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When the physician returned once again, the solemn expression that had clouded his face earlier had eased ever so slightly.

It wasn’t the look of a man bringing wonderful news, yet neither was it the hopeless expression he had worn before.

There was still concern in his eyes, but there was also a glimmer of relief. Bowing respectfully, he steadied himself before speaking. “We’ve managed to stop the bleeding, Your Majesty. For now, he is stable… but he has lost far too much blood p>

Rowan absorbed every word in silence, and unlike before, he forced himself to remain composed.

Although his heart still pounded with worry, his face had settled into the calm expression everyone in the kingdom had come to know.

After a brief pause, he looked directly at the physician and asked the only question that truly mattered. “Will he live p>

The physician met his gaze, yet no certainty could be found there. He wished he could give the king the answer he longed to hear, but lying now would only offer false comfort, and he refused to do that.

He understood why Rowan was asking, because anyone could see that this concern went beyond losing a commander.

Cedric had stood faithfully beside the king for years, and now his life hung by a thread because he had carried out the very order Rowan had given him. The physician had done everything within his ability, but even that had its limits.

“I cannot promise that,” he admitted honestly before continuing, “We’ve done all we can. The rest depends on whether his body has the strength to keep fighting p>

Rosalind instinctively reached for Rowan’s hand, gently slipping her fingers around his as she searched the physician’s face with quiet hope. “That means… there’s still hope?” she asked softly.

The physician nodded. “There is,” he answered. “I cannot say when he’ll wake, or even if he will, but as long as he’s breathing, there is still hope p>

Silence settled over the room, heavy enough that no one wished to be the first to break it. The physician looked towards Cedric’s unconscious form before speaking once more.

“If I may suggest something he began carefully. “Continue speaking to him. Sometimes the voices of those a person cares about… or those they still wish to protect… can help them hold on. Whether he can hear you or not, I cannot say for certain, but it may encourage his will to keep fighting p>

Those words only made Rowan’s gaze drift back towards Cedric.

His closest companion lay motionless upon the bed, his face drained of colour and his breathing so faint that it barely disturbed the silence of the room.

The sight tightened something painfully inside Rowan’s chest. Cedric had never once hesitated to obey him, and because of that unwavering loyalty, he now lay between life and death.

For a long moment, Rowan simply stared at him before quietly lowering his eyes.

Without another word, he turned away and walked out of the chamber.

Rosalind watched him leave, concern filling her features as she knew exactly what was weighing on his mind. She remained still for a moment before turning towards Rebecca.

“Could I trouble you to stay with him for a while?” she asked gently. “I need to speak with Rowan p>

Rebecca looked at her before giving a small nod. “Of course p>

A grateful smile touched Rosalind’s lips. “Thank you p>

She quietly slipped out of the chamber, closing the door gently behind her so as not to disturb the fragile peace within.

Only Rebecca and Julian remained beside Cedric’s bed.

Julian continued holding tightly onto his mother’s finger, his small face filled with confusion as tears gathered in his eyes. He didn’t understand everything that had happened, nor did he understand why the adults looked so worried. He only knew that Cedric wasn’t waking up, and it reminded him of the days when his own mother had lain injured and unmoving.

His voice trembled. “Will he… not play swords with me again p>

Rebecca’s heart softened. She ran her fingers gently through his hair, smoothing the strands away from his forehead before giving him a reassuring smile, even though her own heart was far from certain. “Of course he will p>

Julian looked up at her immediately. “When p>

The question lingered between them, and Rebecca found herself unable to answer it.

The physician had made it clear that Cedric might wake… or he might not. Everything depended upon whether his body still had enough strength left to fight.

Even so, she couldn’t bring herself to take away the little hope Julian still held.

Instead, she crouched down until she was level with him. “Why don’t you go and talk to him?” she suggested gently. “Tell him to wake up quickly so he can come back and train with you again p>

Julian wiped at his eyes before nodding.

Slowly, he made his way towards the bed.

Cedric’s broad frame almost completely filled it, yet despite his strength, he now looked frighteningly vulnerable.

His face had become pale, his lips colourless, and only the faint rise and fall of his chest proved that life still remained within him.

Julian carefully reached for the hand resting across Cedric’s chest and held it with both of his tiny hands.

The tears he had been holding back finally escaped. “You told me not to slack off while you were gone,” he whispered through his sobs.

“You said when you came back, I should show you everything I’ve learned p>

His voice cracked. “I practiced… I really did. I’ve gotten much better now, so… won’t you wake up and watch me fight like you promised p>

The room remained silent.

Cedric didn’t stir…He didn’t squeeze Julian’s hand… He didn’t even open his eyes.

Rebecca stood quietly where she was, watching the heartbreaking scene unfold before her. Something inside her chest tightened painfully as she looked at the little boy standing beside Cedric’s bed, crying while desperately waiting for an answer that never came.

She couldn’t explain why seeing Cedric like this affected her so deeply, but every passing moment seemed to make the weight pressing against her heart even heavier.

When Julian’s cries became louder, Rebecca could no longer bear to watch.

She quickly crossed the room and gently rested a comforting hand upon his shoulder.

He looked up at her with tear-filled eyes.

“It’s alright,” she whispered softly. “He’s heard everything you’ve said, and I know he’ll wake up soon because you’ve asked him to p>

“Really?” The hope in Julian’s voice made her chest ache.

She nodded without hesitation. “Really p>

Julian immediately threw his arms around her, and Rebecca embraced him tightly in return while her gaze drifted back towards Cedric.

Silently, she prayed. ’Please… wake up p>

Outside the chamber, Rowan came to a stop in the open courtyard.

The evening sky had begun to darken, and a cool breeze swept quietly through the palace grounds as he tilted his head back to look at the clouds gathering overhead. After a long moment, a weary sigh escaped him.

“Rowan p>

Rosalind’s gentle voice reached him from behind as she slowly approached.

Without turning around, he spoke quietly. “I just want to be alone right now p>

Rosalind stopped where she was. For a brief moment, her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but instead she simply nodded to herself.

“Then I’ll stay here,” she replied softly. “I won’t say anything p>

She remained a short distance away, allowing the silence to settle naturally between them while the evening breeze drifted through the courtyard.

Several moments passed before Rowan finally broke it. “I never should have sent him there p>

His voice was low, almost hollow. “I pushed them to capture Griswold as quickly as possible because I wanted all of this to end p>

He lowered his gaze to the ground. “Now look at the cost p>