Tossing and turning in bed, Thea ran her hand over the next place and found emptiness and a cold sheet there. Her sleepy eyes opened slightly, noticing that Raphael was not there, although a neatly folded silk robe lay on a chair next to the bed, and there were rabbit fur slippers at the bottom.

She looked under the blanket-still naked, but carefully cleaned by Raphael’s hands. It was nice to realize that her comfort was something special and priority for him, and it was better than lying sticky and sweaty after so much active lovemaking.

Holding the blanket in the chest area, she lowered her feet to the floor, jumping into fluffy slippers and pulled on a robe before standing up, throwing the blanket aside and tying the belt at the waist.

The soft fabric flowed pleasantly and tickled her body, devoid of all kinds of underwear.

It was still too sunny, which meant that she hadn’t slept for very long, and indeed, Raphael was right when he said that even half an hour could help her regain her strength.

She looked out into the corridor and found that it was completely empty, although somewhere in the distance, most likely from the street, she heard muffled voices that obviously sounded too far from her chambers.

She didn’t know where she was supposed to go, since staying in the room all day was not part of her plans, but she didn’t find a single dress in her closet, let alone Irma’s clothes on the floor.

Thea suggested that Raphael could have thrown away these clothes, since he did not like them at all. She smacked her lips and immediately a thought appeared in her head, which was fleeting after her meeting with her father, but which she had to pay attention to.

Her legs quickly and confidently moved forward along the corridor, and her hands covered the flying delicate fabric of the robe to prevent certain parts of her body from accidentally exposing themselves.

On her way, she met bewildered servants who did not even know how to react to such a carelessly dressed girl. And it was worth noting that many of the staff were new, because she did not meet a single familiar person, as they did not actually know that there was a princess in front of them. And yet the servants bowed, greeting her, as her appearance screamed about the nobility.

Thea stopped in front of a wide door decorated with an openwork pattern and gilding and gently knocked, but there was no answer. She pressed her ear to the door leaf and froze, and then grinned silently as soon as something collapsed inside the room.

- I know you’re inside. And if you don’t open it right now, I’m going to knock this door off its hinges. - she threatened not strictly enough and rather with a hint of playfulness.

The door handle turned with a creak and very uncertainly, a part of the Crown Prince’s face came out through the crack that had opened.

- I have no doubt that you can do it now. - he replied calmly. – What are you wearing?

His eyebrows drew a thin frown line on his forehead, and he immediately pulled her into the room, sharply grabbing her hand.

- Here, cover yourself. - He tossed a thin blanket into her hands, turning to the window. – Why did you come?

- I saw you out of the corner of my eye in the square, but instead of greeting me, you decided to run away cowardly. – she said too loudly, and Terrence felt like a dog that had been stepped on his tail.

He turned his head and pinned her with a narrowed gaze and turned away again.

- If you want to know, I’m not mad at you for that time. - she said, feeling a strong suffocating tension in the room. - Neither of us was made aware of each other’s plans, and I couldn’t tell you about my disguise. You don’t have to feel guilty about this, brother.

"Brother", this word lay so softly in his mind and his heart trembled with a series of nervous beats.

- Still, that doesn’t change the fact that I hurt you. - he answered dejectedly, biting his cheek from the inside. – I’m really sorry.... I would never have done this to you if I knew that...

- I know. - She smiled, knowing he still wasn’t looking at her, but he could feel her tone.

- I’ve removed the mark, so it won’t be a problem for you now. - he added.

- What? When? - she looked very surprised, because they had not met him since the end of the ball.

- I was able to track you with a mark. – he said and finally turned to face her, noticing how funny she wrapped herself in a blanket like a lump. – But, your mentor intercepted me.

- Eugene? - even more surprise colored her face.

Terrence nodded.

- We talked about a lot with her, which was able to expand my horizons 180 degrees, and it was then that she escorted me to you so that I would remove the mark. You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t dare to wake you up. - The prince replied a little shyly.

- It was just a dream, not something meaningful. - Thea noted. - What did you and Eugene talk about?

- Mostly about me, my past and my mother. - He answered reluctantly, but he didn’t want to hide anything from Thea. - You know all about her already, don’t you?

Thea threw the blanket aside and in the blink of an eye overcame the distance separating them to hug her brother tightly, making him embarrassed by such a sharp outburst of feelings.

- Thea? – he said in a crumpled voice.

- She did a lot of nasty things in this life, but there was also something good... You’re - the best thing she’s been able to produce. And I thank God that I have such a brother. - her eyes watered and the tip of her nose turned red as she mumbled her words against his chest.

He gently touched the top of her head and stroked her head, inhaling her native floral fragrance.

- I’ll be on your side, little sister. he nuzzled her hair. – And we will correct all the injustice that has been dragging on for many years. We’ll fix it.

Thea pulled away, not hiding her concern.

- But she’s your mother, Terry. - she shook her head. - I can’t ask you to go against her. I won’t do that.

- It’s my choice. - The prince replied categorically. - I have accepted it for a long time and we discussed it with my father. He supports me in this endeavor. We will help you.

She smiled, brushing away the tears with the back of her hand, and Terrence pulled her into his arms again.

- Will your crazy vampire kill me if he finds us in such a compromising position? - He asked with a nervous laugh, and Thea laughed.

- Definitely. He’s a total nutcase.