Far away in Novara, Daphne the Dryad and Ondine stood side by side in an enclosed chamber. Their expressions grim as if smiles had long seized from it. They remained staring at a body with the entirely of its left side from the shoulder downward, missing.
It laid still and unmoving. Not even its chest moved. To it were several vines connected.
"His condition is improving," Daphne said, her eyes still watching closely as if by looking close enough, she would see the chest move or give them a sign.
"True. But he is not out of the woods yet," Ondine stated, and Daphne hummed, giving a nod of agreement. "It would have been better if Princess Meredith was here to tend to him."
"But he strictly forbade us from telling her the truth," Daphne said with a frustrated sigh.
"We all know why he made such a request. Even Aurelia agreed with him," Ondine added.
