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"It's been years since I can't tolerate the touch of anyone in my upper body," Klaus Ermias explained as he gets back on his feet. "Whenever I feel someone's hands on me, it feels like my body is burning from the inside. The pain is excruciating and for me, nothing else exceeds the pain."

"Are you saying that you don't feel the pain when I touch you?" Iria asked, confused. She wasn't expecting such an explanation.

"I do feel the pain but it's tolerable." Captain Klaus glanced at Iria who was giving him with a doubtful look. "I'm telling the truth, Your Highness. Almost everyone in the Royal Army knows this and they keep their distance from me not to hurt me by mistake. You can ask them if you don't believe me. I'm sure that His Highness also heard of this."

Silence fell upon the small pavilion until the Captain spoke up again.

"When I was shot that day, I can tolerate your touch and I was taken aback. I wondered if it's because I was in pain or if it's because I almost lost my consciousness. That's why I ask you tonight. In the past, I have to lose my consciousness not to react to someone's touch. That's the only way."

Klaus Ermias smiled and continued by saying, "I know you feel responsible and I want to prove my doubts. What other chance would I have apart from this time? I have to take advantage of it. After all, you're the Crown Princess and I know offending you can easily cost me my life."

"Isn't that an illness?"

The smile on the Captain's face slowly faded when he heard Iria's question. "Illness," he muttered as he narrowed his eyes. However, he soon looked at Iria again and forced another smile. "Maybe."

Iria glanced at all the scars on his body and the fake smile on his face. What was hidden behind those scars and the fake smile? It didn't seem like a simple thing.

Klaus Ermias picked up his shirt and wore it. "Do you now understand why the dressing of my wound was all messed up? It's because I do it myself though it was never easy. However, I can't let others touch me. That would hurt me more than this single wound."

"Since when did it began?" Iria asked. She was sure that for someone young and capable like him to develop such a mysterious illness, there would be a story behind it. An unpleasant story.

The Captain remained quiet for a while before he said, "I said before that I also have secrets, just like you, Your Highness. I think that answer should fall in the secret category." He smiled and cleaned up the mess. "Shall we return? It's getting late."

* * *

Iria was still sitting in a chair inside the tent. Though it was quite late now, she couldn't sleep.

Crown Prince Arin hasn't returned and she had no idea where he went. While spending some time waiting for his return, Iria realized that she didn't know Arin Helev at all.

It seemed like he was having a hard time but she can't even guess where he might be.

She knew she shouldn't feel this way but... the fact hurt her. For the first time, she wanted to be the one who comforted him if he was having a hard time.

What had gotten into you, Iria Alewine?!

While she was busy fighting herself in her mind, she sensed the presence of someone. Quickly glancing at the entrance, she saw Arin Helev walking inside.

It seemed like the Crown Prince was surprised to see her. Maybe he thought that she would already be sleeping.

"You're still up?" He asked her when she rose from her seat. "It's late."

"I know," Iria said as she walked towards him. "That's why I was feeling worried. I don't know where you are."

The reaction on the Crown Prince's face. It was as if he was caught red-handed while doing something bad.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "I don't know that you will be waiting."

Iria Alewine stared at his unusual dull face. Then she let out a little sigh. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

She knew she had no right but.. his response irritated her. Even a fool would know that he was struggling! Why bother to lie?!

"Your Highness," she uttered and looked up at him. "I know you're patient, more patient than average but... I'm not. You know I easily get annoyed."

The Crown Prince stared at her with a perplexed face. She talked like a different person!

Seeing her demanding gaze, Arin Helev felt weak. It's his first time feeling this way and it only made him felt more puzzled.

She already made him experienced many strange feelings which were more than unfamiliar to him. Seems like she didn't plan to stop soon.

He was afraid and curious at the same time.

"It's true that many things bothered me," he said. "Some are about you, Iria. Can you see how much I tried to hold back myself from confronting you? I don't want you to build walls between us again but... " He paused when her demanding gaze was slowly replaced a surprise one.

"If you give me that look, what am I supposed to do?" He narrowed his eyes and let out a sigh. "My patience also has limits but I can still hold back rather than making you distance yourself from me."

Iria was perplexed, wondering what Arin Helev was trying to say. What made him act this way?!

"The assassination attempt that happened two days ago," Arin pointed out and met Iria's gaze. "Why can't you tell me about it? You hinted today during the competition but... you won't discuss with me."

One more thing was on the Crown Prince's mind but he hesitated. However, when he thought of what she said before, he decided to say everything.

"Why is Captain Klaus with you during the assassination attempt?" He made a deliberate paused when he noticed her flustered face. "Why can't you just tell me that Klaus Ermias get injured while saving you?"