I sat beneath the old tree, my eyes lost in the endless sky. The early morning light shimmered softly through the leaves, and for a moment, I felt at peace.
"Hey, Wellness!"
prince Jack's voice broke the silence.
He walked toward me, smiling as the sunlight touched his hair. "What are you doing here so early? Did my brother or Phils say something to upset you?"
His tone was kind, but I felt uneasy. I still couldn't get used to men coming near me. Their presence made my chest tighten — not out of hatred, but fear.
"No," I said quietly. "I just… like being alone sometimes."
Jack looked down, guilt shadowing his face. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "For that day. I almost killed you. I mean… I did try to."
I looked at him. His eyes were lowered, his voice trembling. He looked truly ashamed.
"Prince Jack," I said softly, "why do you look embarrassed now? We've been in the same palace for days. Why are you saying this just today?"
He sighed. "I was waiting for the right moment. I wanted to apologize when we were alone. But you're never alone. Someone is always with you. Today was the first time I saw you by yourself… so I took the chance."
I smiled faintly. "It's alright. I had already forgotten about it."
He sat beside me — not too close, but close enough for me to feel his warmth.
And suddenly, I couldn't breathe right. My heart started racing for no reason. His nearness brought back a feeling I had buried deep — fear. The same cold fear that once almost broke me.
I lowered my gaze, and tears welled in my eyes, but I didn't let them fall. My voice came out in a whisper, trembling slightly,
"Prince… could you sit a little farther away? I… I feel uncomfortable."
He looked at me — but I didn't meet his eyes. My tears slipped down before I could stop them.
When I finally looked up again… he was gone.
He had left without a word.
I wiped my tears quickly, confused and restless. Why did he leave?
My heart pounded hard, as if it already knew something I didn't.
Was he upset by what I said?
Or did he leave so I could feel safe?
Or… did he not even hear me?
"No," I whispered to myself. "I have to stay calm. I won't let my mind overthink this."
But no matter how hard I tried, memories flooded back — the night when they tried to hurt me, when I barely escaped.
And now, that same terror had found its way into my heart again.
---
Meanwhile, in another chamber of the palace…
"Listen, guys! I have a brilliant plan!" Prince Sam said with excitement, looking at Well and Phils.
"Your ideas," Phils said dryly, "never actually work. That's why you don't get any major position in wars."
"Well, this time it'll work. I promise!" Sam grinned.
"Alright then," Phils sighed. "Let's hear it. Quickly — I have other things to do."
Sam leaned forward eagerly. "My plan is simple — we'll ask Jack to get close to Wellness. Pretend to be in love with her for a while. Just a small act of affection, nothing more."
"Well, wait," Well interrupted calmly. "Pretend to be in love?"
"Let me finish first!" Prince Sam snapped, irritation flashing across his face. "Don't interrupt before I explain!"
He took a breath and continued, "Jack only has to act. If he gains her trust, she'll show him the stone. We're her brothers, so she'll always keep a distance. But Jack hasn't talked to her much. They're the same age, and he knows how to earn someone's trust. It's perfect."
Phils crossed his arms. "We don't even know if Wellness was lying or not. Maybe she truly doesn't have the stone anymore. And love isn't a game, Sam. I won't let anyone break her heart for this mission."
He paused, his tone softening. "If I change my mind later, I'll tell you."
Sam lowered his voice. "I know it's wrong. But what other choice do we have? It's for the kingdom, Phils. And… maybe, without knowing the truth, neither she nor you will ever find peace."
Sam looked at phils seriously. "You brought her here, Phils. That means she's your responsibility. I have no right over her — only you can decide what's right for her."
Phils didn't reply. He just turned and walked out of the room silently.
"Well, that plan," Well said sharply, "was the worst I've ever heard."
Sam looked down, the confidence in his eyes fading. He sighed deeply, guilt washing over him.
---
"Come," Well said after a moment. "It's time for training."
I turned toward him and smiled faintly. "Finally. I've been waiting."
As we walked toward the training ground, he spoke quietly.
"On behalf of both of them… I'm sorry. They didn't mean to hurt you."
I looked at him. His voice was calm, sincere.
"It's alright," I said softly.
"Well then, shall we begin?" he said, stepping back into his stance.
The training lasted all day. I tried — again and again — but I couldn't even touch him once. His movements were like wind: silent, quick, untouchable. By the time the sun began to set, I was bruised, exhausted, and covered in dust.
Still, something inside me felt stronger than before.
Panting, I looked up at him. "Captain Well… can I ask you something?"
He nodded. "Of course."
"You don't have a stone," I said between breaths, "yet you're one of the strongest, captains in the entire kingdom. How is that possible?"