Chapter 02: His Identity

A morning full of spring's breeze, gleaming with the piercing rays of the rising sun, riched with the pleasant chirping sounds of the birds, compelled me to wake up from my slumber. Just like a child, I tried to shut myself in the quilt as I wished for my sweet dream to continue.

But in the next moment, a thought ran through my mind, and once again the reality as harsh as it could be whacked my face. It made me sit straight. I looked around to find myself all alone in the sunlit room.

"Brother! Brother! Where are you?" I called out to him as I walked past the door.

"Good morning! Eve! You are finally up," I heard a familiar voice coming out of the room.

"Morning! Brother! When did you wake up?" I couldn't hear you leaving my side," I said with a surprised expression.

"How could you hear me leaving, when your snoring made your ears unable to hear anything else," he said with a chuckle.

I gave a good smack to his shoulders. "You! Don't tease me early in the morning, Otherwise, I would..."

"Alright! alright! I won't tease you anymore," He interrupted me.

"Anyways, what happened to the young boy from yesterday?" I inquired while setting the wooden dining table with my brother. It was not as large and lavish as those of high-class mansions, but still enough for all of us to have a good meal early in the morning. And the meals, too, could not be compared to those of professional chefs of the Royal Palace. They were just prepared with healthy self-grown vegetables and raw meat but still brimming with the love, warmth and tenderness of Miss Ann, whose heart was filled with kindness and affection. We often came here, mostly on weekends, to have heartfelt meals with Miss Ann and her five-year-old daughter. It made us feel like at home. I was immersed in my thoughts when Miss Ann's voice echoed in my head.

"He is perfectly fine. His wounds are recovering at a very high speed. I have never encountered such a person in my life before. I guess he will be wide awake by now. Would you like to check up on him?" she said upon entering the room.

"Thanks a lot, Miss Ann! We are truly grateful for all of your efforts," I replied.

"There's no need for the thanks. It's my job to cure people. However, I must admit that if it hadn't been for you two saving him on time, he would have been dead by now," she said.

We thanked her again. Then, a shrill sound echoed throughout the room.

"Mother! Mother! The boy has woken up," Miss Ann's daughter shouted.

"Ohh! Looks like it's time to greet our honoured guest," Miss Ann said with a chuckle.

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Boy's POV:

"Ahh!" My head was spinning around like a merry-go. I tried to open my eyes but miserably failed. I could hear the mumbling, brushing my ears from not far away.

I tried again and forced my eyelids to let go of their stubbornness.

A vague and blurry figure ran before my half-opened eyes. I tried to muster up all the strength that my weak body could offer to unleash myself from the grip of the soft, comfy bed.

At last, the goddess of bravery smiled upon me and gave me the power to break the restraints that were holding me back.

"Mother! Mother! " a voice yelled, leaving my ears pierced. But then it vanished in the air.

Upon opening my eyes, I found myself in a small but vibrant room. Coming through the half-opened window, the blazing light was too blind for my eyes. A cool breeze enveloped every corner of the room.

A loud creak ran throughout the room as the door opened. I could discern the arrival of three or four people.

"How are you feeling? Young boy!" I heard a voice.

Before my very eyes, was standing a woman, a child, and two young boys in knight's uniform.

"I am feeling much better. Thank you!" I said.

"Well, that's good to hear. If you feel any discomfort, just let us know. We will do our best to facilitate you. By the way, I am Ann Welter. This is my daughter, Lisa Welter," she said directing her hand towards the little girl who was hiding behind her holding the brim of her mother's blouse.

"And these two siblings are the knights of our town, Isis Evans and Evelyn Evans," she added.

"I will take you up on your offer. But firstly, let me pay my thanks to you who saved my life," a fizzy voice came out of my mouth.

"Ohh! My! You could tell that I was the one who saved you. That must be because I am wearing a lab coat. However, there's a little misunderstanding here. I indeed treated you but the ones who saved you from the brink of death are these two knights, Isis and his sister Evelyn. So, you should thank them too," she exclaimed.

"Sister!" I screamed in my head. "How could my eyes deceive me? Is it because the pain made my senses dull?"

I took a closer look at the girl standing before my very eyes. She was wearing a knight's uniform, well-suited for her gallant demeanour. Her cerulean eyes were ocean-strong, swimming with the warm sun-lit current. Her bloody red hair was jigging in the spring's toddling breeze just like the burning flames of fire, but barely reaching the nape of her neck.

"Now, I know why I mistook her for a boy," I thought to myself.

"Ahem!" a voice echoed, intending to give me wide berth.

I abruptly turned away to hide my blushing pink face. I cleared my throat and said,

"I apologize for the rude conduct. Because of my dull senses, I mistook the young lady for a boy. I deeply regret my actions."

Laughter broke out in the room. I could not comprehend the reason behind it. Regardless, I could sense the piercing gaze upon myself.

"Don't worry! It's not the first time she was mistaken for a boy," her brother chuckled.

"All matters aside, firstly, tell us who are you, where did you come from, who attacked you and how did you end up near the shore?" Lady Ann asked.

At last, the long-awaited moment came. I was bombarded with a load of questions. It's not like I never expected it to happen, but the real thing was way more intimidating than I imagined.

"Now, how should I evade those questions?" I thought to myself. "I guess I can't turn back now?"

I looked down and spoke.

"I am Zenier Alpheus, the crown prince of Euphoria. I was ordered to inspect the Dukedom of North, with my knights. On our way back from the inspection, we stopped at a town to take some rest. I was bored of sitting still for so long that I decided to stroll the area," his voice deepened.

"I sneaked out of the room and roamed the bustling streets. Then suddenly, some people attacked me and made me unconscious. They took me to some unknown place. When I opened my eyes I found myself in a locked room. They asked me to hand over the "crystal of life" to them. When I told them that I didn't know what that crystal was and where was it, they thrashed me again and again with the wrought-iron sword. I guess that's when I lost consciousness and before I knew it, I found myself in this place, safe and sound."

The room turned into dead silence.

I raised my head and noticed the rolling tears of Lady Ann, widened eyes of Miss Evelyn, and the stunned face of Sir Isis.

All of this made no sense to me.