A golden morning light brushed across my face as I slowly opened my sleepy eyes.
Prince Phils was sitting beside me, his gentle smile melting the drowsiness from my gaze.
"You're awake," he said softly. "Now get ready. Today's a special day."
I blinked, still half-asleep but curious. "What? What's special about today?"
Phils smiled, brushing his hand over my head like an older brother—or maybe something deeper.
"Tomorrow you'll leave for your training. So today, enjoy as much as you can."
"Really? No training today?" I asked with a spark of happiness.
He nodded. "No. It's your last free day."
He then took my hands in his—warm and reassuring—and said gently,
"My master can be… a bit short-tempered. Be careful around him. He's older than you, so treat him with respect. And… stay away from trouble."
His voice softened. "After today, we won't meet for three years."
Three years. The words hit me hard.
But I smiled, hiding the ache in my chest. "Don't worry about me. I can handle anything."
I got up, stretching my arms, and went to bathe.
When I came out, Phils had already stepped outside.
Well was standing there, quiet as always. "Do you think your master can handle her?" he asked calmly.
Phils smiled faintly. "Neither of them will be able to handle each other," he said before walking away.
---
I finished getting ready and headed to Phils' room, excitement lighting my steps.
"I'm ready! Now tell me where we're going!" I said cheerfully.
But when I entered, I froze.
There was a woman inside—wrapped only in a towel. Phils wasn't there.
The woman turned sharply. "What did you just say? Where are you planning to go—with whom?"
"Oh…" I took a deep breath. "I think I came into the wrong room. I'm sorry…"
Before I could leave, another door inside the chamber opened—and out came Prince Phils.
"You're here?! Ugh!" I gasped dramatically. "Shame on you both! You and this lady—honestly, do you two have no sense of decency?"
The woman's face turned red. She stormed toward me and slapped me so hard that my cheek burned.
"Don't get angry, Allen," Phils said, rubbing her hair gently.
Then he turned to me. "Wellness, meet Allen—my wife."
My mouth fell open. "You said we were going out somewhere!"
Allen turned toward Phils, her fury bursting. "You were going on a date with her?!"
For a second, I couldn't believe it—someone actually slapped Prince Phils!
This was my chance for revenge.
Putting on my most innocent face, I said sweetly,
"Phils, you said we'd spend the whole day together… that we'd have dinner… and after all that time in the lake last night, that kiss and feelings—how could you forget? You're married?!"
Before Phils could say a word, Allen exploded.
She began beating him right there, shouting and crying, while I quietly slipped away—before I could get caught in their storm.
---
I ran down the corridor and saw Prince Sam.
Without thinking, I hid behind him.
"Prince Sam, please save me! They're both going to kill me!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Who's 'they' exactly?"
Before I could answer, Allen appeared—still fuming—and Phils followed behind her, equally furious.
"Prince Sam," Allen said, "hand over that girl to me!"
Sam looked between them. "Why do you want her?"
"I don't like being questioned. Just give her to me," she snapped.
Sam's voice hardened. "No. First tell me what happened."
So Allen told the whole story, her anger dripping with every word.
When she finished, Sam looked at me, and I—panicking—grabbed him tightly from behind, hiding my face.
"She's innocent, Allen," Sam said gently. "And besides, she's leaving for training tomorrow. Let it go. I saved your life once—can't you forgive her for that?"
Allen exhaled, her rage finally cooling. "Fine. Since you say so, I forgive her."
But Phils was still burning with anger. "Now that everything's settled, Prince Sam, hand her over to me. I still owe her one slap back."
His eyes burned. I didn't think Sam could protect me this time.
"Phils," Sam said teasingly, "come on. She's just a kid. You always get hit by Allen anyway. Think of today as just another day of love from your wife."
Sam chuckled. "Or does Allen's love bother you so much?"
"Move aside, Sam," Phils growled.
Sam sighed and stepped away.
Phils walked up to me, his shadow falling over mine. I couldn't even lift my gaze.
Then—slap!
He hit me, hard.
"Phils, stop," Sam said gently. "She's just a child."
I looked up, my eyes stinging with tears.
And before I could stop myself—I hugged him tightly.
"I'll miss your slaps," I whispered softly, smiling through tears. "And… I'll miss you too."
Phils smiled faintly, wiping my tears away. "Three years will pass quickly. Stop crying."
He glanced back at Sam, then at me. "Now come on. It's our last day together—let's make it fun."
And just like that, the morning's chaos melted into laughter again,
as if nothing had happened at all.