You’re Pretty

‘Evadne’s Point Of View’

I got here three days ago, to this new village called Dawn’s Rest, to this new clinic. The patient rates had been relatively low today.

It was currently 11PM and all I could hear was the sound of rain hitting the soil. No one would be coming again tonight, I thought to myself. 

As I got up to close the windows, that’s when I saw it. 

Torches.

The sound of hooves hitting the ground suddenly became strong.

Before I knew it someone was rushed in with an arrow sticking out of his lower chest. 

“Healer, healer, it’s an emergency!”

“Lay him down on the cot,” I said, already rummaging for bandages. 

As I turned to face the patient, I immediately recognized him. 

Prince Kael.

I had never seen him up close before, only in festivals and kingdom parades, although that night he looked so different. He looked… grey.

“H-he stepped in and took an arrow for me while we were fending off intruders,” the youngest-looking soldier said, anxiously clutching a scabbard laced with royal embroidery, most likely for the prince.

Of course he did. Prince Kael was famous for always taking a blow for others.

“I need you all to step out while I examine him,” I said, cutting off his shirt.

Nobody moved.

“Now please!” I urged.

They were reluctant but they left.

“Prince Kael,” I whispered to him. “Can you hear me?”

To my surprise he opened his eyes for a brief moment, scanned my face and whispered softly. “You’re… pretty.” Just before his eyes shut again.

My ears went hot. 

Patients had said all sorts of things to me, but this came as a surprise, especially in the middle of such a situation.

I immediately put pressure around the area of the wound and he winced.

“This is going to hurt,” I said, gripping the arrow before I pulled it out.

Blood spilled out.

It was darker and thicker than I expected. I paused for a moment, then forced myself to continue.

Different bodies, I told myself.

I quickly got to work.

A few hours later, the arrow was out, the wound stitched and bandaged, his breathing was also starting to stabilize. 

The soldiers had left as I had told them to return the next morning.

I stared at him blankly. He was indeed handsome.

“You’re an idiot,” I said to his sleeping face. ”Charging into arrows for your men, the last thing the kingdom needed was a dead prince.”

He didn’t respond. Not like I wanted him to, I could get killed for saying such to the prince.

I closed the windows, bolted the door and stayed in the chair beside him until dawn.

*****

‘Kael’s Point Of View’

I woke to the smell of lavender and herbs, quite unsure of where I was.

I tilted my head slightly and I could see through the windows, water from the roof dripping onto the ground outside.

It was dark but the sun was starting to peek through.

I turned my head, and sitting on a chair beside me was one of the most beautiful women I had ever laid my eyes on. 

She had auburn hair tied to the back, her lashes resting on her cheeks as she slept. I could hear her shallow breathing, the soft expansion of her chest with each breath. Her mouth slightly opened as well.

She was in a position which might not be favourable for some, but regardless she was absolutely beautiful.

I watched her for a long time, I shouldn’t have. A prince didn’t stare at a sleeping woman he’s never met, but I couldn’t help it.

I tried to lift myself up, but it was painful. I made a sound and it woke her up instantly.

“Prince Kael!” she exclaimed.

She had bright green eyes.

“Can you sit? Let me help you.”

She was beside me in an instant, supporting my back and slowly helping me up. It was painful but absolutely worth it. The warmth of her palms on my skin made it even better.

“You were brought here in the middle of the night by your soldiers, something about an arrow.”

Oh, that’s right. I remember. 

Enemies from outside tried to infiltrate our kingdom. It was a few masked men who attacked us with arrows, we fought them off but we missed one hiding in the bushes. We were caught off guard, he shot an arrow which was about to hit our youngest soldier.

I couldn’t just stand there and do nothing.

I honestly thought I had imagined it, a pretty woman leaning over me in the dark but I’m glad it wasn’t my imagination. To  think of it, this isn’t my first time in the clinic of this village.

It was a rather small clinic with a treating room when you first step in, then a door at the far end that leads to a small room with cots, where patients can stay if needed.

“Where’s the old man, who used to be here?” I asked, rubbing my temples.

“He retired, I was sent as a replacement from my village,” she replied plainly.

She walked to the table, poured a glass of water and brought it to my lips without a word. I drank from the cup. The water was cool.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Evadne.”

“Eh-vad-ne.”

“No, it's Ee-vad-nee.”

“I’m Kael. You can call me your prince.”

I could have sworn she almost rolled her eyes.

“I know that… everyone does.” 

“Ee-vad-nee.” I tried it on my tongue.

“I’ve never heard of it. Beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”

She didn’t smile but her ears turned pink. I filed that down.

She blushes.

I’m going to enjoy making her blush again, I thought to myself.

She turned around pretending to rummage for something, but it was obvious it was to avoid my gaze. 

“Argh!” I exclaimed falsely.

She was beside me in a second.

“Does anywhere hurt? Are you burning up?” She asked, scanning my wound and feeling my temple.

She met my gaze and she quickly realized what this was. Her ears flushed pink instantly.

I laughed, I couldn’t help it.

“You’re reckless Prince Kael!” She said, walking towards the door.

“This isn’t funny. You have a hole in your lower chest and you’re doing this.” She said while unlocking the door.

“Please rest up till your soldiers come to get you, I’m going to pick some herbs.”

She opened the door and I watched her leave. I didn’t mean to upset her, but her reaction was worth it.

I lay back down, closed my eyes and smiled.

Nice to meet you Evadne.