In The East

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"I'm sorry," the child remarked flatly without any emotional inflection.

" Now you will come with me and you will no longer discuss my orders.”

The king took his hand and started to walk away. He clearly felt that his son at first opposed a certain resistance, then, suddenly, he gave up, as if he had no will or life.

He looked at him and saw that his face had suddenly become completely expressionless, with his eyes fixed into emptiness and his mouth half open.

Then he looked out the window and shouted to his entourage to return to the castle and spread the news that the prince had been found and that he would stay with him alone for a few days more, there in the fortress. Someone objected that it was not possible, but the king silenced him impatiently. He ordered his personal servants return with the necessary supplies. For the rest he didn't want to be disturbed by anyone.

They were left all alone.

The king took the prince's inert hand again and made him sit beside him on the narrow wooden bench near the window.

" A king does not tell lies " he reminded him " and you must believe me if I assure you that I have never betrayed our friendship. The affairs of state are long and complicated and have not given me time to come back to you or write to you.”

"Yes, father," said the prince in a flat tone, after a long time.

" You don't believe it, do you? But now I'm here and I'll stay with you for as long as you want. We'll ride to the pass and if you want to go there, I'll leave you free. We'll talk again like we used to and ... everything else. You decide when it's time to come back.”

He felt the boy’s body shake.

" And if you don't want to go home, I'll take you with me to town. All right?”

" Yes, yes, father. Please. " He almost clung to his arm.

The king let him do it and he gradually relaxed.

Why all that sudden hatred, that exaggerated repulsion for what until yesterday had been his home, his golden kingdom?

He would find out, but not immediately.