The silence of the infirmary grew unbearable. The air reeked of disinfectant and iron, thick with tension that clung to every corner. Mikan was the first to break it, her voice sharp as a knife:
—Whoever attacked Blair knows exactly who we are… and worse, they know you two depend on the Sweet Kiss. —Her eyes locked on Blair, cold and unflinching—. This isn't just a tournament anymore. We're being hunted. And if I'm honest, if we weren't already so far in, the smartest thing to do would be to withdraw.
Blair pressed her lips together. The trembling in her hands betrayed both fear and frustration. She tried to speak:
—It was… him… it was…
But the words choked in her throat, as if some invisible wall stifled them. Only a rasping whimper escaped. Cold sweat slid down her forehead.
—Blair… —Asori whispered, reaching for her shoulder to comfort her.
The touch was like a shock. A vivid memory ripped through her: Sir Kael's hands on her skin, the suffocating helplessness, the venom paralyzing her muscles. Her body reacted before her mind could.
—DON'T TOUCH ME!
The scream tore through the infirmary. Blair recoiled violently, eyes wide with terror. Realization struck instantly; she clapped her hands over her mouth.
—I-I… Asori, forgive me…
His face fell. Slowly, he lowered his hand.
—I'm sorry… I shouldn't have touched you.
—No… it's not your fault… —she murmured, unable to meet his eyes.
Silence bound them both, knotted in guilt and pain.
Mikan only folded her arms, watching.
—This can wait. What can't is the semifinal. —Her tone was sharp again—. Tomorrow you'll fight, Asori, even if you're in pieces. If you two don't focus, Zeknier wins without lifting a finger.
Blair swallowed hard, forcing composure, while Asori sank deeper into the cot, exhausted.
—You need sleep. —Mikan's voice softened—. Go back to the inn. Together. I'll make sure the door's secure tonight.
Back at the inn, Mikrom was waiting in the lobby, arms crossed, brow furrowed. He noticed Blair's pallor and Asori's frailty the moment they stepped inside.
—What the hell happened?
Mikan didn't mince words. She told it all: the abduction, the chains, the poison, the Sweet Kiss blocked. With every word, Mikrom's fury mounted. His fist slammed the table, rattling the cups.
—That bastard! If I find him, I'll tear him apart!
But seeing Blair flinch at the noise, he drew a sharp breath, forcing himself calm.
—Sorry… this isn't the time to lose it.
He leaned in, voice low and steady.
—Zeknier has already begun moving his pieces in other kingdoms. Once this cursed tournament ends, we return to the castle and draw up a plan. We'll need reinforcements—Donner, Nifelheim, Caldus. If not, the war will swallow us whole.
Asori tried to reply, but a wave of dizziness overtook him. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, unconscious.
He awoke hours later in his room at the inn. Moonlight spilled through the window, casting silver shadows. In front of him, Blair slept slumped in a chair, dark circles under her eyes betraying how long she had fought to stay awake.
Clumsily, Asori sat up. He reached out, brushing her shoulder gently.
—Blair… come, lie on the bed.
Her eyes fluttered open, dazed. But at his touch, terror flashed across her face. She recoiled sharply.
—No…!
The silence that followed was crushing. Blair covered her lips, horrified by her own reaction.
—Asori…
He gave her a sad smile.
—It's all right. I'll give you space. Just… remember we're in this together. —He rose and walked to the door.
Blair wanted to stop him, to say I'm sorry, but the words jammed in her throat. By the time she found them, the door had already closed behind him.
Outside, Mikan leaned against the wall, arms crossed. She looked at him with a mix of blunt honesty and sympathy.
—Give her time. Blair was almost… —her voice tightened— almost violated. Even your touch reminds her of it.
Asori bowed his head, fists clenched.
—Take care of her tonight. I'll sleep with Mikrom.
—I will. —For once, there was no mockery in Mikan's tone.
Inside, Blair wept silently into her hands. Mikan returned and wrapped her arms around her without a word.
—It hurts… it hurts that I pushed him away like that. —Blair's voice trembled—. And worst of all, he's the one who risked everything to save me.
Mikan stroked her hair firmly.
—It's not your fault. And it's not his. The only thing that matters is that he ran headlong, with nothing in his mind but you. That's love, Blair. The real kind.
The princess squeezed her eyes shut.
—I'm scared… that Asori will drift away from me.
—That won't happen. —Mikan smiled softly—. He's not that kind of person.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Asori sat across from Mikrom. The silence stretched until he spoke.
—I want to find him. I want to tear him apart with my own hands.
Mikrom met his eyes, voice steady.
—And you will, brother. But not now. If you chase revenge in this state, you'll destroy yourself. What you need is to focus on the semifinal. Blair needs you alive.
Asori bowed his head, biting his lip. Mikrom rested a firm hand on his shoulder.
—I'll stand by her too. I'll support Blair as much as I support you. We're a team, remember?
Asori closed his eyes. Fury still burned in his veins, but deeper than that was a fire brighter and stronger: the certainty that as long as he breathed, he would never let Blair face danger alone again.
The night pressed down like a heavy mantle, carrying with it the promise that dawn would bring not just the semifinal… but a chance to settle the score.