Page 9 of A Valiant Prince

“Yes, thank you,” I say to him, unsure of what else to say since I barely know the man.

I knock on the door. Neither guard stops me or questions me.

“Come in,” my father’s voice rings out from the other side. I push the heavy metal door open and peek inside. My father is sitting up in a bed. His foot sports a walking boot and his arm is in a cast. I can see some bruises on his cheek and other arm, but otherwise, he appears unscathed.

There’s one large window on the far side of the room, and sunlight streams through it, deflecting the otherwise unnatural light from the fluorescents overhead. I look over and see Sten sitting in the corner, he’s fallen asleep in a recliner chair and doesn’t stir as I make my way across to the bed.

“How are you?” my father asks.

“I’m fine. How are you?” I reply.

“Sore and a little banged up, but it could have been worse,” he says. His face is a mix of wanting to smile and frown at the same time. I almost laugh at the internal debate being played out physically on his face.

He motions for me to take the seat next to the bed.

“Any word on the others?” he asks me.

“Lara is still in surgery. Hans is alright and is waiting in the surgical unit. Anna has a bump on her head and an injured arm, but otherwise, she’s fine. And everyone else is unhurt aside from smoke inhalation and some minor cuts and bruises,” I relay.

“I hope Lara will be alright,” he murmurs.

“Me too,” I agree.

“Have you given more thought to our conversation?” he asks.

I recall our chat from the other day.

“I know this isn’t easy to absorb,” my father says as he takes a sip from a bottle of water. He leans forward and gazes at me intently.

“You look so much like her,” he whispers.

“Except for your eyes and chin,” I say.

He nods. “How are your grandparents?” he asks.

I give him a curious look. “I think you already know the answer to that,” I say dryly.

“True, but I don’t know how they ‘really’ are,” he admits.

I sigh. “They are fine. Enjoying retirement,” I say.

“Good,” he says.

“You’ve never met them,” I point out.

“No. But they were important to Leah, so they are important to me,” he says.

I tilt my head to one side. “You still love her,” I state rather than ask.

He nods. “I’ll never stop loving her,” he states, his words resolute.

“I see,” I say slowly.

“Logan, I know you never pictured being a royal as your future. And I know this will take time to adjust to, but I want to get to know you, to spend time with you as a father first. I don’t expect anything from you right now. Just please, give me a chance to know you,” he pleads.

I take in a breath and look at him, into a set of eyes that match mine. He’s my only living parent. I, at least, owe him a chance to explain and to tell me things I should know about my family.

“Fine. We can talk…soon…” I say, trailing off as I look at him.

---