A Royal Obligation
Chapter 217: I’m Sorry...

Chapter 217: I’m Sorry...

The healer moved about the room with calm precision, her hands deftly pulling tools and vials from a satchel she carried. She was a middle-aged woman with an air of authority, her graying hair tied neatly behind her head. The soft jingling of her bracelets filled the quiet room as she approached the bed where Eirik lay.

Eirik flinched slightly when she placed a cool hand on his forehead, checking for fever. He felt exposed under her watchful eyes, especially with Kaelix and the twins hovering nearby. His gaze darted to Kaelix, who stood stiffly by the wall, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Lucian and Julian were next to him, both fidgeting nervously. None of them met Eirik’s gaze, and their avoidance only deepened his unease.

The healer’s voice was gentle but firm. "Let’s see how you’re doing, Your Highness. Try to relax."

She examined him carefully, starting with his pulse, then his breathing, and finally inspecting the healing wound on his abdomen. Eirik’s muscles tensed as her fingers pressed lightly near the injury, and his breaths came shallow and uneven. He winced, but he didn’t complain.

Kaelix took a step forward, his face etched with concern. "Is it hurting him?" he asked, his voice sharp with worry.

The healer glanced back at him, her expression steady. "The discomfort is expected, but he’s healing well." She turned back to Eirik. "You’re a fighter, Your Highness. The wound is closing nicely. You just need to rest and rebuild your strength."

Eirik’s eyes flickered to Kaelix, searching for reassurance. But Kaelix averted his gaze, the tension in his posture betraying his inner turmoil. Julian leaned against the wall, his hands gripping the edge of the bench he had pulled closer earlier. Lucian stood beside him, his jaw tight as though he were biting back words.

When the healer finished, she packed her tools and straightened up. "He’s recovering well," she announced to the room. "Keep him hydrated and nourished. With time, he’ll regain his strength fully."

Kaelix nodded, murmuring a quiet, "Thank you."

The healer turned to leave but paused in the doorway, nearly colliding with Lord Cedric. The older man stepped inside with a look of surprise and relief when his eyes landed on the bed.

"Eirik!" Cedric exclaimed, striding over. His silver hair and sharp features softened as he approached his nephew, his usual commanding presence replaced by heartfelt concern.

"Uncle Ced," Eirik murmured, offering a weak smile.

Cedric sat down on the edge of the bed, his hands hovering as though unsure where to touch without causing pain. "Look at you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I’ve been worried sick. You have no idea how much I prayed for this moment."

"I’m fine," Eirik said softly, trying to reassure him. "Really, I’m fine."

Cedric frowned, his eyes narrowing as he studied Eirik’s pale face and fragile frame. "You don’t look fine, young man. You gave us all a scare."

Eirik smiled faintly, his voice tinged with weariness. "You’re fussing."

"Of course I’m fussing!" Cedric shot back, his tone half-teasing, half-scolding. "That’s what uncles are for."

Eirik chuckled weakly, though the sound quickly faded. Cedric stayed by his side, holding his hand and chatting lightly to distract him from his discomfort. For a moment, the room felt lighter, the tension easing.

But Eirik’s gaze eventually drifted to Kaelix, who was watching him intently. The unspoken weight between them returned, heavy and oppressive.

"Uncle Cedric," Eirik said after a while, his voice trembling slightly. "Could you give us a moment?"

Cedric frowned, his expression tinged with confusion. "Whatever you need to say, you can say in front of me. I’m not going anywhere."

Eirik hesitated, then nodded. His gaze shifted to Kaelix, who finally looked up, his expression a mask of barely concealed anxiety.

"Now, will someone tell me the truth? Is my baby alright?" He asked, his voice trembling.

The room fell deathly silent. Cedric’s face froze, the warmth in his eyes replaced by uncertainty. Lucian and Julian tensed, their bodies rigid as if bracing for a blow. Kaelix’s entire demeanor changed, his shoulders slumped, and his jaw tightened as he took a hesitant step closer to the bed.

Eirik’s gaze darted between them, his dread mounting with each passing second. "Why isn’t anyone answering me?" he asked, his voice cracking.

Cedric glanced at Kaelix, silently urging him to speak. But Kaelix hesitated, his throat working as he struggled to find the words. Finally, he sat down on the edge of the bed, taking Eirik’s hand in both of his.

"Is the baby alright? " Eirik repeated.

Kaelix’s hand tightened around Eirik’s. As he tried to find the words, but they wouldn’t come. The silence stretched, and Eirik’s eyes filled with growing dread.

"Why aren’t you saying anything?" Eirik demanded, his voice breaking. "Please... just tell me."

Kaelix exhaled shakily, his other hand coming up to cradle Eirik’s. "Eirik..." he began, his voice soft but strained. "We lost the baby."

Eirik stared at him, the words not registering at first. His lips parted as though to speak, but no sound came out. Slowly, his trembling hand moved to his abdomen, his palm pressing lightly over the space where he had once felt life.

"No," he whispered, his voice barely audible. His eyes filled with tears, which spilled over before he could blink them away. "No... not my baby... No! "

Kaelix pulled him into a gentle embrace, his arms wrapping securely around Eirik’s fragile frame. "I’m so sorry," Kaelix murmured into his hair, his voice thick with emotion.

Eirik clutched at Kaelix’s shirt, his fingers weak but desperate. He buried his face in Kaelix’s chest and sobbed, his shoulders shaking with the force of his grief. "I’m sorry," he cried, his voice muffled. "I’m so sorry."

Kaelix tightened his hold, his own tears threatening to spill. "Eirik, stop," he said gently. "This isn’t your fault."

"It is," Eirik choked out, his words barely audible. "If I had listened to you... if I hadn’t left the bed that day..."

Kaelix shook his head, his hand stroking Eirik’s hair. "No, Eirik. Don’t do this to yourself. None of this is your fault. It’s mine, I should have protected you better."

Eirik shook his head, his sobs growing louder. "It’s my fault," he insisted, his voice breaking. "I didn’t listen... I wasn’t careful..."

Cedric, who had been silent until now, stepped forward and placed a hand on Eirik’s shoulder. His face was lined with grief, but his voice was steady. "Eirik, listen to me. This wasn’t your fault. What happened was beyond your control."

Eirik sobbed harder, his words tumbling out incoherently. He clung to Kaelix, his heartbreak pouring out in waves.

Julian and Lucian, looked on helplessly. Julian’s hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles white. Lucian’s face was pale, his jaw tight as though he were holding back his own emotions.

Eirik’s sobs quieted slightly, though his body still trembled. He leaned into Kaelix’s embrace, his tears soaking into Kaelix’s shirt. "I feel so empty," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Kaelix stroked his hair, his own tears falling freely now. "I know, my love," he murmured. "I know."

The room remained heavy with sorrow, the silence broken only by Eirik’s quiet cries and the occasional sniffle from Julian. Cedric stayed by Eirik’s side, his hand never leaving his nephew’s shoulder.