Abandon... that word is now ringing in my head. My focus was lost, even when Vasilius gave Damarius the potion until he left again.

Damarius's hot and trembling hand still held mine weakly, making me unable to bear it and turning into me holding his hand.

But after a while I pulled my hand because his hand was too hot. I couldn't stand it.

I went out to tell the maid to get 2 basins filled with hot and cold water, 1 empty basin and a cloth.

I put the empty basin on the nightstand then poured half the basin of hot water and half of cold water, making warm water. So when the warm water gets cold, I can use the hot water that later gets warm, so I don't have to call the maid to bring warm water twice.

After I made sure that the water wasn't too hot or cold, I soaked a small white cloth and placed it against Damarius' forehead.

Damarius who at first looked uncomfortable now looked relaxed. Soon his breathing was now more steady.

Well, seeing Damarius like this reminded me of when my brother was sick. He is very vulnerable to rainwater. Every time he was caught in the rain, or even just drizzled, the next day he would catch a fever. And every time I would take care of him. He also often helps me when I have a problem or when I'm sick.

Sigh... remembering this makes me feel sad... I want to go home and exchange jokes with my bro-

I flinched and slapped my cheeks.

Snap it out! Remember Melina! Don't forget your brother's words!

"Don't leave..." Damarius' voice was hoarse and low. His eyes were still tightly closed, and his brows were furrowed indicating he had a bad dream.

I hold his hand, whose temperature I can bear now because of the effect of putting my hand in warm water.

"Don't worry, I'm here. I'm not leaving." I said, hoping my words would calm him down, just like how mom takes care of me when I have nightmares.

And it seems to work. Now he is more relaxed.

I turned the wet cloth that was almost dry and guarded Damarius. I did it over and over again until I fell asleep without realizing it

***

I woke up, feeling some of my hair pulled.

With blurry vision I stared at the culprit.

"Well? It turns out you're still alive." A familiar voice with a joking tone I can hear half awake.

After a while my eyes had adjusted to the light and I could see a man with white bear mask.

Ah... turns out to be Alvanio...

...

Wait a minute... Alvanio?!

I woke up completely and looked around. I looked at Damarius who was sleeping in his bed.

Wait... this is Damarius's room, isn't it? Why is this man here?

Subconsciously I looked at Alvanio with a question mark.

As if he could read my mind, he then opened his voice. "I have business with your brother who is sleeping here." He pointed at Damarius then sat on the side of the bed. More precisely in front of me.

He leaned toward me, causing me to reflexively lean back. His white irises clashed with my crystal blue irises.

Seriously, I can't stop being amazed by his eyes...

"You have a heart huh? I didn't expect that." He said while tilting his head.

...what? He's mocking me right? I didn't misunderstand right?

His words annoyed me, causing me to give him an annoyed look.

"I'm human too, and certainly I have heart. What do you think I am?" I said angrily.

He pulled away from me and struck a thinking pose. "You're right, I forgot you were human."

Ok, what the heck? He's asking for a fight, right? I really want to sew his mouth. Come here you prick!

His face looking at me with a faked confused expression made my blood boil.

Sigh... calm down, Melina. Although he is an annoying man with a sharp and blunt mouth, he is a dangerous man whose mindset is unpredictable. You don't want to fall into his dangerous trap, do you?

I took a deep breath before opening my mouth. "What business do you have with Darius? You can see that he's sick."

He looked at Damarius. "The crown prince told me to check on his condition, but he seems fine. I guess it is thanks to you."

I didn't do anything though? I bet it's the potion.

Suddenly, he took my hand, made me flinch and was about to pull my hand. But Alvanio's grip wouldn't let me.

He opened my fist and stared down at my palm. I held my breath for a moment then looked at him in confusion.

"What are you doing..?" I bit inside of my mouth nervously.

He won't do anything to me right? Don't tell me he's going to cut off my hand or something...

He glanced at me for a moment and took out a pen from his pocket.

What he did next left me dumbfounded. "What the.. hey! Why are you drawing on my hand?!"

I pulled my hand, but unluckily his grip was stronger.

"Shush... stay still a for moment." Alvanio ordered without turning his head and drawing seriously.

I stared at him intensely.

Sigh... after mocking me now he's drawing on my hand... I really couldn't predict him...

His serious expression made me stop struggling. Moreover, because of his grip, I can't help but be silent. Who knows what he will do if I struggle more.

The room is now quiet, there is no sound, only the ticking of a large clock in the corner can be heard.

Time seemed to slow down, and I could only observe Alvanio's very serious face.

His thin eyebrows furrowed slightly and his eyes looking down, making his eyelashes, which were curled and thin, clearly displayed. And his mask framed his eyes, making them stand out even more.

Then he looked at me, making me flinch a little.

He let go of my hand and said, "It's done. Now, let's go!"

I subconsciously looked at the drawing in my hand. A small circle with an intricate pattern inside. A foreign word that I can understand strangely makes me look at Alvanio spontaneously.

"The main city of the kingdom? For what?" I asked subconsciously, making him freeze for a moment. He then narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean?" His white eyes stared at me intently.

"Huh? You clearly wrote 'Teleport to the kingdom's main city' on my palm." I said.

Alvanio fell silent, looking at me with a complicated expression.

...did I say something wrong?

He struck a thinking pose then whispered to himself in a low voice. "Should I open her head?"

I who could hear that shuddered and looked at him with mixed feelings.

He's crazy! I told you!

before I could run, he took my hand and sprinkled something on the circle.

He said, "Here we go!" And at the same time a bright light hit my sight, making me close my eyes tightly.

It didn't take long for me to feel the light disappear. After that, I could hear a crowd, which made me open my eyes.

..what happened? Where's this?

I am now standing in an alley and staring out at the bustling people. I turned my body and looked at Alvanio who smiled, fiddling with an object in his hand while leaning casually against the wall.

...Did he just took me out without permission and made me leave Damarius who was sick?

Wait... that's not the point! I'm being kidnapped!! Damn! Someone, please help me!