She's the Prince

Chapter 22

Reflections in a New Body

Prince Ares sat on the edge of the bed, clutching his chest. He still hadn't recovered from the chaos at the Zodiac Pavilion. Just moments ago, he had thought he might kiss Captain Callan; a slip of fate, he mused, that could have led to a scandal if anyone had seen them, especially during the contest.

Flashback

Ares's heart raced as he narrowly dodged a sword aimed at him. He retreated, eyes locked on Callan, who stood firm before him, ready for battle. With a determined rush, Ares lifted his sword for an overhead strike. But Callan shattered his weapon with a swift maneuver, forcing Ares back once more.

Suddenly, Ares felt a hard object press against his back. Instinctively, he kicked out, landing a blow to Callan's abdomen that sent him staggering away. A triumphant smile spread across Ares's face as he prepared for another attack. He executed a judo move, quickly closing the distance between them. Just as he pointed his sword at Callan's leg, Callan's swift strike shattered his weapon yet again.

They locked swords, pushing against each other, muscles straining. Ares advanced, catching Callan off guard, but in an unexpected twist, he tripped, pulling Callan down with him onto the grass. Ares lay on Callan, their swords lost in the grass, having fallen awkwardly.

"Oh my god..." Aria thought, disbelief flooding her mind.

Quickly, Ares sprang up, distancing himself from Callan, who stood as if nothing had happened. Callan's eyes twinkled with mischief.

"If you were in your own body, Aria, I wouldn't let you leave without a kiss," he joked.

"I should be grateful to be in Prince Ares's body; otherwise, you might have stolen my first kiss," Ares replied, his heart still beating from the fight.

"Are you serious? You've never been kissed?" Callan asked, his surprise evident.

"Not in my true form, no. But as Prince Ares, Princess Gomeia was my first," Ares admitted.

Silence fell, as Callan approached with a cheeky smile. Ares turned, scanning the area to ensure no one had witnessed their fall.

"Nobody's around the Zodiac Pavilion," Callan reassured him.

"How can you be sure? Maybe someone is hiding. There's been enough gossip about Prince Ares; I don't want him returning to his body with a scandal hanging over him," Ares replied, anxiety creeping into his tone.

Callan sheathed his sword and approached Ares. The prince instinctively backed away. Leaning against the pillar, Ares felt Callan's presence closing in, his hand resting just above Ares's head.

"Prepare for the tournament; you'll be facing Captain Wezn and me," Callan said, his voice low.

"If that happens, I'll make sure you don't hurt me," Ares replied.

Callan chuckled, stepping back. "Why are you so calm after everything that just happened? Aren't you worried about someone seeing us? A kiss between us would cause quite a stir." Ares added.

"I don't care what people think," Callan replied with a carefree smile. "And I never viewed Prince Ares as above me; you're Aria to me. Get some sleep; I'll head back to the quarters," Callan said, departing.

"Wait, what did you mean when you said Aria was on your mind earlier?" Ares called out.

But Callan only raised his sword, walking away without answering.

End of Flashback

Ares grasped his head, frustration coursing through him. The sun was beginning to rise, but sleep still eluded him.

"Ah, Callan, what were you thinking?" Ares groaned, exasperated.

Irritated, he lay back on the bed, pulling the blanket over himself.

Ninazu stood by, astonished at the sight of Ares, peacefully asleep. The prince lay sprawled across the bed, pillows tossed aside, the blanket draped haphazardly. One leg was bent against the pillow while the other rested on top, his face smeared with dirt and his hands bandaged, stained with blood.

"Is he a sleepwalker? Why is he covered in filth?" Ninazu asked the two servants beside him.

"Prince Ares is not a sleepwalker, Healer Ninazu," Samiya replied.

"Then are you saying the dirt just magically appeared on him?" Ninazu pressed, skeptical.

"Sorry, Healer Ninazu. That's not what I meant," Samiya quickly clarified.

"Prepare a clean towel and clothes for him before I tend to his wounds," Ninazu instructed.

"I'll take care of it, Healer Ninazu," Samiya affirmed.

As the servants busied themselves, Ninazu took a seat on the bed, beginning to remove Ares's socks and robe. Ares sprang up and grabbed Ninazu's hand as he loosened the prince's clothing.

"Aw!" they both exclaimed in unison.

"What are you doing, Ninazu? Are you planning to r@pe me? Why are you undressing me?" Ares demanded confusion etched across his face.

Ninazu raised an eyebrow. Samiya and Alora stood behind him, wide-eyed. Ares noticed Alora holding a basin and towel, while Samiya clutched a set of new clothes.

"You ran away last night, and now your clothes and body are filthy," Ninazu explained.

"Ran away?" Ares echoed, raising his brows as flashes of the night flooded back. His face flushed with embarrassment.

"I don't know what you're thinking, but remember, you're with two women," Ninazu murmured.

Ares glanced at Samiya and Alora, who seemed oblivious to Ninazu's comment.

'Geez, what does he think I'm going to do with them?' Ares thought, rolling his eyes.

"Get cleaned up, then," Ninazu instructed.

Without further ado, Ares dashed into the bathroom. "I'm taking a bath," he called back.

Ninazu sighed, shaking his head as he approached the table displaying Captain Callan's drawing. He studied it for a moment before leaving the room.

When Ares emerged from the bathroom, he was wrapped only in a towel. He faced the mirror, examining his reflection.

"I had no idea I'd adjust to this body so quickly. How can I act so brazenly without worrying about propriety?" he mused, a chuckle escaping his lips as he rubbed his arms, admiring the new muscles and the tautness of his abs.

Suddenly aware of the two servants watching him, he noticed their hands shielded over their eyes. He sauntered over, tugging their hands away, mischievous.

He laughed at their stunned expressions, their faces crimson as they locked eyes with him.

"Maybe this was my response previously; no wonder Harry always thought it amusing," Ares thought.

But as laughter faded, a wave of sadness washed over him. "I've embraced this world so fully that I've forgotten about my family. What could have happened to them? Are they still alive?" Ares pondered, a pang of worry tightening his chest.

As he stood there, contemplating his past, Ares felt the weight of his dual identity pressing down on him—a prince in a foreign world, wrestling with memories of a life left behind.