The Duke

Everyone panicked when the Duke had a convulsion. Though the Duke was strong and healthy, it had been almost a week, and his wounds became more severe. Not a sign of healing was shown. Even the royal physicians have tried almost everything and assure that the wound is clean. His body temperature continued dropping and his complexion became even paler. They were expecting him to have a fever, not hypothermia. Almost, all the physicians in the kingdom came to the palace to assess the Duke's condition but no one can come up with the right diagnosis and the right prescription. The Duke hasn't woken up for a week and he needs nutrients. They did not know what actually happened to the Duke that night but the Prince was also sleeping for days. Now, the whole palace was in a panic.

As they were panicking, the King along with the Prince, entered the room where the Duke lay. The Prince looks very healthy and his hair was more golden than that of the King. Almost everyone in the room can't help but gasp as they watch the father and son entering majestically. It felt like the room temperature dropped even lower when they entered. King Alexander ordered everyone to go out. After everyone went out, John gave a worried look. Then, the little white wolf said'

"You can treat him. I have granted you the power to do so." John then, felt a surge of power rushing through his veins and it seemed as though his hands moved on their own. He touched the Duke's head and in an instant, his eyes turned gray. This surprised the King. He knew of the Phoenix's power is fire. Suddenly, the temperature dropped to a freezing point and the King can only use the Phoenix's power to protect himself from freezing. As he was looking at his son, he was more shocked. His eyes are different. King Alexander has grown accustomed to the Phoenix's abilities but this never happened before. Slowly, the temperature started rising and the Duke's complexion has brightened and became livelier. The wounds started closing in a blink. Everything went back to normal. Except for King Alexander, everything else seemed to go back as to how they should be.

The Little White Wolf helped him this time. With this, John decided that he needed to grow with them and learn more of what power and abilities they hold.

"Cough..cough... cough" Duke Clarkson opened his eyes and saw a dashing young man. John did grow a lot more during this period. He clearly remembered how he used his body as a shield to protect the King. It felt as though he was whipped with a flaming rod and a frozen whip all at the same time. The pain was unbearable and he never knew if he would be able to survive but he is determined to keep his eyes open just until the Prince's body stop releasing the flares. He doesn't want to regret it all his life. He have seen how the previous King almost died but now, the Prince's power was even stronger. King Alexander only emitted fiery flares back then, though the King was not injured he was down for a week and his health deteriorated. He doesn't want that to happen to King Alexander.

"Thank you for saving me, your highness, Prince"

"No, I should thank you. Thank you for saving my father. " John was more composed now. He has changed. But in the Duke's eyes, he was still that little child he was grooming all these years. He can't feel but feel relieved that the kid was able to survive the opposing forces in his body.

"Other than the Phoenix, what is the other powerful being?" The King asked.

Duke Clarkson has regained all his strength and he felt renewed. It felt as though all his wounds, all his broken bones, and his damaged cells have healed. When he heard the King's question, he looked at John deeply.

"A Little White Wolf"

"Are you sure it's a wolf, not a fox?"

"Ahh... I think so."

"Oh, okay. But son, I can only teach you how to use the Phoenix. As for the other element in your body..." before the King could finish John interrupted him.

"I got it. I may need to travel to another kingdom soon." He then looked at Duke Clarkson and in an instant, the Duke answered.

"I got it. I'll transfer some of my men in your care, your highness" He knew for sure what the kid wanted. 'Good. You learn to fast my dear Prince'

"Thank you, Duke, please send them to the royal camp tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Highness"

When the night came, the palace was very quiet. He can hear the sounds of the crickets and the gust of wind that sways the curtains in his room. John went to the balcony and looked at the view of the village that was filled with lights. He has overheard the maids talking about the first thing the king, his hopeless father did when he ascended to the throne. He ordered the village to be lit up, and the landscaping was improved. Though the maids think the King did it to have a better view of the village, John knows that his father did it to impress his mother. John felt a longing in his heart. He still remembers the one time his mother brought him to the village dressed as a girl. He needed to wear a wig and a dress at that. The corners of his lip were lifted as he broke into a smile. How naive his mother is. She has told me before how amazing my father was. He can light up a city just for her. Before I used to think of it as a joke but now I knew. She knew who he was. She was clever enough to hide me and herself. John realized just how competent and wise his mother was.

As he was thinking about his mother, he saw a figure near the tree in the garden. He hid as he was observing the figure. Sure enough, it jumped right through his balcony without a sound. After the takeover, his senses have become keener as he grew even stronger. The figure was about to enter but John caught him and was pinned to the ground.

"Who sent you?" His eyes darkened. The figure did not try to fight back so much.

"Your mother! Also, release me would you?" When he heard the voice was that of a woman. He turned her body to face him.

"Ouch! Do you even have an idea what position we are in now?! Let me go already! I'm only here to tell you that your mother is fine and you don't have to worry." The woman was quite wild and beautiful. John did not release his grip right away. He was amazed by the beauty of the lady in front of her. But he can't be fooled by an innocent appearance. He managed to sneak in unnoticed after all. But after confirming she meant no harm, he loosened his grip and help her up.

"Agh! My back hurts because of you! How can you be stronger than my brothers!" The girl looks furious and she's pouting. John felt an unfamiliar warmth in his chest and his heart started to beat faster. 'What's going on? Did this woman poison me?'

"Speak. What more do you have to say?" She sneered at me and laughed mischievously.

"Don't test my patience. Speak" The girl was annoying but John doesn't feel like throwing her out. She was sent by his mother after all. Then, the girl pull out a pouch from her pocket and handed it to me.

"Here. The princess told me to give this to you and also she wants me to aid you. How annoying!"

She then throws herself to my bed and carelessly throws her cloak off. The pouch belongs to my Mom. She has shown me this many times but I did not ask what was inside. When I opened it, I saw a bracelet. It looks like an ordinary bracelet but it is not. If my guess is right, my father gave this to her and wants me to keep it. I put the bracelet back and put the pouch in one of my drawers.

The girl that delivered this has fallen asleep in my bed. She has a bad sleeping habit. Even I knew how to act decent. How can this girl have no shame? Also, this is a man's room, a prince at that. She can be caught and be called a spy but she seemed not to care. She was sleeping face down in my bed with a long-sleeved shirt paired with fitted trousers and a belt. Though she dresses simply, she looks very beautiful and noble. John picked her up and carried her to the other side of the bed. The girl did not even remove her boots, so he removed them. The girl's skin was flawless. She was not just some servant. He untied her hair and covered her with a quilt. He used to take care of his mother and godmother before so this is nothing to him. He lay down on a bed when the girl suddenly rolled into his arms.