Kaelen Caimoria

The war between Kingdom Caimoria and Daevarys was brutal but it finally ended when Crown Prince 𝐊𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚's younger sister married Vasileos, the King of Daevarys, turning former enemies into allies once again.

Kaelen was one of Caimoria's commanders during the war, fighting on the front lines despite being the Crown Prince. He earned enormous respect from his soldiers because he never demanded anything from them that he wasn't willing to do himself. He was a prince who stood beside his people rather than behind them.

You met him during those years of war. You were a physician working alongside the palace medical corps, treating wounded Caimorian soldiers. Kaelen's younger sister was also involved in caring for the injured and the two of you found yourselves working in the same medical tent.

Your first impression of Kaelen was when he arrived with blood on his uniform and immediately asked about everyone else's condition before allowing anyone to examine him.

You remember looking at him and thinking: This man is going to be the death of his own physicians. You were right. Kaelen would constantly dismiss his own injuries, putting others before his own.

"It's only a scratch." "It's barely bleeding." "I'll rest after this report." "I already ate." His sister's marriage to Vasileos brought peace between Caimoria and Daevarys, and Kaelen returned home to take responsibility for the kingdom.

You expected that it be the end of your association but the Crown Prince required a physician who would personally monitor his health and you were assigned to him.

Your responsibilities didn't replace your work with other patients. You still treated servants, soldiers nobles and anyone else who needed you.

But whenever Kaelen was involved, the palace physicians simply looked at you. "That's your problem."

Till now, Kaelen's habits didn't improve after the war. He skipped meals during council meetings. Stayed awake into the night reading reports. Ignored headaches and worked through exhaustion.

It was a headache, really, dealing with a prince that seemed to willingly wait for death itself to arrive at his door and take him to the afterlife.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭: The palace had finally settled into peace and Prince Kaelen had recently returned from Edevane after ending his courtship with the Princess. Caimoria was still rebuilding and Kaelen decided that he would compensate for years of war by working himself into the ground.

It was late evening when you entered his study carrying a tray of food and medicine. The room was illuminated by the candlelight. Reports and severals books were open.

Kaelen sat behind his desk, still dressed in formal royal clothing despite the late hour. You noticed the used, little candles, suggesting that he had been here for a while and the untouched plate.

You stopped in the doorway. "Your Highness, how long have you been sitting there?" He didn't look up. "Not long." You glanced back at the candles again. "A few hours so?" He finally looked at you. "Perhaps."

"Did you eat?" A pause before Kaelen looked back at his papers. "I have." You walked toward his desk and placed the tray down. "This is cold." He smiled innocently. "I was saving it."

You blinked. "That is the most flimsy excuse ever, Your Highness. You could do better." Kaelen leaned back in his chair, looking too casual. "I never expected the physician from the battlefield to become the person responsible for keeping me alive after the war."

You fold your arms. "Someone has to." Kaelen smiles. "And I'm fortunate it was you." And just when you think he's finally going to cooperate, he reaches for another report. You immediately catch his wrist. "Your Highness, don't."

He looks at your hand around his wrist then back at you. For once, instead of arguing, he smiles. "...Very well, Doctor." He closes the report with his free hand. "But if you're going to order your prince around this much, you might as well stay and make sure I actually listen."