Rydal

Rydal stood still with his hands on the door handle, waiting to turn the knob and step out of the room to pack his things. He was barely constraining the tears that had formed on the brick of his eyes from trickling down his cheek.

He sucked in a deep breath as he summoned the courage to look at their faces for the last time, it was his first time in the presence of the crown prince whose identity was shrouded in secrecy, and he messed up because of his overzealousness.

Rydal comforted himself with the thought of giving his best to his duties and serving the kingdom the best way he knew, even if it cost him his job. However, the thought of his widowed mother raising his three younger brothers alone without support broke his heart.

Rydal stared at the woman for the first time, and his heart bled for the grave mistake he would have made if he had beheaded the woman without having the investigation bureau investigate the matter further.

He was sure the lady would have preferred him dead rather than walking out alive; he had made peace with the decision, seeing there was no way to appeal it, and had resigned himself to fate.

Rydal was expecting the lady to protest his punishment as being lenient and push for his maximum sentence by hanging, but he was surprised when she fell to her knees to plead on his behalf, which left him stunned.

I plead with Your Highness to spare him. Jess said, curtsying.

The anticipation filled the room, and for a moment, there was a tangible silence as everyone held their breath and became silent. Brock sat on the wooden chair with his legs crossed and stared at the woman kneeling and pleading for him to spare the man who placed a sword around her neck and could have killed her with one strike of the sword.

Jess could feel her heart racing as her boldness faltered away with the wind, nervous and shaken. The crown prince leaned forward with both hands supporting his chin as he stared intensively at Jess before gazing at Rydal.

Excuse us, Rydal. Brock requested in a low tone.

Sensing the tension in the room and wanting to catch a breath, Rydal bowed in acknowledgment without uttering a word as his hands on the door turned the doorknob, which made a squeaking sound before stepping out and leaving the lady alone with the crown prince.

Brock looked at Jess, and his eyes twinkled with mischief; she looked calm and collected, but Brock could see through the mask and walls she surrounded herself with like a defensive wall.

He was an expert at reading people as it was a survival skill he picked up from a young age while in the military. Brock crouched on the floor and lifted her face to meet his gaze. Her hands were shaking, and he could hear the sound of her heart beating loudly in her chest.

You were acting brave a moment ago; why are you shaking like a leaf tossed about by a strong wind? Brock asked, amused.

Your Highness-

I would prefer you call me Brock and not by my title, Brock corrected.

Not many people know my identity, and I would like to keep it that way for a while. I would have loved to keep it that way for a while, but someone was in trouble and needed saving from a man holding a sword to her neck. Brock added tauntingly.

Jess knew the crown prince was displeased with the whole situation, but she would not be able to sleep well at night knowing that a man lost his job because of her miscalculations. If she had asked some questions, she would have known that the military training center was off-limits on certain days.

Thank you for saving me from the jaw of death, Your Highness, as I would have been dead because of my stupidity. Jess said, thankful to be alive.

Please spare the man. I would not be able to sleep soundly knowing he lost his job because of me. Jess pleaded.

Brock looked at her thoughtfully before stretching out his hands for her to hold; Jess looked at the hand and contemplated placing her hands in his but hesitated as she wanted to remain on her knees and plead on behalf of Rydal.

Seeing his patience running thin and not wanting to aggravate the situation and make it awkward, she placed her hands in his big palm as he pulled her up from the floor onto her feet.

In front of me, you do not have to kneel as I am not acting in my authority as the crown prince but as a director of the Royal Hospital.

Rydal can keep his job. Brock said.

Jess was pleased that her pleas had not fallen on deaf ears as her lips caved into a smile.

But-

But what? Jess asked.

Brock tilted his head to the side as his eyes twitched, and his eyelids fluttered with mischief.

In exchange for my help, I wish to request the favor back from you when we return to the palace. Brock said.

Her eyes widened at the thought of repaying the favor with her body; she would not lose her dignity to any man who was not her husband, even if she had no other choice, she would rather die.

I cannot repay your graciousness with my body, Your Highness, as it would go against my principles and values. Jess blurted out while using both her hands to cover her chest.

What? Of course, I would never ask you or anyone to do that. What kind of person do you take me for? Brock asked, narrowing his eyes at her in annoyance, but he was delighted on the inside for this small opportunity to chat and joke with her.

Sorry, Your Highness, for misunderstanding your intentions. Jess apologized while bowing slightly, but her face showed she was not remorseful.

I want you to be my date for the ceremonial opening, as I will be there as a director and not as a prince of the realm. It is a small request that can be granted, right? Brock asked.