Doubts. Silly doubts.

I can't do it...

It's taking toll on my form, I'm draining...

Upon my exhaustion, the wizards behind me throw in much water on me to rejuvenate my senses. I breath in ragged breaths which concerns the witches who are resting for today.

One more day, Ron. Just one more.

I assure myself and think about Jane with the intention to cheer my exhausted self up.

Think about the look on her face when her long lost friend comes back, Ron. The friend of hers who everyone thought died that night, will come back as a grown woman with a bad past. But what's important is that she's back and normal.

I scream when I force myself to channel in more of the white forces from above. Natalie screams too, not expecting the sudden surge of forces to hit her already tired body.

The roots from under her shake with the intensity as her body keeps releasing the soul of the witch which resides in her. Black, horrific looking smoke flows out of her skin, a sight too dark to see.

The soul of the witch is actually being filtered and burnt by the white forces. As the intensity keeps increasing, I feel my vocal cords giving up on me from all the shouts of agony.

"That's it, elemental! Just a bit more!"

Just a bit more!? Is the process fastened up!?

Yes yes!!

Upon happiness, I strain myself more as I begin to cry, not being to able to endure it anymore.

But taking in huge amounts of pain is better than paining myself for a long period of time. And also, I could get back to Jane and seek for her comfort.

Oh that to be happened would be a miracle considering my body is tearing apart.

"Just a bit more!!" The witches resting on the log cheer dutifully, and I finally take the risk to scream one more time.

"Natalie!! Say 'Atone'! SAY IT, QUICKLY!"

"At— ATONE!!!"

The word, as soon as uttered, throws me off back into the lake.

I don't know what's happening anymore, I can't even feel the wetness around my skin or the water filling into my system and...

M-my world goes blank...

—

"Thank goodness." a muffled voice with an equally blurry figure says out the words with a sigh.

"Hello, Ron." I try to smile physically, but it seemed to me that I can only imagine myself smiling. My body is too weak to perceive any sorts of signals to execute.

"H-hi, sweetness..." I say with a small voice and finally smile at my mate. A chaste kiss is delivered to my cheek and my vision finally sets itself.

Jane's wearing a princess dress, a little too formal for it to be a normal frock.

"Were you busy?" I enquire, and she nods her head.

"Mhmm, father arranged an on camera interview where they finally revealed me as the princess. Though, the people are waiting for your appearance on the screen, Ron. You're quite famous, aren't you?" she says and pinches my nose in adoration.

"Oh, and did the process finish?" I ask the top query in my mind.

"Yes, my love. You did an extraordinary job." she finally stops moving around the room and places a glass of orange juice before settling on the cushioned chair beside the...hospital bed.

"I'm in a hospital...?"

"Yup. Your dried out on your blood, you have risk-taker!" upon that, my eyebrows crash together in astonishment.

I really did outdo myself, didn't I?

"Damn myself. Anyway, how's Natalie?"

"The same as you, but she's a lot better and she looks even better than you. You almost were as skinny as a stick when you were admitted here actually." My mouth forms a ring shape when she discloses the little fact about me.

"Wow."

"Yeah." she chuckles and lays her head on my chest. My hand automatically raises and caresses her soft hair, her throat making cat-like sounds which are endearing.

"I wanna get out of here already... I don't like hospitals." she giggles at my confession.

"Neither do I, but you must heal properly and completely and only then would they let you go, Ron. So heal faster, hmm? For me." she whispers.

"For you, baby girl." I say and smile, enjoying the warmth of her around me and the silence of the room.

But the silence is short lived when the door slides open and the doctor with the nurse enters in.

"Princess J-Jane." he bows respectfully, the princess nodding her head in acknowledgement. I could understand, that she wasn't used to other people outside the palace regard her as a princess. It's weird somehow, but she is what she is and there's nothing changing that.

To be honest, I feel proud just by watching her carry herself like a powerful woman. I always liked women who knew their strengths and could handle sh!t on their own without a man's support.

"How's he now?" asks Jane.

"He's just alright, your Highness. Well, he's gotta rehydrate himself within a week's time, or it can be dangerous. Please motivate him to take only fluids, your Highness. Mrs.Joe, please hand them the menu." My eyes widen when I get a glimpse of my hospital food menu.

Banana shake, cabbage soup, beetroot soup...

Wait...

BeEtRoOt sOUp!?!?!

"Noooooo!!" The whine which comes from me is childish and nothing close to adorable.

"I know what you're thinking, you big baby. But whatever they say is for your own good, Ron. Learn to cooperate." I frown and pout at what Jane says.

"But I don't like beetroooooot!" I drag the word, and I don't care if I seem annoying. I just don't want I don't want. Huff.

"As you wish. Oh, there's the butter gourd soup instead of the beetroot. You're fine with that then?"

"0.o"

"Haha, thought so. Beetroot soup it is. And Mrs.Joe, do keep changing the menu from time to time. He gets bored of routine very easily." she says like a mother describing about her child's food habits, and she ruffles my hair to which I shake her hand off of my head.

"Meanie."

"Seriously, Ron. You make me doubt about you being a real alpha or not, you know?"

"Ah- I-"

Well...I didn't know!

But it's okay.

•᎑•