5

I slowly open my eyes, when I feel a gaze on me, and I am not wrong, there's a pair of brown eyes that's looking at me.

It's Sir William. Looking at me and he is laying on the other side of the bed.

I automatically step back, almost falling onto the bed but he caught my waist, and now my body is so near to him.

"My fever is gone, I can also move freely and I am still alive, didn't get the curse that the sage claims." He said after letting go of my waist. When I saw my hand, there was a bandage and my cheeks didn't swell too.

"I took care of you, I can't believe that you have a lot of wounds on your hands, you didn't know how to properly clean a sword and still clean it?" He said, and it sounds like he is worried about me. It sounds good when people are worried about you.

"Why you're smiling, are you making fun of me?" Sir William asked, with annoyance in his voice.

"No, it's just I find it comforting, when people are worried about you," I said and he look calmer now when he heard my reason.

Sir William patted my hair and pick a strand of hair that is covering my cheeks.

"Your silver hair is too long, do you want me to cut it a little?" He asked and still caressing my hair. I just nod quickly, and it feels like I have no choice but to obey what he wants.

It's not that I don't want it, but the way he offers it, seems like I cannot say no, but I am not obligated to say yes too, but if this is the way he shows his kindness, why I will decline?

Sir William has raven eyes, the same color as his hair, and his way to look at people is like he is still piercing his sword thru their souls, he is indeed a knight, a war hero of Drivike.

I and Sir William listen carefully when a servant of mine is outside, cleaning the outer part of my castle only, and talking while sweeping the dried leaves from the tree.

"Have you heard, the emperor declared that the war hero died, and was devoured by a monster?" I saw how Sir William clenched his fist, looking angry.

"That is true, it's really sad that he died in the war. I thought Sir William is the greatest knight in the empire, but it seems the sword of our Crown prince is still the mightiest!" They are laughing and I took my silk and run downstairs, open the door and they started to run quickly when the servants saw me.

Those people, I am just going to ask where did they get the news of the death of Sir William.

"Your brother wants to kill me, just because Criselda wants me, how childish." He hissed and I closed the door and bow my head.

"I am sorry for what my brother did to you, I know that my apologies are useless, but at least I tried," I said and I saw Sir William's face lighten on what I just said.

"It's nothing, and not your fault at all, your apology is not necessary, it's me who needs to take the gratitude for helping me."

"And cutting your hair is all I can do as of now, but I promised to give something big when I finally back at my land." I smile, even if it's just a plain promise, it makes my heart flutter.

"It's nothing, helping a person who needs it doesn't need to take it as gratitude, because I know if you also saw someone who needs help, you will help them without hesitation, right?" I asked and Sir William nodded slowly. Still caressing my hair.

"Let's cut your hair." Sir William said and I secured the door and window, after it, I get the scissors and gave them to Sir William.

I sat properly and he comb my hair, and I tell that below my waist is enough for me. He cut it perfectly and every time his skin touches mine, I twitch, because I am nervous and I am not comfortable with having the presence of a man at my safe place.

"I am sorry if you might feel uncomfortable with me," he said as if he read my mind, and I shooked my head. "No, I am okay, it's just new to me to have someone that is not afraid of me." At first, he didn't notice who I am, and I expected that, because Sir William didn't see me often.

"I'll tell you who sent me to the war." Sir William put down the comb and showed me that my hair is done, and I took the opportunity to prepare breakfast.

"His majesty said that I release an order, that I need to lead the war, and the prince thought that once I become a war hero, I will ask for Lady Criselda's hand." I looked at him and stirred the soup.

"I didn't like Lady Criselda," he said and I spit the hit soup, he looked worried and I step back when he tried to hold me.

"I already explained to the crown prince, that I am not interested in Lady Criselda, and my priority is my job, and marriage didn't even come up in my mind, just the day he confront me," he explained and I am surprised that my brother really has an obsession with Lady Criselda, and now he is really serious, at the point where he chooses to kill Sir William.

"I have no idea what is happening at the palace, I am sorry Sir William." I twitched when Sir William hold my hand, and I took it back as soon as I can and hide my hand at my thighs.

"Don't apologize, you are not part of his offenses," Sir William said.

I don't know, but I still feel guilty about what he has done, even though I know that they never think the same as I was.

I know it already, and I never expect that they will.

"But you're safe here, no one dared to step foot at my palace, and no one will suspect that you and I are talking, because I am an outcast here, so no one will look for what I am doing here," I said, and I can't hide the happiness at the way I said that no one will dare to come at my place.

I already accepted that I am alone.

"I have a plan." Sir William said after drinking the medicine that I made for him while I am having a conversation with Sir William.

I look at him while chewing the food and look at how he talks and it's fun to see his gestures. He is comfortable with me, even though I am the sister of the man who tried to kill him.

"I heard that a banquet will be held, three days from now." I feel sad when he mentioned the banquet. That day, Emperor Blake will be here, to formally ask for my hand, and he will take me to his empire.

"I will show up," he said and the eagerness in his eyes, telling that he will avenge what he experienced.

I hope I have that strong will to fight, like him. I am weak and powerless, the princess title that I have is useless, just a title, like a decoration for my name. But I am like a commoner who lives on the dark side of the palace.

"And I swear at my name, Kier William Trijk, that I will support the second princess." Sir William said and kneeling in front of me, holding my hand, and kissing the back of my hand.

I just smile at him, I can't tell to Sir William that I will be gone that day, because why I would say that? This promise is just gratitude for helping him, but if I didn't help him, he won't be aware of my existence here at Drivike.

"Thank you, Sir William," I said and ordered him to stand up, I am not used to seeing people kneel on me, because even a commoner, I bowed my head. Because I hate the feeling when I see that they're afraid of me.

He walk away and opened the bag pocket of his small bag, and get something. "Wear this." Sir William showed me a ring and its sapphire stone and I can feel the mana at the ring.

It's like an ocean, a feel the breeze of warm water at the ocean, that is how it feels. "I brought that ring when I am wandering at the market before assassins tried to kill me." He smiled when he saw the ring in my hand.

"Whatever the jewelry is, I know it looks good on you, Princess Delaney." I feel that the temperature of my body went up to my face, and hide it from Sir William.

I am not into hearing a compliment from someone else. And now, I feel embarrassed.

"I hope you succeed in your plan." I smile at him and he hugged me swiftly, I am not ready for his hug, how bulky his body is uncomfortable, and still feel at home. The warmth of his big body, it feels that every wound that I had is healing instantly.

"I can't believe that a hug is really good." I bury my face in his naked chest, it's good that he didn't hug me that tight. Because if he did, his wound might bleed, again.

"It's a good decision that I went here, I thought no one lives here, because if I accidentally went into another's castle, I might be dead now." Sir William explained and I feel the heaviness of my eyes, shutting down on their own, and now I feel comfortable.