Episode 4

When night came, the king, the queen, and their little prince returned to their royal chamber.

The soft glow of candlelight filled the room, reflecting off the golden curtains and the gentle carvings on the wooden walls. A warm breeze carried the faint scent of flowers from the royal garden outside.

Queen Malis carefully laid Prince Harak on the bed, wrapping him in a soft silk blanket. The baby yawned sweetly and reached for her hand.

''It’s time to sleep, my little prince. You’ve had a long and happy day, '' she whispered with a tender smile.

She cuddled him close, humming a gentle lullaby until his breathing slowed. Soon, the prince was fast asleep in his cradle beside their bed.

The king stood nearby, still in his royal robe, watching quietly. For a moment, his usually stern eyes softened.

''He sleeps so easily when you’re beside him,''

he murmured.

''Our prince rarely makes trouble before sleep. He’s such a good child,'' she replied softly.

He stepped closer, gazing down at his son — the little face calm and peaceful. His heart softened in a way he couldn’t quite explain.

It’s strange, he thought. I’ve faced battles and never felt fear. But when I look at him, I feel fragile. I fear what might happen if he were ever hurt. So this… this is a father’s love.

Malis glanced at him, noticing the rare gentleness in his expression.

He’s looking at the baby nonstop, she thought.

So calm, so quiet. I wonder what he’s thinking.

For a while, silence filled the chamber — not cold, but warm and calm, like two hearts slowly learning to

understand each other.

Finally, he spoke again.

''What does the prince do when I’m away? Does he miss me? Does he even know I went to war?''

She paused, her eyes softening as she recalled the past months.

''After you left, he looked at everyone with curious eyes, as if searching for someone. Maybe he was waiting for you, Your Majesty.''

''Every day he learned new things. The first time he called me ‘Mama,’ I couldn’t stop crying from

happiness.''

She smiled faintly. ''If you had been here, I think his first word might have been ‘Father.’ Now that you’re back, he seems so much happier.''

He looked at her quietly. ''You’ve done well taking care of him, my queen.''

The King rarely praised, but when he does it was true.

Malis feels so happy that she could dance at the moment but tried to hold herself.

She blushed ''He’s such a lovely child too, he never make a mess or be mean and When he smile and laugh, I feel so happy. I love him so much.''

The king said nothing, but his heart echoed her words. He understood the feeling well. When he first became a father, he hadn’t known how to feel. It’s not that he didn’t love the prince, but He was uncertain and trying to find the way to take care of the prince.

When the days passed, the little prince had quietly captured his heart — the child’s smile, his laughter, even his tiny hands reaching for him.

He wanted his son to grow surrounded by love — not with the cold distance he once knew from his own

father.

Sleep well, my little prince, he thought as he turned away from the cradle.

There it was again, the silent. Whenever it was just the two of them, words seemed to vanish. The prince’s laughter usually filled the room, but now, with the quiet settling around them, she didn’t know what to say.

Maybe asking about the war would help, she thought. Yes, that would be better.

She opened her mouth to speak, but he interrupted gently.

''You should rest, my queen. You must be tired from all the preparations and from caring for the prince.''

Her cheeks flushed, and she shook her head quickly. ''I’m fine. Your Majesty, I’m not tired at all. Perhaps you should rest instead—it’s been a long journey.''

She gestured toward the bed, hoping he would follow, but he remained standing, tall and calm.

Suddenly, she remembered. ''Oh! I almost forgot to help you change into your night robe.''

Her face turned crimson as she hurried to prepare his robe.

''Please allow me to help you,'' she said softly.

He stood silently as she, slightly trembling, reached up to assist him. Her height made it difficult, and when her hands brushed against his warm skin, her breath caught.

The King was tall for her, she tried to reach and she will get close to him. When she tried to put the night rob on him, it’s just like she trying to hugged him.

Malis blushed red all over her face. Quickly, she slipped the robe over his shoulders, closing her eyes to hide her embarrassment.

''It’s ready. Your Majesty, Please rest.''

The King still look calm on his face. He make his way to the bed. He sank onto the edge of the bed, his large frame pressing gently into the mattress.

''When you’re ready, come rest too,'' he said.

''y-yes, Your Majesty'' She replied with the face still red. I haven’t shore the bed with the King since be he we t to war, she thought. And Now, I once again have the same feeling. I'm still shy as before.

She carefully folded his clothes and placed them

neatly on the table, then she turned to look at the king before she change her night rob.

The soft and thin dress slip on her skin which make her a bit cold, Malis hesitation and decide to put on another coat on her. She when to check the little prince again before she went to bed, her heart still racing.

Why am I so nervous? This shouldn’t feel new… yet it feels like the first time.

Malis turn to the King and Gently, she pulled the

blanket over him.

''Allow me to cover you, Your Majesty ''

Suddenly the King stop her, He caught her hand

before she could retreat.

''Your- Your Majesty,''

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