The night no longer felt the same.
The room had grown quiet.
Her breathing was steadier and more even. Her eyes were shut, and she held onto the sheets covering the bed as though they would bring her back if anything happened.
She knew her name now.
She had begun remembering far sooner than I anticipated.
Such progress should have brought relief.
Yet… it did not.
Instead, it left me strangely unsettled
Dawn arrived sooner than expected, its pale light gradually chasing away the weight of night.
Beyond the chamber walls, the physician's household had already awakened.
Footsteps.
Quiet orders.
The distant stirrings of duty.
Yet within her chamber… silence remained.
Stillness.
I stared at her, and as though she sensed my gaze, she stirred. Her eyes opened slowly.
"Good morning to you, Princess," I said calmly.
"You did not leave?" she asked, rubbing her eyes slightly, her voice hoarse.
I turned to look at her.
I remained silent for a while.
Then—
"You looked determined to strangle and injure yourself," I said calmly. "I considered supervision the wiser decision. I will not permit you to harm yourself."
She simply stared at me.
Exhaustion lingered upon her features… though it was the unmistakable spark of annoyance in her eyes that proved she had recovered enough to be herself once more.
"You speak as though I am some reckless child who would leap into a lake if left unsupervised," she said.
"You are reckless," I answered without hesitation.
She frowned.
"You once climbed to the top of the palace railings while wearing a gown,demanded to be rescued…"
I paused.
"Then immediately climbed back up again."
I remained expressionless, even though my own words baffled me.
And she thinks she is not some reckless child.
"I refuse to believe I would ever do such a thing," she said, pride lacing her voice. "It sounds utterly ridiculous. And if I had, I certainly would not allow anyone to know of of it. I believe I know myself rather well".
She said with a hint of doubt in her voice as though she didn't really believe her own words of knowing herself well.
" And i assume no one sane would let people watch them climb up a railing". She said.
"No one else was present," I replied calmly as I parted the curtains and allowed the morning light to spill into the room.
"I was the only soul present there…"
I glanced back at her.
"The one who nearly helped you down."
"You make yourself appear as though you are a victim," she said, her voice laced with annoyance.
"I was the victim," I replied dryly. "And rather tragically… I still am."
I glanced at her.
"Need I remind you that I was accused of being both a witch and a vampire yesterday?"
She laughed softly.
"Your answers were suspicious," she said. "And perhaps I was right… because you still behave like one."
I simply stared at her.
For the first time since the accident, she seemed… lighter.
Relieved.
Though annoyance still lingered, there was something calmer beneath it now. Something steadier.
And to my surprise… it brought me relief as well.
I had not seen her this calm—annoyed, certainly—but settled… in quite some time.
A knock sounded at the door.
"You may enter," I said.
Moments later, the physician stepped inside carrying a tray laden with food, herbs, and what I could only assume was unfortunate medicine.
"Good morning, Your Highnesses," he greeted with a slight bow.
"Good morning," she replied politely.
"It is time for your medicine, Princess," the physician said as he approached.
She eyed the herbs suspiciously.
"Are they sour… or bitter?" she asked with cautious curiosity.
"Yes," the physician replied. "Bitter. But fortunately, the taste should fade soon enough."
She frowned.
"That is… not reassuring in the slightest," she mumbled.
"Eat first before taking the herbs," the physician instructed. "I shall return shortly."
With that, he bowed and took his leave.
The moment the door shut, she looked toward me with entirely suspicious innocence.
"I will refrain from questioning whether you are truly a vampire…" she began sweetly, "if you permit me to pour those dreadful herbs out the window."
I stared at her, genuine dismay settling in my expression.
"It is medicine," I said flatly. "It will aid your recovery. You will drink it."
She sighed dramatically and turned her attention to the food instead.
Unfortunately…
She ate with remarkable slowness.
One grain at a time.
I watched in silence, increasingly convinced she discovered new methods of surprise each passing moment.
"Princess," I finally said.
"Hm?" she replied, glancing up innocently.
"Eat faster," I warned. "Or I shall personally ensure additional herbs are prepared for you by noon."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Witch," she accused.
Then, quite miraculously…
She began eating faster.
Once she had finished eating, her attention shifted toward the herbs with the suspicion one might reserve for poison.
She lifted the cup slowly… cautiously…
Then paused just long enough to look at me again.
The expression on her face was remarkably clear.
Must you truly despise me so deeply?
There is still time to reconsider.
"Drink it, Princess," I said sternly, refusing to be swayed.
She looked positively betrayed.
But at last, she drank it.
The moment she swallowed, her face twisted that it appeared I had personally conspired against her happiness.
"This," she declared dramatically, "is betrayal… and poisoning."
And despite myself
I laughed
Only slightly.
But enough
She looked genuinely surprised.
"For the few hours we have spoken," she said, "I did not think you were capable of laughter."
"I am human too, Princess," I replied dryly.
Then I glanced at her.
"But I would advise against expecting it too often."
"I believe I would have preferred a smiling vampire for a husband," she said playfully.
"Careful, Princess…" I said calmly, my gaze fixed on her despite the clear amusement threatening to betray me.
"Vampires are said to bite."