I had been on my hands since morning, standing there without food or drink. I was heading to the restaurant to eat — my body felt hollow and exhausted, and the master had said training would continue through the night, so there would be no sleep for me. I walked alone along the path when a prickling sensation told me someone was watching me. I wasn't afraid — I could easily handle anyone who tried to hurt me.
Suddenly Prince Agnus appeared beside me. In a reflex I gripped his throat hard, then dropped my hands when I realized it was him. "Forgive me—my mistake!" I said, rubbing my hands anxiously. He looked at me with suspicion. "Why did it feel like you would kill me if you hadn't seen me?" he asked.
"No — it happened out of fear. A power seized me for a moment," I lied with a small, forced smile.
"Where are you going at this hour?" Prince Agnus asked. I let my mouth fall. "I haven't eaten since morning. I've been on my hands all day, and my head aches," I answered sadly.
"I'm craving proper royal food, and the master only gives us whatever he pleases. Let's ask Miss Amilia to make something nice for you," he said.
"Will she really give us royal food?" I asked, brightening.
"Yes — she often does when I go. But the master mustn't find out," Prince Agnus replied.
"I promise," I said happily. With that small promise between us, Prince Agnus and I set off for the restaurant, our steps light with shared hope.
A spy whispered anxiously, "Why is Prince Agnus protecting her?"
Before anyone could answer, Prince Jack appeared from the shadows, his voice calm yet commanding. "If you wish to kill someone," he said, "then face me first."
The crowd fell silent as their leader stepped forward. "Prince Jack," he said with a faint smirk, "you've grown… quite impressive."
Prince Jack's gaze sharpened. "You should have been gone long ago. The only reason you still stand is because of my mother's mercy. But perhaps you've forgotten what that mercy meant."
The knight retorted coldly, "Your mother's long gone, Prince Jack. What mercy can protect you now? Still hiding behind old decisions?"
Jack smiled faintly, his eyes unwavering. "My mother's decision still holds — it's the reason your kingdom still stands. But tell me, will you just talk, or are you brave enough to prove your worth in the light of truth?"
The knight hesitated, his confidence faltering beneath Jack's steady voice. The air grew tense, yet no blade was drawn. The power of Jack's presence alone silenced them all — his calm strength spoke louder than any sword ever could.
The leader finally bowed his head slightly. "You've changed, Prince Jack," he said quietly.
Jack turned away with a faint smile. "No," he replied, "I've only remembered who I truly am."
Prince Agnus and I finally reached the restaurant. The place was calm, almost too quiet. A young girl was cleaning one of the tables when Prince Agnus called out,
"Gabi, where is Miss Amilia?"
"She's not feeling well, Your Highness," the girl replied nervously. "She's resting right now."
Her voice trembled; it was clear she was afraid of Prince Agnus.
"So, that means no royal meal for us tonight," I said sadly, lowering my head.
"Gabi, bring dinner for Wellness," Prince Agnus ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness," Gabi said quickly, and hurried off to the kitchen.
"Prince Agnus," I said softly, "after what happened yesterday, maybe that's why Gabi is scared of you."
He gave a slight shrug. "And what do you want me to do about that?"
I smiled faintly. "You could make her your little sister."
Prince Agnus didn't respond, just looked away in silence.
A few moments later, Gabi returned with a tray and placed the food before me. She was about to leave when Prince Agnus spoke again.
"Gabi, have you eaten yet?"
"No, Your Highness," she said shyly. "I was going to eat after finishing the cleaning."
"Then bring another plate," he said firmly.
"Yes, right away," Gabi replied, quickly turning back to the kitchen.
"I'll eat only a little," I said quietly. "I still have training to do."
Prince Agnus frowned. "Just eat silently. I didn't order food for your opinion."
I pouted and began eating without another word.
Soon Gabi came back with another plate.
"Sit beside Wellness," Prince Agnus told her.
Gabi sat down hesitantly next to me, trembling slightly. Prince Agnus picked up a spoon, scooped a small bite of food, and held it in front of Gabi. She looked startled but then accepted the bite.
He gently placed his hand on her head and said with warmth, "There's no need to fear me, Gabi. You're like my little sister."
Watching that, something twisted inside me. Anger, jealousy, sadness—I didn't even understand what I felt, but it hurt. I didn't like seeing him treat her so gently, calling her "little sister."
He kept feeding Gabi one bite after another, smiling softly, and she too smiled back gratefully. My chest tightened. My appetite vanished completely. My eyes filled with tears and frustration. I quickly finished the little food left, stood up suddenly, and said sharply,
"I'm leaving."
Prince Agnus looked at me with surprise as I glared at him and stormed out. "Feed your sister all you want," I muttered under my breath as I left.
Back inside, Prince Agnus sighed. "That girl really is a headache, Gabi. Now she's angry at me. Well… I guess I'll see her later," he said softly, placing a gentle kiss on Gabi's forehead before walking out.
When he caught up to me outside, he said gently, "You're leaving without even saying a word? You should've at least waited."
My eyes were still teary. "You spoke to her so kindly… Is that how brothers talk to their sisters—with such love? But when it comes to me, you only shout or hit!" I said, puffing my cheeks in anger. "Everyone knows how to trick me with their sweet words."
Prince Agnus suddenly lifted me up onto his shoulder. I started squirming. "How dare you pick me up like this!" I yelled.
He chuckled and gave a light tap to my backside. "You were the one who told me to treat her like a sister. Now you're jealous?"
"I'm not! You're not my brother—let me go!" I cried out.
"Put me down!" I yelled, pounding his back. "You can't just lift me like a toy!,You arrogant donkey!"
He didn't even look bothered. "You're lighter than my sword. Stop moving, or I'll make you regret it."
"I already regret meeting you!" I snapped, kicking my legs in the air.
He stopped walking, sighed… and then —
SMACK!
The sound echoed across the night like a thunderclap.
My eyes went wide. "DID YOU JUST—?! You actually hit me!"
He said calmly, "You were squirming too much."
"You could've asked me to stop, not slap me like a rebellious drum!"
He chuckled, clearly enjoying my outrage. "Well, the first hit was a warning."
"Warning?!" I gasped. "What's the second one, my funeral invitation?!"
Before I could jump off his shoulder, he actually did it again —
SMACK!
This one was louder. I swear the birds in the trees woke up and flew away in protest.
"AGNUUUUS!" I screamed so loud the whole area probably felt my pain. "You monster! You absolute royal brute!"
He tried to stifle a laugh. "That one was for calling me an arrogant donkey earlier."
"You're not a donkey," I shouted, clutching my poor backside. "You're a dragon with hands! It hurts!"
He burst into full laughter now, tears in his eyes. "Oh, you should've seen your face!"
I jumped down from his shoulder, rubbing my hip dramatically. "You think this is funny?! My soul left my body for a second! I saw the heavens!"
"Then I've done you a favor," he said, still chuckling. "You got a free divine experience."
"Oh, I'll give you an experience!" I growled, stomping his foot. "That's for strike one!"
He hissed in pain. "Ow—hey! That actually hurt!"
"Good!" I yelled, landing another quick stomp. "And that's for strike two!"
He stepped back, laughing helplessly. "You're insane."
"You started it!" I snapped, still pouting with fire in my eyes.
Then, after a long stare, he sighed, softened his tone, and offered his hand. "Come on. Truce. I won't hit you again. Maybe."
"Maybe?!"
"Fine, fine! I promise," he said, raising one hand dramatically like taking an oath. "No more royal smacks."
Prince Agnus raised his finger and smiled shyly. "Big brothers give their little sisters a finger to hold? So here—hold mine. You're my little sister too. And anyway, real siblings never get along peacefully. Gabi's not as special to me as you are."
I stopped, stared at him for a moment, and then punched him lightly in the chest before suddenly hugging him. I held his finger tightly in mine, my heart racing with warmth as we began walking back toward the training grounds. His hand felt warm—comforting.
Then, out of nowhere, a thought struck me. "By the way, where's Miss Amilia's husband?" I asked curiously.
Prince Agnus thought for a moment. "I don't really know. I just know he's a soldier—serving in another kingdom."
"Oh… doesn't she miss him?" I asked softly.
He smiled faintly. "A true soldier always puts his kingdom before his family. For him, his entire nation is his family. And Miss Amilia… She's proud of her husband for that."
I fell silent, staring ahead, feeling something stir in my heart—a mix of admiration and sadness, though I didn't know which one was stronger.
Prince Jack was fighting fiercely with the knight when the man suddenly cast a burst of magic toward him. But Jack's blade sliced through the spell like light through smoke.
The knight's eyes widened in shock. "No… this magic—this is Prince Agnus's power! He has given you his strength!"
Jack smirked. "So you finally realized."
He charged forward, and their swords clashed with a thunderous spark. Within seconds, Jack's blade shattered the knight's weapon in half. The knight fell hard to the ground, panting. Jack pressed his sword against the man's chest.
"If I take your stone now," Jack said coldly, "you'll become my servant. I'll let you live in your own castle—and in return, you'll tell me everything that happens there."
The knight gave a defiant laugh. "You think I'd ever betray my kingdom? I'd rather die than serve you."
Jack's expression didn't change. "There are plenty of warriors in your land. Losing one won't matter."
He thrust his sword into the knight's chest. The man's eyes froze in shock before he went still. Jack flicked his blade, and with a surge of magic, every corpse around him turned to ash, scattering into the wind.
As the silence settled, Jack glanced down. His shirt was torn and soaked with blood.
Just then, we arrived.
"Prince Jack," I said, startled, "what are you doing here so late at night?"
Agnus looked at him sharply, but spoke only in his mind, "Where is your shirt?"
Before Jack could answer, I noticed the cut near his collarbone. "You're hurt!" I exclaimed, stepping closer. Without thinking, I leaned forward and let a drop of my saliva fall onto his wound.
Jack stiffened in shock and stumbled back. "What—what did you just do?" he demanded. His face had turned scarlet.
I reached for his hand, worried. "Why are you so warm?" I whispered, touching his forehead.
Agnus chuckled softly. "You should already know the answer to that," he said, smiling knowingly at Jack.
"What were you doing?" Jack pressed.
"Humans already have the best medicine within themselves," I replied calmly.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked, still frowning.
"Saliva," I explained. "It heals wounds. Haven't you ever seen animals lick their injuries to heal them? It keeps infection away—no germs or viruses can enter that way."
Jack blinked, a little surprised by the logic.
But Agnus suddenly changed the topic. "Wellness, why did the Master remove your fingernails?" he asked, his tone serious.
I froze. How did they even know that?
Agnus stepped closer. "You are my servant, so just tell me, The answer."
"I said something wrong to the Master," I murmured.
"What exactly did you say?" Jack asked curiously.
"Well… I never really liked him," I admitted. "I only accepted him as my teacher because Prince Phils asked me to. But since you two are here, I guess I can tell you…"
"Tell us what you said," Agnus demanded.
I looked down shyly, then raised my hands. With a perfectly innocent face, I lifted both middle fingers and pressed them together playfully.
Jack and Agnus froze in disbelief.
Agnus's eyes darkened with anger. "You did that to Master?" he said sharply, stepping toward me.
I gasped and stepped back, but before he could scold me further, Prince Jack moved between us.
"Hey! Agnus, calm down," Jack said quickly. "She's just a kid. Look at those big, innocent eyes—how can you stay mad at her?"
Hearing that, I realized he was defending me and turned my wide eyes toward Agnus, blinking sweetly as if to agree.
Agnus sighed deeply. "Fine. You've already paid the price for your foolishness," he muttered.
Jack and I both let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Just then, a stern voice echoed from behind.
"Wellness! I've been looking for you," Master said angrily, his eyes blazing. "You're resting here? And you two—what are you doing here? Go to your quarters. Now."
Prince Jack and Prince Agnus exchanged glances and quickly bowed before leaving.
And I stood there, silently watching them go—my heart still racing from what had just happened.
"You killed him?" Prince Agnus asked, his expression unreadable.
Prince Jack nodded slightly. "I've defeated one of the most skilled warriors from your kingdom." He raised his hand, and at once, a glowing stone appeared above his palm. "You saved Wellness's life, even after losing one of your own men. For that, I'll reward you—not only with this stone, but also with the Element Stone."
As soon as he said this, both stones drifted toward Prince Agnus, merging with the one he already possessed. A bright light flashed, and the stones fused into his chest.
Prince Agnus looked at him curiously. "You've collected so many stones till now. Why don't you ever use them?"
Prince Jack turned away, his voice calm but heavy. "Until I find my own stone, I won't accept or use any of these."
A tense silence hung between them. "Then our talk ends here," said Prince Agnus. "We're still enemies."
Without another word, the two princes walked off in opposite directions, their footsteps fading into the quiet night.
Moments later, the Master appeared from the shadows. "Well… now that peace has returned and no one's watching us," he said with a faint smirk, "it's time for something else."
"What do you mean by that, Master?" I asked, confused.
He placed a sword in front of me. "Fight with me," he ordered. "With as much speed as you can muster."
I was still half-asleep, sitting drowsily when he suddenly struck toward my head. I barely ducked in time.
"You're not allowed to sleep!" The master shouted angrily.
"Yes, I heard you," I murmured, rubbing my eyes. "But I don't have any strength left. I'm sleepy…"
The next moment, I saw Master leap high into the air, his sword shining with immense power. He poured every ounce of his strength into that strike.
Instinctively, I rolled aside just as his blade hit the ground. The impact shook the earth and left a deep crater in the ground.
"This isn't fair!" I yelled. "Why now of all times?"
Still trembling, I picked up my sword and stood, ready to fight back despite the exhaustion weighing me down.