It baffled me on how he was quick to answer my questions without me even asking.
"Are you a vampire? Or a witch?" I asked, my voice sharp. "I do not believe you can read my thoughts just from my expression."
He regarded me silently for a moment.
"You've not had enough rest," he said finally, his tone calm, almost teasing. "That is why your mind wanders to such things. But, to satisfy your curiosity… yes. I am a witch and a vampire."
His expression remained utterly calm, and the ease with which he spoke only made my irritation grow.
How is he my husband-to-be?
Then my taste in men must be truly questionable.
"I wish to know who I am," I said. "My name."
"I do not know it," he replied calmly. "You never told me."
He crossed his arms and sat beside me, as though the matter held little weight.
I looked at him with dismay in my eyes. He did not know my name.
"You then definitely abducted me."
A faint smile tugged at his lips, but didn't reach his eyes.
"You speak boldly for someone who remembers nothing," he said.
I stared at him.
Was I meant to hold back my questions… and simply accept everything?
"Ask anything you want to ask, Princess. Don't hold back your question," he said calmly.
"Vampire," I muttered, lying down on the bed. Then I closed my eyes, as though dismissing him entirely.
A faint smile touched his lips as he leaned closer—far too close.
"What if I were to bite you now?" he murmured, his voice low and unsettlingly calm.
"Then I would simply compel you to forget everything…" he paused slightly, "though I suppose that would be unnecessary, seeing as you remember nothing at all."
I was about to speak when the doctor's voice rang out.
"I told you to remind her of a few of her memories, not make new ones on my hospital bed," the doctor said.
He acted like nothing happened and stepped back, adjusting his posture.
"Then you should have stayed to supervise," he said calmly.
I remained silent, unsure of what to say.
I stared at him.
He was… a truly strange person.
—
By evening, the room had grown quieter.
I sat on the edge of the bed and tried once more to stand.
I steadied myself against the bed and slowly pushed myself to my feet.
To my surprise, I succeeded.
A small smile spread across my face, and I clapped softly in quiet triumph—
But the moment passed too quickly.
My balance slipped.
I reached for the door just as I began to fall.
It shifted open
And I landed on the floor.
I let out a quiet sigh, wishing the ground would open and swallow me whole.
From the doorway, Tristan simply stared.
"Interesting," he said calmly. "It seems this version of you finds joy in the most peculiar things."
"Instead of observing, you could help me up," I replied, slightly annoyed. "I can barely use my legs."
He stepped inside and extended his hand toward me.
"I thought it would be like those stories," I muttered. "Where I fall… and you catch me."
"Wake up, Princess. This is no fairy tale," he said, his expression serious.
"This version of you is… rather troublesome," he added under his breath.
Then he pulled me to my feet.
He guided me carefully back to the bed and helped me sit.
"Do not attempt to walk until tomorrow," he said, his tone firm. "Your muscles are strained. They require rest, not further pressure."
"Alright," I murmured, lowering my gaze as though I had been scolded. "I have a question… before you leave."
He said nothing, only gestured for me to continue.
"How did the accident happen?" I asked. "And where were we going?"
His expression darkened slightly.
"We were on our way to Aurelis," he said. "When we were attacked. The men set your carriage ablaze."
He paused briefly.
"You were injured… and you lost consciousness."
"Why were we travelling?" I asked quietly.
"Our marriage," he replied.
He paused briefly before continuing.
"I intended for it to be completed in Aurelis… rather than Thaloria, where you resided."
"Was our marriage—"
Before I could finish, he cut me off.
"That will be enough for today," he said calmly. "You should rest."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of the room.
I lay back on the bed, frustration settling heavily within me.
He had spoken differently this morning. Calm. Reserved. Humorous
But now… there was something else in his tone.
Something harsher.
Should I trust him?
The question lingered in my mind as my eyes slowly closed.
And before I knew it, sleep claimed me once more.