Zils has been bedridden for a month. The chambermaids are required to standby by her bed. The royal physicians check on her everyday but no sight of Vrag at all. She still have many things to ask him, and of course to convince him that she worth nothing to force Arethea to surrender.
The War between Arethea and Slotia has been going on for three years. It started with military showoff between two countries but it escalated to a war where both side wanted to expand their territories.
Vrag who is actually the fifth Prince of Slothia, was a shock to Zils. Zils has heard rumours about the dispute between Slothia Crown Prince and second Prince over the throne, the rest of Slothian Prince is not really well known. Slothia King is known to keep the biggest harem among the Kings. There is even a saying that he also keep a harem of beautiful young men. Rumours about Slothia are never pretty.
Zils waste her time observing the room she is staying at. The room shape is round, with big windows around the round walls. The chambermaids open the windows every morning and warm breeze will step in with sounds of birds chirping. The maids have said that during cold seasons the windows are closed.
The physicians has advised them that she have to be kept as happy as possible so that her healing can progress better. They let her sit on one of the berandas with the morning sun and have her breakfast there. It was Spring so the breathtaking flower garden can be enjoyed fully from the high rise chamber she staying in. A fitting chamber for a royal, she admitted she enjoyed it more than she should while staying here. She need to constantly reminded herself that she is in the enemy territory.
The flower garden brought her a nostalgic memory that she has forgotten long time ago. A tiny movement at the main gate caught her attention and when the gate is opened she can view garrison of horses ridden by men in white uniforms.
"Oh Your Highness is back." one of the chambermaid informed Zils.
Zils can't help but think the maid has thought of her as Vrag's woman. She expected Zils to be happy with Vrag's coming home. Zils is keeping her distance with the chambermaids. They have been the kindest to her but they are still people from the enemy kingdom. She will get in trouble if she has grown attached to them.
Zils just gave them a faint smile.
"I can't wait to have a talk with him."
Zils didn't have a chance to talk with Vrag since the last time they met. The physicians are summoned to the chamber to continue her treatment and that is the last time she saw Vrag. Vrag hasn't been in the palace for a month.
Zils has retire to the bed when she heard the door is opened. Vrag proceed to enter the room. He brought in a wooden box, put it on the table and hang his outer coat on one of the chair. He then remove his white military blazer and left with his inner white shirt. He removed the buttons on his upper shirt while eyeing Zils from the mirror in front of him.
"How is your leg?" Vrag opened the conversation.
"Proceeding well." Zils answered. Vrag's blonde hair has grown a bit longer than what Zils remembered. "Your physicians said I am able to try walking next week."
"I brought a present for you." Vrag bring the wooden box and placed it on her lap. Vrag sit casually beside her on the bed. Zils gave him a questioning look.
"Open it. It's a gift."
Zils frown but she opened the wooden box. Her eyes are widen when she recognized the familiar blue jewels inside the box.
"How do you get this?"
"I got this from Corinth." Vrag answered. "Those azure stones have the same color with your eyes..."
"You captured Corinth?" Zils stricken with panic.
"It takes me three weeks to bring that city down and meet your half brother."
"What did you do to Edmund?!" Zils can feel the horror seep in.
Edmund is the third Arethea Prince. Edmund is the only one that treated her as a sister eventhough she is only the princess born from a chambermaid. Edmund and Zils' age is only a year apart.
The Arethea Queen only bear sons for the King so when Zils is born the King is delighted. The Queen is not happy about the affair though and Zils was never announced as a Princess. She is still able to stay within the Palace walls. The Queen has always denied that Zils is the daughter of the King, spreading rumors that Zils' mother slept with many men besides the King but ironically as her sons take over her features, Zils is the only one take the King's features. The royal features that nobody can deny.
The high quality azure jewels that Vrag brought can only be found in Corinth. Edmund is not so talented in war arts, but he is more interested on trades and economics. The King placed him to govern Corinth, where Arethea's biggest azure jewels mine reside.
"I keep him in the dungeon so far."
Vrag play with Zils hair, he really like her silky jet black hair the most. He didn't expect that he can feel the longing to touch Zils' hair after a month away.
"Both of you didn't look that much alike."
"He is not a soldier, don't hurt him."
"Wether I have to take his life or not, it depends on you." his hand caress Zils's rosy lips.
Zils slapped his hands away. Vrag gave her a deep look and suddenly pushed her down, kissing her forcefully.
"Stop!!" Zils tried to push him away but she knew little can be done with her bandaged leg.
"So you prefer me to kill your brother then?"
Vrag threatened her cowardly. Zils stop resisting and throw an angry stare to Vrag.
"Is that how low you want to sunk?"
Vrag started to laugh.
"What is so funny?" Zils is taken a back with his reaction. He is supposed to be offended or angry.
"I will if I need to. If you want to call me a low life, go ahead. I don't care about any insults you want to throw at me."
Zils froze as she heard him.
"Your answer." Vrag demanded. "Your brother's life depend on you..."
Zils just close her eyes, feeling the tears welling up.
"Do as you like." her answer came like a whisper.