Rhovian's POV
After leaving Ylenna alone like that, Rhovian felt a prick in his heart. He knew she would suffer by his side, but he had no choice on that matter. He was not gonna commit the same mistake as his father did, if he could avoid it. He would bear no heir to carry that damned curse, at least as long as he lived in the palace.
When Rhovian was six years old, he was playing with the son of a minor lord at the castle's external grounds. They were chasing after each other, branding wood sticks for swords, when, suddenly, Rhovian fell and hurt his hand on a stone. He got up, annoyed by the pain. When looking at his hand, he noticed that it made a pretty deep cut, from where blue blood was dripping.
Immediately, his servant, lord Karl, came and covered him up with a cape, turning to the other boy with urgency in his voice:
— Young Lord Tony, have you seen what happened with his highness?
The small boy shook his head in confusion.
— His highness fell, right? Is he hurt?
— No. He's okay. — The servant seemed relieved. — You are sure you have not seen any wound, right?
The boy only kept shaking his head, still not understanding.
— That is good. I am just afraid you would feel unpleased by the sight of a scratch. His highness is fine, but I will have to take him inside. Please, return to your nurse.
The boy nodded and walked back to the main garden where his nurse was chatting with the other ladies of the kingdom.
— Come, your highness. Let's get you inside. — The servant carried the boy to his bedroom inside the castle, urging a maid on the way to bring him the royal doctor.
After stopping the bleeding and getting the cut cleaned and dressed, the doctor left the room.
— Listen, your highness. What happened today was of big risks. No one can ever see your blood.
— Why? — Little Rhovian asked, confused.
— It is… it is a…
— It is because you're not completely royal, Rhovian. — His father, King Ronan Kozhar, entered his room. — I'm sorry. But we must keep this a secret.
The servant, who was bowing to the king, took his leave as soon as the monarch waved his hand in his direction.
— I am afraid the day has come earlier than I expected. But I will tell you the main things you need to know.
Ronan was a warm father, who always tried his best to be in his sons' presence, despite being busy with his government obligations.
— Your mother was not the deceased Queen Irna, but another woman, from a different… species than ours. It was because of her that you got blue blood instead of red. And no one besides us and your main servants may know this. If anyone ever finds out, your life will be in danger, do you understand?
Rhovian could only nod his head.
— Good. Son, listen. — the monarch sat beside him, on the bed. — I am sorry for this… one day, when you can understand things better, I will explain everything to you. Until then, just do not ever let them see your blood. If someone sees it, they will have to die. You got it, right?
With that thought in mind, Rhovian grew up quite isolated. Since he should not bleed in front of others, he could not risk playing in uneven ground with other kids his age. So the only kind of practical entertainment he had was training with his master the arts of sword, horse riding and archery.
When he was 12, though, Rhovian was having a hard time dealing with the anguish of never being able to do basic things, like running outside, playing with his brothers or other boys his age and even getting a cat pet, with the risk of the animal accidentally scratching his skin.
He slipped out from the meticulous watch of Karl, his most loyal servant who had been by his side since he could remember, and ran to the woods outside the palace. He did not intend to run from the castle, only to venture for a while without the sternal gazes there.
But, as a kid who was never left by his own devices, he was soon lost.
Going to the woods could not have been a worst idea. Rhovian soon got scratches all over his face and hands, uncovered by his clothes. He was tired, hungry and aching all over from walking around to try to find his way back.
— What should I do… — He cried in anguish. — There is no way I can get back now… stupid!
That was when he heard a crack close to him. Turning back slowly to face what he thought could be a wild wolf or mountain lion, his body was shivering. Would it be this way he would meet his death?
But, before he could see whatever was sneaking there, he heard a voice:
— What the hell… I mean… What could you possibly be doing out here, your highness?
Rhovian froze when he recognized the face. It was Nivan, the son of his coach, who was 2-3 years older than him.
— You're a total mess… — the boy approached him with a mix of disapproving and cheering look. — Damn. You're blue blooded, then?
"If someone sees it, they'll have to die." his father's words, from six years ago, echoed in his mind.
— it is… it is not my blood, it is… tree… tree sap.
Nivan arched one eyebrow in disbelief.
— Is it? I doubt it, but, if you say so… whatever the case is, don't worry. I'll tell nobody. Let's take you back to the palace.
— No! You cannot… you cannot go there with me like this… if…
— If they know I've found out about you being blue-blooded, they'll get me killed, right? Yes, I heard the stories about the ancient Cian people and what happened to them. Don't worry, I'll not be seen with you in this state. Come here.
The young lad got down and took a tissue and a tiny bottle from a bag he was carrying. He dampened the fabric with the white liquid from the bottle and cleaned Rhovian's wounds.
— There. The scratches won't heal right away, but the blood stains are gone and it won't be bleeding for now.
— What… What is this?
— It's a herb extract. I can't quite remember the name. My mother works in an apothecary. She knows a lot about herbs and always gives me some stuff like this to carry. Now, let's go.
Nivan quickly guided Rhovian to the right path, sometimes joking about a piece of fabric the younger guy had left behind on his trail. Soon, they arrived at the palace.
— It is already sunset… — Rhovian observed, feeling his stomach grumbling.
— You were lost for a while? Oh, my father is right there, he-
— Nivan!! Have you seen… Your… your highness? Thank God you're fine! Everyone has been going crazy in the palace looking for you! — Lord Klaus, his coach and Nivan's father, approached them with worried and relieved eyes. — What are… are you hurt? Have you… — His eyes went to his son, in a sudden shock.
— Nivan… helped me. It is okay. I won't tell my father. I trust him.
Klaus fell to his knees, holding his chest in a big relief wave.
— Thank you, your highness… you're much generous… I can't… I can't express…
— He saved me. It is okay. I should thank him.
— No need to, your highness. It was an honor. — Nivan bowed slightly. — Then, I should be heading back home. Excuse me, your highness, father.
— Let's get you to Karl. He's been threatening to jump from a cliff since he turned to find that you were gone.
With a heavy heart, Rhovian nodded. It was not his intention to cause such commotion.
— YOUR HIGHNESS! — Karl cried out loud and ran toward him, kneeling and bowing his whole body to the prince. — Do not forgive me, your highness. I deserve to die for such a mistake. I should have never taken my eyes off of your highness' face. I am deeply anguished by such a careless attention and willing to be put to dea-
— Oh, for God's sake. The boy is fine. — The thunderous voice of the king was heard. — You stop these dramatic cries. If Rhovian had screamed for help from where the hell he was, we could never listen thanks to your loud lamentations.
The king approached and snatched Karl's shoulder, bringing the man up and glancing at him with eyes that said "pathetic", before turning to the prince.
— You are fine, right, son? — Rhovian nodded. — Good. Then go change those clothes and let us have dinner together, only the two of us. I have searched for you since I heard of your absence. I am starving.
The young man, not even 40 years old, walked away, hiding the relief tears that threatened to stream down his face.
At the table, when no one else was listening, King Ronan talked to Rhovian.
— Why did you sneak out like that?
The guy couldn't answer. He was both ashamed of the recklessness, feeling pathetic for not being able to head back by himself and fearing that Nivan's knowledge about his blood would be found out.
— Listen, son… I know you must feel suffocated up here. And I am really sorry. Had I thought better about the consequences of my act… you would not have been burdened with this. But, let me tell you this. If you want to do something possibly dangerous, you must be able to face it. I heard you were lost for hours. Scratched all over, in the woods… Bad people may be the worst threats one can face, but they are not the only ones. What if you had run into a hungry wild animal with bloodlust?
— I… I am sorry, father. I will not do that again.
The king sighed heavily.
— I am not saying you should continue living cooped up like this. I mean… I cannot expect you to live like this forever. So I made a decision to let you have a squire. Someone trusting and knowledgeable with whom you can find more things in common to talk about than with 40 year-old tutors.
Rhovian looked up to his father, his eyes widened.
— Are you… really allowing me to have a friend?
The king glanced at his son sternly, with a heavy expression.
— It breaks my heart to hear you say it this way. Yes, son. And I am sorry it took you so long to be able to have someone like this.
— I… am deeply grateful, your majesty. — Rhovian bowed his head.
— Now, no need for such courtesy. Let us finish our meal, right?
The next day, Nivan kneeled proudly before the king and the prince.
— It is a huge honor to be his highness' squire, your majesty. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. I promise to stay loyal and true to your best interests.
— I can see Lord Klaus has educated you well, kid. Good. You can stand, now.
Rhovian blinked in disbelief. Was it a coincidence that he was the squire his father promised, when they met in the woods the day before? Could it be that his father figured out what happened?
— Now, there is an important thing about prince Rhovian you should know, young guy. — the king glanced at his son. — This is the biggest secret within the royal family. Only your father, Lord Karl, the royal physician and these two knights you see right here know the truth. Once you learn about it, your life will be devoted to Rhovian and the crown. You shall never talk about this to anyone, and more, you shall do your best to keep this a secret under any circumstances, even at the cost of your own life.
Nivan nodded respectfully.
— Good. Approach, the walls have ears and we cannot speak of these matters out loud.
The boy got closer, but then saw the needle in Karl's hand, ready to prick Rhovian's finger. Then he stopped right before the king, bowing his head again.
— I am sorry, my king. But I must say I already know the truth.
— You do? — The King frowned.
— It was by accident. When I found his royal highness in the woods yesterday, he had some scratches all over his face and hands. I used an herb extract and a clean cloth to clean the wounds and stop the bleeding.
The king turned to Rhovian.
— Why did you not tell me? — He asked in a stern voice.
— I… I am sorry, father. But I feared for Nivan's life. He was the one who saved me, and he was quite discreet about it, so I could not bring myself to betray him like that.
The king sighed and squeezed his eyes.
— You keep being reckless… but I will let it pass. Well, since you already know everythin-... Karl, for God's sake. Close your mouth and put this needle away.
— Ye-Yes, your majesty. I am sorry.
King Ronan shook his head, tired.
— Ruling over a nation does not ever get as hard as having my closest people under control… May heavens help me.