Claimed By The Tyrant King

Meanwhile, in Cedric’s chamber, Julian had come to visit.

The little boy sat quietly beside the bed, his bright eyes fixed on the Lord Commander, who remained completely still beneath the blankets. Cedric’s eyes stayed closed as though he had no intention of waking up, and the steady rise and fall of his chest was the only thing that reminded them he was still alive.

Julian’s shoulders gradually slumped... He didn’t understand.

Cedric had always greeted him with a smile, and by now they would be outside with wooden swords in their hands as they sparred together.

Cedric had always let him believe he was winning until the very end, only to gently knock the wooden sword from his little hands and tell him to try again. Those moments had become some of Julian’s happiest memories.

Now the room was painfully quiet... There were no smiles or laughter or wooden swords. There was only silence.

Julian lowered his head before slowly turning to look at his mother. "You lied, Mother," he said quietly.

Rebecca blinked in surprise. "Hm? What do you mean?" she asked, her brows drawing together in confusion.

Julian looked back at Cedric. "You said he would wake up soon." His small voice carried a sadness no child should have known. "But it’s already been more than a week, and he still hasn’t opened his eyes."

Rebecca’s heart tightened.

She had said those words because she wanted to comfort him and she had believed them herself.

Now, hearing them repeated back to her made her realize how empty they must have sounded.

She quietly walked over and crouched beside her son before gently brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead. "You have to understand," she said softly, "the wounds Cedric suffered weren’t small. He’s fighting very hard to stay alive, and battles like that take time. His body needs time to heal before he can wake up."

Julian listened carefully, yet the explanation did little to ease the disappointment on his face. "How much longer do I have to wait?" he asked, his lips forming a small pout.

Rebecca fell silent... She wished she had an answer.

More than anyone, she wanted to tell him that Cedric would wake tomorrow or the day after, but she couldn’t make a promise she had no certainty she could keep.

The truth was, she was waiting too. Every morning she entered this room hoping to find Cedric sitting up in bed, or at the very least opening his eyes. Every night she left hoping that tomorrow would finally be different.

Yet each passing day slowly chipped away at everyone’s hope.

She refused to believe Cedric would leave them like this because he had survived too much to be defeated now, but even so, watching him remain trapped in silence day after day tested her faith more than she cared to admit.

Rebecca gently squeezed Julian’s little hand. "We’ll keep waiting," she whispered with a small, encouraging smile, even though the uncertainty weighed heavily on her own heart. "Cedric has never been one to give up easily... so let’s not give up on him either."

"Are you hearing that, Cedric?" Rebecca said, turning her gaze back to Cedric’s sleeping face.

A small smile touched her lips, although sadness lingered behind it. "He’s already running out of patience, and I suppose everyone else is as well. We’re all waiting for you to wake up because so much has changed, and nothing feels quite the same without you here."

Her voice gradually softened until the last few words became little more than a whisper.

Julian looked at his mother with a bright smile, pleased that she had spoken to Cedric while he was there.

Usually, Rebecca waited until Julian had left the room before speaking to Cedric. She would sit beside him in silence, tell him about the events of the day, laugh quietly over little memories, and hope that somehow he could still hear every word. Today, however, she had chosen to speak in front of Julian because she wanted to lift her son’s spirits, even if only a little.

Before either of them could say anything else, a soft knock sounded at the chamber door.

The two of them turned at the same time just as Rosalind gently stepped inside. "I hope I’m not interrupting anything," she asked quietly.

Rebecca immediately rose to her feet. "No, Your Majesty," she answered instinctively.

Rosalind let out a quiet sigh, and Rebecca instantly realized her mistake. Despite being reminded several times that such formality wasn’t necessary when they were alone, old habits still found their way back.

A sheepish smile crossed Rebecca’s face. "I’m sorry... Rosalind"

Rosalind’s expression softened. "It’s alright."

She then looked between Rebecca and Julian before her eyes settled on Cedric once more. "I should be the one thanking both of you," she said sincerely. "You’ve been looking after Cedric every single day, and I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for him."

"You don’t have to worry, Rosalind," Julian replied immediately, smiling up at her.

Rosalind couldn’t help smiling back as she gently ruffled his hair. "Good boy."

Rebecca almost reminded Julian that he shouldn’t be calling the Queen by her name, but when she saw the warmth between them, she decided against it. Rosalind clearly didn’t mind, and there was no reason to interrupt such a heartfelt moment.

After another glance at Cedric, Rosalind looked back at Rebecca. "And how is he doing?"

Rebecca followed her gaze to the unconscious commander before answering.

"He’s improving, just as the physician expected. His condition is much more stable now." She paused briefly before adding, "We’re only waiting for him to wake up."

Rosalind nodded quietly. "I pray that day comes soon."

Silence settled over the room for a brief moment before Rosalind spoke again. "I actually need your help with something, Rebecca. Would you mind coming with me?"

Rebecca didn’t hesitate. "Of course."

Rosalind smiled gratefully.

Rebecca turned to her son and gently rested a hand on his shoulder. "Julian, stay here for a little while. I’ll be back soon."

"I will, Mother."

With that, the two women quietly left the chamber, closing the door behind them and leaving Julian alone with Cedric once more.

The room fell into complete silence.

Only the faint rise and fall of Cedric’s breathing disturbed the stillness, while the lingering scent of herbs and medicine filled the air. Sunlight filtered softly through the windows, bathing the quiet chamber in a warm glow that somehow made the silence feel even heavier.

With nothing else to occupy himself, Julian climbed onto the chair beside the bed and absentmindedly wrapped both of his small hands around Cedric’s larger one. It had become something of a habit whenever he visited. Sometimes he would talk to him. Other times he would simply sit there, hoping Cedric would somehow know he wasn’t alone.

Time passed slowly but Rebecca still hadn’t returned.

Julian’s eyelids gradually grew heavier as the quietness of the room settled over him. He tried to stay awake, but sleep tugged at him little by little until his head began to droop. Even then, he refused to let go of Cedric’s hand.

Just as his eyes were about to close completely, he felt something.

A faint squeeze.

...So light that he almost believed he had imagined it.

Julian’s eyes flew open and he stared at their joined hands without daring to breathe.

No...

Surely not.

Before he could convince himself it had only been wishful thinking, Cedric’s fingers tightened around his hand once again.

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