Capítulo 5: To Be Welcomed
A short while after their warm embrace, Joseph pulled back. He just noticed how he felt better than before. His body wasn't as frail, and his skin had started to glow again. A small smile found its way to his lips.
Meanwhile, Regal invited Joseph to the grand dining hall, where a feast awaited. "Let's go eat. You've been through a lot."
For a short moment, Joseph hesitated, but he managed to nod. "Thank you. I'm just... It's been a few weeks since I've been free. I'm still getting used to it."
"Take your time, love—it's like a rainstorm!" Regal stuttered, words scrambling like twisted knots on a rope. "I love that song. Olivia makes me listen to it on the phone all the time."
Joseph felt like the king meant something else, but he shoved it away. For now, he felt starving. His body may have recovered, but he was still weak and hungry.
"Olivia patched you up, but she's afraid that the best she could do is heal your wounds and restore your vitality," Regal informed him. "The rest of your recovery is up to you."
As they walked through the long halls, Joseph felt small. It wasn't like him to feel that way, especially in a palace like his home. The portraits on the walls, intricate vases holding magnificent plants, soft carpets draped along entire hallways, and the beautiful crown moldings captured his eyes.
From the way he lived, it was clear that Regal lived far more luxuriously than other kings. He had the means to bathe in wealth for several lifetimes, but there was one thing he had not tried to pursue.
Marriage.
All the ladies and gentlemen, alphas and omegas, tried their best to impress the Hero King, but they were all shot down the moment they showed interest. Some rumors even sparked that Regal was impotent and afraid that everyone would find out when he could not seal a marriage for that reason.
Little did they know, the famous Hero King who conquered lands had been harboring feelings for a certain Golden Soul. For years, he dedicated all his efforts to becoming a man worthy of Joseph, the prince of Nevancier.
"I didn't think I would ever be free from those chains," Joseph confessed, still looking down in embarrassment. "But when you freed me, all sorts of relief washed over me. Then I was nervous that you'd only claim me to be your own."
"Yes," was what Regal wanted to say. He chuckled and placed his hand closer to Joseph's. "Can I touch you?"
Joseph nodded, immediately feeling the warmth of Regal's hand on his. A slight smirk found its way to his lips, feeling the small moisture in Regal's palm, indicating that the man was just as nervous as he was.
"Sorry, my hands are sweaty," Regal chuckled awkwardly. His voice cracked, making Joseph laugh gently. "It's nice to see you smile. And I'm glad I'm making you smile."
"Thank you, King Regal," Joseph said. "You saved me and kept me safe. You also gave me comfortable clothes to wear and food to eat. I feel so glad to have been in your care. How could I ever repay you?"
As much as Regal wanted to speak all the thoughts in his mind, he held back. If he wanted to be a great man that Joseph could love, he had to contain himself in front of him. The king was afraid that he would scare Joseph if he spoke his mind.
"Slow paces, slow paces..." Regal muttered to himself continuously. He took a deep breath before he replied, "You don't have to repay me anything. I'm just honoring our parents' agreement, is all."
"Agreement?" Joseph tried to recall anything. It took him a couple of seconds before he realized what it meant. "You were that little kid who couldn't do anything?"
Regal burst into laughter. He was shaking his head as he continued laughing. When he stopped, he was practically out of breath. The king had to call a servant for water so he could recover his composure.
"I'm not so sure what's funny about that," Joseph asked. "I got hurt that day, both physically and emotionally."
"It was indeed a tragedy," Regal said, sighing. "But I'm glad."
"Glad?" Joseph quirked an eyebrow, curious about what made the man say those words. "Why?"
"Because you're still as snotty," Regal held back a laugh. He could only completely force himself back when the servant arrived and brought him the water he asked for. "Oh, good light. Thank you so much, Elayne."
"You're very welcome, Your Grace," Elayne bowed and stepped back to leave. She paused when Regal raised his hand, signaling her to stop. "What is it that you need, Your Grace?"
"Please call Lady Olivia," Regal said. "She needs to examine the prince."
When Elayne left, Joseph forced a smile. It didn't go unnoticed by Regal, who immediately asked what was wrong. "Did something happen?"
"I am not a prince anymore," Joseph chuckled, a bitter emotion lingering in his voice. "I'm just a mere prince from a ruined kingdom. You don't have to pay me respects, Your Grace."
"Of course not," Regal shook his head in amusement. "Why would you say that? You're still a prince, with a kingdom or not."
"I don't think so," Joseph looked up, staring at the ceiling. "Just yesterday, I was a slave, ready to be sold to some random man. It's been days since I lost everything. They broke my body with their torture. No prince suffers that."
"Just because you were captured and stripped of your status as a prince for their goals doesn't mean you're nothing," Regal said. "Your parents entrusted us with some treasure and artifacts that made us prosper. I actually couldn't have built Levinshire on my own. That's why I'm going to do everything I can to protect you and give you the life you deserve."
"Your Grace, the food has arrived," Elayne informed and stepped aside. "As well as Lady Olivia."
A tall woman walked toward them. She stood tall, exuding a heavy aura of authority that commanded respect the moment she entered the room. Her long, flowing hair, a silken cascade of rich dark hazelnut color, framed a face marked by sharp and elegant features.
Despite the years etched subtly around her face, her beauty remained striking, as if untouched by time. She took one look at Regal before bowing. "Your Grace, my liege."
Her gaze was intense and penetrating, with eyes that seemed as though they could see through to the very soul. She was dressed in an all-black ensemble, accentuating her commanding presence as she moved with the grace of someone who knows her power and is unafraid to wield it.
"Yeah, she does that," Regal snorted, immediately making the woman groan. "Olivia, stop. You're scaring him."
"You could've at least let me make him uncomfortable for three seconds more," Olivia eyerolled. "My liege, Prince Joseph, I am Olivia Everburn, the mage of Levinshire. I am the master of King Regal and the Mistress of Power for the Royal Seat of Alzada. My loyalty is to the throne and its strongest ally, the Nevanciers."
"She has been tasked by your parents to find you if something happened to them," Regal noted. "Olivia worked day and night to find you. Those guys at the auction had been so thorough that they managed to last a week against Olivia's tracking skills."
Joseph took one look at the woman and immediately felt the comfort of a mother. He smiled and nodded. "Thank you for your service, Lady Olivia. I appreciate your efforts."
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