My eyes are so swollen. I have been crying non-stop. Kista keeps laughing at me. My father finally noticed what was going on and told me to get off my brother. Kista's demeanor changes as soon as my father speaks. I guess even time can't erase my father's influence over him.

"Kista, how are you feeling?" My father asks.

His obligatory concern will be followed by questioning and a detailed game plan. He doesn't change at all.

"I am fine, father. Just a little tired is all." Kista says with a forced smile.

My father quickly asks about the only things he wants to know about.

"Do you know who did this to you?" He asks.

Kista shakes his head.

"I was kept in a small room attached to machines like these here." He says pointing at the heart rate monitor.

"I never really saw much of anyone. I was always sedated. That's why the doctor told me I need to detox before I can leave. It's not addictive but my body needs to cleanse itself and heal. That explains why I am so tired." Kista says while rubbing his eyes.

Kista looks frail and worn out.

"Do you know what the purpose of your kidnapping was? They never asked for a ransom." My father asks.

Kista shakes his head again, this time remaining silent. My father scoffs and crosses his arms.

"Is there anything you do know?" He says with an attitude.

What the fuck? Why is he behaving like this? Is he seriously blaming Kista for not knowing why he was kidnapped?

"I know that I wasn't the person they wanted to kidnap at that time. They wanted Jay, not me. I offered myself up and they took it." Kista says.

My father whips his head around to meet Kista's gaze. Kista doesn't even flinch. Fuck, this is going to get heated already?

"And in doing so you caused your mother's death. Are you happy?" My father says without remorse.

I stand quickly in protest.

"HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!?!?" I yell.

My father is taken aback. He looks genuinely surprised by my rage.

"Mom didn't kill herself because of what Kista did. There were dozens of things that caused mom to kill herself. AND YOU WERE THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF ALL!!!!" I shout.

My father remains silent. I can't help but continue. I always wanted to say this stuff but I held back. However, I can't hold my tongue while my father belittles and blames my brother.

"Mom always said how proud of Kista she was for protecting his little brother. Mom didn't blame either him or me. She did blame you for stopping the search for Kista. So where the fuck do you get off? Don't use our mother to guilt trip Kista." I say in a huff.

I finally calm down and glance over at Kista who is smiling.

"What? Why are you smiling?" I ask.

He chuckles.

"You have grown into a fine man. Mom would be proud of you." He says.

"Mom… Mom would be proud of me? Do you think so?" I ask.

He nods and smiles.

"Yup because I'm proud of you. I know she would be too." He says.

Tears stream down my face. Ah, fuck. That got to me. My father never told me he was proud of me. I haven't heard anyone say they were proud of me in a long time. Well, aside from Anon and Misha. My father is enraged. He seems like he wants to punch me. I kinda wish he would. I don't care at this point. How can he be like this? His favorite son is sitting right next to him but he just wants to argue and fight. 

"Jay, wait outside." He commands.

I sit down on the stool again. Fuck you, old man. I'll leave if Kista tells me to.

"Are you a child? Why are you behaving like this?" He asks.

I remain silent.

"Jay, thank you for standing up for me. It's fine. I can handle it from here. Can you give Father and me time to talk?" He asks in a gentle tone.

Fuck. I don't want to.

"Ugh, alright. I'll be right outside. Just call me if you need anything." I say.

Kista smiles and waves me out. I glare at my father and he glares at me back. Fucking asshole.

When I leave the room Anon and Misha greet me with anticipation. They want to know how Kista is doing too. I don't blame them. Especially not Anon. Anon grew up alongside Kista and me Noelle and Melony too. Though Melony was too little to remember Kista. Anon thinks of Kista as a big brother too.

"How… How was he?" Anon asked nervously.

"He is tired but he is doing just fine. He is still the big brother I remember. His hair is so long now though. I had to brush it and braid it." I say with a big grin.

Misha is smiling at me while I talk about Kista. He seems happy too. He doesn't even know who Kista is but he is happy nonetheless.

"I heard you shouting. Is everything ok?" Misha asks me.

Ah, yeah. I figured they probably heard me out here.

"Well, I guess so. My father started in on Kista, asking him all kinds of questions. He then proceeded to blame Kista's act of self-sacrifice as the reason my mother killed herself. I lost it and started yelling at my father. Then they asked me to leave. Kista seemed grateful but still wanted to talk to Father alone. I don't know what to do. Father is going to thrust Kista back into royal life without any concern for his well-being. I just know he will. I have to protect Kista's mental health. He says he is fine but I doubt he is. I mean he was held captive for over 20 years. The world is different now. There are so many things that could shock him. I just want him to be safe." I ramble on.

I am beginning to feel myself spiraling out of control.

"Hey, HEY! Calm down. It's alright. We are here to help. We will help you help Kista. Ok? Don't stress too much. Let's just let Kista do what he feels is best for now and help him when he needs it." Misha says while holding my hand.

I take a deep breath and slowly let it out through my mouth. Misha is right. I am not alone. I need to be strong for Kista. Things are going to be hectic. I need to be prepared for anything.

"Fuck. You are right. I will have to ask for your support during all of this. Thank you. Truly. I don't know what I would do without you guys." I say with a smile.

Misha squeezes my hand and Anon smacks me on the back.

"Damn right! Don't go off on your own. We can help, so let us." Anon says with a big grin.

Man, my best friend and bodyguard are some awesome fucking people. I am so lucky to have them on my side. Now I just have to figure out how to deal with my tyrant of a father. Once I do that everything will be fine. I sure hope so anyway.

An hour or so passes and my father finally comes out. He walks right past me and doesn't even acknowledge me. A nurse enters Kista's room with his dinner and comes back out quickly. She walks over to me and says

"Prince Kista would like to see you." I nod and stand up.

She walks away without looking back. I begin to walk over to the door but stop right in front of it. I motion for Anon and Misha to follow me. Anon gets up right away but Misha seems hesitant.

"Come on Misha, I want you to meet my brother. Don't be shy." I say jokingly.

Misha finally stands and walks over. I pull him close to me by the shoulder and we walk inside.

"Hey, Kista!" Anon says excitedly.

Anon walks over to Kista who is eating his dinner. Kista puts his fork down and holds his arms out for Anon to hug him. Anon has tears streaming down his face. What a big baby. I walk Misha and myself over to the side of Kista's bed. Misha is as stiff as a board. I can tell he is nervous.

"Kista, this is my bodyguard and friend, Rin Grace," I say.

Misha bows while Kista holds out his hand to shake Misha's. Kista chuckles.

"No need to be so formal with me. A friend of Jay's is a friend of mine." Kista smiles and Misha holds out his hand.

Kista can't help but chuckle again.

"I like him," Kista says to me with a sly smile.

NO! Don't like him. He is mine.

"Yeah, I like him too," I say as I wink at Misha.

Misha turns away and walks over to where Anon is.

"Don't hide behind me!" Anon says. Misha just pouts.

"Fine, everyone gang up on me, why don't ya," Misha says in annoyance.

I can't help but laugh while Kista and Anon join in. This must be a dream. How else could the three most important people in my life be together right now? I am truly happy.

"You look familiar to me Rin. Did you always work in the palace?" Kista asks Rin.

Strange how could he recognize Misha?

"No, I only started recently," Misha explained.

"Hmm, maybe I met you in a dream or something," Kista says as he begins eating again.

Misha and I look up at each other at the same time. Wait? What did he just say? NO WAY! Did he meet Misha in a dream? Was that him? Impossible. Everything about today is impossible. Impossible.