Dexter didn’t doubt his decision for a second. Who else could it be if not him?

He felt guilty in front of Amanda, for not having had time, for allowing her to put herself in danger, for having personally deprived her of a limb. How will she take it when she comes to her senses?

Her words were firmly embedded in his memory when she asked him to cut off her leg, but was she fully aware of herself at that moment? What if when she wakes up, she doesn’t want to see him anymore?

All he could do for her now was to let her live on and hate him for the rest of her life, it was better than death or eternal hibernation.

- I will take your blood, Your Grace, in several steps. It will take some time, but we can’t subject you to exsanguination, do you understand? – said the doctor, taking off his bloody robe and replacing it with a new one.

- Take as much as you need. - That was Dexter’s whole answer.

- Please, sit down next to me. Yes, right here, on the chair. I’m going to put my bag away now.

The man quickly grabbed a bag full of medicines and put it on the table, taking out the necessary tools, tourniquets, alcohol and silver hollow tubes.

The whole manipulation was done so quickly, which justified his title of an experienced healer.

He tied Dexter’s arm with a tourniquet, inserted one of the silver tubes into it, and inserted the other into Amanda’s hand, and a thin trickle of venous blood, dark, almost purple-purple, flowed between them.

Dexter noticed that the doctor was tinkering with additional devices, one of which was a small alcohol lamp that heated the blood passing through the tubes and all this time he continued to monitor the princess’s condition, and Dexter himself finally heard again the soft and extremely quiet, weak beating of her heart, her living heart.

He relaxed and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, allowing his blood to flow smoothly and saturate Amanda.

He had already understood from the words of the doctor that it would take more than one day or even two. It would take time for all her tissues and internal organs to be saturated with blood again and he was ready to sacrifice all his blood to her just to see her happy again, or angry, grumpy or fooling around like a child. He just wanted to see her beautiful eyes and kind smile again.

***

Mrs. Rose hurriedly ran to the back exit of the palace, which was the shortest way leading to the courtyard. All this time, the young maid was trailing behind as if on a leash.

Today’s events made her day turn upside down, and she involuntarily recalled the day when the king lost control of his emotions and brutally killed most of the servants and guests of the castle.

It was like a terrible dream and she prayed that these events would not happen again, but Her Highness’ condition made her nervous and expect the worst as soon as the king found out.

In the middle of a neatly trimmed meadow, stretched out like a star and bending one leg at the knee, lay Count Milos, who slightly turned his head sideways when fussy footsteps were heard next to him. He snorted languidly.

- I told you I was fine." - he gently scolded the young maid, giving her a look as if she was very naughty and needed a spanking.

He sat up and sat down.

- Mrs. Rose, have you been to the princess yet? How is she?

The housekeeper nodded, noticing that many of the wounds on the Count’s body were already beginning to heal.

- She’s in a very bad condition. Honestly, I don’t even know what it will lead to, I’m afraid to even think. – almost pained, she said, bowing her head and pursing her lips. - His Grace the Duke of Parmont is with her now, and the healer has also come.

- That’s good. - her words were good news. - But in any case, I must notify the King of what has happened as soon as possible.

- Your Grace, will our short peaceful days end again? - She noticed the anxiety that colored the Count’s face.

- Margaret, I can’t give you any hope yet. Just try not to burden Dexter now and discuss all the problems that arise with me. Everything is very complicated. – he concluded and the girl behind the housekeeper tensed.

- I understand you, Your Grace. If you will allow me, I will bow out to the kitchen and order the cook to prepare something to restore your strength.

- That would be wonderful. - He gave her a warm smile and finally got up from the ground, brushing off his clothes.

***

In the royal reception room, decorated in an ornate grotesque style, Dexter leaned over the table, finishing the last lines of a letter with a sharp stroke of a pen.

They talked to Milos and agreed that the king should certainly be notified of the situation in Abion, despite the fact that it brought their own execution closer, but now this excitement has receded to the last plan.

He read the letter again before stuffing it into an envelope and sealing it with the royal coat of arms.

He knew from the latest news that Raphael and the Riliya Princess were on their way to Eriad, but he couldn’t deliver a message there, so he could only rely on one person.

Raphael had not sent Skars for a long time, so it was problematic to deliver correspondence. These difficulties flowed into the decision to send a messenger to Richard, who, as he thought, was supposed to be in Riliya.

He specifically did not specify any details in the letter, so that in the event of an attack on the messenger, no one could gain access to classified information, but clearly outlined the position on which Raphael immediately needed to return home. It was their only chance to prevent the witches from invading.

After the messenger was dispatched, Dexter took out a vial of Raphael’s blood from his pocket, which he sent to him and Amanda as a last resort, and went to check on Giselle.

During the time that Raphael was absent, the Adamanian princess noticeably improved her health and her fresh appearance regained its soft features, thanks to Amanda’s care and regular nutrition.

A lot has changed in Giselle’s behavior, but more than that, her consciousness has changed from the moment when she first found herself in Abion’s palace to that unfortunate moment that almost put her life in serious danger.