93 A Treacherous Hear (1/2)

”I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your plans. I just thought that was the right thing to do”

That was the first thing Timothy heard from Arthur after they entered the tent.

Timothy sat on his chair and leaned back. He closed his eyes and was silent.

”Well?” Arthur asked again. ”Are you not going to say something? Are you not going to curse me or reprimand me or something?”

”Don't make it sound like I'm bullying you Arthur. What's done is done. You already ruined the night. Do me a favor and just shut up okay?”

Timothy massaged his throbbing head. He was still angry at Arthur but like what he said, what's done is done. Shouting or cursing at the prince would just exacerbate his headache.

Timothy heard the cloth of the tent flap ”Your Majesty” Henry's voice sounded.

Timothy opened his eyes. He was dizzy from the headache and he was not in the mood to talk. ”Just tell me the summary, I'll read the whole report tomorrow.”

”The reports are still unclear but I already know the gist of it. We lost just over a hundred men from the attack with most of the casualties coming from Prince Arthur's unit. As for the enemies, we can expect that they suffered nearly a thousand casualties.”

”And how is he?” Timothy asked. He was referring to Abraham. After breaking through the enemy ranks, Abraham was injured. Apparently, an enemy unhorsed Abraham using the hook of a halberd. The hook bit through his armor and slightly punctured his chest.

”The wound looks bad but I think he will live. The Omniscient grants healing to those who are brave and righteous.” replied Henry.

Timothy sighed. He was relieved. Although he wanted to be impartial towards his guards, Abraham was sort of his favorite. He had seen the development of Abraham from a coward to someone who will lead a cavalry charge in the front.

”The two of you can leave. I believe the officers can take care of the wounded and the paperworks so you can rest for tonight.” Timothy said as he slumped back in his chair. He massaged his head again. The headache was killing him.

Arthur left the tent but Henry didn't. The knight went to the table and made a cup of tea. He handed Timothy the cup. ”It will help. Coupled with a proper rest, the pain will soon be gone.”

”Thank you” Timothy said as he took the cup. He drank the tea and its warmth slightly reduced the pain.

”So, what's bugging you? Something tells me that Prince Arthur's actions are not the only cause of your headache.”

Timothy took a sip again. ”You know Erik right?”

”Erik Connel, the son of Marquis Benedict Connel?”

Timothy nodded.

”Yes” Henry sat in front of him. ”I have met him once. Freya also told me a lot about him. Why?”

”I saw him. When I was on my way to reinforce Arthur, I saw him. Ivan's soldiers were chasing him. He called for my name and asked for my help but I did not help him. There was no time and Arthur needed my immediate help.”

Timothy closed his eyes and remembered the pained look on Erik's face.

”And you feel bad for choosing Arthur over Erik.” The knight correctly guessed. ”I would also feel that way if I were you. From what I've heard, Erik, Freya and you were close. Well, there's nothing I can say that you haven't thought of because you are probably several times smarter than me. So I will listen for now. My ears are all yours.”

It took Timothy a few moments to organize his thoughts and feelings. ”I would have done it again if I was presented with the same choice. Even though Erik is suffering, I would abandon him again for Arthur's life. The moment I put a crown on top of my head, I understood that someday I will encounter choices like this. A choice between following either the heart or the mind, such a cruel choice to make. Nevertheless, I made a choice Henry. A King must make a choice, you got it!?” He turned his gaze towards Henry. He then continued.

”He probably hates me now, but what can I do!? It's either him or Arthur. I know that I did the right choice, so why do I feel this way!?” There was tremor in his voice and his heart was in disarray. He was agitated.

Henry remained silent and Timothy thought that the Knight had already fallen asleep. But Henry soon asked him a question.

”What if that was Lucia? Let's say that she was not the Princess of Vanadis and was simply your lover. Would you still abandon her in that state for Arthur?”

”Of course I would…”

Timothy stopped because he realized that his choice would be different if that was Lucia. Seeing her in that state would probably affect him enough that he will follow his heart over his mind. He would have saved her and abandoned Arthur instead. He would have forfeited his dreams of becoming the King and fixing Castonia just to save her. He would have lost his reason if that was her. He could organize another attack and just rescue her a few days later but he wouldn't do that. He would save her immediately. Her suffering was more painful to him compared to Erik's suffering.

And then it occurred to him that his words earlier were all just to mask a simple fact – He abandoned a friend. Hard choices a King must make? A lie. He abandoned Erik because his ambition is more important than his friend. A right choice? There was no right choice to begin with. He chose ambition over friendship.

Timothy was annoyed by Henry's question because it showed him the truth, a terrifying truth that he is changing. Henry must have also realized it.

”I'm sorry. My mouth is blabbering useless things. I'm really..”