The Princess' Choice

Only she knows

Berke

Sébastien took me to Emmett's room and I looked at him still not understanding what was going on.

- Why am I here? - I asked and he sighed.

- Emmett is in big trouble. He is seriously ill, but physically he is fine. I believe that the real problem hides deeper.

- I'm sorry to heard that. I hope his Highness gets better soon. But your Highness, I don't know what my part is here.

- Just stay by his side for a while.

- I believe I won't get any further explanation. - Sébastien shook his head and I nodded.

- Since her Highness ordered me to guard his Highness the Second Prince, I'll do as she ordered.

- Thanks Berke. - Sébastien smiled and walked away. I could feel his uneasiness and fear for his brother. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't really describe... Maybe guilt? I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. No answer. I walked in carefully and saw Emmett laying on his bed. He frowned in his dreams and was sweating heavily. I grabbed the cloth which was in a bowl of cold water, squeezed it and put it on Emmett's forehead gently. He stayed asleep but murmured, and turned a lot in his sleep until his eyes suddenly popped open and he sat up quickly. He was ready to jump out of bed and his eyes were fixed on the door. I grabbed his arm and pushed him back.

- Your Highness! Calm down! - I said but he fought against me.

- EMETT CHILL! - I shouted and he turned to my direction. He blinked a few times and stared at me before he fall back asleep. I sighed and release his arm. His nightmares started again and I didn't know what to do. I've searched in my memories if I have seen something similar before and then remembered. One of our guild members became like this after the war. He had constant nightmares, didn't eat nor sleep well, also he became violent from time to time. In the end he decided to end his own life. He left a letter to us letting us know that he couldn't digest seeing his wife's death and the smell of death followed him everywhere. I leaned closer to Emmett's ear and whispered softly while I caressed his hair like a child's.

- Emmett, Emmett... - he twitched and stopped moving, like he was listening to my voice.

- I won't let you be swallowed by the void. This won't last forever. Calm down and try to rest. - his face relaxed a little and I kept caressing his hair until sunrise.

Emmett

I woke up seeing something red on my bed. My heart skipped a beat because I couldn't recall what happened last afternoon and night. I searched for a weapon but couldn't find any. What is this red? Did I kill someone?! I thought but after a few minutes my mind cleared and I recognized her hair. With a loud sigh I leaned back in my bed and looked at the sleeping Berke. She had her head resting on the side of my bed while she slept sitting on a chair. Her hand fall off of my head. I couldn't resist and played with her hair a little. She suddenly moved and looked at me.

-Good Morning your Highness! How are you feeling today? - she asked politely and checked my forehead.

-Morning. I'm okay I guess.

- Your Highness's fever disappeared, that's great! I'll let the Emperor and Empress know.-she said and got up but I grabbed her arm.

- Is there anything your Highness needs? - she asked and I looked at my hand holding her arm. So tiny...

- What were you doing in my room?

- Her Highness the Princess and the Crown Prince assigned me to be your Highness's maid. - I felt my jaw dropped. I didn't want to be near her! I needed to get far away before the black mass gets to her. My expression must've changed because Berke sat on my bed next to me.

-I'm here to protect you from it. - she said and now it was my time for more confusion.

- From It? - she nodded and held my hand. Berke looked into my eyes and I found myself drowning in them. Her emerald greed eyes calmed me. I couldn't take my eyes off her.

- I've met this illness before your Highness. We have lost against it, but I won't lose again. My duty from today, to protect your Highness. - I didn't know what she meant but I understood that she won't move from my side. After how I acted on the training ground, I can understand it. I bowed my head and placed a kiss on top of her hand. When I looked at her, she was blushing and looked adorable.

- Please take good care of me.