Absence of his warmth.

Kael trudged home as the evening sky turned a dusky blue, the cold wind biting at his skin. Each step felt heavier than the last, his energy draining with every brisk stride. His stomach churned uncomfortably. But he forced himself forward, determined to reach home.

By the time he arrived at their small house, his body was trembling, and his breaths came in shallow gasps. Yet, he managed a faint smile as he pushed the door open.

"Mom," he called out weakly, his voice slightly hoarse. "I'm back."

Amara emerged from the kitchen, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of her son. His face was pale, his dark eyes dull, and his movements unsteady. Before she could say anything, Kael grinned faintly, trying to mask his condition.

"You won't believe what happened today," he began, his voice uneven. "The princess… she—"

But he didn't get to finish his sentence. Suddenly, Kael doubled over, clutching his stomach as a wave of nausea overtook him. Amara rushed to his side just as he began to vomit, his body trembling.

He finally collapsed into her arms, his weight almost too much for her to bear.

"Kael!" she exclaimed, panic flashing across her face as she guided him to sit down. "What happened to you? Why are you like this?"

Kael tried to respond, but his words were slurred and faint.

Amara quickly fetched a wet cloth to wipe his face, her mind racing. As she cleaned him up, a sharp realization struck her. She stared at him with a mixture of anger and worry.

"You didn't listen to me, did you?" she said, her tone both scolding and pained. "I told you to keep yourself warm and to eat only hot meals. What did you do today?"

Kael winced, his guilt evident even in his weakened state. "It was… the princess," he murmured. "She..she forgot her coat, and I gave her mine. And then… the food was cold, but… she said it was fine. I didn't want to… offend her."

Amara's lips pressed into a thin line, her emotions conflicted. She placed a hand on his forehead and felt the rising heat of a fever. "So you risked your health for a princess?" she said, shaking her head. "Kael, how could you be so careless? You know your body can't handle the cold like others."

Kael looked at her, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Mom," he whispered. "I didn't want to let her down."

Amara sighed deeply, her anger melting into concern. She fetched a thick blanket and wrapped it around him, making sure he was as warm as possible. Then she hurried to prepare a steaming bowl of soup, muttering under her breath about his stubbornness.

When she returned, she helped him take small sips, her hand steady as she held the bowl.

"You have to take better care of yourself," she said softly, her voice tinged with worry. "No one else will do it for you, Kael. Not even a princess."

Kael gave a faint, apologetic smile, his strength slowly returning with the warmth of the soup. "I'll be more careful," he promised, his voice barely audible.

Amara nodded, though her heart ached as she looked at her son. She could see the weight of his kindness. But no matter how much she worried, she knew that his son was so stubborn and would end up giving his coat and endure the cold for the sake of another.

Kael lay in bed for days, his body weakened from the fever. Amara stayed by his side, nursing him with warm meals, herbal remedies, and constant care. He longed to return to the institute, but his condition had yet to recover fully. Meanwhile, at the institute, Kael's absence was deeply felt by the princess, though she didn't openly express it.

The morning felt colder than usual as the princess walked into the lecture hall. Her auburn hair framed her face, but there was a noticeable absence of her usual demeanor. She sat in her usual spot, her eyes glancing occasionally at the empty seat beside her. The once lively and somewhat teasing company of Kael now felt like a void in her heart.

As the day progressed, a group of boys approached her during a break. It was the same group Kael had an unfortunate encounter with, before. Their leader, a tall boy with an arrogant smirk, leaned casually against a pillar near where the princess sat.

"Looks like your little shadow isn't here today," the boy said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Kael, wasn't it? Surprised you still let him sit with you. That guy's nothing but trouble."

The princess remained silent, but her eyes narrowed slightly, her discomfort clear.

"He's a bully, you know," another boy chimed in, his voice eager to add to the insult. "Always picking fights, pretending to be someone he's not. Maybe he got what he deserved, being sick and all."

The princess's hands tightened into fists on her lap, though she still said nothing. The remarks continued, each word chipping away at her patience.

"Come on, Princess," the leader said, his tone softening as if trying to be charming. "You don't need someone like him around. He's just holding you back. You deserve better company." He gestured to the group with a wide grin. "Like us."

Another boy, one who seemed less inclined to mock Kael, stepped forward hesitantly. His expression was softer, almost apologetic. "Maybe she doesn't need us," he said, looking directly at the princess. "But she might need someone else."

He smiled warmly and introduced her to a girl standing nearby. The girl had a kind face and seemed nervous but eager to make an impression. "This is Lira," the boy said. "She's great company, and I think you two would get along. You know, it's not always about boys. Sometimes, a good girlfriend is all you need."

The princess looked at Lira, her expression softening slightly. Though she appreciated the gesture, her thoughts remained on Kael. She gave a polite smile to Lira and nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness.

As the group continued talking, she drifted into her own thoughts, her mind replaying moments with Kael. His shy smiles, his quiet but thoughtful words, the way he had given her his cloak without hesitation. She missed his presence, none of the boys standing before her seemed to possess.

When the bell rang, signaling the next lesson, the princess stood without a word and walked back to the classroom, her mind elsewhere.