In the palace, Princess Orchid’s room.

Bella tended to the strawberry plant. With gentle hands, she snipped the dead leaves and cut the ripe strawberries weighing down the plant. Her eyes cut to the large plate of ripe strawberries on the desk. This had been the same routine for the past two days.

Bella didn’t know what to do with the strawberries. Eating them felt wrong without the Princess’ permission. But letting them go to waste felt even more wrong.

With a soft sigh, Bella ate one strawberry. Its sweetness didn’t reach her.

"Where are you?" She asked the air.

Deep down, she couldn’t believe she was worried about the Princess. After all Bella had gone through in her hands, the working late into the night, barely having time to herself, Bella didn’t imagine for one second that a time would come when she missed the Princess.

But the room felt empty. It was always spacious but lately it felt even more deserted.

Bella kept expecting to walk in and see the Princess at her desk, eating strawberries and mumbling into a notebook. Or sprawled out on her bed, staring at the ceiling and humming strange songs.

I hope she’s alright.

Deciding to return to her quarters, Bella picked the plate and left. Her intention was to share it with her friends, hopefully the Princess wouldn’t mind.

Outside, Bella met Azul who had just returned from his trip to the North. She bowed, holding the plate close to her chest so it didn’t spill all over.

"My lord," she greeted.

"Where is the Princess?"

Bella raised her head, not daring to look him in the eye. Plus he was so tall she could only see his chest. "The Princess left two days ago. There was an issue with the detectors and other devices, I believe she went to the mines."

"The mines?" Azul asked. "She’s in danger. On my way here I spotted an anomaly."

Bella’s heart sank. The Princess was in danger? Was it even possible for her to ever be in danger?

"What can I do?"

"Come with me." Azul turned and walked down the hall. Bella had to run just to keep up with his massive strides.

Her heart pounded as they made their way to the barracks. Once there, Azul rounded up a dozen soldiers and reinforcements, before turning to face Bella.

"I’ll go ahead. Follow the soldiers, am I clear?"

Bella nodded wordlessly, worried and scared with how fast everything was moving.

In minutes, the cars moved out. Azul shifted into his beast form and was gone, leaving a cold draft of air in his place. Bella got into the middle car, still clutching the strawberries to her chest.

Please...please be safe, Princess.

****

Back at the inn.

Anna regained consciousness, becoming slowly aware of someone holding her, rocking her back and forth and whispering something. Cold droplets of water dropped onto her face, sliding down her cheeks.

"I’m sorry..." a broken voice whispered, as if in prayer.

"I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Forgive me. Anna please forgive me."

"I’d never hurt you"

"I’ll kill myself before I lay a hand on you"

"Please wake up. Please...please..."

Anna recognized that voice. She didn’t know which surprised her the most. The fact that he dared touch her after she’d seen the kind of disgusting thoughts he harbored towards her, or the fact that he was sobbing and the cold droplets were his tears.

The images rushed back. Even if they weren’t real, Anna felt the touch of his hands on her body. His harsh hold on her arms, her legs. The way he forced her body into angles she didn’t think was possible. The things he did to her. With his hands, his mouth, his—she could feel it moving in and out of her. Out of every opening in her body.

It was too real. Everything was too real.

Anna moved, groaning softly, pushing at his chest with all the strength in her limbs. She wanted to wash herself. Soak herself in bleach till she removed every memory of his touch. Her heart picked up, and she pushed at him again.

Her efforts were like trying to stop an avalanche with a plastic spoon.

Hot tears brimmed in her eyes. Pitiful whimpers lingered in her throat.

Stop. Leave me alone. Don’t touch me with those filthy hands! Get off me! Leave me alone!

She screamed the words in her head, but when she tried to speak them out, her throat slammed shut.

"I’m sorry..." Tristan held her tighter, his head buried in her neck, his shoulders trembling with how much he sobbed. "I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry."

I don’t want your apologies! Get off me!

Anna squeezed her eyes shut, crying out with her entire soul, stop touching me!

The next she felt was air. Nothing. Startled by the sudden loss of support, her body fell forward. The same timed a loud thud echoed through the air, like a body thrown into a solid wall. The temperature dropped, plunging the room into icy depths, resonating in turn with the deep, angry growl that filled the air.

A pair of strong, cold arms caught Anna, holding her like she’d fall apart with the smallest touch of force.

Anna blinked, her eyes coming to focus on a familiar face. Long silver hair, ice cold blue eyes that were now filled with worry.

"Your highness," Azul said, his brows knitted. "Forgive me for coming late."

Anna broke.

Seeing a familiar face, Azul, the one husband she saw as a solid pillar of strength, broke down every defense inside her.

She wailed, her cries piercing his ears, full of pain and hurt. She threw her arms around him, burying her face into his chest, sobbing her heart out.

Azul held her, worried that he’d only hurt her with his bulk. He looked over her shoulder at Tristan who was picking himself off the floor, bits of debris and cement clinging to his form.

Red flashed in front of Azul’s vision. He wanted to rip Tristan to shreds, but doing so would mean he’d have to let go of Anna.

"Anna," Tristan called out, his voice cracking into fragile pieces. "Anna please!"

Azul moved. Anna grabbed his sleeve, shaking her head as she pulled him closer. "Don’t..."

"Get out. And don’t ever show yourself again before my wife." Azul growled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest.

Tristan watched the scene before him. For the first time, he felt utterly and totally alone. All around him were Anna’s legal husbands. He was the only odd one out. No matter what he did, he would always be the odd one out. Even among his brothers. Even in his family. Filled with despair, he turned, utilizing his true form and turning into billions of nanoparticles. The swarm whooshed out of the window, and he was gone.

Anna felt him leave. Felt the oppressive aura on her shoulders disappear. But the images remained. They played in loop in her head, over and over again. Her personal hell.

"Your highness," Azul called softly. "You are safe now. I will not let any harm come to you."

Anna held him tighter. His body was far from warm, but at the moment it was just perfect for her. "Thank you,"

Azul looked around, wondering what had happened to produce such a scene. From the level of damage and the bloody scene outside the inn, it had something to do with AI beasts. His eyes landed on Leon and narrowed. What is he doing here?

Outside, he heard the cars pull up in front of the inn. He exhaled a small breath of relief.

In his arms, Anna shuddered. Azul looked down at her, his heart doing a strange beat. She looked small and fragile. Like she was made of tender glass. Azul was used to seeing the Princess in all perfect forms of composure, but never like this. Never crying, clinging onto him, vulnerable and small.

He wished he’d killed Tristan for touching her. Azul didn’t know the details but he knew Tristan had something to do with it.

So he did what he could do. He held her. Right on the floor, shielding her from the room. He didn’t care about the others, judging from their breathing, they were alive.

But something was wrong with the princess.

"Your highness!"

Bella rushed into the room, throwing the door open with a loud bang. She wasted no time running over to Anna and Azul.

"Your highness are you okay?" Bella asked, tears filling her eyes.

Anna turned her head slowly till she met Bella’s teary eyes. Her spirits lifted just a bit seeing another familiar face.

"I should have come with you!" Bella cried, bowing repeatedly. "Please forgive me! Next time I’ll never leave your side! Never!"

"It’s okay," Anna replied, sniffling and wiping her eyes. "I’m glad you weren’t here."

"You should rest." Azul said, rising to his feet, carrying her bridal style. He looked around the room again and sighed. "We’ll need a different room, Your highness."