I rose to my feet, trembling with a mix of fury and despair, and stared at her. My tears fell like relentless waves crashing in a stormy ocean. My voice wavered, barely audible, as I stammered, "I... I need some time... I..."
Without waiting for her response, I turned and fled her chambers. My movements were frantic, my mind too clouded to think straight. As I rushed through the corridor, I grabbed my lilac blindfold, putting it on hastily. My fingers fumbled, the fabric becoming streaked with the blood tears still falling uncontrollably from my eyes. I didn't care. I didn't care about anything other than escaping, finding solitude, and trying to breathe through the weight crushing my chest.
I didn't realize where I was going until I was almost there—the Royal inner garden of the main residence. Her parents' residence. It was the only place I could think of where I might find a shred of peace, a corner to be alone. But as I stumbled forward, my pace unsteady, I collided with someone.
The impact jolted me, and I froze, recognizing the energy radiating from the person I'd run into. Dread filled me as I realized who it was: Prince Daisuke, the King's only son, Avy's younger brother, and the one destined to ascend the throne after her inevitable death.
He turned sharply to face me, his tone sharp and mocking. "And the oracle called you a well-behaved child!"
I felt his gaze linger on me, and instinctively, I turned my face away, desperate to hide my tears. But he caught my chin, his grip firm but not harsh, and tilted my face toward him.
"Blood tears…" he murmured, his voice quiet, as though he was speaking more to himself than to me. "What did you do, Eileithya?"
I flinched at the sound of my full name. I hated when he called me that, the way it rolled off his tongue with an almost condescending lilt. Why couldn't he just call me Thya, the way Avy did?
"Whose death did you see?" he pressed. His voice was low, his curiosity laced with suspicion.
"That's none of your business, Your Highness," I snapped, though the words burned on my tongue. It was his business, but I couldn't tell him. I wouldn't.
His brow furrowed, his tone growing more insistent. "Why are you so shaken? Whose death did you see?"
Why was he so damn curious? My patience was wearing thin. "Because I saw somebody's death, dumbass. Now leave me alone. I don't like being near you, and you don't like me. I can feel it, so just get out of my way."
He laughed, the sound grating against my already frayed nerves. "Quite bold of you to tell me to leave my parents' garden, Eileithya!"
"Then stay!" I shot back, my voice trembling with anger. "I don't give a damn. I'm out of here."
I tried to push past him, but his hand shot out and grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks.
"Wait! Whose death did you see?"
My breathing quickened, the tension in my body almost unbearable. Finally, I turned to face him, my voice low and venomous. "If you don't leave me alone, Prince Daisuke Maël Maximillian, I swear I will take off my blindfold and see your fucking death. Do you want that? Because I wouldn't mind!"
His grip loosened immediately, and he took a cautious step back. I heard him swallow hard.
"As a Prince of this Kingdom, I order you to—"
But before he could finish, hurried footsteps approached, and I felt Avy's familiar presence, her comforting scent enveloping me like a protective shield.
"Thya! There you are." Her voice was soft yet carried an edge of concern. "I've been looking for you since you left the ball. Where were—Oh my Gods, are those blood tears? Did you… Did you see someone's death?"
Her voice was calm, controlled, as though she already knew the answer but didn't want to alarm me further.
"She did!" Daisuke interjected, his tone shifting to something gentler. "But she doesn't want to tell me who it was, sister."
"Leave her alone, Dai," Avy said, her voice firm as she moved closer to me. Her hand found mine, squeezing it reassuringly. "Can't you see she's shaken? Thya doesn't need your pestering right now."
"Did my little brother bully you, Thya?" she asked with a soft laugh, using that familiar teasing tone she reserved for him. She loved playing the older sibling card, even though there was barely a year between them.
"Yes…" I murmured, letting my voice tremble just enough to sell the lie.
"What? How is that bullying?" Daisuke protested, his voice rising in disbelief. "Come on, sis, you can't believe this liar!"
I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it. He would be shattered when she was gone, just as I would be. He loved her more than anything, even if he masked it with his stubborn pride and constant bickering.
Avy turned to him, her tone soft but laced with an edge of steel. "Dai, can't you see Thya's state? Don't you realize the burden she carries because of this damn power? Could you handle it? Could you bear to know when everyone you love will die and still remain sane?"
He scoffed, his voice dripping with bitterness. "Whatever. She has that damn blindfold for a reason. She's stupid to take it off."
He wasn't wrong. I was stupid. But it wasn't like I had a choice. Not when it came to her. Not when she asked me to use my cursed gift on her birthday.
"Leave him alone, Avy," I muttered, pulling my hand free from hers. "I don't care. No one will ever understand what I go through, and it's better that way. Just… let me go. I need to go home, or I'll lose my mind here."
Avy's grip tightened for a moment before she released me, her voice soft with resignation. "You can't use your position as a Prince to order her around, Dai. That's not what a rightful Prince should do."
I turned away from them, ready to leave, but as I walked away, I couldn't help overhearing their parting words.
"I'm sorry, sis," Daisuke said quietly, his voice barely audible.
"It isn't me you should be apologizing to, Dai!" Avy replied sharply.
As if he'd ever apologize to me. His pride was far too big for that.