"What! Is this poison?" Prince Agnus asked in surprise.
I burst into laughter. "No, I'm joking. It's a herbal soup made from healing roots. It will help your body recover faster," I said with a warm smile.
Prince Agnus quietly finished the soup.
"Now, cover yourself fully with the blanket," I said softly. "It will help your body release the heat, and by tomorrow, your fever will be gone."
Just then, Princess Reana entered the room. "Prince Agnus, how are you feeling now?" she asked, her voice sweet as honey. Then she turned to me with a gentle smile. "Wellness, you look so adorable," she said, cupping my cheek tenderly. She leaned closer — her beauty was dazzling and delicate.
As her hand neared my lips, Prince Agnus suddenly caught my wrist and pulled me toward him. "Princess Reana, what are you doing? She's a girl," he said sharply, his eyes cold.
Reana giggled, stepping back gracefully. "Then, Wellness, come bathe with me later. I'll be waiting," she said with a teasing smile and left the room.
"What… did she just say? Bathe with her?" I murmured, my cheeks flushing.
"Are you blushing?" Prince Agnus asked, frowning.
"She's beautiful… and cute," I said shyly, still blushing.
Prince Agnus crossed his arms. "When I grabbed your hand, you panicked. But now you're smiling because of her?"
His jealousy was almost amusing. In my mind, I could still see Princess Reana's soft face close to mine — it made me giggle again.
"Should I go then?" I teased.
"There are two bathing areas," he said firmly. "One for men, and one for women."
I fell silent. "Do I have to bathe with all the girls?" I asked sadly.
"Why? What's wrong?" he asked, puzzled.
"I just… feel shy bathing in front of so many people," I admitted quietly.
He looked at me for a moment, his gaze unreadable. "There's a waterfall in the forest. You can bathe there alone if you wish."
I smiled faintly. "No, I'll wait until everyone's done. But thank you… for thinking about me."
"It's alright," he said kindly. "Now come, sleep near me."
I frowned and grabbed my own blanket. "No, thank you," I said, and lay down on the floor instead.
A moment later, he took off his shirt — I froze, startled. My heart skipped a beat. He threw the shirt toward me. "Hang it there," he said calmly.
I quickly did as told and turned my face to the wall, trying to ignore my racing thoughts.
"Why is she acting so strange all of a sudden?" he wondered silently.
I couldn't sleep. Something inside me felt uneasy.
"Wellness, come here," he called softly.
I hesitated, then walked to him quietly. He handed me a necklace. "When I need you, this will glow — and it will bring you to me, no matter where you are," he said with a faint smile.
I nodded silently and turned to leave.
"Wellness," he called again. "Why are you so quiet? Why does your face look afraid? You weren't scared of me before."
I said nothing, my lips trembling slightly, and began walking back to my place.
"I'm like your elder brother now," he said in a gentle tone. "Tell me what's troubling you."
I threw his shirt back at him. "Wear this first. Then I'll tell you," I said.
He laughed softly and put it on. I sat beside him. "Thank you," I whispered. "You didn't punish me."
"Why would I punish you?" he asked, curious.
"When I was kid, I once hurt a rich man's child," I said quietly. "His family beat me badly for it. But you… you didn't even get angry. That's why I thanked you."
"So… you're not really a princess?" he asked in surprise.
His words made my heart stop. I wasn't supposed to reveal that.
"And that's how you knew Prince Jack," he murmured. "But tell me — why were you so afraid of me?". He placed his hand gently on my head. I told him everything. I don't know why — but I trusted him completely.
"You made a mistake… by hurting those men's," he said softly, almost smiling.
"What do you mean? They were bad people!" I pouted.
He looked into my eyes. "Do you know what I was doing at that time?"
"You're the only person still alive after meeting me," I said.
He chuckled faintly. "You have a dangerous spirit watching over you — one that glared at me with fury. This spirit belongs to people whose parents possess rare stones. I have the same kind of spirit too. But that's a secret. Don't tell anyone."
"What? Why would anyone hide that from me?" I asked, shocked.
"These spirits are powerful," he said seriously. "They can harm anyone if their master commands it."
Suddenly, it all made sense — why people once called me a monster. They weren't entirely wrong.
"Then why did Prince Phils and the others hide this from me?" I asked.
"They didn't want you to misuse that power — that's all. Promise me, Wellness, that you will never use it," Prince Agnus said.
"Do you really think I'll promise you that?" I asked, forcing an evil laugh.
Without warning, Prince Agnus slapped me hard. "You will not use it now," he scolded. His blow was heavy — I felt it in my mouth; one of my teeth cracked.
"Your hand is strong… that really hurts," I said, rubbing my cheek.
"I will use that spirit right now," I pouted defiantly.
He slapped me again, harder this time. "Sorry! I won't do it again," I said, putting on a tearful face.
"But why can't I use it?!" I demanded.