Are you scared of me?

Amira stepped away from the door, closing it gently behind her. She settled on the edge of the bed, facing Zyran, who carefully laid out the treatment supplies.

His gaze locked on her, he silently requested her to offer her arm, to which she consented. As he began to tend to her wound, Amira winced at the sharp, stinging pain that shot up her arm.

"You're such a baby," he teased, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"I'm not," she defended, fighting to hold back the tears welling in her eyes.

"Hmm," he hummed, appearing to silently acknowledge her strength. Blowing cool air on her wound, he worked to soothe her pain as he tended to her injury.

"Are you upset?" he inquired, his gaze leaving her wound and shifting to meet her eyes.

"Do you treat everyone who offends you in the same manner, whether it's a big mistake or a small one?" Amira inquired.

"All mistakes should be punished, no one exempt," he replied firmly.

"Aren't you afraid of what others will think about you? I've heard people whispering about how unforgiving and ruthless you are on several occasions," she expressed her concern.

"I don't care about what they think. It would only be a waste of time if I did," he responded, unmoved by the opinions of others.

"But don't you wish to be in their favor? They all fear you, even your family doesn't see you as one of them," Amira pressed on.

"Fear is for those who have something to hide," Zyran said firmly, his eyes fixed on her.

He stared intently at her and asked, "Are you scared of me?"

Amira averted her gaze, unable to maintain eye contact any longer. She glanced down at her arm, which was now fully covered and healing. Zyran closed the box and looked at Amira, whose eyes were fixed on his shoes.

"Don't be scared of me. I won't eat you," he reassured her. Amira raised her head to meet his eyes.

"Good night," he said before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Amira settled into her bed and drifted off to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The following weeks passed like a gentle breeze. It had been almost a month since Amira arrived at Oaken Vale and married Zyran.

One day, she was engrossed in her lessons with the royal governess, who was tasked with teaching her basic etiquette and various other aspects of royalty.

She hadn't seen much of Novalie, as the last she heard, the queen had grounded her and made her relearn her studies. Poor Novalie.

Katia had also been occupied with attending soirées and gatherings.

After the royal governess left, Amira stepped out of her quarters and took a walk around the palace, feeling the need to stretch her legs.

"Princess Amira!" she heard a familiar voice exclaim from behind her. She turned to see Marion, a young man from the stable who tends to the house waving at her from a distance.

Surprised and delighted to see him, she strolled over to greet him.

"Hello, Marion. It's been quite a while," she said with a warm smile.

"I have been worried about you, but seeing you now brings assurance to my unease," he said, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.

Amira nodded in acknowledgment of his worries.

"Have you been well?"

"How's your work at the stable?" she inquired, genuinely interested in his well-being.

"Coping," he replied with a hint of weariness before his expression brightened. "I was just about to feed Anchor," he said with a cheerful smile.

Amira stared at him in confusion.

"Anchor?"

"Yes, my puppy," Marion explained. "I found him in the woods, alone and hungry. I couldn't resist taking him home."

Amira's eyes lit up at the thought of Marion caring for a dog.

"Really? Wow, that's nice."

"Do you want to go see them?" Marion asked, noticing the curiosity she was trying hard to suppress.

"Can I?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Come on," Marion urged, leading her away as she followed closely behind.

Her laughter resonated through the cozy room where Marion resided. Unlike the other stable boys, he had his little shelter, tucked away in the attic of the servant's quarters.

She gently placed the little brown puppy on the ground. It eagerly rubbed its head against her, basking in her comforting presence.

Marion observed her, noticing how her previously tense and guarded expression had softened as she allowed herself to enjoy the moment.

"It seems like Anchor likes you," Marion remarked.

"I've never had a pet before, but this little guy is already growing on me. It's a shame that I can't keep him," Amira sighed wistfully, knowing that keeping the puppy would likely pose challenges.