After Cian departed, Seren and Drayce returned to their chamber.
"Today, Oriana returned to the Griven guest mansion," Seren remarked.
"I was the one who suggested she return," Drayce informed her.
Seren was surprised. "Didn't we keep her because her scent was driving Prince Arlan crazy? She's still bleeding, won't it affect the Prince?"
"Let him be troubled and get used to it. It's not like he can send her away every time she bleeds," Drayce replied as he settled Seren in bed. "Don't worry about them. Arlan can handle it."
Seren nodded, then noticed the corner of Drayce's lips. "What happened? How did you get hurt?"
"Just a friendly fight between me and Arlan," Drayce shrugged.
"Did he hit you?" Seren's displeasure was evident.
Drayce nodded.
Seren's expression turned even more disapproving. "How could he...?"
"Stay calm," Drayce soothed, gently caressing her cheek. "It was my fault. I provoked him. It was about Oriana and her safety, where I took a risk. It only shows how much she means to him if he's willing to consider hitting me for her sake. If I were in his position and he had endangered your life, even if he had good intentions, I might have done the same to him."
Seren gently touched the almost imperceptible bruise with her finger. "Does it hurt?"
Drayce chuckled and shook his head. "These minor scratches hardly feel like injuries."
"Doesn't your injury usually heal quickly?" she inquired. These days after spending time with Yorian, she was getting to know more things about the divine beast and one of them was their faster healing abilities.
"It does, but since it was inflicted by another Dragon, it seems to be healing slower," he explained.
"Alright," Seren nodded, then a thought occurred to her. "Then why didn't the injuries you sustained during the sword fight with Slayer heal? Slayer isn't a Dragon or supernatural. I remember how much pain you were in when I was treating them."
Seren remained silent for a while, and Drayce anxiously awaited her response.
She finally turned to look at him again. "Do you know what you did wrong? I'm not just talking about lying to me; that's a separate issue."
He shook his head, his expression earnest. "You can tell me, and I'll make sure never to repeat it."
"Harming yourself to create those injuries," she replied, her voice tinged with hurt. "How could you do that? Didn't you think about how I would feel? The last thing I ever want is to see you hurt for any reason."
Drayce now understood her point of contention. She was upset because he had hurt himself. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again."
Seren didn't reply; instead, she turned her gaze away, her eyes glistening with moisture.
Drayce noticed her tears and immediately stood up, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. "I'm sorry, Seren. I won't do it again, alright?"
She remained silent, her emotions evident in her teary eyes.
He gently made her look at him, her eyes still moist. "I'm sorry. I know no matter how many times I apologize, it won't be enough. But please, forgive me this time."
"It must have hurt when you made those scars again," her voice trembled, on the verge of tears.
"It didn't hurt. That's why I did it. You know I'm not human, right? It didn't hurt at all. Please don't cry," he reassured her, his voice gentle.
She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking his shirt. "Still, you're not allowed to hurt yourself for any reason. I'll be angry and won't talk to you."
"I won't. I promise," he hugged her tightly, seeking to reassure her.
But a thought nagged Drayce. They said she was cursed and couldn't fall in love, so what was this feeling if not love?
"Seren, why do you feel so hurt when I am hurt?" he inquired softly.
"I don't know. I just can't stand to see you in pain. It makes me want to cry," she replied, her voice muffled against his chest.
Drayce felt the urge to ask if she thought she had fallen for him, but he held back, not wanting to remind her of the curse she bore. She had shed enough tears already before.