She's the Prince

Chapter 32

Hidden Feelings of Ninazu

The alarms blared across Zodiac City, jolting Callan awake. His head throbbed as he rubbed his temples, trying to piece together the previous night's events. A slow smile tugged at his lips—an unfamiliar sensation he hadn't felt in what seemed like ages.

"Captain..." A hesitant voice broke through his thoughts.

Callan glanced at one of his soldiers, who stood awkwardly at the door, clearly caught off guard. "Yes?"

The soldier reddened, fumbling for words. "N-nothing, Captain. It's just... you're smiling."

Callan blinked in surprise, and before he could respond, the soldier swiftly departed, leaving him alone once again.

Footsteps approached, drawing his attention. Wezn strolled in, his damp hair clinging to his neck, water droplets trailing down his bare chest. He casually wore a towel around his waist, contrasting with the sirens playing in the background.

"You know," Wezn said with a sly grin, "you should smile more often, Captain. It suits you."

Callan huffed, grabbing a towel from the bed to wipe his face. "Where are you off to so early?"

Wezn raised a brow. "Have you forgotten? Chaos outside, opportunists lurking while the soldiers are distracted. I'm heading out to patrol."

"You going alone?" Callan asked, wrapping the towel around his neck.

Wezn shrugged, still amused. "You don't need to join me. Rest while you can. You'll miss the quiet of this palace when all of this is over."

Callan chuckled softly, watching his friend disappear down the hallway. It was quiet for a moment despite the noise outside.

***

Ninazu's hands hovered over Ares' leg, his eyes wide in disbelief. "How...?" His voice faltered as he carefully peeled back the bandage. What had once been a deep, gruesome wound was now perfectly healed, the skin smooth and unblemished.

Ares gingerly touched his leg, as if expecting it to hurt. "This... this shouldn't be possible. There should've been scars, but look—nothing."

Ninazu remained silent, his mind swirling. His thoughts flickered back to the previous night, to the memory that had haunted him ever since.

In the cool night air, he had wandered to the Uranology Tower, hoping to clear his head. But instead, he had stumbled upon something that left his heart in disarray: Callan, sitting beneath the stars, with Aria—who had once been Prince Ares—beside him.

The sight of her, bathed in moonlight, had made Ninazu's pulse race. Aria's sweet, melodious laughter tugged at his heart.

From the shadows, he watched them. Their conversation was light, but every word cut deeper than he could bear.

"It feels so good to be back," Aria had said, her smile tinged with nostalgia.

"You're even more beautiful in person," Callan had replied, his voice unusually gentle.

Ninazu had felt his chest tighten at those words, his hands clenched into fists. He had crept closer, desperate yet unwilling to turn away.

"Beautiful? I've always thought my face was rather plain," Aria had teased, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

Callan had chuckled, the sound low and intimate. "Not to me."

The ache in Ninazu's chest had grown unbearable as Aria rested her head on Callan's arm, their closeness too much to witness but impossible to ignore.

"Would you like to hear a story?" Aria had asked, her voice breaking the silence.

"No," Callan had replied with a grin. "I'd rather just look at you."

"You'll fall for me if you keep staring," Aria had laughed.

"Maybe I already have," Callan had murmured, his gaze fixed on her.

Ninazu had felt a wave of something dark and unnameable rising within him. Jealousy? Anger? He didn't comprehend it, just that it gnawed at him like an untamable beast.

***

"Ninazu?" Ares' voice cut through his thoughts, startling him. He blinked, refocusing on the present.

"Are you alright?" Ares asked, concern flickering in his eyes.

Ninazu forced a smile, pushing down the emotions threatening to surface. "Yes. I'm fine."

Ares didn't seem convinced, but he didn't press further. "Well, thank you for helping with my leg. I don't know how it happened, but... I owe you."

Ninazu shook his head, the weight in his chest remaining heavy. "It's my duty."

Ares stood, ready to leave, but Ninazu reached out and grabbed his arm. "You shouldn't be too close to Callan," he exclaimed, the words escaping before he could stop them.

Ares blinked in confusion. "What? Why?"

"It's not proper," Ninazu said, his voice sharper than he intended. "You're a prince. Everything you do reflects on the royal family."

Ares frowned, pulling his arm free. "Callan's just a friend."

"Even so," Ninazu muttered, his irritation simmering beneath the surface. "It's... it's not right."

Before Ares could respond, Ninazu turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

***

Callan was heading up the palace stairs when Ninazu nearly collided with him. Their eyes met briefly, and Callan raised a brow at the obvious tension radiating from Ninazu.

"Good morning, Healer Ninazu," Callan greeted, but Ninazu brushed past him, his steps quick and deliberate.

"Stop whatever it is you're doing," Ninazu paused halfway up the stairs and cried out.

Callan turned slowly, his smile fading. "What exactly am I doing?"

"You know exactly what I mean," Ninazu said, his voice low, dangerously close to breaking. "It's not appropriate, you being close to Ares."

Callan descended the steps, closing the distance between them. "Inappropriate?" he echoed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What are you accusing me of, Healer?"

"You're falling in love with him," Ninazu could no longer keep back her remarks.

Callan's lips curved into a teasing grin. "And you're jealous, aren't you?"

Ninazu's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides, but he didn't reply. His anger and confusion were like a storm that he couldn't control.

"I knew you were watching us last night," Callan continued, his voice soft, almost taunting. "How does it feel, knowing I can make her smile?"

Ninazu's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of rage and something deeper he couldn't name. He opened his lips to answer when a third voice broke the tension.

"You two seem to be having quite the conversation," Ares said from the base of the stairs, his eyes flicking between them with quiet curiosity.