Oh, the sheer relief that came crashing over me at his words. My shoulders sagged, head lolling forward as my pain-wracked body’s quivering began to slow.
“Oh, thank god….” I breathed, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment. I was staying at the Academy. I wasn’t going to be sent home, wasn’t even going to get into any trouble. And to top it app off—The Prince believed me to be a good student. Better than the others.
Then, the fact that he’d carried a breakfast tray all the way up to my room. just so I could eat, slapped me across the face. “Your Highness—Thank you so much for this-for your kindness—“ I reached a tentative hand towards the tray, then quickly pulled it back. “Please—Please, help yourself to whatever you’d like.”
I ended up smiling at his behavior before I wiped the amused expression off. He was so relieved. Just like that, his worries had dissolved. He really wanted to make it through the end.
“Colton,” I repeated my name, indirectly reprimanding him for using the title I told him to use. “And did you really think I’d let you eat alone, Elliot?”
“Colton,” I repeated quietly, cautiously, trying and failing to stifle the enormous grin that was trying to work its way across my face. He was being so…. gentle with me, so caring… My heart couldn’t help but warm. I had never seen him this way before…
“And—I didn’t think that—I didn’t give ‘after’ much thought until now.”
I patted him on the head, amused at the grin on his face. Was he really that happy? I don’t know why, but seeing him like that made me… relieved. I wasn’t acting like myself—like the person I made myself to be. I didn’t know whether having him as a trainee was a good idea or a bad one.
“Eat,” I repeated for the third time. “It’ll get cold.”
My heart skipped a beat as his large band alighted on top of my head. Reaching towards a croissant, I swallowed, feeling my cheeks heat up a little. If he had known I was a girl that moment… God, I would have melted completely like the pathetic mess I was and still am.
Picking him the piece of chicken I brought, I took a small bite, chewing softly. I pretended not to notice Elliot’s warm cheeks. He was embarrassed, and I wasn’t going to embarrass him more by pointing it out.
“Eat slowly and carefully,” I advised. “And as much as you can. You’ll need a lot of it.”
I nodded, still in awe that the heir to the throne was choosing to spend his morning with me. Caring for me, to an extent. Fate had decided to bless me with this chance in a lifetime, and I wasn’t planning on letting her down.
“How are you?” I asked him in a sleep-roughened voice.
I raised an eyebrow at his attempt at starting a conversation. Still, I humored him.
“All right,” I responded. “How are you feeling?”
I took a moment to piece together my reply, careful about my word choice.
“I’m as expected, tired and frustratingly weak.” I laughed a little in an attempt to lighten the mood. “But wait—What time is it? I have classes today and I can’t be late—“
“It’s not surprising. Yesterday’s schedule was rough,” I sighed before his next statement reached my ears. “You don’t have any classes today. I had them cancelled.”
“O-Oh,” I stuttered, shocked. He’d really felt so guilty that he’d done this much for me?
“That—Thank you, Colton.” This time, I managed to say his name without any added titles.
I nodded in response, looking down at the tray.
“You’re welcome,” I responded. “I’ll be taking you elsewhere. To let you relax your body.”
Confusion now passed over my features, but I nodded, smile never faltering. I’ll leave it as a… surprise, of sorts?
“That… sounds amazing, thank you so much.” I cleared my throat, forcing myself to maintain eye contact when I spoke again. “What can I do to repay you for everything?”
“Don’t disappoint me,” my voice went back to being strict. “Pass the Oath. Repay me by doing that.”
“I wouldn’t dream of failing.” And despite my awful condition, my voice carried a confidence, though one that was not over-the-top and stayed humble.
I smirked at the level of confidence in his voice.
“You’d better not,” I murmured. “You haven’t seen me angry yet.”
“And I don’t intend on ever doing so,” I continued, finishing off the last of my croissant and reaching now for the glass of cool water.
I nodded in approval.
“Get some more rest,” I ordered him. “I have some work I need to finish, so I need to go.”
I lifted the glass to my lips, watching it wobble unsteadily.
“I will.” The water was cool and inviting against my parched, dry throat. “Thank you again.”
I decided to take him to the hot springs. That was a good to relax, with the hot water soothing your body.
I hadn’t told Elliot yet, so we were just walking in silence. Once we got there, we entered the building, Elliot finally speaking.
The moment I lay eyes on our destination, the blood drained from my face. The hot springs—the one place I could never go while masquerading as my brother. My heart thundered in my chest, bringing on a fresh wave of panic. How was I supposed to tell the Prince that I was refusing his offer, his gift? If he saw my body, saw even the bindings, it would all be over. My death warrant, signed.
Finally, as we entered, I opened my parched mouth to speak. “Your High—I mean, Colton, you’re very kind—but—“
I raised an eyebrow at him, confused. What? Was my offer not good enough? He didn’t like hot springs?
“But?” I prompted, raising an eyebrow.
Think, come on…
“Scars—“ I blurted, purposely letting some of my anxiety leak ito my voice. “I’ve got scars. All over my, um, back and chest. I don’t—“ Here, I hugged myself, trying to get lost in the lie.
Oh. I see. That was it.
I heaved a sigh, rubbing my forehead.
“They’ve got private baths,” I murmured. “We can get that for you.”
My shoulders sank in relief when he bought the lie, a soft sigh escaping through my nose.
“I— If that’s okay,” I stammered, successfully keeping up the act. “I’m sorry.”
