Apo's P.O.V:

I opened my eyes and noticed that I was in a different place.

Did I get captured?

I don't remember what happened.

And my body still hurt as if I was stomped by runninng elephants.

I felt an air current so I tried to sit up.

"Stop...No need to push yourself your body is still so weak" An unfamiliar voice said.

Then I felt someone's hand on my shoulder.

I tried to remove it but it was futile.

"At ease...It's going to be alright" The soothing voice said calmly.

Then he slowly helped me to lay down comfortably.

He started patting my head lightly and put a water cloth on my forehead.

"Just calm down Apo...It's alright" He said.

"How do you...Know me?...Who are...You?" I asked in a hoarse dry voice.

The person chuckled.

"It's me...Bible" He said.

Bible? It has been three years so his voice definitely changed...

Wait...Does that mean that Mile is also here? Then it wasn't a dream?

"Stay put...It's alright if you sleep now...The enemies retreated" He said.

The enemies?

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back then gulped the lump in my throat.

But something felt strange...

(Later that night)

Mile's P.O.V:

I walked over to Bible's tent and went in.

He raised a finger to his lips asking me to keep silent.

I nodded and looked at Apo who was sound asleep.

Bible personally tended to him as the other physicians at the medical camp tended to the other injured soldiers.

He was running a wet cloth on Apo's body.

I walked over to them and put my hand on Bible's shoulder.

"Wait outside" He said in a low voice.

I waited outside until he was finally out.

"His body went through heavy strain...He could have died right then and there if he used any more magic...It's a blessing that the enemies retreated or else the king would have sent him to his death" Bible said.

"What can I do to help?" I asked.

"Tell the camp to retreat...It's best that we go back to the city at once...That of course if you don't want him to die here" Bible said.

Then brushed his hair back.

"His fever is high but it's not the only thing keeping him bedridden" He said.

"What else is there?" I asked.

"His magic Mile...His magic is there...It's difficult for him to use it without straining his body since no one can possibly keep that tremendous power" He said.

I didn't say anything.

He sighed heavily and put his hands on my shoulders.

"No one is to blame here alright? He just got unlucky that's all but it was still good that you managed to find him just in time" Bible said.

I nodded.

"I'm going to see the other soldiers...You should keep an eye on him but let him rest" He said.

"Alright" I said.

Then he left.

I walked into the tent and sat down next to the hay bed.

Apo's lips looked so dry and his skin was so pale...

He had dark circles under his eyes and a few scars on his arms and legs that I just noticed.

He stirred and opened his eyes.

I opened my mouth to say something but he smiled at me lazily.

"I heard...Them talking about...You...You have...Children now...Right?" He stuttered.

His voice was so weak and hoarse that it brought tears to my eyes as soon as I heard it.

"Good...That's good" He said.

"I'm sorry" I said.

"Why are you...Sorry? It's alright...You did nothing...Wrong" He said.

I shook my head.

"You're a...Prince...One day...You'll be...A king...Your family...Must continue...I'd have done the...Same...I don't...Blame you" He said.

He stayed silent for what felt like minutes.

"I want...To see them...Your children...I want to...Meet them" He said.

Then reached out to take my hand.

I took his hand and started crying.

"You'll...Let me...See them...Right?" He asked.

Then closed his eyes before I could say anything.

"Apo? Apo wake up" I said.

Then shook him.

But he didn't wake up.

I ran out of the tent and went to get Bible.

He rushed into the tent after me.

"Get out...You'll only get in my way if you stay" He ordered.

I left the tent and waited outside.

(Meanwhile)

Pete's P.O.V:

I was at the palace and it was my turn at the watch tower.

I walked over to the window to keep watch.

And noticed a few people wearing clothing on their faces.

They were wearing black and moved closer to the palace.

I took my bow and arrow and raised it to the window to shoot but turned and shot the person behind me.

Then took out my dagger and stabbed him in the chest three times and kicked him off the window.

I ran over to the fire signal and lit it to show that we had intruders.

Then went to find the others.

Some of the gaurds at the palace followed me and we started fighting.

"I got this you go look for the family" A guard said.

I went to find the family and saw that one of them was holding the young prince at knife point.

I grabbed my bow and arrow and raised them up and shot him in the eye.

The prince fell to the floor and started crying.

I rushed over to another one and punched him in the face then stabbed him in the chest.

The queen told the princess to take her children and I stood in front of them.

Two more masked men rushed at me and I pulled out my sword and raised it in front of me.

One of them ran at me and I dodged then grabbed his hair before cutting his throat.

The other one tried to attack me from the back but I dodged and slit his throat.

I turned to the queen and the others then bowed politely.

"I think we should go to the servant quarters for now" I said.

The queen nodded and they followed me as I killed whoever came our way.

Then we went to the servant quarters and sat down.

"You're really stronger then you look...What's your name?" The princess asked smiling.

I bowed politely.

"Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham your grace" I said.

"At ease you did a nice work...I thank you on behalf of my children" She said smiling as she patted my shoulder.

I frowned in confusion but kept my gaze to the floor.

"You look quite handsome too...I never thought that..." She started.

I stood normally and cleared my throat not knowing how to remove her hand without being rude.

But her touch was getting on my nerves.

I chuckled awkwardly and tried to squirm away.

"Ummm...Thank you your grace...I believe I did my work nicely because it's my job as a guard to keep the royal family safe" I said.

"Nook...Stop it" The queen said in an angry voice as soon as she was done comforting the crying children.

And she finally removed her hand off my shoulder and I relaxed again.

(Four days later)

Bible's P.O.V:

We arrived back at the city and I immediately went to the study.

I wrote another message and tied it to the pigeon before letting it fly out of the window.

Then some soldiers brought Apo into the room.

I told them to lay him down on the bed and dismissed them.

I went to get the necessary herbs and started mixing them.

After sometime I was done and walked over to Apo.

"Open your mouth" I said as I put the plate to his lips.

He opened his mouth and I poured the tea in his mouth.

"That's good...Drink it all" I said.

He finished the drink and I helped him lay down again then pulled the blanket over him and let him rest.

I patted his head lightly until he finally relaxed.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in" I said.

"Young master Bible" Pete said excitedly.

I smiled and turned to him.

"Have you been practicing your reading?" I asked.

He smiled and nodded.

"Good" I said.

Then patted his shoulder.

"I'm going to teach you something else then" I said.

He looked at me waiting.

"Hmmm...How about I teach you about my work?" I asked.

He shook his head so I frowned in confusion.

"I don't want to learn about medical treatment...If I do then I won't have a reason to come here" He said.

I raised an eyebrow in amusement then chuckled and shook my head.

"You're here to learn not to get treatment silly" I said.

Then flicked his forehead.

He rubbed at his forehead.

"I'll teach you a few things...It never hurts to be careful" I said.

He nodded.

"Come sit down" I said then sat down on the floor in front of my scroll.

"Did you really read all of the books here?" He asked as he looked around in amazement.

"I memorised them long ago" I said.

"That's impossible" He said.

"Are you testing me?" I asked.

He nodded but shook his head.

I smiled and patted his head.

"I'm not a baby" He said.

Then removed my hand.

But then realised that he might have done something wrong so he took my hand again and put it on his head then moved it up and down patting his head with my hand.

I chuckled and shook my head.

"At ease...We've known each other for eight years now" I said.

Teasing that guard was the easiest thing in the world even though he's older then me.

"Alright then...If you don't want to learn about medicine then how about I teach you how to write instead?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Give me your hand" I said.

He gave me his hand and I put the brush in his hand the right way and started moving our hands on the scroll slowly.

"It's easy isn't it?" I asked.

He smiled and nodded.

Pete's P.O.V:

I looked over at young master Bible who was focused on moving our hands on the scroll as I held the brush.

Looking at his face from this close I could tell the changes.

He was older now but still looked as handsome as ever...

The girls were right...He really grew up nicely.

I couldn't help but think that the girl who marries him would be the luckiest.

He looked up at me.

"Have you been paying attention?" He asked.

I cleared my throat and looked away in embarrassment for getting caught while admiring his face.

"You weren't looking at my face weren't you?" He asked.

I nodded then immediately shook my head.

He sighed heavily and nodded.

"Just focus on your lesson" He said.

I nodded and decided to do as I was told.

It's better that way.