XXI. Who are you?

The man's heart seemed to have stopped beating when he saw the burns on the palms up to Amanda's arms which were covered in sleeves. Now Illarion could feel Amanda's body temperature was scorching. Illarion's attention returned to the burn on Amanda's hand, and a sudden fear crept up his back. Illarion immediately pulled Amanda into his arms and carried the unconscious girl out of the Majesty's room. Without being polite and saying permision to the King.

Illarion dashed to where the royal medics were. "Don't die… don't die… hold on!" he repeated. Amanda was in his arms, barely breathing.

***

The dark curtains drawn by the Black Prince immediately blocked the twilight color that looked like embers from the bedroom window. Illarion hated the sight of the orange light so much that it made him remember the cruel things that had happened to his life fifteen years ago.

Amanda is still asleep, but her fever hasn't gone down. Illarion sat on her bed, staring at Amanda.

"Listen… I'll never