The air in the room didn't just turn cold; it turned stagnant. Prince Arwin walked toward my bed with a practiced, predatory grace. He didn't ask if I was in pain. He didn't ask how I had escaped. He simply reached out and took my hand, his fingers squeezing mine tight enough to bruise.
"My poor, fragile Iris," he cooed, his voice dripping with a sweetness that made my skin crawl. "To think you were in the hands of such... common filth. I should have never let you out of my sight."
I turned my face toward him so only he could see me. I didn't give him a sweet smile; I gave him a look of pure, unadulterated disgust.
Suddenly, the Duke let out a low chuckle. Did he see my face? What a bother.
Behind Arwin, I saw Ishu peeking through the doorway. Her eyes were shimmering with tears of envy. To her, this was a fairy tale—the handsome Prince coming to claim his bride. To me, it felt like being claimed by a tax collector who had no plans to let me go.
"Let go, Arwin," I said, my voice flat. "I need rest, and your presence is making me restless."
"I am protecting you, beloved," he countered, his smile not reaching his eyes. He turned his gaze to Theodore. "And you, Cousin. I appreciate you finding my beloved, but your hospitality ends now. We leave for the Palace tonight."
"She isn't going anywhere," Wayne growled, stepping between the Prince and the bed.
"The doctor said she needs rest, not a bumpy carriage ride that will only hurt her more." Wayne's eyes were sharp, but unlike the man holding my hand, he had control over himself.
Theodore stood tall, his arms crossed over his massive chest, looking at the Prince like he was a particularly loud insect. "My gates are locked for the night, Arwin. Not even a royal decree opens them until I say so."
The three of them began to bark at each other—Wayne's protective fury, Theodore's icy authority, and Arwin's arrogant possessiveness. The room felt smaller by the second.
"GET OUT!" I yelled, the sound echoing off the black stone walls. All three men froze. "All of you. Out. Now." I pointed to the door, my golden eyes flashing with a light that made even the Prince flinch. "I am tired, I am bleeding, and I am sick of your voices. If I see any of you before sunrise, I will make sure you see the real Witch they call me."
Knowing I meant it, they filed out. Wayne looked guilty, Theodore looked amused, and Arwin looked insulted.
I lay back on the bed, closing my eyes. "Mia... lock the door. I don't want anyone in here. Make sure that girl gets a room and then return here at once."
"Yes, my lady."
A moment later, she returned, locking the door behind her. "Come closer and sit on the bed," I murmured. As she sat, I rested my head on her lap. She began to gently caress my hair, and like always, the tension melted away, pulling me into a deep sleep.
The next morning, I realized I hadn't won. I had only delayed the headache.
Thanks to Mia, I managed to find a pair of pants and a shirt. I was in no mood to wear the tight, "lady-like" dress the Crown Prince had arranged for me. When I walked into the dining hall, the silence was deafening.
Theodore sat at the head of the long, dark table. Arwin sat to his right, looking like he owned the place. Wayne sat to the left, his hand resting near his sword. And in the center, a single empty chair was waiting for me. I felt like a bird being watched by three different cats.
"Good morning, Iris," Arwin said, gesturing to the seat. "I took the liberty of ordering your favorites."
"I ordered the kitchen to prepare iron-rich broth for your recovery," Theodore added, his voice low.
Wayne just pushed a plate of sliced fruit toward the center. "Just eat, Iris. You look pale."
I looked at the heavy, rich food and felt my stomach turn. "Mia, can you make some soup for me? I feel like eating all of this would surely kill me."
I sat down, the weight of their combined stares pressing on me. From the corner of the room, I saw Ishu standing with the other servants. She was gripping a tray so hard her knuckles were white. I didn't even notice her moving toward me until she was right there. Suddenly, she lost her balance.
The tray tilted, and the scalding hot soup came flying toward me.