Yorick stood beneath the shadow of a stone arch in the garden, watching the path that stretched toward the palace's small lake.
Footsteps sounded in the distance.
He recognized the green dress even before her face came into view.
"Josselyn…"
She walked slowly, but her steps were unsteady.
Her hand brushed against the stone wall beside the path, as if she were trying to hold herself upright.
Yorick narrowed his eyes. He recalled the potion he had prepared for her that morning.
A healer was meant to cure, not poison.
But the girl was too suspicious.
"Hm," he murmured. "The effect is faster than I expected."
Josselyn stopped a few steps from the lake. She lowered her head and drew in a long breath.
"What's wrong with me…"
Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
Yorick remained where he was, not revealing himself. He simply observed.
Josselyn raised a hand to her forehead.
"My head…"
Her body swayed. She stepped back once before finally losing her balance.
Before she could hit the ground, Yorick caught her by the waist.
"Careful."
Yorick looked at her calmly as she lifted her head. Her eyes were unfocused.
"Yorick…"
A faint smile curved his lips. She was no longer fully aware. It was clear from the way she said his name, just "Yorick," without any formality.
"You almost fell."
"I… didn't…"
Her body went limp in his arms.
Yorick steadied her so she could remain upright.
"Are you all right?" he asked in a neutral tone.
Her face was flushed. Her breathing was faster than usual. Yorick could even feel the heat of her body through the fabric of her dress.
"Why does my head feel so heavy…" Josselyn murmured.
Yorick studied her for a moment before speaking.
"You can't even stand," he said, tilting his head. "Let me help you."
"I'm fine…"
"No. You look a mess."
Josselyn shook her head weakly.
"I can walk on my own…"
But her steps faltered again.
Yorick let out a short breath.
"Clearly."
He tilted his head, studying her face more closely.
"Sorry. I have to carry you."
"What?"
"You won't make it to your room like this."
Before Josselyn could react, Yorick had already lifted her with ease. Her body felt far too light in his arms.
For a moment, Yorick felt uneasy. He was not a kidnapper.
Josselyn gasped softly.
"W-what are you doing—"
"Lower your voice, Josselyn."
"But, put me down—" she whispered this time, her wide eyes staring up at him, her face flushed.
'She's very cute,' Yorick thought without meaning to. 'Ah, what am I thinking.'
He closed his eyes briefly, trying to push the thought away.
"I'll put you down once we reach your room," he said at last. "Relax."
Josselyn still tried to move, but her body only grew weaker.
Yorick adjusted his hold on her and smiled faintly.
'But not tonight. I'll borrow you for a while,' he thought.
He carried her along the garden path toward a small building by the lake, his Herbal Room.
He pushed the door open with his shoulder.
The room was quiet.
Yorick set Josselyn down on the long sofa near the window. Her body immediately slumped against the backrest.
"Where… am I…?"
"The Herbal Room."
"Why am I here…"
"Because you almost fainted."
Josselyn closed her eyes for a moment. Her breathing sounded heavy.
Yorick sat down in the chair across from her, crossing his legs casually. He watched every change in her expression.
The potion's effects were obvious.
He tilted his head slightly.
"Now tell me, Josselyn."
She opened her eyes halfway.
"What…"
"Do you hate the Crown Prince?"
Josselyn blinked slowly.
"I…"
She fell silent for a few seconds.
"I hate him… I really hate him."
Yorick raised an eyebrow.
"Why? Because of your parents' deaths?"
Josselyn nodded faintly. A bitter smile spread across her face.
"How could I not?" she let out a hollow laugh. "My life fell apart because of that cruel man!"
She straightened slightly. "You have no idea what my life was like after my parents died."
Yorick stood slowly and walked closer. He stopped right in front of the sofa. Josselyn looked at him with burning eyes, as if carrying deep resentment.
"Because of him, I had to live with Uncle Edmund…"
Josselyn let out a short laugh.
"And that woman."
Her eyes turned cold.
"That witch."
Yorick frowned.
He had heard rumors that Count Edmund had not treated Josselyn well after her parents' deaths. But he knew nothing beyond that.
"Doesn't that mean you should be happier living in the palace? At least you don't have to stay with your uncle and aunt anymore."
Josselyn laughed again.
"Happy? Me?" She pointed a finger at her own face and scoffed.
Yorick crossed his arms.
"The first time I saw you was in the Queen's chamber."
Josselyn frowned slightly. Her eyes shifted unfocused.
"You were arguing. I saw you step on his foot."
Josselyn burst into laughter, louder this time, until tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
"Because he's annoying… always ordering me around…"
"He's the Crown Prince," Yorick said sharply. "And then at the banquet."
Her laughter faded.
"The Crown Prince defended you."
"That…" Josselyn shook her head weakly. "I didn't ask for it."
Yorick nodded, acknowledging that. He leaned slightly closer.
"After that, I heard something interesting."
"What…" Josselyn looked confused.
"A rumor. The Crown Prince got drunk in front of a girl's room."
Josselyn did not answer. She blinked twice, as if trying to recall it through the haze in her mind.
Yorick narrowed his eyes.
"That room was yours."
"That…" Josselyn bit her lip, as though the memory had just returned. "It's not what you think…"
"Then explain."
She looked at him with unfocused eyes.
"I don't…"
Yorick let out a short breath. He was not sure the potion was working as intended. Josselyn still seemed intent on avoiding the truth.
"And now…" Yorick continued, "the Crown Prince requested that you serve him during his seven days of confinement."
Josselyn shrugged and looked away.
"I don't know. Ask the Crown Prince."
Yorick studied her more deeply.
There was anger in her eyes. But also something else. A wound that had not healed.
"Tell me, Josselyn."
"What…"
"Did you approach him on purpose?"
Josselyn brushed a hand over her neck, not answering.
"For revenge, perhaps?" Yorick pressed.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Doesn't your family have reason to hate the kingdom?"
Josselyn fell silent.
Yorick watched her reaction calmly.
"Answer."
"I…"
Her breathing became uneven.
"I didn't…"
Yorick observed every word. The potion made it difficult to lie.
But suddenly Josselyn stood.
"You think I lived well after that?"
She let out a bitter laugh, swaying slightly.
"You want to know what my life was like?"
She loosened the belt at her waist and removed her dress without hesitation.
"Josselyn, what are you—" Yorick stared at her in alarm. He tried to stop her, but it was too late. The dress had already slipped from her body and fallen to the floor.
Yorick instinctively closed his eyes.
"Why would you suddenly…"
"Look at this," Josselyn's voice trembled.
Yorick hesitated at first, but slowly opened his eyes.
In front of him, she wore only a thin white undergarment that exposed her shoulders. For a moment, Yorick's heart pounded.
'What is this girl thinking? Does she realize how dangerous this is?' he cursed inwardly.
He tried to avert his gaze.
But his eyes returned to her. They traced the line of her neck, down to her shoulders, then stopped at her back. His body tensed.
"What is this…"
Yorick murmured in disbelief at what he saw. The scars were everywhere. Even beneath the thin fabric, they were visible. Too many to count.
Without realizing it, Yorick reached out and touched them. The scars were faint brown, slightly raised.
'Whip marks.'
Yorick's jaw tightened.
"They did this to you?"