Conquering His Cold Heart

151 Hurting a Lot

Everard was sitting by the bedside of his father even when Alfred was asleep at the moment, and even when there were a lot of others to look after the King.

Ever since the day he arrived, he had barely left his father’s side because he was too worried about his father’s health. It had been worsening by the day instead of improving.

After about half an hour, Alfred opened his eyes to see his son staring at him. He heaved a sigh and then said to his son in a barely audible voice, “Everard, you should go and rest while you can. Don’t sit here by my side for the whole day and night.”

Everard simply ignored what his father said and instead asked, “How are you feeling right now, father?”

Alfred wanted his son to leave his side and rest. So he lied while directly looking into Everard’s eyes, “I am feeling a little better than earlier. My chest isn’t burning as much.”

He glanced at the nurses who were standing at one corner of the room and said to Everard, “They are capable of taking care of my needs.” He took a deep breath in and cleared his throat. And he further spoke with great difficulty, “So, why don’t you go and sleep for a few hours? Maybe eat something as well? At this rate, you will fall ill by the time I recov-”

Alfred was trying to hold in the coughing fit that he was about to have until his son left the room. However, he ended up coughing nonstop before he even finished what he was about to say.

Everard instantly knew that his father was lying to him. He quickly grabbed the kerchief of his father and offered it to him. And he supported his father’s back and head while he coughed.

Alfred wiped his mouth and his eyes after the coughing fit finally came to a halt. His son helped him to lie back down on the bed. He looked at Everard; his son sat back down on the chair again. And he cursed himself for not being able to hold it in for a little bit longer.

.....

Alfred held his son’s hand and asked again, “Son, I won’t get any better even if you sacrifice your sleep and hunger for me. So why don’t you at least put my heart at ease? You should go.”

Everard looked at his father’s pitiable face. His father looked worried for him instead of himself. He didn’t want to make his father worried, so he finally agreed to leave.

“Okay, I will be in my room for a while then. You should also rest and think about your own recovery.” Everard gave a pat on his father’s hand and then got up to leave.

He had taken only a step towards the door when he heard a few footsteps approaching his father’s room.

“Are you expecting any guests?” he turned to look at his father and asked.

The King gave a subtle smile and replied, “Why would I want anyone to disturb me when I can barely open my eyes? It must be some well-wisher who heard about my illness.”

Everard furrowed his brows and stood while facing the door. He thought of greeting whoever it was and sending them away within a minute or two after they said their greetings to his father as well. He didn’t want anyone to disturb his father.

He heard the guards at the door announcing that it was the alpha of the Atkinson clan.

While the guards pushed the door open, Everard thought to himself, ‘Atkinson clan? Isn’t that Lorenzo’s clan?’

Everard saw a tall angry-looking man standing at the door.

That man was dressed in a golden brown suit, the same color as his hair. He proudly stepped inside the room while locking his gaze on Everard rather than at the King.

Everard had briefly seen that alpha once before during his ritual. But he had never formally talked to him or any of the other alphas for that matter. And he forgot who was supposed to greet the other first. So, he simply stepped aside and let the man see the King.

Romulus finally turned his gaze to the King and then greeted while bowing his head, “My King, I heard that you had fallen ill. So, I came here to see how you were.”

King Alfred slightly gave a nod and said with a gentle smile on his face, “I’m in pretty bad shape, aren’t I?”

Romulus had a sympathetic expression on his face. He then said in a sad voice, “I would have said that you don’t look so bad, but that would be a lie, Your Majesty. I hadn’t imagined that your illness was this serious.”

“Well, now you know,” Alfred coughed again and turned his head to look at his son.

And he introduced Romulus to his son, “Everard, he is the alpha of the Atkinson clan, Romulus Atkinson.”

Everard glanced at Romulus and gave a nod.

Romulus gave a respectful bow to the Crown Prince and said, “It is my honor to finally see you again, Your Highness.”

“Likewise, Mr. Romulus,” Everard replied with a slight smile on his face.

Romulus then took the chance to ask, “If you will be staying here in the capital for a while, then I hope that I can invite you for a dinner at least once.”

Everard was a bit skeptical. “I am busy looking after the King. I don’t think I will have time to visit you. I am planning to return to Lavinya as soon as he recovers.”

Romulus nodded. “It is understandable, my Prince. I will extend the invitation some other time then.” He then refocused his attention on the King and praised Everard, “You have raised the Crown Prince well, Your Majesty. It is very apparent how affectionate he is towards you.”

Alfred admiringly looked at his son and said, “It is my wife who raised him well. I was busy looking after the Kingdom and the clan...” He felt a sharp sting in his heart. He missed his late wife a bit too much at the moment.

He closed his eyes and mumbled, “She would be so happy if she saw how Everard grew up to be a fine young man.”

Everard looked away and gulped. He also missed his mother greatly. His heart ached when he felt the pain in his father’s voice.

It hurt more than usual when he recalled what Lorenzo had said to him about the mates.

He sighed and thought to himself, ‘I never tried to see it... But he was hurting a lot, wasn’t he?’