prince sam looked at phils and asked quietly, "Why do you think Wellness might have powers? Do you really believe a person can run for so many days without stopping? You know this as well as I do, Sam. Tell me, can anyone survive without food for days?" phils said.
"I forgot," Prince Sam muttered. "Wellness hasn't eaten for days… but she's poor, she must be used to surviving without food."
Phils gave a faint smile. "Yes," he replied simply. Then, turning serious, he said, "I'm going after that monster. You'll have to take care of her."
"Alright," Prince Sam nodded. "I'll look after Wellness."
Phils chuckled softly. "I hope I'm not making a mistake entrusting her to you."
Prince Sam smirked. "Don't worry. If she makes mistakes, she'll be punished. If she does right, she'll be praised."
"Fine. Then I'll leave now," Phils said, preparing to go.
Just as Phils began to walk away, Prince Sam stopped him. "By the way… does Wellness know you can read her mind? How long have you been doing it?"
"No," Phils admitted. "She doesn't know anything about it."
"When I punished Wellness," Prince Sam said thoughtfully, "she was muttering something to herself. I want to know what she was saying. You must have heard it."
"Yes," Phils replied calmly. "She was cursing you—saying things you wouldn't want to hear."
Prince Sam only smiled faintly. "That's alright. She's had her punishment."
Then Phils turned to Philip. "We're leaving now. Gather the army," he commanded.
---
Two days later, I woke up at last, rubbing my tired eyes.
"You finally woke up!" Prince Sam's voice boomed. "You stink! Go bathe right now. How long has it been since you've washed yourself, filthy girl?"
But I was secretly happy. For the first time, I had a chance to tease Prince Sam.
"I need to tell you something important," I whispered. "But I have to say it in your ear."
He leaned closer, and I quickly grabbed him tightly. He struggled, gagging at the smell of my sweat, until I released him and ran off to bathe.
Prince Sam shouted after me, "Now I'll have to bathe too! You'll pay for this, stubborn girl!"
But my heart felt light. For the first time in days, I felt a strange joy and peace. Yet deep inside, I knew I didn't want to stay here any longer. In a place like this, my life was never truly safe.
I bathed quickly, packed my belongings, and went to find Prince Sam. He was eating. When he saw me, he said kindly, "Ah, you're here. Come, eat. You haven't eaten in days."
The sight of all that food broke my restraint. I sat down beside him and ate like a starving animal. Everyone stared at me in silence.
Prince Sam, watching me, thought to himself, I punished her too much… poor girl.
Suddenly, a woman's voice cut through the air. "Hey, girl! Who called you here? Get up, shameless little beggar!"
Hearing her words, I put my food down slowly. The king tried to calm the woman, but her insult pierced me deeply.
I stood up, turned to Prince Sam and said, "The food was good, Prince. Thank you. But I can't stay here any longer. I can't endure this anymore. I'm sorry for wasting your time."
Prince Sam placed his hand gently on my head. "You may go. Who am I to decide your life? I have no right," he said softly. In his eyes was a warmth, a gentle smile that seemed to say he truly meant it.
I thanked him and left for my village.
---
I reached home at last, but my heart wasn't there. Day and night, I thought about everything that had happened—the scolding, the kindness, the punishments, the laughter, the teasing.
For the first time in my life, someone had cared enough to notice me, to give me importance, to pay attention to me. Returning home, I felt a deep ache of regret. I couldn't go back… but I missed it all.