Days had passed.... muffled voices brushed faintly into her ears.

"Incredible.... she healed her magic circuits.... it must be a miracle," one of the mage doctors whispered in awe.

Dila was lying inside the rehabilitation bed within the royal castle infirmary. Her body felt heavy, her eyes still blurred, but slowly.... light returned to her sight.

"Ahhh.... my.... my head...." she whispered weakly, her lips parting with effort.

When her vision still doesn't clearly return yet, she saw Fran. The cat girl had fallen asleep right beside her bed, her soft hands tucked beneath Fran's head like a pillow, while leaning close with her cheek resting near her arm. Her eyes were shut, lashes brushing against her skin, chest rising softly with each calm breath.

The morning air breezed gently through the open windows, carrying the scent of fresh dew, wrapping the room in a calm that felt unreal after the darkness she had been trapped in.

Dila's eyes blinked slowly, the blur softening into shapes and light. The ceiling above her felt distant, almost unreal, like a dream. She turned her gaze back to Fran.

A faint smile curved Dila's lips. Her chest felt heavy, her body still weak, yet her heart stirred with warmth. Slowly.... trembling, her fingers twitched, then wiggling of numbness, she tried to lift her hand. With fragile effort, she reached, hovering her pale hand toward Fran's sleeping face.

Her touch almost brushed against Fran's skin.... soft, hesitant, but filled with quiet affection. Dila's smile deepened, weak yet sincere, as though in that single fragile gesture, she was thanking Fran for never leaving her side.

The mage doctor hadn't noticed that Dila was awake. He was finishing his examination of her DNA with the magic device, jotting notes quietly to himself.

When he finally rotated his body, his eyes fell on Dila. He startled a little, nearly dropping the device.

"You're awake, Princess," he said quickly, bowing his head in respect.

The doctor's hands were trembling as he held the magic device, his shoulders stiff. Dila blinked at him, her voice soft.

"Are you okay… ummm… doctor? Or are you a mage?" she asked, noticing the way his grip faltered.

His hand continued to shake, the device rattling faintly. Dila tilted her head, blue eyes curious as she leaned forward just a little.

"What happened to you, mister?" she asked again, her tone innocent, yet laced with quiet curiosity.

The man stammered, his voice cracking as he still deeply bowed his head.

"Umm… Princess… forgive me if I'm like this… My life has been almost snuffed out. The king said if I can't cure you… he will hang me personally…"

His hand shook harder as he spoke, fear carved deep in his face.

Dila's expression turned bitter. Her lips pressed tight, her chest rising with a quiet tremor.

"You greedy bastard…" she whispered under her breath, her thoughts darkening as her eyes lowered. If you can't even take care your people… you don't deserve me in the first place… father of mine.

Her fingers curled against the blanket, the sting of betrayal sharp in her heart.

Dila sat quietly, her body still weak, her hand resting lightly against the sheets. She slowly turned her head to the side, where Fran was curled up beside her, still asleep. Fran's breathing was soft, her small chest rising and falling with a steady rhythm, almost like a child clinging to warmth.

Dila's eyes softened as she reached out, her fingers brushing against Fran's long dark navy-blue hair. She caressed it gently, her touch careful not to disturb her sleep.

"You must have been worried... and sick for me, Fran," Dila whispered, her voice carrying both guilt and warmth. "I'm sorry... what I did in the battle... I almost took your life with it."

Her words trembled with regret as she brushed her hand through Fran's hair again, a faint smile of sorrow flickering across her face. She leaned a little closer, her eyes watching Fran's sleeping features, the slight pout on her lips, the relaxed innocence she carried when not burdened by blades or blood.

"I don't ever want to see you hurt by me," Dila said softly, almost to herself, her heart tightening with the memory of how close she had come to losing her because of her uncontrolled power.

Dila's knees gave way as soon as she tried to stand slowly, her legs trembling without strength. Her body tilted forward, and she would have crashed onto the floor if the doctor hadn't lunged in panic, catching her just in time.

"Princess, please.... be careful!" his voice cracked as he held her upright, his arms stiff and shaking. Beads of sweat trickled down his temple, his face pale. "I don't want my head taken.... not over this...."

Dila steadied herself against his grip, her silver hair falling over her face as her chest rose and fell from the sudden strain. She glanced up at him, her cold yet fragile eyes narrowing. The man was trembling more from fear than from the weight of her body.

Her lips parted, almost faintly, as she whispered, "You're sweating too much.... Are you that afraid of him?"

The doctor's throat bobbed as he swallowed, unable to meet her gaze. His whole body felt stiff, caught between duty and terror.

The doctor's voice shook as he tried to steady her. "Ye… ye… yes, he is a horrible king. If he ever lost something that belonged to him… something so fragile, so delicate…"

Dila's eyes widened, her lips curling into a bitter edge. "Sorry to burst your bubble… but I'm not delicate… or fragile."

She tried to stand taller, but her hand clutched at her side, pain flashing across her face. Her other hand gripped the doctor's arm for balance.

"Careful!" the doctor gasped, his eyes widening in alarm as he held her steady.

Dila's knees buckled as the pain surged through her body. Her hand pressed harder against her side, her face tightening as she let out a sharp cry.

"Ahhh.... that hurts...." she gasped, her voice trembling. Tears welled up and slipped from her closed eyes as she gritted her teeth, trying to hold herself together.

The doctor panicked, his hands shaking as he kept her from falling. "P-Princess....! Please, don't push yourself.... you're still badly injured!" His voice cracked, fear clear in his tone.

Her breath came in shallow bursts, her silver hair falling over her face as she forced herself to stay upright despite the burning pain coursing through her body.

Dila's strength suddenly gave out as the pain ripped through her body. She cried out and collapsed to the ground, curling herself tightly as if to shield against the ache. "Ahhhh.... it hurts....!" Her voice broke, her hand clutching her side with desperate force.

The doctor quickly rushed forward, scooping her trembling body into his arms. "Princess....!" he whispered, his voice filled with worry as he carefully laid her back on the bed.

Her hair stuck to her tear-streaked face as she shook, her breaths uneven. "Ahhh.... why does it hurt so much...." she whispered, her voice hoarse and weak.

The doctor knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand over her arm. "It's because you just recovered," he explained softly, though his eyes betrayed his own panic. "Your body is still echoing with the memory of the injury.... it will take time before the pain fades."

Dila squeezed her eyes shut, her teeth grinding together as another wave of pain struck. Her lips trembled, twitching with each breath. "W-what....?" she forced out, her voice strained and broken, unable to hide the agony that wracked her fragile body.

Fran suddenly stirred awake beside Dila, her blue eyes fluttering open in panic. She turned and saw Dila curling in pain, clutching her side, her lips twitching as if each breath tore through her body.

"Sister… are you okay?" Fran's voice cracked, trembling as her small hands reached toward her. Her face twisted with worry, the usual playful brightness in her eyes gone, replaced only with fear.

Tears welled quickly and spilled down her cheeks, dripping as she leaned closer. "Sister…" she whispered again, her voice breaking as she cried, unable to bear seeing Dila like that.

Dila's breath came out ragged, her body still trembling as she continued clutching her side. Her voice was heavy, strained, yet she forced it out.

"It's… okay, Fran… ack!!…" she twitched, her lips tightening as another wave of pain rippled through her. "It's nothing!… just a hiccup!…"

Her eyes slowly closed, her face pale, her body shivering as though she was trying to hide the truth behind those words.

Fran's tears slipped faster, her small frame trembling as she leaned down and hugged Dila gently, afraid to hurt her more. "Don't say that… please… don't" she whispered, her voice soaked with tears. Her arms held Dila tight, as if letting go would mean losing her forever.

The doctor panicked, biting at his fingernail. "What do I do!!... what do I do!!..." His eyes darted around until they landed on a small herb, sealed in a capsule-like shell with a deep brown color. He snatched it up quickly and rushed forward.

"Here... take this!" he said, fumbling as he brought a wooden cup of water as well. "Princess, please... swallow this. It will numb and forget the echoing pain for at least twenty-four hours!"

Dila's trembling body shifted while Fran has step back a little, then Dila forcing herself upright on the bedside. Her breath came heavy, her voice strained. "I... is this... magical?" She twitched, her hand still clutching her side, but her gaze locked onto the capsule.

"Yes... it carries a magical property of herbs," the doctor replied hastily, his voice tight with urgency.

Without hesitation, Dila reached out with her shaking hand, took the capsule, and swallowed it down before drinking the water in one breath. Her eyes closed as the bitter taste lingered, her entire frame trembling as if she were barely holding herself together.