"Momento mori"

Just like he promised, three days later doctor let me out.

The feeling of complete happiness filed my bones, muscles giving me a sudden burst of energy. My hands shook when I felt fresh air on them.

City noise filled my ears and I smiled. Finally, after God knows how many hours of silence I could enjoy in every day's noise. People run around the city, some of them just followed with their family, but some of them in the carriage. I heard people cursing and I smiled turning to face Prince.

"What made you that happy, little monster?" He arched his eyebrow and looked around.

His nickname didn't go away. It was something he would bring whenever he would speak with me. It didn't matter how much I despised it, but the taste it would leave whenever he would speak with me. He killed a person, and for that, he fell in my eyes.

"People," I answered simply, my voice filled with emotions. I couldn't describe how I felt when one older man passed next to us. He, of course, bowed for a Prince but he greeted me with a smile. I wasn't dangerous like doctor and Prince would tell me, but just another human being.

When I finally stopped wandering around I looked at the ground trying to walk. Gray stones seemed so far away.
"Okay," I mumbled for myself putting the hair behind my ears. It was a nervous habit of mine. All the blood I lost and the problems I caused for myself weakened my body. The doctor wanted to let me out in the wheelchair but I refused.

When my first steps went without consequences I smiled. I can do this. It is easy.

Not looking at my feet anymore I walked toward the shop but the burst of energy just let me. I felt my legs shaking, and my feet letting down on weight.

Second, only passed before I saw Prince by my left catching me around the waist his hands sending chills down my spine.

"No," I said sharply, my voice filled with embarrassment. "I will do it by myself."

"And that goes quite well as I can see," my eyes rise and I'm faced with green pools of magic.

As I scan people around I see everyone is frozen.
"Stop that," I hissed my hands catching his uniform.
"Or what?" He answered, a cold expression on his face. His eyes turned blank, emotionless.

"Let them free," I hissed once more before letting from him.

"You will fall, little," he yelled behind me, but yells blocking his last words.
"I hope," I muttered for myself, blinded by the dresses in the shop.

Millions of colours thrown around the wooden doll in compliment with the dark red dress. Colour was the same as Prince's uniform and I couldn't stop myself from wondering why it was red colour. Royals love red colour, especially this time of dark, cherry red. It would change in the darker shade before turning light again.

My hand mechanically lifted to my neck, a pulse coming through my gauzes. I felt my heart rushing but it was nothing strange. Prince was standing behind me. It was fear.

My hands itched little pieces of ribbon and when I heard someone behind me.
"It would look amazing on you," I turned to discover a warm, caramel tone and meet eyes in eyes with a women honey hair and eyes. Her bright smile painted her lips.

"Oh thank you," I whispered my eyes searching hers. When she took a step closer I saw the basket behind her backfilled with different materials.
"You work here?" I asked, looking at the dress again.
"I created that dress, but no. I work in the castle, I came here to collect little bits," her warm tone filled my ears again and I smiled.
"What is that like?" I asked my voice painted with sadness. She reminded me of my mother.
"Well," she started but in high yell, she bowed before saying, "Your Highness,"

My heart skipped a beat.
"Katherine," he spoke coldly my arm being pulled from the shop.
"We are leaving," I heard his hiss and dragged me from a woman.

"You can't speak with people," he continued fast my feet rushing to catch his fast steps.
"It's your fault I couldn't talk at all," I hissed for myself and looked at the ground.
"Don't flatter yourself. You had to learn, and fear is the best lesson."

Trying to set free from his squeeze I automatically stopped and shook my head.
"Let me go."
"I need to escort you to the castle. You won't be leaving the property." His fingers caught my chin, squeezing hard until I look at him.
"I won't leave the property," I repeat like a machine.
"Good, girl." He let a smile slip on his lips but it doesn't reach his eyes. They stay cold pools of ice.

Turning from him I examine people around me. Slowly I notice more people from a different town. They are not from Ignur, but from different countries too. When I heard stories about cold Hreyes I never thought I will see it. But here it is. Standing a few feet from me. In the dark blue suit, his face covered in beard and suit with a big leather jacket.

"What is happening?" I asked turning to meet Prince's gaze.

When he doesn't look at me my eyes follow where is he looking. It is far from that man I observed. He is examining a group of people behind him.

Great.

"Nothing that could bother you," he answered finally his hard grip on my hand again.

I asked nothing else because 1) I wasn't sure I wanted an answer and 2) I didn't have the strength to argue with him.

I just wanted to eat some food and get some rest.

"Coming, or you need more rest?" I heard the sarcasm in his words and I smiled.

"You can go. I have a whole day to get to my room. My schedule is blank, but you is not." I blinked and looked him through eyelashes. "What do you have? Oh yes, one boring person after another." I smiled and then made a painful grimace.

It hurt. Great. A pulsing from my neck slowly moved toward my right hand and I felt my fingers tingling with sensation.

"You okay?" He asked ignoring my provocations and pushing my hair away.

"Yes." I moved his hands. Cold showers run down my hand again and it fell from his.

"Don't touch me!" I said again when he tried to catch me again.

His hand remained in the air for a second before turning on the left.

"Fine. Go by yourself," before he disappeared I heard him say. "I won't collect your body parts from the ground."

God. Not only he left me, but he also left me.

Wait. That makes a little sense. I narrow my eyes and looked at my feet.

Okay, feet don't let me down.

I made the first step, and it went fantastic.

Second, little harder, a third even harder. Fourth, I need some rest. Fifth, I will die. Six, why did I do that? Seventh, where is he?

I looked around, but I recognised no one. I was alone. Great.

Eight, even harder. Come on, just two steps and rest.

Ninth, just one more.

Tenth, here we go.

Oh no. I felt my feet letting me down and my hands coming in front of me.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist and I was back on my feet again. Just by the touch, I could tell it was my least favourite person.

The Prince had an enormous smile on his face.

"You can go by yourself?" He said, his hands loosely hanging from my waist.

"Of course I can," I said sharply before turning to go again. He didn't stop me.

I made five more steps when I saw someone else in front of me.

Connecting my eyes with beautiful brown eyes my lips curve into a smile. I can't stop excitement I feel at the bottom of my stomach.

"Danniel!" I said yelling over the crowd.

He smiled back making his way toward me.

"So, how are you feeling? I would come and visit you but this one," he showed at Prince that magically appeared next to me, "didn't allow me."

He shrugged with his shoulders and looked at me.

"Yes, because she is a prisoner and not someone who has free visits," Prince said and looked at him.

His voice was scary cold like he wants to freeze someone with voice only.

But it didn't work at anyone.

"Don't be so harsh, Vlad," Danniel said and smiled.

"Don't bother my prisoner and I won't be." He answered in the same tone and looked at me again.

"Wait, wait, and wait," I said. This is amazing.

"Your name is Vlad?" I asked while smile danced on my lips.

"One of many. Problem?" He said lifting an eyebrow.

"Nope, not a single one," I said and burst into the laugh. I didn't know what is happening. My reaction was complete. His name wasn't weird, on one hand, it represented powerful rulers from his line.

"Does every prisoner talk with you in this way?" Danniel said and looked at me.

A conversation continued between them as I just looked at the sky. It wasn't hot anymore. When I came to that realisation my skin crawled and I looked at them again.

"No. Just crazy ones and just realised from hospital ones." I caught a sign crazy Prince showed with his hand and I looked at him.

"I saw that," I warned him.

"Sure you did." He answered, looking at Danniel again.

"I will go now, and" I looked at Prince, "I want no one to help me." I looked at Danniel and warned him too.

"You said that countless times before and every time you failed at your mission." He answered.

"You could kill me, but you didn't, now live with me, and my failed missions," I said making the first step.

"Maybe I will kill you soon." Said a voice to my ear, and I turned to him.

He had a self-satisfied smile on his face and he looked at me like am some kind of puppy.

"Follow her to the room, Danniel. I'm sick of her." He said suddenly leaving us alone. With a deep breath, I turned to Danniel.

"Good. I had that intention for the first time." Danniel said, and I smiled.

He is really nice.

"Shal we?" He gave me his hand and for two long seconds, I just looked at it. Then I took it.

I caught his elbow and we slowly, like really slowly, moved toward the castle.

                                   ****

"I'm really sorry about this. You must feel like you are following an old lady." I said when I finally succeeded to lay in my bed.

"Not at all." I looked at him standing in front of my bed and smiling.

"I'm sorry for this bad acting but I'm exhausted. I would like to see you again." I said.

I wasn't sure where that came from. I didn't think of it at all. I just said that.

"I would like that too, but you can't leave your room. To meet you tomorrow, same place same time?"

"Hey! Actually, I can," my eyes opened wide, excitement running through my blood, "King gave me permission." I remembered that day when King came and visited me. Prince didn't look thrilled. But who cares?

"You can show me a castle," I said somehow.

Sleep already took my control. I will sleep in no time.

"See you tomorrow then." He turned a smile playing on his lips. There was something in his dark eyes, twitching as a fire caught on paper.

The next second he was gone and my eyes flew toward the terrace doors before settling on the sun shining through the doors. A little piece of it looked like gold. My like of thoughts got lost when the light hit my eyes and I slept.

It was already dark when I woke up.

Next to my bed, three figures stood their eyes shining lightened with chandelier. Rubbing my eyes I recognize my maids and I smile extending my hands for a hug.

"Miss! You are finally awake. Oh, we were so scared for you." Olivia yelled hugging me. I felt her warm smell of cookies and I laughed.

"I'm okay," I mumbled into her hair her eyes connecting with mine.
"I know you are girl," her rough palm slid down my hair and she moved back.

Alicia and Mauricia did the same. They all had big smiles on their faces and they genuinely looked happy.

"Hey, girls," I said still a little sleepy.

"We are so glad that you are awake," Mauricia stopped with her talk and looked at the bathroom, "when we saw you in a bathroom our hearts stopped. We couldn't believe what happened."

They didn't mention the fact I might do that to myself.

"But Prince took you the same moment in the hospital. We are so grateful. Then again, smiles.

"Yeah, nice baster," I said under the breath and added, "I'm glad I'm fine," I said and stood in the bed.

Sharing another round of hugs I move toward the bathroom and look at them.
"I would like a bath, is that okay?"

"Sure." They all jumped from the bed and I had to smile. They are so good. I couldn't ask for better maids.

"Ow miss. Do you want to dress or pants?" Alicia asked.

"Pants," I answered getting in the bathroom.

I was already easier to walk. A night of good sleep will help anyone.

Looking around the clean bathroom I wasn't sure what to expect. Maybe one part of me through I will find blood on the tiles, but Olivia already cleaned that.

My hand wrapped around my neck and I let a moment pass. It was like I never been here. Nothing tied me here. Nothing happened. Except it did.

I looked at them waiting next to doors almost like they are waiting for my reaction but I just smiled.

"I'm fine. I just need a bath."

When air filled with lavender smell and fog I let my simple shirt slide down my body and before I entered the bath my eyes stopped at the ceiling.

Something from the stories, with Prince to save you from troubles. He did save me, by I didn't want to be saved.

When I was in a clean wardrobe again, I ate dinner. Someone left the plate in the middle of showering. Girls didn't want to leave me alone for a second and I was thankful. I didn't know how I would feel alone in here. 

Taking my plate I stepped on the terrace and looked over the labyrinth. Sun was long gone and the moon shone through the stars. Taking I long breath I heard them moving in my room and once again I silently thank them.

Bitting my apple I swallow one before I say.

"Olivia, no need to look at me. I will not jump." I took another bite of the apple and my eyes searched for red hair.

But only it wasn't Olivia, or Alicia or Maurecia.

It was Prince. My saviour, and ruiner at the same time. 

His eyes rested on a simple movement I did; bitting an apple, but when his jaw tensed I placed an apple on the table. His hands were crossed over a silver-white shirt and elegant pants. Like he just came back from a ball.

"Come to kill me?" I said and smiled, my hands playing with a tablecloth.

"I would be very grateful if you would kill yourself," he made a pause," I wouldn't be a killer ' of an innocent young girl' like my father would say." He rolled eyes and looked at the wall.

"Innocent young girl, will not do that, because she really likes these apples." I showed an apple and took another bite.

"You are mean." He said and looked at me. I saw him swallow hard. Why is that?

"Want to use your freedom? I know some super places." He made a smile but it didn't reach his eyes. They pierced through my head and look straight at my soul. Fidgeting in the chair I looked at him.

"Why are you so nice to me?" I observed his cool posture, his body almost looking like a statue.

"I don't know. Something is bothering me but I can't think about it anymore, so I will let my brain do a little magic." He said seriously, his eyes sparkling with green.

"Great. I will have the best tour ever?" I said acting happiness. My palms raised toward my cheeks and I pushed myself on biggest smile ever.

He said nothing.

"Too much?" I asked looking at him, after a minute of silence

"Too much." He agreed, and I stood up.

"Let's go." I rolled eyes behind his back and smiled.

This will be funny.

****

That is not funny.

He just talked and talked and talked.

"So this is built late 2200th. But this on the other side is new 2300th." He showed at some doors but I didn't look at it.

"No, no, no. Please stop." I shook my head placing hands over the three hundred years old doors.
"No one cares how much these doors are old. And trust me when I say no one," my voice rise at the last word and he looked at me.

"Boring?" He asked, his eyebrow pitched high.

"Just prepare, this is nothing compared toward your classes tomorrow." He said a smile dancing on his lips.

Oh no.

"Do I really need to go?" I said letting my hands fall from the doors.

"Yes." He answered, and I took a deep breath.

"Can I sit somewhere? I'm tired." I said shaking my head. This wasn't a good idea after the hospital. Especially now when I know I have to listen, classes, tomorrow.

"Sure. Come." He opened doors close to us and disappeared in its inside.

When my eyes connected on the glass ceiling, a moon piercing through it colouring whole room in light blue I stopped. It is beautiful. All around me plants covered with same blue light, and even some of them were blooming. Next to the blooms were low lights connected a big bench rested.

"What is this?" I asked my hands wondering on the leaves.

"Glass Garden." He walked behind a dark high tree when another bench appeared.

Good. I need some rest.

"Finally." I sat a feeling of relief washing over me. The Prince was actually a very good company. Despite his talk, I enjoyed every corner he showed me. He made sure I feel the magic of a castle.

"So how much names you have?" I asked after a good time in silence.

"Three." He said sitting next to me but looking at somewhere else.

I watched as muscles under his chin flexed his eyebrows narrowing like he is debating something inside. But whatever it was he refused to share out loud.

"And what are they?" I asked putting feet on the bench.

"Don't do that." He said, turning.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because it's rude." He answered looking at me. When I didn't obey I his hands lifted my legs and he put them on the ground.

"Fine. What are the names?" I repeated and looked at him.

"Caspian, Vlad and Kael." He said looking over my shoulder.

"Great. I have one. Dianna." I smiled, but he didn't turn.

He is still concerned about that thing.

"Look this way. You are not concentrated. So, both of us will go and get some sleep. It will be good."

I stood up looking at him. When our eyes met I felt a strange connection with him. A warm feeling covered my muscles.

"I have more things to do." He said and again he worked.

"Do you ever sleep?" I asked.

"Around three or four hours." He answered.

"Whoa Whoa. Even I know that is not good." I said.

Four hours. I can't work without eight hours at least.

I looked down at him.

"Get some sleep and you will feel better." I turned with a thing to leave but he stopped me.

"Not that way." He stopped me a little too late.

I took the wrong turn and my head connected with hardwood. Damnit.

"I warned you," he blurted behind me.

"Great. I can't walk." I said rubbing my forehead.

"No, you can't." He smiled and moved a little at left.

"I need to sleep. Twelve hours of sleep and everything will be good." I said while walking behind him.

"Twelve? What can I do for that time while you sleep?"

"Sorry, Prince, I'm not a princess. Your concern." I smiled behind him and prayed for my bed.

I need to sleep fast.

When we were in front of my doors, I opened them and went to my room.

"Get your twelve-hour sleep." He said and turned.

"And you get your four," I said when I saw him entering the room.

Great. Now I know the castle. This is too good to be the truth.

It felt like minutes later when Alicia woke me up.

"Miss. Mister Danniel is waiting outside."

Oh yes. He will give me a castle tour. I had one last night.

Oh, well. At least I will have some good company.

I quickly got dressed rushing out of the room. When I saw him waiting in the hallway my lips curved into a big smile.

"You really can go outside." He said, and I smiled.

"Told you." I took his hand under elbow like yesterday and we took our time.

A few hours later I was eating a big doughnut in the kitchen and looking at Danniel.

He didn't show me some places that Prince did, but it was fun. We talked and talked and smiled and finally ended up in the kitchen.

He knew when there is no one there and he taught me. Now I can have midnight lunch.

I smiled at something he said and again for a couple of times in this day I was grateful that I met him. He was so good, and he would do everything just to make you smile.

You could act naturally around him and I didn't care for anything else.

He was good and natural and I was happy.

"Don't eat all. Leave me one." I took his hand to get him away from doughnuts. I wanted more.

"No." He took a plate and pretended to eat them all.

I laughed and laughed when sugar got him in the nose and he started sneezing.

"It's not funny." He said, but a smile was in his eyes.

"No, it's not." I get serious for a few moments. "It's hilarious." And burst laugh.

"You will get your's." He started to tickle me and I had to beg him to stop because it was too much for my neck.

As our laughter died out I catch a glimpse of someone's voice.

Oh no. Sheff is back.

"Momento mori" Remember the death.

Hello...

This chapter is a little pause on the whole thing. Just her spending time with Danniel.

What does Prince think about that? Is he okay with that?

Vote comment and you will see. Also my people, I just complain but medicine is hard, bit at least I know anatomy and everything.

😍😍😍