The doctor examined me for a few minutes, his fingers light and distant.

“Hm… everything is fine, my lady,” he said calmly. “There is nothing wrong with you. You are simply exhausted. Proper rest and good food will be enough.”

With that, he left.

“My lady, please take rest,” Lara said softly before following him out.

The door closed.

Silence filled the room.

At first, it felt peaceful—then slowly, unbearably heavy. Loneliness crept in like a shadow, but I forced myself to ignore it and drifted into sleep.

Hours passed.

“Hm…!”

I stirred as I felt movement near me.

“Oh—my lady, did I wake you?” Lara asked.

“Yes… you did,” I murmured, rubbing my eyes.

“It’s better this way,” she said gently. “It’s time for dinner. I wanted to wake you for lunch too, but you were sleeping so soundly… I did not have the heart to disturb you.”

She adjusted the pillows and helped me sit properly before handing me the plate. She remained standing nearby, attentive—ready to help if needed.

It reminded me of him.

At the inn.

The way he brought me meals.

The quiet care in his presence.

My heart sank.

But I was the one who pushed him away.

So I swallowed the ache along with my food—though I barely managed a few bites.

Soon after, a knock echoed.

“I’ll check,” Lara said.

She spoke briefly with the guards outside. When she returned, her face was unsettled.

“My lady… His Majesty wishes to see you. Now.”

“Now?” I whispered. “It’s so late.”

Still, I was made to dress and prepare. His schedule never allowed refusal.

Moments later, I stood before his chamber.

“My lady,” Lara said softly before leaving, “do not be afraid. You are weak. He will not be angry.”

I inhaled slowly… then exhaled.

Knock. Knock.

Silence.

Then his voice—cold and distant.

“Come in.”

I opened the door.

He stood beside the bed, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, arms crossed—as though he had been waiting for a long time.

“I greet His Majesty,” I said, bowing.

He said nothing.

My eyes remained lowered until he stepped closer.

“You… you look terrible,” he said, lifting my face with a finger.

I turned my gaze away. I did not want to see him.

“You really know how to act, don’t you?”

Act?

“Do you know how my parents spoke to me when you were "kidnapped"? He said in a low voice , almost mocking"Or should I say, when you ran away with him?!” he shouted, gripping my arms.

Pain shot through me.

“H-how did you—!”

“How did I know?” he interrupted sharply. “Because I saw it. From this very window. I saw you run away—and that knight of yours chasing after you.”

My breath caught.

“So many days,” he continued, “you were together, weren’t you? What exactly were you doing?”

“No—Alex, it’s not like that! You are misunderstanding—”

His grip tightened.

“Did you enjoy those nights with him?” he sneered. “I thought you would return quickly. But no. That is why I reported you missing. And now you come back with him and claim you were kidnapped?”

He shoved me aside.

I fell to the floor.

“You disgust me.”

Tears blurred my vision.

“If you loved him so much, then why did you agree to be engaged to me?” he yelled. “To ruin my reputation?”

I knelt there, trembling.

“I have endured humiliation ever since this engagement,” he said coldly. “So now—it is your turn.”

My heart clenched.

“Tomorrow morning,” he continued, “your knight Alan will receive one hundred strikes!”

My eyes widened in horror.

“Last time, you suffered,when he was receiving his punishment” he said quietly. “This time… if he dies—your pain will last forever.”