Felix's POV :
"...swear, he was just fine when I left last night."
A voice so worried sounded just near me, it was none other than the leader of The Knights.
"Henry.... enough. He is alright. He might've experienced the nightmares again."
Came the youngest king's voice.
"But, he never fainted in his sleep!"
Tristan's voice seemed more tensed.
"Tristan, just how many times do you check on him while he is asleep?"
A really curious voice asked and that's Gregory.
"You know how he acts when something happens to his baby?! I'm still amazed that he didn't already run to the emergency!"
As teasing as it sounded, it must be Jace.
"I should've kicked all of you out. You guys can't even keep quiet for a single millisecond!"
As stern as ever, very expected from the son of Dean Jones.
"Okay.... He seems fine now. He has regained consciousness. Once he opens his eyes don't jump on him altogether! He needs rest and then we'll ask him what happened. Is that clear to everyone?!" Came stern yet soft warning from the doctor, the former Crown Prince Kaiser, himself.
It was some mere seconds later when I was finally able to open my eyes, immediately adjusting to the dull lights of dawn filtering through the room.
As I was about to sit, Steve held me steady, as his stern yet worried voice ordered, "don't sit up just yet. Let me check few things first."
I was genuinely confused as I looked at the other six, they looked as much anxious.
What happened? Wasn't I just dreaming?
Then my eyes finally landed on the needle pierced over my left wrist.
Steve might have guessed my thoughts already as he informed, "that's just a tranquilizer. Your consciousness slipped while sleeping. It'll help your adrenaline rush in check so that you don't overwork your body again."
Then looking at me intently, he asked, "what did you dream of?"
"Frank..."
Barely a whisper and the whole room shifted as if already sensing the dread settling in each person's system.
"We thought it stopped a long ago, why didn't you tell us earlier?"
Henry pried softly as he knelt down just beside me.
"I hadn't had one for a really long time. Last night just..."
Seeing me trailing on, Steve spoke, "it's because of me. I was the one who threatened you. I was the one who triggered it. If only I didn't bring that up..."
"Brother! Please don't bring another blame on yourself. You just meant good for him and he knows it."
This protest came from none other than the younger brother of that self blaming man.
"Tristan is right, Steve. It's not like if you hadn't threatened me, I wouldn't have dreamt at all."
I almost forgot that Steve indeed had this pretty self-loathing behaviour.
"And I'm thankful that you reminded me that I have a family waiting for me to return home. Don't worry I won't be reckless anymore." With a small smile I assured him only then he relaxed a bit.
Relieving me from the needle, he asked, "you don't feel any dizziness, right?" Eyes scrutinizing me like a microscope.
Shaking my head, I asked back, "how long was I out?"
Looking towards the sky breaking into a curtain of yellow and orange mingling together to erase the last ink of darkness as morning came.
"Not long. When I came to check on you just after the midnight, you were still very much normally sleeping. But just one hour ago when I came to wake you up for morning training, I noticed that you weren't in yourself at all. I shook you, called you many times, even splashed water... nothing worked, so I whistled the emergency alert and they came here as soon as possible." Tristan elaborated.
"Okay okay. That's it. Now that you see he is fine and talking, let him rest a bit more." Howard insisted.
"But I want to go to my classes, I mean at least my major classes. You guys have already restricted the other classes, let me attend this one." With a pout, I looked at them with pleading eyes.
"See, he has even started his tricks on us!" Jace as expected pointed out my strategy.
"Felix, you've already exhausted your physical strength to a limit, now you're harming your mental health too. Just rest the day. You can continue from tomorrow." With a soft, concerned voice Gregory adviced me.
However the second youngest one completely disagreed with them, "guys! I know you all are worried about him but if you keep him here alone in the name of resting, in my opinion that won't be a good idea. He needs fresh air, maybe fresh people too."
As I met with Jeremy's all knowing gaze, he just gave me a mischievous smile.
What's going on there?
"Okay. I'm allowing it. But once you feel wrong, immediately submit your leave note and come back here."
Sighing, Steve spoke with utter seriousness.
While nodding, I suddenly realised that mom didn't check on me yet, "what about mom? Does she know my condition now?"
"Queen Hammond saw everyone of us barging in here, so of course she is worried. But don't worry once she sees you getting back to your routine, she'll be alright."
Henry assured me.
Just one and half hour later I finally made it to the cafeteria of the hospital wing after assuring all the members for nth time. The cafeteria wasn't that much full as all the patients were served breakfast in their room and students from the other terms usually had breakfast at the main cafeteria. Only few overworked doctors and resident surgeons or their team were present. Nodding to the seniors, I took my seat at the very isolated table in the end, alone, quite.
Until a voice broke my reverie, "can I sit here?"
The voice surprisingly belonged to a very known person, as I looked up at the person, he immediately broke into an ear to ear smile, revealing a pair of cute dimples, and his fox like eyes disappearing into two perfect bowline.
"Jasper Yeager!"
The name came out before my expression could finally show the surprise.
So this is what Jeremy meant by new people!
"Your highness."
A really curt bow with a really serious expression, he greeted me with the most unexpected title and my expression turned into pure shock.
Before I could ask the most sane question, he beat me up to it "I made a detour through Ryotle and the queen..."
Raising my index finger, I indicated him to stop and he stared at me with widened eyes as if he didn't expect me to retaliate. I exactly knew what mom was trying to do and I didn't like a single bit of it. Jasper can be a crown prince, he has his own position and power at some extent so it's not impossible for him to get favor from someone. However right at this moment he needed to know that he was crossing the line.
"Sit down first or someone will notice us being awkward."
Voice void of any warmth, I suggested him and with a pout he obliged.
"Since when you got the idea of digging into my private life?"
A simple start, hope he replies honestly. I need to know to what extent he knew, I don't wanna add one more life in risk.
"Since the first time I saw you."
Though with a small voice he answered, his eyes never wavered.
Before I could keep forwarding, he continued "you intrigued me to such extent that I couldn't help but indulge into you. Your personal life was never my interest, but the attack and the rescue back at Gyanlo changed everything. I needed to know to what limit you were stretched..."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to keep you safe too. Felix, I wanted to be a protector just like I became an emotional support to you and you know very well to what extent my emotions run."
With the same serious face he just let his bare emotions opened infront of me.
"Jasper! Do you even have any idea what you are saying right now? Do you even know what I've got myself into? It's a deathtrap, Jas. And I definitely can't add you in it too!" Frustrated with his unwavering gaze, I tried my best to keep my voice in control.
"But you've added him in it, haven't you?" His voice suddenly gained a cold edge to it.
"What? Whom did..."
As realisation struck in me, I couldn't help but feel extremely pissed.
Mom even told him about Nicholas! Why is she like this? Just because she wants to protect her son at any cost that doesn't mean that she would play chess with people's emotions. Jasper's got feelings for me, that I know for sure but he never confronted them but actions speak louder and right at this moment his confidence this much flared up only giving me a twisted knot in my heart. I needed to stop him before he could have no way to return.
"Jasper, it's not just about keeping you from this mess, but also keeping you away from myself. I don't want to loose you as a friend. Yes, you're really dear to me and I can't let any harm come on your way. But what you're trying to do... I just can't accept that. Not now, not in the future, not ever. You already know the reason and that's more of a reason for me not wanting you to push yourself this hard just to indulge into me. This....this makes me feel horrible ..."
My words might have sounded harsh but he was matured enough to understand the situation.
"Does he even know what you're doing for him?...no let me emphasis it, does he even have any idea who you really are?"
Okay his stubbornness was playing with his reasoning side.
"He doesn't need to know."
With gritted teeth I retorted, my patience just one thread away from breaking.
"Then, at least let me stay until he knows, until he becomes, untill he holds."
His voice still steady, but his eyes trembled slightly, he was hurt.
And I couldn't take it anymore, however another soft symphonic voice interrupted me from lashing out.
"Jasper Yeager?!?"
There stood, the one and only Simon Kaiser with his breakfast plate, just two steps behind Jasper, eyes furrowed in surprise, making sure if he recognised the boy correctly. As Jasper looked at the owner of that voice, his expression immediately changed into a heartfelt smile and Simon had the widest grin on his face that lit up like a literal sun.
See this idiot has already someone crushing on him so hard but he won't even look at it. As Simon moved to our table, someone just standing behind him finally came to my view and that someone is none other than the person whom I accidentally pecked last night.
Since we all could see the whole awkwardness spread over, Simon cleared his throat to ease it up a bit "umm he wanted to tag along to see the hospital cafeteria and since I'm busy here, he felt a little alone, so I agreed. Can he join us?"
Simon's almost round eyes stared at us expectantly while Nicholas maintained the deep frown on him which only convinced me that he wasn't happy about the company at all. As I looked back at Jasper for once and he was already looking at me, as if comprehending whether he could tolerate it too.
Then suddenly breaking the eye contact, he gave his signature foxy smile, as with a sweet tone, he welcomed the totally unwelcoming guest.
"Of course, Simon! Prince Hammond definitely can join us."
Now what is he planning to do?!
As Nicholas took the seat beside me and Simon settled just across him, beside Jasper, the atmosphere suddenly turned more stiff.
And to avoid it, Simon started the easiest topic, "so Jasper, what are you doing here? I mean you were supposed to come here next year."
"Why? Aren't you glad to see me here earlier?"
As expected from the twisted brain of the younger one. But does he know what kind of impact it has on the other guy?
"Jas, it's not like that, I'm just surprised, that's all. And of course I'm happy that you're here earlier."
Such an immediate spontaneous reply.
"But it seems like someone isn't happy to see me here at all!"
Eyes dropping to his food, Jasper mumbled with a visible pout.
Simon gave a stern judging look as if I was the incharge of lifting his mood up.
Heaving a deep sigh, I tried to coax Jasper, "Jas, don't you dare to drag Simon in it to gain sympathy! I just clarified the barrier between us and I hope you won't break that. But again that doesn't mean you're unwelcomed!"
Hearing my words, Simon who was carefully chewing on his bread, looked at me as if I had torn apart someone's heart from his body. However in the next second he heaved a sigh to release the inbuilt tension.
Nicholas's eyes darted between the other two as if he was connecting some dots, then his eyes finally landed on me and I gave him a knowing smile. Gosh you should've seen his face! He immediately averted his eyes back to his food, however the tips of his ears had turned into ripe tomatoes, if only I could see his face fully...
"Leave that. You still didn't tell me why so earlier?" Simon pried again.
"I'm here as an exchange student, Simon." Jasper didn't meet my eyes when he answered that. I might've hurt his ego too.
"Exchange? Why all of a sudden..." I couldn't help but ask with pure curiosity.
"I'm not leaving our own facilities and dad needs my constant presence by his side all the time, so I'm not letting him handle it alone. That's why only this idea was the best to take the risk."
Then looking at me intently, he added "so that even I fail, I won't fall."
I could only give encouragement through my eyes but his eyes still reflected that stubborn, unyielding willpower as if he was actually provoking the boundaries already.
This time both Simon and Nicholas's eyes crunched together, not liking the vibe at all.
And the culprit himself broke the tension, with a smirk, he boasted "am I not amazing?!"
Nicholas rolled his eyes, Simon was torn between an exasperated and amused situation, as for me, I just shook my head.
Except for that, the rest of the time was quite as we ate our food, indulged in our own mind.
After we were done, Jasper just had to break the fragile peace again, "Lix, I almost forgot..."
Handing over two little bottles of pills, he continued, "the final dose...umm... the wound..."
Before he could say further I interrupted, "yeah, I get it."
Simon didn't take long to close the deal immediately, "I think we should get going. Moreover, Jasper is new here, he needs to know the way around here."
"But it's not even time..." Jasper protested.
"Oh com'on! Let me guide you through the departments here, specially yours one." Simon gladly dragged the younger with him.
And that's when I fully turned to Nicholas who was still looking at Jasper's retreating figure, his eyebrows crunched together in a frown, his jawline tightly pressed in tension.
"You guys are really close." Still not turning to me, he remarked.
"Jasper is a good person and he is a good friend too."
"Just friends? I don't think he sees you as only a friend." Finally looking at me he relied his thoughts.
"You heard the boundaries we were talking about? I just don't want to hurt him by giving him any misconception. But that boy won't listen to me at all. It seems I'll have to go to the extent of breaking our friendship someday."
Collecting the empty trays, I tried to keep my voice steady, only to avoid any misunderstanding with the present boy who looked troubled all of a sudden but he hid it quite well.
We left the table, while going to the basin, he asked me in almost an inaudible voice, "Why? You said he is a good person then why not accepting him?"
And that question, unbeknownst to him sent a pang through my heart.
Nevertheless the hurt, I answered him, "cause I also said one more phrase - a good FRIEND. I see and treat him as only a friend more like a brother. And about the way he sees me, I've already clarified my point. I've already warned him about the boundaries."
Simply nodding, he concentrated on washing his hands while it was clear that he was contemplating on something serious.
"So, what actually brings you here? I mean Simon won't just tag someone with no real motive at all..." Breaking the silence, I initiated.
Finally making a direct contact with my prying eyes, with a small voice he let out his concern, "last night...you left... and I was worried...if I caused you any inconveniences..."
His eyes seeking for any disgust on my face.
What?! Inconvenience? I should be the one who should have apologized, not him. What is he even thinking about?! Is this the reason why he is actually here?! He is just here to confirm here if I just took that action casually! Oh Nicholas! Just how much twisted way you see me?
"Nicholas, look at me."
As my sympathetic eyes met with his wandering ones, I continued, "I should be the one who should say those words. It wasn't you who crossed the line. It was me who was overwhelming and took it to a wrong direction. I'm sorry."
"What are you even talking about? What..." Completely clueless, he started.
"You aren't upset with me for the peck?" I who looked more lost now, asked back.
"I was talking about me zoning out and then breaking down infront of you."
Red coating his ears and cheeks, he meekly corrected.
Okay, I am the one who took it to wrong direction again.
Nevertheless, I had to assure him, "why are you saying sorry for that? You are a human being, Nicholas. You also have emotions and you have every right to show them. And I'm glad that you trusted me enough to show me your vulnerable state."
"So you weren't uncomfortable?" He again tried to check if I was playing any prank on him.
Chuckling softly, I reassured, "no, not at all!" Then with a smirk, I added, "I was never uncomfortable with you the whole time I spent with you last night."
And as expected, the red spread through his every features, his feline eyes broke into a radiant shy smile and his full lips debated whether to lift up or not. Bless my poor heart, cause I lost it again at that very moment!
I don't know when my limbs started working on their own, as I found myself stepping really close to him, almost breaking his personal space, tiptoeing to get his face in my reach, his eyes immediately widened in surprise but in the next second my own dazed demeanor seeped through him and he closed his eyes in anticipation.
That eased me up a lot, he wasn't disgusted or uncomfortable, our feelings were mutual and my inner self threw a grand party silently. My lips ended up touching his cheek lightly for a fleeting moment, a brief but solid proof that I wasn't just taking things casually.
BAM!
The loud crashing of something brought both of us back to reality and I moved away from Nicholas immediately. It seems the other two came back to fetch us and they witnessed the whole action being played. In the fits of anger, Jasper hit the door frame really hard, making it creak, his knuckles bled, but his eyes, they looked so empty as if his own heart wounded him the most. Right beside him, Simon looked equally pained, his eyes never leaving Jasper's face.
Before I could utter any single word, Jasper turned back, then sprinted out of my sight. Simon's eyes following him, then looking at me, his eyes blazed, dangerously warning me "don't you dare!"
Then he also sprinted after that wounded boy.
"I've messed up again!" Frustrated, I mumbled to myself.
As I was about to follow the long gone friends of mine, one hand grabbed my wrist to stop me, more like anchoring me. I looked back at the same glossy feline eyes, only a silent understanding pass through them.
Voice still smooth and low, Nicholas only uttered three words, "give him time."
No misunderstanding, no suspicions, no interrogation, only unwavering trust and a pure soul. Just how am I going to face this angel when the truth finally unveils?!!