"What do you mean by 'effect'?"
Killian's voice was low, yet enough to tighten the air in the room. Josselyn, still struggling to steady her breathing, tried to listen more clearly.
Sebastian swallowed. "I… already said, this isn't…"
"You said she used a power," Killian cut in. "What power?"
Kael interjected quickly, "Your Highness, perhaps this isn't the time…"
"Now," Killian said sharply.
Josselyn couldn't take it anymore. Their voices were too loud. She clutched the blanket tighter. "Could you… all… leave my room…"
His gaze shifted to her briefly, then returned to Sebastian, clearly ignoring her. "Explain."
Sebastian let out a long breath. "Josselyn… has the ability to heal."
Killian fell silent.
"Heal?" he repeated quietly.
"Yes," Sebastian continued. "But not like ordinary healers who use remedies like we've always seen. She…"
Sebastian glanced at Josselyn, and for a brief moment their eyes met. Josselyn used that chance to shake her head slightly.
"Say it clearly."
Killian's firm voice snapped him back. Sebastian had no choice but to speak under Killian's piercing gaze.
"It's like an energy from within her body, which… has an effect after it's used."
"What effect?" Killian pressed.
Sebastian shook his head. "That's what we don't fully understand."
"You're joking."
"No," Kael added. "Every time she uses her power, her body reacts. But we don't yet fully understand how or why."
Killian looked at Josselyn again. "And you didn't tell me this?"
Josselyn looked away. "There's nothing to worry about."
"Nothing?" Killian's voice rose slightly. "You were barely conscious when I found you."
"Killian, I…"
The door suddenly opened.
"Howarth."
Everyone turned.
The silver-haired man leaned casually against the doorframe, as if nothing had happened earlier.
"I need to speak with you," he said, looking at Killian.
"Out," Killian said coldly. "I'll speak to you later."
Howarth raised a brow. "I witnessed the effect from beginning to end."
Josselyn clicked her tongue. Her hand clenched the sheets tightly.
'Bad idea. Is he really going to tell Killian everything? That's suicide,' she cursed inwardly.
Kael, understanding her meaning, immediately pulled Sebastian out without another word.
Josselyn took that chance to escape. The thought of the two of them arguing because of her would put her in a disadvantageous position. She had to leave the room first and find a better way to explain.
She tried to get up, but her hands trembled, her body still weak.
"Stay," Killian said without turning. "Right there."
The door shut. Silence quickly filled the room.
"What do you want?" Killian asked.
Howarth stepped in a few paces. "I only want to clarify something."
"Make it quick."
Howarth smiled faintly. "You already know the effect yourself."
Killian said nothing. He waited.
"So," Howarth continued casually, "after using her power, heat radiates from her body. Her heart beats faster. Her skin becomes more sensitive…"
Howarth glanced at Josselyn, then back at Killian. "And then, she loses control."
"Howarth…" Josselyn tried to stop his bluntness.
"What? Should I hide it from him?" Howarth clicked his tongue. "Even though you've 'taken advantage' of it too."
"I did not—!"
"Enough!" Killian's gaze hardened, shifting between them before locking onto Howarth's amber eyes.
"How do you know the effects…"
Killian didn't finish his sentence. His pupils shifted slightly, as if realizing something.
Josselyn's heart pounded. Just as she swallowed, Killian's hand moved suddenly, gripping Howarth's throat and slamming him against the wall behind him.
"Ugh…"
Howarth grimaced. His hands nearly clawed at Killian's grip on his neck.
"You were there when the effect appeared?"
Howarth didn't resist. Instead, he smiled faintly through the pain.
"What did you do to her?" Killian's voice dropped, tightening his hold.
"Your Highness." Josselyn knelt on the bed. Her body trembled at the sight of Howarth's paling face, his breath coming out in strained sounds.
"What. Did. You. Do."
Howarth looked at him without fear. "Do you… really want… to hear the answer?"
Josselyn shuddered in irritation. 'What does he even want? He's completely unreadable.'
"Stop!" Josselyn stood, grabbing Killian's hand.
"Let him go!" she urged.
Killian didn't move.
"Killian!" Josselyn tried to catch his gray-blue eyes, pleading. "We didn't do anything."
Howarth glanced at her, the corner of his lips lifting.
Josselyn's eyes widened.
'Be quiet, Howarth! I'm saving your life!' she snapped inwardly, hoping he would hear.
The edge of Howarth's brow twitched faintly. He rolled his eyes. The smirk faded.
'Good. He heard me. Good boy,' Josselyn thought in relief.
Killian looked at Josselyn. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," she answered quickly.
She focused on him again. "I just… handled it myself."
Her voice was soft, but enough to freeze the air between them.
Killian didn't seem convinced. "You expect me to believe that?"
Josselyn met his gaze sharply. "Then what do you want to hear?"
Killian didn't answer.
"He's a guest," Josselyn continued. "From another kingdom."
Her hand tightened around Killian's arm. "What if someone sees his face later? Rumors will spread that the Kingdom of Valenroth violated its laws by mistreating a guest staying at the palace."
Howarth smiled faintly, clearly starting to enjoy this situation.
"What if it sparks conflict?" Josselyn's voice lowered, but sharpened. "Are you ready to risk a war over this?"
Killian's jaw tightened for a few seconds. Then slowly, he released Howarth.
A sharp intake of breath escaped Howarth immediately. His pale face flushed red as his body lurched forward, coughing.
Killian didn't seem to care. He didn't even glance at him. His hand remained clenched after letting go.
"Leave."
Howarth adjusted his collar, then smiled faintly. "With pleasure."
As he stepped out, he glanced at Josselyn. "Thank you, Miss Josselyn. Thanks to you, I'm alive."
Josselyn knew he was being sarcastic, especially from the crooked smile he wore before the door shut again.
No sound remained except the lingering heavy breaths that had yet to settle.
"You're coming with me. We're returning to the palace," Killian said at last. "We need to find the true cause. And a way to eliminate the effect."
Josselyn immediately shook her head. "No, Your Highness."
"This is not a request."
"I'm not finished here," Josselyn replied. "There are still children I need to heal."
"That is not your responsibility."
"It is my promise after we obtained the wool," Josselyn cut in. "And I will not break it."
Killian stared at her for a long moment.
"I can assign another healer."
"You taught me to break promises?"
Josselyn took a deep breath.
"I will stay here," she continued more softly.
Killian's jaw hardened. He turned away a few steps, a quiet exhale escaping him.
"Then I'm staying too."
Josselyn frowned. "What?"
"I won't let you face that 'effect' alone."
Josselyn fell silent.
For some reason, those words only made her breathing grow heavy again.