"What are you doing, Lulu?" I whispered urgently, my fingers tugging at the fabric of her dress. Despite my plea, she remained resolute, standing in front of us. My shock grew as I turned my gaze toward Hiwaga, who had taken her place beside Lulu. "We have to take action. Not like this!" I insisted.

"It's all my fault—" The child began to speak, but the women in front of me interrupted, turning their heads in unison toward the Darkblood, their piercing stares upon him.

"Silence," they both whispered in a chilling tone that left the Darkblood speechless.

"What is the commotion?" The voice thundered, and a smile crept onto my lips when I heard his voice. The crowd parted to create a path for him to walk through and began kneeling down before the man who had appeared. He was dressed simply in a long-sleeved shirt with his suit, looking unlike a prince. My dear brother, you look like a landlord. He is Santiago who had arrived with his knights in tow. I grinned when I noticed how the man's eyes widened in surprise, darting between me and my brother. Finally, he knelt before Santiago.

“Prince Santiago.” The man’s whisper almost reached my ears but Santiago obstructed my view. As Santiago approached the man frozen with wide eyes, the knights draped emerald cloaks around us.

"The crown prince," someone whispered, and a hushed murmur spread through the crowd. 

"I know you're not fine." I said to the child, gently inspecting the violet bruise on his lips. But he smiled at me, gently taking my hand away from his chin, and then he began looking around, as if he was searching for someone. Until his eyes settled on the forest, not too far from where we stood. I straightened up, my eyebrows knitted in confusion. 

"I bet it's the Queen who gave you permission to go out." Santiago muttered to me as he hugged me tightly but my gaze remained fixed on the forest. "It's settled." He said as his gaze scanned the restrained onlookers who were subdued by the knights. "My knights will escort the man, along with the entire crowd, to the royal court, where justice will be served." His voice held a tone of command as he addressed them. "And you, little one." And he turned his attention to the Darkblood and ruffled his hair; however, his smile faded when he noticed the violet bruise on the child's lips. 

"Hiwaga, please, take him to the infirmary." I began to say, but the Darkblood interrupted with a sudden outburst. 

"No!" he cried out, his voice filled with urgency. "My..my b-brother," he stammered, swallowing hard and waving his hands. "I have to wait for my brother." he explained, pointing toward the forest. And yet, who would allow a child to wait for his brother in such a dangerous forest, especially as the sun began to set? Oh, diwa. I turned my head towards the forest, squinting my eyes as if I could catch a glimpse of the brother he was talking about.

“What?” Santiago asked, my mouth fell open as I redirected my attention to my brother. "What did he say?" He asked again and his confusion was clearly etched on his face. 

My eyes darted between Lulu and Hiwaga, their furrowed brows and shared glances portrayed Santiago’s features and reflecting the same confusion that churned within him.The realization slowly unfurled within me as I came to understand that I had been the sole individual who could understand the Darkblood right from the start. What in the world–I took a deep breath and his tears were now brimming in his eyes. Almost as if pleading with me to let him go. Could he be from another country?I averted my gaze from the Darkblood and fixed my eyes on Santiago. “He has to wait for his brother in the forest.” I said to them, their eyes widening in shock but I crossed my arms over my chest when the emerald cloaks worn by us swirled in the breeze. 

"Do you understand him?" Lulu asked, her eyes wide as she covered her mouth with her hand. "Have you learned any language, Sarnai?"

"Luella," His voice was like a warning shot, he nodded toward the Darkblood, who was still staring at her. He then approached the child with a serious expression, ruffling his hair. "We're going to accompany you while waiting for your brother, alright? There are Darkbloods lurking in that area." His voice softened, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the mention of Darkbloods again. 

I cleared my throat discreetly when Santiago shot me a pointed glance . "Why are you scaring the child, Santiago? You just have to say there might be wild animals—"

"Alright. What is your brother's name?" Santiago asked the child. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when Santiago skillfully changed the subject. That's what he's good at. Whenever a duke or a landlord discusses a topic he'd rather avoid, it's the best he can always do. Indeed, a true prince.

But the child's round eyes remained fixed on me, as if he didn't understand my brother's language. Oh. Sarnai, he didn’t understand. I knelt before him, meeting his gaze, and offered a sweet smile. "Could you tell me your brother's name?" I asked gently.

"His name is Mundo," he whispered back, and then he pointed towards Santiago. "Taller than him, sun-kissed skin–" He went on to describe his brother in hushed tones as if he was painting a picture of his sibling's appearance through his words.

My voice took on a gentle tone as I relayed the child's response to my brother and Santiago wasted no time and promptly issued orders to his three knights, instructing them to venture into the forest in search of the young child's brother. I took a deep breath as I watched the knights' retreating figures, my hands resting on my waist. My focus then shifted to Santiago, and my eyes honed in on the way his hand tightly clasped Lulu's. A rosy hue painted Lulu's cheeks, and a gentle smile graced her lips as they exchanged an affectionate glance.

"Hiwaga," Santiago called out, breaking Hiwaga's trance as she finally looked away from their entwined hands. "We're just going to buy some food. Keep an eye on them. Especially Sarnai." he instructed, and Hiwaga nodded in agreement without saying a word. 

Minutes had passed, and still, there was no sign of their return. In the midst of the waiting, a tiny hand tugged at my arm as if he wanted me to follow into the forest while Hiwaga had wandered off to buy juice from a nearby stall, leaving me alone with the child's persistent gesture. With a slight shake of my head, I decided to follow the child into the forest. He began running, and I hastened my pace to keep up with him. “Hold on for a second!” I called out, panting as I continued to chase after him, my chest heaving and my knees growing weak until I finally caught up to him. I bent over, clutching my knees, and my other hand pressed against my chest. Running was never my forte. I despised it.

"Mundo!" His voice echoed with pure delight, and I stood upright, my eyes fixed on them and a smile tugged at my lips as I witnessed the sight of the tall man lifting his younger brother into the air, twirling him around with a wide grin on his face. 

However, his wide grin quickly faded as his gaze landed on me. He gently lowered his younger brother to the ground and positioned him on his back. "I have to thank you for what happe--" He began to speak, but I interrupted, extending my right hand in a stopping gesture. 

"Why would you allow your brother to wander and wait for you alone in the forest?" I questioned, my hands on my hips, and my eyebrows furrowed in concern.My temper flared up like a lit matchstick when he failed to respond. Where were their parents? Why had they allowed them to wander in the forest? My face flushed crimson as if my blood was boiling beneath the surface. His mouth hung open, as if his jaw had forgotten how to close. And I observed how the young child smiled, seemingly amused by his brother's astonished expression. "He was nearly attacked by the townspeople. You should always ensure his safety!" I scolded him with a hint of frustration in my voice.

"Sarnai!" Hiwaga's voice rang in my ears, and I turned my head to see her running towards me. But when I gazed back at the two, they had disappeared. My eyes darted left and right, but I found no one—only me, surrounded by the stillness of the forest.

Weeks had slipped away, like grains of sand through an hourglass, since the forest encounter. My brother's stern lecture still echoed in my ears, and the disappointed glares from our parents had haunted my thoughts. But amidst the lingering shadow of the past, a radiant light shone through. Santiago and Lulu, deeply in love, shared the joyous news of their upcoming marriage, and suddenly, all the worries seemed trivial in comparison to the happiness that filled our hearts. 

“Let’s watch them.” I whispered to Hiwaga as she was folding my dresses. Excitement danced in my eyes and a mischievous smile graced my lips but Hiwaga, my ever-cautious confidante, shook her head. 

"We're not allowed, Sarnai." Hiwaga replied, her face etched with concern as she glanced at me but her frown deepened as she voiced her objections. "And one more thing, you're looking really pale right now. You need to take some rest." she added, her worry for my well-being evident in her tone. I took a deep breath when her words tugged at my conscience because I knew that she was right. Reluctantly, I nodded, conceding to her wisdom. As much as I longed for excitement, I also understood the importance of taking care of myself. With a sigh, I settled back into my bed.

"Alright. We'll go, but we must be quick." she conceded, her frown still present, but there was a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes. Her reluctant agreement sent a surge of excitement through me. I jumped up from the bed and I couldn't help but smile, grateful that she had decided to join me. 

"You're still unwell." she whispered as her voice lingered in stillness like a secret. “You must be careful.” She added as she draped a black cloak over my shoulders as well as how her own form shrouded in secrecy. I nodded in response, understanding the need for caution.

We made our way through the corridors as we walked with an almost ethereal silence through the intricate passages of the palace. Finally, we arrived at their room, and I motioned for Hiwaga to join me by the small dotted window as I peered out inside and curiosity burning within me. But to my surprise, Hiwaga hesitated, her eyes darting left and right. "Come here," I urged her, but she shook her head and it was clear that Hiwaga had reservations about this and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for dragging her into it.

However, when I glanced back, my heart raced as I strained to see through the small dotted window. The tension in the room grew as I heard a moan, and my breath caught in my throat as the royals left the room. “They’re leaving.” I whispered to her and she nodded but my eyes widened in shock as I witnessed a scene of their bedding ceremony unfold before me. There, in the dimly lit room, I could see Santiago on top of Lulu, their bodies entwined in a passionate embrace. My eyes became round and it was a sight that sent a surge of heat through me and I couldn't tear my eyes away, captivated by the raw intensity of their desire.

My breathing became heavier, watching in silence as Lulu straddled Santiago. She leaned down and kissed him deeply while Santiago's hands gripped her hips, guiding her in rhythm. Lulu, then, grinds against him in time with Santiago's thrusts while her breasts are pressed against her husband's chest. My own desire surged as I watched them and I couldn't help but touch my chest, feeling the rapid beat of my heart. I yearned for a taste of the passion like them and the temptation was intoxicating but the knowledge that I couldn't indulge in such desires weighed heavily on my conscience. However, my thoughts shattered when a wave of dizziness overcame me, and I stumbled. At that moment, Hiwaga was there, her hand gripping my shoulder to steady me. 

"Let's go back." Hiwaga's words were a lifeline in the midst of my overwhelming desires and weakened state.

As we returned to the safety of my room, the threat of weakness loomed over me and the temptation had been powerful within me but I knew that I had made the right choice in heeding Hiwaga's advice. 

And yet, the forbidden desires still simmered within me.

"Hiwaga, you may take a rest." I whispered as I gestured for her to leave, hoping she would understand my need for solitude. I longed for a moment to gather my scattered thoughts and find relief from this discomfort. The relentless heat from my fevered skin felt like an unbearable burden, and my throat's parched soreness made every swallow painful. 

When Hiwaga's footsteps faded into the distance, I rushed to my bathing room and closed the door, the weight of my fever pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket. Leaning heavily against the door, I clutched my chest, my heart racing not only from illness but also from the unease that had settled over me. I knew that my fever was getting worse, but it was a different kind of heat that consumed me. The vivid scene I had witnessed still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't help but take a deep breath to steady my racing heart.

I hung the black cloak I was wearing on the hook by the side. However, just as I started to unbutton my white dress, my heart skipped a beat, and a shiver coursed down my spine. And there, on the window ledge, sat a man—a familiar man. At that moment, I was frozen in shock. "Mundo?" I whispered, my voice trembling as the child’s brother leaped inside my bathing room. His hands were poised on his packet while his large figure blocked my view of the window. My gaze couldn't help but gravitate toward the man before me. He stood tall, his broad shoulders and his hair, as dark as the night sky, tumbled in thick waves, framing the chiseled angles of his square jaw.  My mind swirled with questions and possible answers for his presence - had he been there all along, a silent observer of my every move? Or was it something else? Oh. Is it his brother?

"Did you enjoy watching it?" he asked, concealing any hints of emotions, as he closed the distance between us with measured steps. My mouth fell open in surprise as I struggled to comprehend his question. What? My eyebrows furrowed in confusion but the sudden rush of memories from the bedding ceremony flooded my mind.

"No." I replied, trying to regain control of the situation. "I did not." My voice sounded weak. I felt weak. Sarnai, why? I betrayed the fear that coursed through my mind as I stepped back from him but he was smirking as he took another step closer.  And like a flash, I found him pinning me against the wall with a force that left me breathless. Oh, diwa. My head nearly collided with the wall, but his strong hand prevented it and still, my mind spinning with conflicting emotions. 

My eyes locked onto his, dark and intense, and in that moment, the world around us seemed to blur and fade away. "W-what are you doing?" I stammered, my voice trembled. His blank expression made my heart raced, and I quivered beneath the strength of his grasp, his hand holding mine above my head. “Let me go, Mundo.” I demanded, struggling against his iron grip. My breath came out in short gasps as adrenaline pumped through my veins and he didn't respond, just continued to hold me there while his eyes bored into mine. I felt trapped, unable to break free from his gaze or his hold.

My eyes widened as his face drew nearer, but instead of his lips meeting mine, they brushed against my ear, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine. "Do you want to do it?" he asked, his voice was husky and full of longing, as if it was a seductive invitation that ignited the flames of desire within me. I stared deeply into his eyes, searching for any sign. Is it a joke or serious? Was this real or just a vivid dream? The man I had only just met was now here in front of me, igniting a passionate desire I had never known before but I couldn't deny the overwhelming temptation that beckoned me to give in. My mind raced with questions — Could I allow myself to indulge in this forbidden pleasure? The thought of what might happen during the bedding ceremony lingered in my mind but in that moment, with his eyes holding me captive, I made a decision. It was just one night, a stolen moment, a secret shared between two souls. Oh, diwa, I wanted this more than anything. With my heart pounding in my ears, I could only manage a single nod in response to his unspoken desire. The passion in his eyes was undeniable, and despite the fear and doubts that lingered in my thoughts, I felt myself giving in to the intoxicating moment.

However,  the ceiling released sprinkled water, drenching us both. My dress clung to my body, the thin fabric now almost transparent when wet and my nipples became visible, perky and aroused, begging for his touch. As the water droplets cascaded over us, I felt his hardness pressing against me and the coldness of the water contrasted sharply with the burning desire between my legs. 

It only seemed to heighten the intensity of the moment when his strong hand slid up my leg, tracing invisible patterns on my damp skin as he pushed my damp dress higher up my thigh. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as he continued to move his hand up my leg. The sensations were overwhelming - a mixture of pleasure and apprehension that left me reeling. 

But then, something changed. He pulled away from me and stepped back, his expression once again blank.

Confusion washed over me as I stared at him, feeling a sense of rejection. It was as if he had become a different person, a stranger once more, leaving me drenched in both falling droplets and uncertainty. The heavy silence between us stretched on while the sound of the falling droplets echoing in the room. And then, without warning, his lips crashed onto mine, our tongues danced with hunger and before I knew it, he had lifted me by my waist and positioned me on the edge of the sink while the cold marble sending shivers through my heated body. As I perched there, the hem of my white dress rose, exposing my legs and his eyes widened as they fell upon the darkening patch between my legs. There was a raw, a hunger in his gaze as he didn't bother to remove the dress entirely. Instead, he let the fabric trail over my skin, a tantalizing touch that intensified my desires.

"More." he growled into my ear and once more, his lips pressed against mine in a searing kiss. As his tongue traced the contours of my mouth, my mind reeled with shock. This wasn't at all what I had expected, but in that moment, it felt undeniably right. His kiss was a contradiction, both passionate and gentle, demanding yet considerate and I found myself responding, unable to resist the intoxicating allure of his lips. His taste was something sweet and strangely familiar, like a hint of mint or cinnamon while our tongues danced together, exploring every inch of each other's mouths, the taste of his breath mingling with mine, and the sensation made me want for more. 

He pulled back slightly, his intense yet tender gaze locking onto mine but I was flooded with conflicting emotions as my cheeks flushed with heat, and my heart raced in my chest. This couldn't be happening. It was my first kiss. And it was with this man who had held me captive only moments ago. There was an urge to deny it, to push him away and run far, far away from here but as I looked into his eyes, I felt something I couldn't quite define. It was like he knew exactly what he was doing, and despite this, his confidence was intoxicating.

In that moment, all thoughts of doubt vanished while his hands continued to roam over my body, tracing patterns and our kiss deepened as he teased and caressed me, his touch setting my skin on fire. His lips trailed from my neck to my shoulders, while his hands skimmed lower, causing goosebumps to rise along my arms and legs.