Face

Crown Prince Daiki POV

I let the Princess lie down again as she feels dizzy while sitting. I did not leave her side yet, I won't before I make sure that she will eat. Also, Captain Kizu is not yet back to bring the royal physician. I don't understand myself but I am worried about Princess Yuki, I can't fathom what I am feeling right now but I know that something is definitely wrong and I need to know.

I feel Princess Yuki move after a few moments. She slowly gets up and covered her mouth. I guess she wants to vomit again as she did a while ago. I quickly reach out the basin at the bottom of the bed and put it in front of her. My freeze and I stilled when I saw the liquid dripping from her hands. It's red, blood. I gape at her while she is vomiting blood, unable to move.

The cloth covering her face is now stained with her blood. Without a second thought, I pulled the cover from her face not really thinking that her face will be visible to me. The same face that she was about to show with everyone, a flaky and watery skin did not even cross my mind. All I can think of is to attend to her properly and the cover is an obstruction to help her as blood keeps dripping from her mouth even though she stops vomiting.

But when my eyes darted to her face, I saw a face I am not prepared to see. I was stunned for the third time but it's not because of worry this time. Her enthralling and beautiful face shock me unexpectedly. The face, which a small part was shown to us before, there is no traces of it. No traces of any disgusting skin or even a small scar.

I sit back on the bed and look at her intently, studying her face without minding the shock and worried look on her face realizing that it is now bared to me. While looking at her, something is tugging in the deepest part of my mind, a memory that wanted to resurface but I just can't name it. I shook my head to wake up from my trance trying to look at that certain memory but an impossible thing cross my mind, a thing that is so much hard to believe. I calm down myself and focus on her condition at the moment.

When the blood coming out from her mouth finally stops, I help settle herself. I put all the pillows I found on her back so that she can lean while sitting on the bed. I wipe the traces of blood in the corner of her lip and in her hands, making sure there's no sign of any blood left. I put away the cover of her face, it has blood on it and I'll order Shuji to dispose of it later. No one should know about this. The Empress has made a way to make her stay in the palace despite the petitions submitted to the Emperor to kick her out. If this will be known, the other candidates will not keep quiet. They will surely use this to their advantage to kick Princess Yuki out of here.

I drastically turned to the door when it suddenly opened. I breathe a sigh of relief when I saw Yoshie come in, bringing the food I asked. She panic a little and staggered when she saw the princess without a cover on her face. She looks at me wide-eyed then looks at the princess and vice versa without a word.

"I dared remove it, Yoshie," I informed her in a flat tone as if it was nothing. "Don't dwell on it, no one will know what I saw and discovered and this will remain a secret," I promised to her. I don't know why but the Princess must have a reason for pulling a trick on us about her looks. "Can you please call, Shuji and let him in? Also, leave a message to let the royal physician in immediately once he arrives," I ordered.

I reach out the basket of the food from her hold and put it on the bedside table. She compose herself and left without a word. A few minutes later, Shuji, with Yoshie in tow, came in wondering why he was called. He was surprised too seeing Princess Yuki without a cover on her face. The princess has her eyes closed but I know that she is not asleep and she is just listening with us. I did not pay attention to Shuji's skeptical look towards me instead I reach out the basin below the bed and give it to him.

Both gasped when they saw the blood in the basin. They look at me questioningly. "I thought a different thing when I first saw her vomits but this happens so that was out of the question," I said, not really giving them an answer. "I have a hunch of what is happening but I want to confirm this first with the royal physician." I look at Shuji that is now holding the basin, "Dispose of it, Shuji, including this," I also give him the Princess's face cover, with the bloodstain, "be careful that no one knows about this. Also, I want you to watch and observe everyone here in discreet. Capture and lock up any suspicious person and I'll question them myself. Don't let anyone near the Princess except Yoshie, are we clear?"

"As ordered, Your Highness," Shuji bowed, step back, and left the room to carry out my command.

I turned to Yoshie standing still, "Just like what I've said, you can't allow anyone near the princess, Yoshie. From this moment you have to taste and check all the food served for the princess before letting her eat. We need to do this and do everything we can to protect Princess Yuki. Do you understand, right?"

"I'll follow your command, Your Highness," Yoshie said bowing her head, "I'll do everything I can to protect the princess."

I nodded at her and look at Princess Yuki again. Lift my hands to wipe the sweat on her forehead, and saw her face grimace, as if in pain. I sigh, "Get another cover for her face, Yoshie," I said without turning to her, "we have to put it before the royal physician came. You don't want someone will know the Princess secret other than us," I stated as I know that it is what exactly she wants.

Yoshie immediately gets the cover and puts it with Princess Yuki. When the royal physician came in, the princess already has a cover on her face.

"Your Highness," the doctor greeted me with a bow.

I nod at him and glance at the princess, "I want you to check the princess's condition carefully." The doctor looks at the princess and goes near her. I stood up, "I leave her to you, doctor. I have to talk with my captain about an important matter. You can't let anyone come here. If you need anything, just tell Yoshie," I pointed my eyes to her before looking back to the doctor.

The doctor nodded and turn to look back at the princess and started checking on her. With a worried look, Yoshie sit on the side and waited, in case the doctor needs something. I look at the princess for a moment and without wasting any time I left them and look for Captain Kizu. If my hunch is right, I just hope that they haven't started to make a move yet.