Chapter 4

Evelina was on her knees among the bodies, cradling Alaric and using her own body to shield him from an arrow.

Four of her nine tails had been severed, and her core had shattered.

"Prince Alaric, please wake up." She shook Alaric by the shoulders, her voice hoarse. "The reinforcements are here. Please, wake up!"

Alaric stirred in her arms.

Evelina trembled with relief. Even the blood covering her face couldn't hide her joy.

"Your Highness, you're finally awake! I knew you'd be alright!"

Alaric opened his eyes. He glanced at her, then quickly turned away. His gaze fell on me. I was sitting on my horse a short distance away.

"Your Highness," he said.

Evelina's smile froze for a moment.

"Your…" She followed Alaric's gaze and turned to look at me. "Your Highness, you're here."

I swung down from my horse and walked over.

Blood still seeped from the arrow wound in Evelina's shoulder, and the wounds where her tails had been severed were deep enough to expose bone.

I reached out to help her up, but she shrank away without thinking.

"Save Prince Alaric first." She didn't look at me. "I'm fine."

"Get the royal physician," I commanded, keeping my voice calm. I withdrew my hand. "Treat Alaric first, then examine her."

When the royal physician pulled the arrow from Evelina's shoulder, she bit through her lip but didn't make a sound.

She kept her eyes fixed on Alaric's tent.

The comments kept appearing before my eyes even after she lost consciousness.

[Evelina is still the best! She risked her life to save Alaric. Her core shattered, four of her nine tails were severed, and she lost all her powers!]

[What about Prince Cassian? Did he just stand there and watch?]

[He came to save them, didn't he? What more do you want? Are you all idiots?]

[He showed up but didn't help. They still had to rely on Evelina!]

Alaric finally woke up the next day. He sat propped up in bed, pale but clear-eyed.

He seemed like a different man.

Evelina sat beside the bed, her forehead pressed against Alaric's hand. Her shoulders shook as she cried.

"Prince Alaric, you're awake. You're finally awake!"

Alaric glanced down at her. His expression was distant, almost disgusted. He pulled his hand from hers.

"Ms. Wrenwood," he said evenly. "Please leave."

She looked up at him, tears still on her cheeks. There was confusion in her eyes. "Your Highness?"

"I already have a wife and have never intended to take a mistress. A man and a woman shouldn't be alone together in a room."

Alaric turned away. "Someone escort Ms. Wrenwood back to her tent."

Evelina stared at him in shock. "Your Highness, I…"

Alaric cut her off, his tone hardening. "Get her out."

Two guards half-carried, half-supported her out of the tent. As Evelina passed me, she glanced at me.

Her eyes were full of confusion and hurt, as if she wanted me to speak up for her.

Of course, I said nothing.

If Alaric had no feelings for her, no one could force him to love her. It had all been one-sided on her part.

After she left, only Alaric and I remained in the tent.

"Your Highness, I need to speak with you," Alaric said.

I sat beside his bed.

"That Foxkin…" he said bluntly.

"She shouldn't be allowed to stay in the palace any longer. She's lost her powers and is no different from an ordinary fox. It isn't proper for her to remain in the palace.

"Besides, she's stubborn and reckless. She charged into battle alone this time. Though she saved me, her actions also cost me 3000 soldiers.

"Your Highness, please send her out of the palace and back to Moonveil."

I looked into Alaric's eyes. They were full of weariness.

"You weren't like this before," I said.

Alaric had never been warm toward Evelina, but he had never been this harsh, either.

He knew how well I treated her, so he was always willing to accommodate her for my sake. He never slighted her or interfered with her freedom to come and go.

"That was then." Alaric turned away. "All you need to know is that I'm doing this for your own good, Your Highness."

"She owes you far more than this," he added, almost as if speaking to himself.

After that, Alaric refused to see Evelina.

After we returned to the capital, Evelina went to Alaric's manor many times to see him, but she was turned away every time.

One day, Alaric rode out through the front gate.

Evelina stumbled toward him and cried, "Why are you treating me this way? What have I done wrong?"