I woke up.
My view of the world was still blurry, but judging the heat and the sand, I knew I was still outside. Thankfully I was away from the sun, more importantly, I was away from that land owner.
As I started to sober up, I realised I was leaning… leaning on Taeyong. I looked up expecting to see him glaring at me, but he wasn't: he was sleeping. I've never seen someone sleeping. I didn't have a sibling to share my room with, and it was forbidden to leave my room during rest time. His breath was slow and steady, and for the first time, his face looked peaceful, in a contagious way. I never want to sleep alone again! I want to wake up in the middle of rest time and look at my sleeping roommate till nightbreak!
I don't know what happened but I raised my hand and touched his cheek. It was so soft! Such a man with an intimidating character should have a rough skin with traces of beard— but not Taeyong. That's it. When I go back to Stellara I wi— wait.
… When will I go back?
WILL I ever go back?
And if I did, what will happen? Shezmu and Melqart will be waiting for me to join my parents. There'll be new priests, new guards, new rules. And if I stayed alive, a lifetime of slavery would be waiting for me. And what if Shezmu tried to abuse me again? Thinking of that night, of what happened in the fields made me start crying again. Trying to hide my sobs, I didn't realise that I woke Taeyong up. So I was very shocked when he took me in his embrace. Another realization hit me: the scarf was no longer on my hair, which Taeyong's hand was . I looked up at him, only to see him looking at me with worry. But all was shattered when he stood up, back to serious mode.
“- I guess a night princess working out in the sun was a bad idea.
- Ha… You think?
- Sorry, okay?!
- I better get a better treatment next time. This kind of job is unacceptable!
- Oh, Your Highness, punish me for my foolish actions!", he said with mock fear, so I couldn't help but laugh it off.
"- Well, everything is fine now. What about the land owner? I made a lot of trouble and ruined his plants. I should apologize.
- Nah. I wanted to hit him a long time ago but I didn't have a motive. Thanks for giving me one.”
And then, out of the blue, he winked. Realising what he did, he turned his back to me and stared at the dunes. As for me, I think my cheeks were turning red.
“Iahe… You don't have to worry about someone hurting you. From now on, you'll help mother with her work. She's the village most acknowledged healer, no one would dare make her mad. And…”
He looked back at me.
“If anyone touches you, he'll wish he wasn't even born when he'll have to face me. I'm here for you Iahe, please trust me. Come on, let's go.”
As we walked back, I couldn't help but stare at him. I wanted to ask so many more questions, but there was some kind of lump in my throat. And my heart wouldn't calm down! It's been beating so fast since I woke up that I thought it might burst! It probably was still panicking from what happened tonig-day. What happened ‘today’. I mean, It's not because of what Taeyong said.
Right?
…
Next day, Taeyong walked me (more like dragged me out of the house, it felt hotter than yesterday), not forgetting to give me two bottles of water, to his mother's place of work. She's a healer, which mostly means I'll spend my time inside, out of the sun, helping her treating patients.
Her place of work was even smaller than their house. It had a small room, which was empty at the moment, with chairs all around, a “waiting” room, decorated with exotic symbols all over the walls, and an empty flower pot in the corner.
At my right, there was a curtain, leading to the room where Taweret made her magic. It held a simple bed made of hay, and a small cabinet containing vials with herbs and liquids I don't know the names. The whole place was smaller than my room back in the palace, but somehow, it felt warmer, safer.
“You're late.”
I jumped (and hit my head with the cabinet's small door as I was turning around) as Taweret was standing at the door, arms crossed and tapping her foot on the ground.
“- Taweret! You–
- Starting from today, you are no longer the princess when you step here. You will follow what I say and do like I tell you. And keep yout scarf on your head. We don't want to deal with worshippers.”
Without letting me say anything, she threw a broom at me, and left.
Well, at least I wasn't working in the sun.

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Hi everyone! I'm sorry for my late updates, but I've been busy with finals and graduation. I finally got my bachelor in biochemistry!

since now I'm practically free, I'll try updating every week, and continue writing new chapters.

Thank you for reading, and please don't be shy, write a comment!