Chapter 7 The Memories

That night, Alexis could not sleep. Flashbacks of his past continually tortured him. He remembered being stripped naked, embarrassed publicly, tortured to confess his crimes, etc.

His memories surrounded him like a plague, choking him.

Even with the air-conditioned King-sized bedroom and more than enough automated security systems, he still felt hot and scared.

Crawling to the floor, Alexis continued to sweat badly.

It didn't take time for the health alert to ring. It was also an automated device that examined people's health. It was like security cameras, only with a different purpose.

At that moment in Alexis' life, even the little memories of his childhood he remembered-moments people bullied him, mistreated him for being poor, etc.

Immediately, his nurse rushed into his room.

Alexis was given special pills that would not only make his sleep better but would make him wake up with a complete and total memory.

Two days later, the servant in charge of dressing the prince walked to his room. He was already wondering when the prince would wake up. Opening Alexis' door, fear gripped him when he realized the prince was not sleeping.

"Price Alexis! Prince Alexis!" He called.

He finally found Alexis in the garden, staring at the rose flowers in a pretty murdersome way. Since the royal family was kind and sweet to their workers, they often joked with even the king.

"Of Alexis, you scared me. I'll inform everyone you finally woke up. King Lucius has been checking on you daily to check if you were awake."

"I need some privacy!" Alexis demanded.

The servant, oblivious to the behavior of Alexis, immediately laughs at him.

"Silly you. Come, I've prepared you for a shower."

"I said I need some privacy!" Alexis screamed out, obviously scaring the poor servant. He ran out immediately, resisting the urge to cry.

"Has Alexis woken up yet?" Jael asked, stopping the servant who was running with fear.

"He... He..."

"What's wrong with you?"

"He said he needs some privacy. "

" And that's why you look scared? "

The servant nodded. If he weren't a Eunuch, Jael would've laughed at his lack of manliness.

A week later, Alexis finally calmed his nerves. The only people who visited him were those who brought his food and clothes.

" Will you finally entertain visitors, dear brother? " Jael asked, bursting his room one morning.

" Sorry, I was rude to your workers. I just... "

" Don't worry, Alexis. Everyone's a family here. "

" It still feels weird bearing Alexis. I'm not so used to it. "

" Tell me about it. I'm so used to being called Prince that when anyone calls me Jael, I stop to think if I'm the one. "

Alexis smiled. He knew his twin brother was only trying to make his mood lighter.

" I must say, this kingdom is the most intriguing I've ever seen, not that I've been to many hidden kingdoms yet. "

" You're so lucky, Alexis. At least you were able to have a glance at the outer world."

" Nope. You're the lucky one. At least you didn't experience hell. You grew up here, where you have everything. Where's the King? "

" Oh. Lucius is with Estrella. She's having a child right now. "

" Estrella? "

" Yeah. The present Queen. "

" I thought... "

" Oh. Right. Sorry. Let me explain. So, since the past Queen, our mom, died, he lived in despair for ten years. People could hardly smile in this palace. Do you notice how happy and playful everyone is? Estrella made it happen.

I didn't think father would ever find love again, but hey, he did. He was enchanted by her voice, which sounded like the sirens. I remember when Dad smiled for the first time in years; he was telling me about her.

She brought so much life into this palace. She's having her second child right now. "

" Wow. Congrats to Lucius, then. "

As they began to talk, Alexis' mood became lighter. He thus was able to relate his experience to his brother.

"And then I found my wife in bed with my boss, planning how to get rid of me. I had never felt so betrayed before. I beat up Kenny, obviously, for messing around with my wife, but her family stopped me. You know, I have always been mistreated my whole life, but that was the worst. The Mayorga family cast me like a dog, naked to the tip. Of course, I tried to get my wife not to have an abortion, but they set me up. I was referred to as the selfish husband who, even after getting lucky, still desired more. I got arrested for a crime I did not do; I was arrested for embezzlement and arson and sentenced to 17 years in a faraway prison. Before I was sentenced, I was tortured continually to report that I did the crime. It was on my way to jail that the boat capsized, and I found myself here. I never even thought that I'd be alive to see this day, but I guess my death isn't stationed now. I lost my child because I didn't have a name, but now, I am no longer the Jonathan they once took advantage of. I am now a prince."

Prince Jael was now very angry. He felt guilty his younger brother had to face it all while the palace's walls protected him. He felt guilty for not protecting Alexis.

"The Mayorga family messed with the wrong person! How could they do this to you?"

"Well, they were rich. I was nothing to Helen, just a pawn for them to get what they want."

"Don't worry, bro, I will get revenge on them for you. I don't know how or when it'll happen, but I assure you they will not last long."

"Don't worry about it, Jael. Focus on being a prince, and I will focus on my assignment. While I was in the middle of the ocean, I swore to myself that if I ever got a second chance at life, I'd most likely have my revenge. For now, I will let them think they've won. They should enjoy their success for the time being... I'm coming for them! "