CHAPTER 27 (3): HUGE MISUNDERSTANDING

Xcerox thought quietly. He and others returned to the palace in haste. When Elamos heard about the accident and the pearl, he went mad. He asked the guards to investigate the merchant's building and capture all of the staff. Then, he went to the royal infirmary where Zelfon was brought there for a check-up.

“How is he?” He asked the royal doctor.

“The symptoms return again. Your Highness may not be able to wake up for a while, Your Majesty.” The royal doctor told Elamos honestly.

He was the person who had checked Zelfon when he returned from nowhere with heavy injuries. The hit on the head was heavy at that time and he with the help of the nurses tried everything to cure him back. However, Zelfon was traumatised by pearls. No one knows why because he doesn’t remember it either.

Elamos sighed and looked at his son. There was a pained expression and sweat on Zelfon’s face. The nurse beside the bed wiped the sweat.

“Please do everything you can to help him calm down,” Elamos told the doctor.

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Elamos went out and saw Zeliker and others staying there. They look at him with concerned eyes.

“Your Majesty, I think we need to ask you something,” Zeliker said to him.

Elamos knew what he meant and nodded. He went to a chair that was prepared by his personal guard and sat on it.

“Ask away.”

“What happened twelve years ago to Prince Zelfon?” Xcerox voice out first.

It was something he wanted to ask for a very long time but was unable to because he hated Elamos.

“Figure… Sigh… Where should I begin…?” Elamos thought for a while.

“Hm… I guess the war happened in the south of our kingdoms at that time. I was a little busy with the war. Zelfon left the palace without me knowing until a guard told me that he was gone. He had gone with his personal bodyguard and some palace guards who were supposed to watch him…

“I thought they were kidnapping my son and had searched for him myself with some soldiers. It was already a few days later before I found the dying personal bodyguard with Zelfon under his protection near the border between our kingdom. I couldn’t get any information from him since he died once he saw me…” Elamos’ eyes darkened while reminiscing about the past.

He took a deep breath. “Zelfon had a heavy injury on his head. After I brought him to a nearby garrison, Zelfon almost lost his life. The doctors managed to save him but when he woke up, he lost some of his memories and would be calling somebody names he didn't remember. I think he called… Elgarb or something.”

Xcerox gasped in shock. He was unable to believe such a story coming out of Elamos' mouth.

“Then, Then, how about the Duo who tried to attack Your Majesty?”

“A Duo…? Ah, that was an assassin from the most wanted criminal, Divest. He was trying to kill the demons we have captured or surrender.”

Xcerox's eyes widened. He slowly steps back and falls to sit on the seat behind him. Zeliker and others were stunned after hearing the stories. This was really unexpected.

"Prince Xcerox, I heard that you and your siblings quarrel with my son. I assume it has something to do with this boy named Elgarb, correct? However, I am not sure what happened to him and have been trying to find him. My son's amnesia perhaps could be cured if I find him. Yet, nothing can be found from the investigation except for my son's guard dead body with the enemy's soldiers on the last place Zelfon had reached at that time…"

Elamos had noticed the dispute between them years ago and he couldn't help his son since his son didn't want it. He was a little sad for his son but his son was strong.

Even when losing his mother or sister, Zelfon didn't fall into a depression like he did. Instead, Zelfon came to him and hugged him tightly. No words and only a silent comfort. Looking back, Zelfon had never once told him about his problems.

He left the infirmary a moment later because he needed to handle the merchants who brought the pearls he had prohibited in his kingdom. This was the least he could do for his son.

After Elamos was gone, Xcerox looked down at the floor with remorse. He cupped his face and sighs heavily. Zeliker and others didn't bother him since they knew he needed some thinking.

Soon, a nurse came out of the door. Xcerox who heard the door open stood up and walked to the nurse.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

The nurse realised Xcerox's identity and bowed to him.

"Your Highness, the prince is awake. I need to inform the king."

Xcerox was startled for a moment before he opened the door and went in. Zeliker stops the others because he wanted to give Xcerox some time to speak with Zelfon. He hopes Xcerox can reconcile with Zelfon now.

Inside, Zelfon was looking at the ceiling with a frown. He guessed he had another shock because of the pearls again. He couldn't help chiding himself silently for having such a weakness. He heard the doctor tell him to rest and eat some healthy meals like always.

"Thank you." He told the doctor with a hoarse voice.

The doctor sighed because Zelfon didn't listen to him and picked his stuff to bring it out. He saw Xcerox silently standing near the door and bowing to him. Xcerox nods at him. The doctor left after that.

"What do you want?" Zelfon asked without looking at Xcerox.

He could see from his peripheral vision that Xcerox had entered. He wondered if Xcerox going to belittle him because of his weakness or be angry at him again because he might have killed Elgarb unknowingly.

It can't be helped. He thought it must have happened since he was afraid of the pearls and it was also left on the scene where Elgarb's burnt house was. Maybe Elgarb died because of him. It's just no one found his body for years. To believe he was alive feels unbelievable when nothing was left except the dead bodies.

Zelfon blamed himself for having amnesia. He felt so pathetic. A red rim slowly manifested in his eyes and shut them to stop his incoming tears. His hands under the blanket grip hard at the bed covers.

'Nothing changed…' He thought.

He waited for Xcerox's yell or accusation. He waited and waited. A few minutes later, he was confused because of the silence. He opened his eyes to see but they got widened instead.

"Xcerox…?"

Xcerox stared at him angrily but tears were dripping from his eyes. Zelfon was thunderstruck by him.

‘Xcerox? What happened to him…?’