"Ouch—ouch!"
Bella winced as the needle pricked her arm, a thin line of blood blooming at the surface. The man drawing it paid no heed to her cry.
"That is enough," he murmured—more to himself than to her—yet his words brought her immediate relief.
"Use this to stop the bleeding," he said, offering her a piece of cotton wool.
"Your blood is… fragrant," Dr. Fin added, his eyes gleaming strangely as he lifted the syringe. "Something I have never smelled before. I imagine it would taste delicious—too bad I no longer partake of blood." His gaze lingered on the crimson liquid, madness and curiosity flickering in equal measure. When he turned to Bella, she looked ready to sprint for the door at any moment. He smiled gently, attempting comfort, but only unsettling her further.
"I am not certain what you people have heard about me," he continued, "but trust me—I am nothing like the rumors."
Her face scrunched. She had heard nothing, but his comment alone confirmed every suspicion she had.
"So… do I pass the test?" Bella asked softly, nerves tightening her voice. The excitement on the man's face made her uneasy—she could tell she was the cause of it.
"Ah—right, the test," he said abruptly. "But before I answer… might I draw another syringe of blood from you? I shall be quick, I promise. Before you finish blinking, I will be done." Dr. Fin was already reaching for another needle.
"…Okay," Bella replied, unsure why he behaved as though he had just discovered a new toy.
"Ouch! I wasn't ready yet!" she cried, clutching her arm where he had taken blood for the second time.
"Trust me, it hurts less when unexpected," he said dismissively.
"So, do I pass the test?" she asked again.
"You must wait for the results. I am not the one who will perform the final examination. After I inspect it for bacteria and poison, I shall send it off to be tested."
"But you took another syringe of blood from me—you tricked me!" she accused, glaring at the eccentric doctor. He only smiled innocently and shrugged.
"Well, your blood is… different. It seems you possess some sea ancestry. Your blood is darker than usual human blood—quite rare. I am certain you will pass," he said, grinning as he disappeared into his lab with both samples—one for his experiment and the other for testing.
Bella sighed hopelessly as she looked around the white room. It was eerily silent, daunting in its emptiness. Across the space, a set of white curtains caught her attention. With hesitant steps, she approached and pulled them aside—
"Ahhh!" Her scream pierced the walls as she stumbled back and ran toward the door. Dr. Fin hurried out of his lab, looking more irritated than concerned.
"That is precisely why I advise people not to wander," he muttered, eyeing the pale girl as if she were the problem.
"T-there's a dead body there," Bella choked out, pointing with trembling fingers.
"Of course there is. This place functions as a clinic—and a morgue," he replied matter-of-factly, baffled by her reaction.
"A m-morgue?" Her eyes widened in disbelief. She had been mere feet away from a corpse.
"What? Are you afraid of the dead?" he asked, laughing loudly at her expression.
"I'm not scared," she snapped back, though embarrassment warmed her cheeks.
"Not scared of what?"
The new voice cut sharply through the room.
Damien's presence startled both of them.
"It seems I am not welcome here," he said lightly. The two bowed at once. Bella sighed inwardly—she hadn't seen him all day, and his presence brought an odd sense of relief. Perhaps it was simply familiarity, she reasoned.
"Your Majesty, you are always welcome," Fin insisted, visibly delighted. He bowed again, eyes shining as he fawned.
"Oh, we were merely discussing a dead body," Fin added cheerfully. "The fair lady here claims she is not frightened, though she looks thoroughly traumatized."
Damien's eyes moved to Bella. Her pallor stirred a sudden urge in him—an urge to tease her, to add to her misery. The corner of his lips curved.
"Lady Bella is brave, of course," he drawled. "Not as frail as other humans." The look in his eyes promised trouble.
"How is her blood?" he asked suddenly.
"Very unique, Your Majesty. I have never seen—or smelled—anything like it," Fin said eagerly, eyeing Bella, who seemed even more uncomfortable.
"As I said, she is different. Come with me, Bella. I require a hand with a dead body. It is difficult finding someone who is not afraid of one."
"Your Majesty—" Bella squeaked.
"Yes, Lady Bella?" he responded, his tone honeyed.
"I am sure she will be of great help," Fin added, quite enjoying her suffering. He retrieved a small glass tube and handed it to Damien, who slipped it into his pocket.
"Let us go. We would not wish to keep an old friend waiting, would we?"
"Old friend? Is he dead?" Bella asked, then quickly corrected herself. "Oh—sorry."
"Do not be. He is dead. More like… asleep," Damien replied smoothly.
Bella quickened her steps to catch up, though she already sensed she would regret whatever she was about to see. Still, his words sparked her curiosity. She couldn't help smiling as they approached the horse stable.
"You like horses?" Damien asked, noting her sudden excitement. It seemed the girl had forgotten her fears. She nodded fervently, the delight in her eyes stirring an old memory within him.
"I always wanted a horse," she said quietly. "But I never even got the chance to ride one. Back home, my sister injured me before our lessons. The teacher declared me too clumsy and weak." Her gaze drifted fondly over the horses.
"Well, lucky you—for you must ride one now. Joe!" Damien called. "Bring my horse and find a suitable one for Lady Bella."
The stable boy, engrossed in feeding, hadn't noticed their arrival. He bowed quickly when he finally did, blushing when his eyes fell on Bella. His stare lingered, dazed.
"You seem not to value having eyes in your sockets," Damien warned. The boy snapped out of it immediately and rushed to obey.
"You have gained yourself an admirer, it seems. So you need not miss the one in Cavemire," Damien teased, clearly referring to her brother.
Bella's face tightened in discomfort. She bit back a retort—she still needed to ask for a favor.
She mustered a meek voice. "Your Majesty… may I ask a favor?"
"A favor?" Damien mused, making her even more nervous. "What kind, Lady Bella?"
"I want to write a letter home. I am worried about my family, Your Highness. I am sure you must know the feeling… wondering if they are doing well."
"Cute of you to assume I have a family to worry about, fish," Damien chuckled as if she had told a joke. She faltered, unsure if she had chosen the wrong words—but how was she to know?
"I'm sorry," she whispered, earning a puzzled look from him.
"Sorry for what?"
"For… not having a family," she said, wincing at how clumsy it sounded.
"No need to apologize for something so irrelevant. I am glad I have none. Look at you—worrying for people who have probably forgotten your existence," he mocked coldly.
"I know my mother and Lumi are—" Bella stopped abruptly as a cry sounded from inside the stable. Her heart leapt as a beautiful brown horse trotted toward her.
"Even a horse is attracted," Damien grumbled. He placed two fingers to his lips and whistled sharply, drawing the attention of the black stallion rebellious and imposing compared to the gentle brown one.
"Her name is Dove," the stable boy said shyly to Bella as he patted the horse gently. She smiled politely, " thank you" and the boy hurried away blushing.
Damien mounted his horse with effortless grace. Bella, meanwhile, struggled with the lively Dove.
"Be a good girl, Dove," she whispered, gently patting the mare. Much to Damien's amusement, the horse nudged her affectionately.
But the moment Bella managed to climb onto the saddle, Dove shot forward in excitement, nearly unseating her.
"You are meant to control the horse with the reins!" Damien shouted as he spurred his own mount to catch up.