RHEIN'S POINT OF VIEW
"Shush. Don't make a sound."
"You're the one who won't shut up. You've been talking nonstop."
"I'm only whispering."
"Whisper? At that volume? That's shouting."
"My voice is naturally high-pitched."
"So is mine, but I can still keep it down."
"I panic, okay? One moment I was asleep, and the next, my pracien's body was shattered into pieces!"
"The princess's body is still intact, thank you very much. You're exaggerating with that 'shattered to pieces.'"
"Exaggerating? Her bones were crushed! Do you know how much pain she must've felt?"
My eyes snapped open just as Forelody slapped me across the cheek. Her wings were small, but the force behind her wing stung like a human's. My skin went numb from the strike.
"Are you concerned about me, or just being dramatic?" I asked coldly, annoyance seeping into my tone.
Both Forelody and Natre froze, eyes wide in shock. A second later, they darted off to the side table, clearly spooked.
Forelody laughed nervously, the sound shrill and out of place. "Heh-heh . . ." She was the only one laughing until Natre smacked her on the head.
"Hey! Why'd you hit me?!" she screeched.
"Because you're an idiot," Natre replied calmly, rolling her eyes.
I ignored them. Let them bicker if they want to. My attention shifted to my surroundings—I am in my own room.
The clock caught my eye. A little past five in the morning. I'd been unconscious the whole night.
I checked my body carefully, lifting one leg. No pain. Slowly, I sat up and pressed my hand against my ribs. Nothing. I was whole again. Brother Dylan must have taken me to the royal healer before bringing me here. If he hadn't, Father would have skinned him alive.
"Pracien Rhein, are you sure you're alright?" Forelody asked, fluttering to my side with genuine worry. "You should rest more."
I gave her a small smile and brushed her back with the tip of my finger. "I'm fine now."
But the image of Brother Dylan's smug grin from yesterday flashed in my mind, souring my mood. For the first time, I doubted if I should continue pushing him toward my sister.
"Where's Brother Dylan?"
I asked the question casually, but the way both birds stiffened betrayed them. Their throats bobbed with nervous swallows, as if they'd heard a death sentence. So much for hiding my irritation.
"He's probably still in his room," I said, shifting my gaze to Natre. She actually jumped at my look. "You know where it is, don't you? Take us there."
"Ah . . . uh . . . well . . ."
"R-Rhein, he's surely still asleep," Forelody stammered. "M-maybe, you should talk to him later."
I chuckled bitterly, then hardened my voice. "Talk? No. I won't just talk to him. I'm going to break his bones." My fists clenched, knuckles cracking.
That was the first time I'd ever truly experienced bones breaking inside my body. Until then, I'd only suffered sprains, bruises—minor things. Not once had I imagined that fighting could push me to the point of fractures. And yet, he had made it happen.
He was only supposed to test my physical capability, so why the hell did it have to go as far as breaking me? What kind of twisted assessment was that?
RONA'S POINT OF VIEW
When I first arrived at the palace and discovered my true identity, I also underwent a capability test. The Great Elemental Generals themselves had tested me. Yes, I'd been beaten black and blue, but never once did they break my bones the way they did with Rhein.
I confronted Father and Mother about it last night. Apparently, it was intentional. Something to do with Rhein's unusual strength and the crystal inside her. Their faces showed no worry over their daughter's suffering; instead, they only smiled and told me they trusted Rhein's abilities. "There's a healer for her injuries," they added.
Yes, everything they said was logical. But what about the pain? The agony that literally seeped into her bones? Did that not matter to them at all?
Originally, the generals were supposed to conduct the test, but they feared breaking a princess's bones. So they handed the job to Dylan instead. I wanted to storm into their chambers and scream at them. Why me, then? I was also a princess, and they had no problem bruising me.
The truth was obvious—they were simply afraid of triggering the Juelaetornulus Ruihnas inside Rhein. One of these days, I'd threaten them with that very thing and see how fast they turned pale.
As for Dylan . . . oh, I wanted to punish him. But Father forbade me. Even though my hands itched to strangle him in secret, I restrained myself, the obedient daughter that I am. Still, the next time we sparred, I'd make him regret it. And I am certain Rhein wouldn't let him off the hook either—she is as stubborn as I am, if not more.
How is she now? I hadn't been able to check on her last night. I'd been buried in a secret searching task Father assigned to me—something that could prove crucial if war broke out. I'd already spent a week on it, still unfinished, and the underground library had kept me until dawn.
Father was busy as well, and frankly, I didn't trust those two men enough to leave Rhein in their care. So I left Natre and Forelody to watch over her. Hopefully, they didn't let anything foolish happen.
I was just about to enter my chambers when someone shouted.
"Princess Rona! Princess!"
Both Natre and Forelody came flying toward me, panic painted all over their tiny faces.
"How's Rhein? Is she awake? Is she feeling better?"
"Y-yes . . . sh-she's awake . . . a-awake . . ." Forelody couldn't speak straight.
I turned expectantly to Natre, the only one calm enough to speak properly.
"She's awake and perfectly fine, Princess," she said. Then added dryly, "And ready to go to war."
"War?" I blinked.
"Yes. She's already made the first attack."
My confusion deepened. "What? Explain."
"She stormed into Dylan's room. We couldn't stop her. Please, Princess, help us stop her."
A grin tugged at my lips. Oh, I would love to watch this unfold. But my exhaustion weighed too heavily on me, and my eyelids drooped. Perhaps I'd save my amusement for later.