Chapter 196

196 Anything for You

As though Alexander read Everard’s mind, he looked at his friend and said, “Now that I am here, I will make sure to give you good company.” He gave a subtle smile and said, “I can follow you around like your bodyguard for the day if you want me to.”

Everard chuckled and finally gestured for his friend to come inside his room. As he walked towards the sofa, he jokingly agreed to Alexander, “Sure. I would love to be protected by my friend if anyone tries to assassinate me before I even begin my reign.”

“Hey... don’t say that!” Alexander gently nudged Everard for speaking negatively on such an auspicious day.

Everard laughed and shrugged. “I was just saying...”

After taking the seat, Alexander looked around the room. He had thought that Everard would be surrounded by maids and servants and that he would be too busy to even spare a glance at him. However, when he didn’t see a single soul in the room, he was a little surprised.

“Where are everyone though? Shouldn’t you be doing something?” Alexander looked at Everard’s bare chest and asked, “Like dressing up or something?”

Everard looked at the door and frowned. “Yes! I should be taking a bath and getting ready! But I don’t know what the holdup is. I thought I was already late.”

As though right on cue, a couple of maids appeared on the door and then bowed to Everard and the Crown Prince of Orsenia.

“Why are you all so late?” Now that Alexander was by his side, Everard reprimanded the maids in a much calmer tone.

.....

One of the maids answered on everyone’s behalf, “We were ordered to give you a few minutes with the Crown Prince of Orsenia.”

“Ah!” Everard didn’t need to ask who had given out the order. He looked outside the door. And although he didn’t see Jerome in the vicinity, he subtly smiled, thankful for being considerate.

He looked back at the maids and then ordered, “Well, what are you all waiting for then? Start doing whatever you’re supposed to do.”

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All the maids bowed their heads and spread out to do their tasks.

And while his bath was still being prepared, he looked at Alexander and asked, “So, how have you been? You aren’t bored alone, are you?”

“Do you even need to ask that?” Alexander sighed and slipped down a little on his chair.

He stared blankly and then mumbled in a complaining tone, “I have been bored, lonely, tired, and everything. I have to sit down in those long lectures alone. Each day, I have to spar with someone I have never seen before.”

Alexander turned his head to look at Everard and mumbled sadly, “And I have to sit down alone to eat. I try to occupy my free time by doing something like reading books or taking a stroll alone. But I cannot help but think that things would have been much more interesting if you were by my side.”

He looked down at the floor. He pursed his lips and then said, “I just wish that the remaining months will pass quickly.”

Everard consolingly patted his friend’s hand. “I missed you too, Alex. I missed you a lot. And I’m sorry. I wished to return as soon as my father’s health recovered but...”

“No, I am sorry.” Alexander readjusted his posture and then looked at Everard’s sad face. “I am sounding selfish when you are the one who is having a hard time than me... Our situation can’t even be compared. I’m sorry.”

After a moment of silence, Alexander asked Everard, “How are you holding up? Are you okay?”

Everard took a deep breath and shook his head. “I am barely staying sane.”

Alexander’s attention was grabbed by the sudden clanking noise that came from the bedroom. He turned his head to find a maid gathering all the empty bottles from the corner of the bed.

He felt a sudden pang in his heart to see the number of bottles that were lying around. He looked back at Everard in surprise and asked him, “You’ve been drinking?”

Everard scratched his forehead and looked away in shame. But he admitted what he did, “Yes. That’s the only thing that is keeping me from going completely off the rails. It is the only thing that I can rely upon these days.”

“Eve!” Alexander abruptly got up and stood in front of Everard. When Everard looked up at him, he asked in a devastated tone, “You could have written a letter to me, you fool! I would have packed my things and come running to you. You could have relied upon ME! We’ve been friends for almost our whole lives. You should know that you have the privilege to order me around when you are in such a dire condition.”

Everard simply gave a sad smile and said, “To be honest, I even thought of summoning you. But I didn’t want to trouble you and be a bother.”

“Why would you ever be a bother to me?” Alexander sighed and cursed himself for not coming to Xanmar earlier. “I should have been there for you... I should have come here on my own.”

Everard looked down again and said in an embarrassed tone, “I haven’t been able to pull the reins of my mouth these days. I have been hurting everyone and anyone with my words. I didn’t want you to see that ugly side of me. You did the right thing by not coming here.”

“Maybe I wouldn’t have let that side come out?” Alexander mumbled in a low voice.

“Your Majesty, the bath is ready,” a maid informed Everard.

Everard got up on his feet and then patted Alexander’s shoulder. He didn’t want his friend to sulk around while he bathed. So, he said while smiling, “Don’t blame yourself for what I did, Alex. What’s done is done. But I do expect you to stay by my side for the whole day and cheer me up.”

“Of course.” Alexander also pulled a smile and replied, “That’s the least I can do for you. If you want then I can stay here for a few more days and help you get accustomed to your new routine as the King of Xanmar.”

“Really?” Everard grinned and hugged Alexander. “I would really appreciate it, Alex. I will hold you to it.”

Alexander looked at Everard’s happy face. He could tell how much he appreciated that simple gesture.

“Anything for you, Eve,” he said from the bottom of his heart.