The Red

Chapter 25

Stella's P.o.v.

I couldn't forget that mysterious face for the whole day. Things would always take a strange turn and I stopped getting surprised long before. Rather, I was curious how these two men were related. No, not even an ounce of me thought this guy could be an acquaintance with the royal heir. Again, I was being stupid. With such a strong security, even a mouse could hardly trespass.

"Take off the bandage," Erwin said, gnashing his teeth.

Unsure about the thing that I did, I just stayed quiet and watched him. He stomped toward my bed and threw the new bandage in my bed. Still trying to make sense of the situation and I reckon I should be the angry one. His acquaintance had crept me out till my toes and I couldn't even sleep since then. I stayed in the bed like an owl. No, not even a blink and now, here is his majesty.

"Forget it! Everyone is creepy over here." I thought, adjusting myself more comfortably.

He sat next to me; looking at me with his not-so-pleased eyes. Those eyes could make me nervous. I averted my eyes, trying figure how to escape the situation.

"Geez, woman...," he clicked.

He extended his hands toward me; I was still unsure of his intention. I didn't want to anger him anymore. But again, I couldn't stop fidgeting.

"Stop moving," he sighed and caught me by shoulders.

"I told you to take off the bandage." He added.

Okay, I thought. This is weird.

"Stop imagining things," He flicked on my head and threw the shawl, that was in his hand for some reason.

"Eh." I gawked.

He didn't give another explanation and slide my night gown off my shoulders. He carefully looked at the red spot. The blood spot was slowly getting bigger as my blood was sipping of my wound.

He furrowed his brow and started to undo the bandage. We remain quiet but for different reason. I found the whole thing very awkward. As for him, he was focused on undoing my bandage.

"I-I can undo it." I stammered.

"Shh." He put his finger on my lips.

Again, he started to unwrap last round of bandage. He picked up shawl and wrapped it below my wound.

"Just In case." He mumbled.

At first, I couldn't understand what he was up to. I was still hiding under my night gown. Later I realized he was being cautious so that I wouldn't be embarrassed. Just in case.

He ran his fingers on my wound and then, looked at the blood. He clenched his teeth. It looked like more out of pain. Nothing said, nothing asked. I just decided to trust his action. He closed his eyes and I watched his hand trembling until a blue flame oozed around his it.

He slowly opened his eyes and start to rub his hand on my wound. As always, his hand felt cold. The cold was traveled from my skin to my heart. I shivered and tried to get away from his hand. As if he knew it was coming, he slide his hand on my neck and started to caress softly. It helped me calm down a little. I bore the sharp cold and remained still. Unlike before, the bleeding stopped within some moment.

When we were done, he started to wrap the bandage. I carefully looked at his neat features. It had been a while since we two spent some time together. I wondered if he would miss me if we were ever to part.

"Listen," he broke through my thoughts.

"You have to take care of yourself. I might be around to heal you." He breathed through his lunges.

I looked at him, as I sensed different type of pain. I was aware we couldn't be together like this. It still pained to hear such words from him.

He hooked the tip of the bandage with a small thorn and broke the sharp tip. When he was done, he held my hand that tightening the shawl around my bosoms. He pulled my hand away and took off the shawl.

He placed his blue eyes on me and gave a smile full of sorrow.

"Remember, you aren't cursed. You are my special person."

His hands were slowly on picking up my dressing.

"I appreciate what you did for me. Still..." he grieved,

"Please, don't hurt yourself."

I remained fazed. What happened to him? I thought. He felt guilty. It showed in his face. But why now?

Three Days later...

I couldn't sleep anymore. Restlessness was engulfing me. Three days in bed, it felt like forever. Either I turn left, right or lay flat, my body would ache. Erwin didn't allow me to leave the room until I get healed. I did nothing besides reading books and sleeping.

"Ugh" I groaned, so ready to get out of the room.

My body didn't feel this soar before. I was more used to the field. Not a lie, my body felt more relaxed after a heavy training. It was like my body would sigh a relief only after the training.

"Three days..." I mumbled.

Three days without training and I already felt like a left out. It was as if I had forgotten everything I learned. I wanted to jump out in the field and hone my skill.

I glanced at the bookshelves that no longer garnered my attention. Every book was about the red-haired women and their miserable life. I didn't want to add grumpiness in my life. I read almost half of the books in the shelves and each of those red-haired women had a miserable death. They had nobody with in their last breath.

I closed my eyes and sighed. I tried to blow away those useless thoughts. In the process, I let go of my body in the bed.

I was bored, wanted to do something. Again, I was tired and didn't want to move an inch. I could hear nothing but the solemn crackling of fire woods, and the blowing whistle of the cold wind. Locked in the room with nobody to talk with, I craved for the outer world. No matter the cold, I wanted to walk in the snow and flaunt my inelegant walk.

"hmmm hmmmm hmm,

Umm hmm hmmmmm hmm hmm"

I crooned the only tune that I knew.

I heard some footsteps along the tune and I chose to ignore it. Instead of getting alert, I hummed louder and louder. It concealed the small taps on the door. I didn't want to answer the door. I wanted them to go away. Despite not being able to talk with people, I wished for isolation.

"Your Highness, the palace shall go deaf with such glorious melody," Captain Lucas chuckled as he entered the room.

I smiled at his comment. So much for trying to be humorous after chasing me out of the field.

I silently prisoned my vision into darkness and clenched the woolen blanket. I didn't wish to communicate further. I didn't want to do anything with this high ranked man of the male dominant society.

"Your Highness," he grunted, his voice sounding very close to me.

"I was really enjoying your melodious voice."

I stretched my lips into an unpleasant smile and opened my eyes. I could claw his blue eyes and punch his smiling face. I chose to get hold of myself.

"Shhh, Captain. Let me enjoy my serenity." I replied.

"I bet you are all soar and ready to get bumpy horse ride." He extended his hands.