him. I’ll be here for him when he wakes." His hands tightened around Eirik’s, a glint of fierce determination in his gaze.

"Thank you," Xavian whispered, his voice filled with gratitude and sorrow. He shifted his gaze to the twins, who stood somberly beside their brother. Julian met his father’s eyes, a storm of emotions barely contained. Lucian’s usually bright spirit was tempered, his face clouded with worry and tension.

"We can’t leave him, Father," Julian spoke quietly but firmly, his tone echoing an unwavering resolve. "Eirik needs us here as well. Kaelix can’t do this alone, and we can’t abandon our brother when he’s in this state."

Lucian nodded, his hand resting on Eirik’s shoulder as if he could somehow anchor his brother back to health. "We’ll stay, Father. I know you need to return to Valeidio, but we’re here to support Kaelix and Eirik. We’ll bring him back when he’s fit to travel."

Xavian felt a pang of both pride and sadness at their resolve.

The sight of his sons, standing as protectors over Eirik, reminded him of how deeply bonded his children were.

He reached out, placing a hand on Julian’s shoulder, then on Lucian’s, his voice filled with a father’s pride and sorrow.

"Look after him, both of you. And take care of each other. I trust you to be my eyes and my heart here." He paused, his gaze falling on Eirik’s still form. "And tell him... when he wakes... that his father is proud of him."

The twins nodded, both too moved to speak, but their faces reflected their determination. Kaelix glanced up, his voice quiet but resolute. "He will wake, Your Majesty. He has to."

Xavian took a step back, trying to compose himself as he gathered his courage to turn awhim

Behind him, Prince Theron who has sneaked in a few moment ago not to interrupt his father’s moment,stood silently, his jaw set with a mixture of resignation and frustration.

Theron had wanted to stay, had argued with his father until late in the night, but his father’s command was final. Theron had a duty to his kingdom as the crown prince, and though he longed to remain with his brothers, he couldn’t let their father make the journey home alone.

Outside the chamber, Lord Cedric and Theo stood waiting, both of them subdued.

Theo felt the weight of his duties too, as the border’s captain, his gaze was solemn. He looked back toward the healing chamber door, wishing he could remain with his cousin and support his family through this crisis.

Once Xavian stepped out of the chamber, he took a moment to compose himself, facing Cedric and Theo.

He couldn’t bring himself to speak for a moment, knowing that each word only solidified his departure. Cedric approached him, his gaze filled with empathy, understanding the depth of the decision Xavian had made.

"You’re doing the right thing," Cedric reassured him quietly. "You’re returning for your people, for Queen Morgana.

My sisterneeds you, so do Zephyros. And Kaelix... well, he has become family in every way that matters. He will look after Eirik. And I will all look after them."

Xavian nodded, though the words felt like hollow comfort in his heart. "Thank you, Cedric. Thank you for... all of this." He glanced back at the chamber, the sound of Kaelix’s murmured reassurances drifting faintly through the door. "Take care of them. All of them."

Cedric placed a hand on his shoulder, a solemn promise reflected in his gaze. "I will. you can trust that we will be by Eirik’s side until he’s strong enough to return home."

With a final nod, Xavian turned, his heart aching as he began to walk down the hallway, flanked by Theron, Cedric, and Theo.

The decision to leave felt heavier with each step, a burden he bore alone as a king, a father, and a man torn between duty and love. In his heart, he knew his sons were strong, that Kaelix would do everything in his power to protect Eirik, but the fear of leaving his son behind was a wound that felt as if it would never heal.

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