Chapter 4
I didn't hear the rest. The moment the two servants saw me, they scattered like frightened mice.
I didn't know what any of that had to do with me.
But every time I heard those words, my heart felt heavy for no reason.
I had been lost in my thoughts when I heard familiar footsteps behind me.
"Mona," Rolf called.
I turned and saw Rolf standing under the walkway. "I have the day free. Do you want to go to the lake with me?"
"Okay," I said, smiling without thinking.
Before we could leave, a servant rushed in. He dropped to his knees in front of Rolf, his voice rough and shaking, like it might give out at any second. "Prince Rolf! General Menzie was attacked at the hunting grounds.
"Her old wound opened up, and now her life is in danger. Please, you have to save her."
The smile on Rolf's face froze.
My heart dropped at the same time.
The man stayed on his knees, eyes red, begging over and over.
The way he looked made me uneasy, so I stepped back and hid behind Rolf.
If someone was hurt, shouldn't they call a doctor? Why were they asking Rolf instead?
Rolf stayed quiet for a moment. Then he turned and looked at me.
His expression was complicated. I saw pain, hesitation, and guilt.
I didn't understand that look until I was suddenly pushed down into a chair.
"Mona," he said softly, almost like a sigh.
Two strong older maids stepped forward and held my shoulders from both sides. Their grip was firm, and they did not let me move.
In that moment, everything became clear. That was where the guilt came from.
"Can she just take medicine?" I asked.
I struggled as hard as I could, but their hands felt like iron grips. I could not break free.
"Please don't use my blood, okay? Rolf, you know I'm scared of pain." My voice rose without me meaning to. My hair came loose as I fought, falling across my face.
The maids did not loosen their grip at all.
"Mona, be good." Rolf walked over and knelt in front of me. He reached out and gently wiped my tears. "We only need a little. Your body is special, so your blood is the best medicine for Jillian.
"Don't be afraid. Your wound will heal quickly. It will be just like before. There won't be any scar."
I grabbed his sleeve so tightly that my fingers turned pale. "Rolf, I'm begging you. Please don't do this. I'm scared of pain. I really am. You used to feel bad even if I got a small scratch. Did you forget?"
His eyes flickered for a moment.
But he didn't change his mind.
"Just a little bit," he said.
Someone brought in a white bowl. Another person stepped forward with a dagger.
Despair washed over me. I was completely hopeless.
Right then, a sharp cry came from outside the courtyard. "Prince Rolf, please think again!"
It was Shana.
She must have broken free from the people holding her. She stumbled inside and fell hard to her knees.
Her forehead hit the stone floor with a loud sound. "Miss Booth is weak. She can't handle this kind of shock. Are you not afraid she will lose her memory again?"
She lowered her head again and knocked it against the floor. "There are so many great doctors in Zeltsill City. Why do you have to use her blood?"
She bowed a third time, even harder. "General Menzie was fearless on the battlefield. Why is she suddenly dying now that she is in Zeltsill City? Prince Rolf—"
Her voice broke as she cried. The sound of her head hitting the ground again and again mixed with her sobs. Each hit felt like it landed on my chest. It hurt so much that I could barely breathe.
Shana was so foolish. She was just a maid with no power at all. Why would Rolf listen to her?
Just as I expected, Rolf's face darkened.
Shana's words seemed to hit something he did not want to face. A shadow flashed across his eyes, and his expression turned cold.
"Drag her out and kill her," he said.
His voice was calm, but every word carried weight.
My heart almost stopped. "No!"
I didn't know where the strength came from, but I suddenly broke free and threw myself forward.
I grabbed onto Rolf's legs. "Rolf, I'm begging you. Please spare her. I'll give my blood. Just let her live."
Rolf was silent for a long time.
Then he let out a quiet breath and rubbed his forehead.
When he looked at me again, his expression had softened back to the gentle one I had always known.
"Drag her away and give her twenty slaps," he said, waving his hand.
They dragged Shana away. She was still shouting something, but I could not hear her anymore.
All I knew was that she was still alive. That was enough.
Rolf knelt in front of me again and held my shoulders, making me look at him. "Mona, listen. Jillian and I grew up together. We have known each other since we were children.
"She is dying right now. I can't just stand by and watch her die."
His voice was gentle, almost soothing. "It's only one bowl of blood. It won't hurt you. When this is over, I'll make it up to you. I'll give you anything you want."