~The Mind of a King~
Yet again, David had to be filled in which was becoming an annoying occurrence. Snow had told him what had transpired before sobbing herself back to sleep. David was more angry than he cared to ever be. He couldn't even be mad at the man who did this to her, because he was just a puppet, though he was glad the man had been badly beaten, particularly in the groin. He couldn't help but wonder how in the hell he was going to go after a fate, a God, for this.
The enemy had a name, now, and that was much more than he had the night before.
By now, the sun was already past the horizon. Normally, the castle would be bustling with excitement, especially after an event such as the ball. This day, however, was filled with melancholy. Everyone who had initially lost a day, had regained their memories. Guards and staff had shared information, and now everyone knew exactly what had happened. Rumors were the fastest thing to travel, and how he detested that fact.
He couldn't bring himself to look at his daughter. Not yet. He knew what he would find, and he wasn't ready to see her like that. Instead, he glared at the man in the chair, fully taking in his appearance. His feet were propped up on the nightstand, his head slumped uncomfortably off the back of the chair, a book haphazardly laying across his stomach, barely staying put with one limp hand. This was the man who asked to court his daughter? He wore charcoal around his eyes, had a sword at his side, his hair was a ragged mess, and he was clad all in black with a shirt that didn't button all the way up. He even had a hook. He was absolutely untrustworthy.
And he had been with his daughter all morning. Yet he couldn't get him on impropriety, since they had guards posted ever since her collapse. Naturally, David questioned everyone about this pirate being the real attacker. He would have loved to send him off to the dungeon. However, the guards had insisted he'd left the castle doors, asking after Emma, a good 15 minutes after Emma had left, and returned less than five minutes later, carrying the princess in his arms, yelling for help. Red and Graham had also witnessed him beating up the puppet. Under normal circumstances, David would have thanked him for it.
Seeing him here, David knew better than to suspect him. Though he could, and would, absolutely remain angry with him for existing. That was his right as a father, after all.
He sighed aloud. No, he wouldn't hate the man. He hated what he represented. David thought he was prepared for the ball and some prince he had approved of to steal his daughter's heart. Had everything gone as planned… he still wouldn't have been ready. Hook didn't disrupt anything, not really. He would never be ready to let go of his daughter.
He looked back to the guard. "How long since he's been here?"
"Since I arrived to relieve the last man, majesty. Around daybreak. He was still reading to her then. Fell asleep that way."
Charming eyed the book a little closer, realizing the pirate knew her favorite book. Equal parts of pride and hate flared up within him. She's lucky enough that he knows.. Damn him for knowing!
He coughed loudly, a feeble attempt to wake the captain. He wasn't surprised when the pirate didn't stir. He would, naturally, be accustomed to sleeping on a ship. What's one innocent cough compared to the dangers of the sea? Which reminded him of that damn ship on his land. Perhaps he would ask Regina to move the damn thing back to where it belongs. It would cost less, he bargained with himself. Only his pride.
Everything was upside down, and he didn't know which way was up. His mind was a jumbled mess.
His gaze finally landed on his baby girl, so grown now, and his face softened. She was impossibly still, laying on her bed. Arms at her sides. A blank expression. That alone released a slew of emotions. Fear. Dread. Hopelessness. It wasn't the first time someone he loved was in some sort of sleeping spell, but this wasn't any easier than the first time. He moved across the room to sit next to her, grasping her hand in his.
The only thing he could truly say for Hook, was bringing his daughter to safety during that forgotten day. Had he cared less, or not been there at all, perhaps things could be worse. David was grateful they weren't. She was still alive, after all, even if like this. This could be fixed. Death couldn't be.
David looked again at the man's jagged appearance, fit for a Pirate Captain. Perhaps it was time to discuss things with the man who asked to court his daughter.