Sofia, lying in her bed, watched the sleeping Tiago next to her. It had been a long day for him, first with the hunt and then, sneaking into her chambers, so it made sense that he would fall asleep as soon as they were done. It had been years since she last found it satisfactory, for Prince Gabriel eventually became too occupied with his affairs to tend to her in a fulfilling manner.

As Sofia ran her fingers through Tiago`s long dark hair, she thought it was truly a pity this was a doomed relationship. Miguel`s schemes aside, the man lying next to her was responsible for the attempted assassination of Prince Rafael, being involved with such a reckless man would bring nothing but trouble. For a moment, as she watched Tiago sleeping vulnerably, Sofia considered killing him. It would be easy work, Miguel would be upset at her but he would help hide the deed, it would free her of such a dangerous wild card. Despite knowing it would be the practical thing to do, Sofia did not wish for Tiago`s death. She enjoyed his company.

Dismissing her murderous notion, Sofia stayed awake for the next hours watching her sleeping bed partner. About one hour before dawn, she sat up in bed and awoke Tiago.

“Oh, hi!” Tiago smiles.

“You should leave, I don't want you to get caught.” Says Sofia, looking away flustered.

Tiago turns himself in bed and looks outside, “Yes, you are probably right.” He stretches himself in the bed and looks at Sofia. “Can I come see you again?”

“...No, you will eventually get caught.”

“B-but, even if the Prince dies?”

“What? Do you think we will get married or something? I`m sure Miguel will make a deal with another family.”

Tiago thinks for a second, “we don't need to get married. We could just see each other.”

“Are you suggesting you become my paramour?” Sofia looks at the shirtless Tiago next to her, “I will think about it.”

“Realy!” Tiago beams up

“Yes, yes. Now go already, before you get caught.”

“Right.” Tiago stands up and starts to retrieve his clothes.

“And don't do any more reckless things.”

“What are you referring to?” Tiago leans towards Sofia playfully, “Which of the reckless things I did recently I should not repeat?”

“...Ha, believe me, murder is a hard thing to hide.” Following Sofia`s answer, they stared at each other for a moment.

“Very well, I will be in my best behaviour.” The now ready Tiago turns to leave, but stops and turns back. He leans once again and kisses Sofia. When their lips part away, he rubs his thumb on her lower lip, “You are truly uncanny.” he says admiring her face. Tiago lets go of Sofia and leaves through the balcony, the same way he came in.

*

Three days later, House Oliveira receives news that the physicians managed to extract the arrow from Prince Rafael`s face and that he was on the path for recovery. The Duke and Sofia took a carriage to go visit the Prince. Duchess Alicia, on the other hand, had been staying at the Garcia manor to be near her injured mother. 

Once at the palace, instead of being directed to the Prince`s chambers, they were taken to the King`s. When the two entered the King`s chamber, he was sitting in bed. King Gustavo II was frail and bedridden. His red hair was parted in the middle and reached his shoulders.

“Aproach, let me take a better look at you.” the King said after coughing in a handkerchief. “You must have been so shocked my dear, with everything that happened.” says King Gustavo looking at Sofia, “I know how much you are fond of my fool of a son.”

“I pray for his highness recovery.” Lied Sofia, “and for your Majesty`s health.”

“Oh, there is no use praying for me.”

“Your Majesty!” the Duke reproached.

“It is the truth! The future of our nation lies in my son. It is not long from now that he will have to replace me." The King looked at both of them for a moment, “I trust you both with supporting my son.”

“Of course, your Majesty. The wedding is just around the corner, and the Prince is recovering. Once he is united with Monica, she will give him many children. You must hang on to see them.” says Duke Miguel with water in his eyes. 

“Yes, you are right.” the King turns to Sofia, “You should go long my dear. Go see your beloved.”

“Y-yes. I will go now, your Majesty.” Sofia stutters in her shock at seeing Miguel on the verge of tears. She curtsied to the King once more and exits the chamber, leaving the Duke behind.

 Sofia makes her way to the Prince`s chamber. He is in rough shape, his face is bandaged and he remains unconscious.

“His Highness fever stopped just this morning.” the Royal physician says.

Sofia walks next to the bed, Prince Rafael is wheezing, “Are you sure he will make it?”

“But of course, my Lady!” the physician is shocked at the notion of the Prince`s death, “the worst of it is over. Now all that is left is for his Highness to heal.”

“I see.” Sofia watches Prince Rafael for a few minutes, “He looks so innocent in his sleep.” she mumbles.

“Pardon, my Lady?” 

“It is nothing.” Sofia turns to leave but is stopped by a pull on her sleeve. She looks back, and the Prince has it in his grasp. She looks at his face, but he is still asleep.

“Oh, it must have been a reflex, from hearing your ladyship`s voice.” The physician explains, “It is a good sign, my Lady.”

“I see.” Sofia releases the Prince`s grip with her free hand, “I will take my leave now.”

Once out of Prince Rafael`s room, Sofia meets back with Duke Miguel who had finished his audience with the King.

“How is his Highness?” the Duke asks.

“They say he will recover.”

“I see. Well, let's make our way back.”

It is at the carriage ride home that Sofia finally asks, “About his Majesty…”

“What of it?”

“You seemed to care about him.” Comments Sofia.

“...I have great respect for his majesty. He was quite close with Father, we have known him all our lives, you don't remember of course.” Duke Miguel turns his face to look out the window, done with the conversation. It was quite surprising for Sofia. She didn`t expect there was anyone Miguel cared for. He was even colder in her timeline. The memories of her demanding unloving father soured her mood and she too fell silent.

*

Another day the two Oliverias went to visit Garcia Manor where the Duchess had stayed since the accident. Once there, they were taken to the Marchioness bed chambers. Noticing their entrance, Duchess Alicia placed a mask covering the top half of the unconscious Marchioness Garcia. This one was simpler than the one Sofia had last seen. It was white, light and unadorned. The injured madam had bandages wrapped around what was left of her arm.

“Hello, thank you for coming to visit Mother.” Said Alicia. Her eyes were puffed and she seemed tired.

“You should go rest. Not to bring harm to the baby.” instructed the Duke. Duchess Alicia went to protest, but in the end she just resigned and left for her room at the Garcia Manor. On her way out, Sofia looked at her with worried eyes and the Duchess smiled softly in reassurance. 

“What of the Marquess?” asked Duke Miguel to Lady Ana, who was also in the room.

“Father was much too exhausted, so I had the servants drag him to rest.” answered Lady Ana. She, much like her sister, had puffed eyes and her tiredness was apparent. Sofia found it awkward to be near her, just a few days ago they had tried to use a wolf to kill each other. 

“And how is the Marchioness?” was the Duke`s second question.

“...She lost her arm, but they say she will make it.” Alica answered, holding back her tears. Sofia looked at the sleeping Marchioness, she was quite fierce. Sofia could still remember the pain from her kick. 

Sofia then looked at Lady Ana, it was weird to see her soo subsided. The shock from what happened must have affected her greatly. Sofia thought back to the time of Queen Ana and how stifling it was to have her as a mother-in-law.

*

Prince Rafael had finally awakened, Sofia was once again at the palace to visit him. He was sitting comfortably at his bed. Bandages were wrapped around his face holding gauze in place, over his stitched injury, under his right cheek. 

“Greetings your Highness.” Sofia curtsied to the Prince.

“I heard you visited once before, Monica.” Prince Rafael comments, “And you try to pretend you are over me, Ha.”

“Of course, the Prince`s fiancee would visit him.” explains Sofia.

“I heard about the whole wolf thing.” Rafael looks Sofia over, “You seem fine.” 

“Yes, the Marchioness defeated the beast.”

“Uhg.” the Prince shriveled at the mention of the madam.

“What? Not fond of the Marchioness, are you?” Sofia asks.

“I find her ghastly.” he makes a disgusted face, “ that woman lacks femininity.”

“Is that so?” Sofia forces a smile to hide her irritation. She feels offended on the Marchioness behalf. How annoying it is to have to come visit this wretched man for appearances sake, and have to hear his babble. 

“Yes. But anyway, I hear our wedding ceremony will be held a week from now.” Prince Rafael changes subject, “Father wants to have it done already. I suppose his weary bones are getting to him.”

“I see.”

“Indeed, it will not be long now. Soon I will be the ruler of this Kingdom.” the Prince smiles triumphantly as if he had accomplished something.

“It must be a great responsibility.” Sofia comments dispassionately.

“Yes ,yes. But the point is, you should treat me better. So cease your silliness with that knight. We will soon be wed, no need for you to continue in your schemes to rouse my jealousy.”

“...” Sofia sighs internally. How aggravating the prince was. She looks at him and notes his appearance was the only good thing about him. She wondered how big of a scar he was left with. That took her thoughts to Tiago. He had removed his eye patch when they laid together. Tiago had scarring at the lateral side of his cheek near his eye. He explained the bone had been  crushed in when he fell and hit his face into a rock, losing sight in his left eye. Sofia then thought of the activity they engaged together that night.

“Monica!” called Prince Rafael, “You were lost in thought there for a second.” 

“Oh, apologies, your Highness.” Sofia is annoyed at being stirred from her thoughts.

What followed was Sofia entertaining Prince Rafael in conversation for an adequate amount of time until she could finally return to Oliveira Manor.