Alessandro deeply regretted how he had been treating the princess. Her life had been full of hardship, and marrying him hadn't changed that. If anything, it had continued.
Alessandro asked Abril to leave the bathroom so he could finish bathing. When he came out, he found her trying to take off her dress. He approached her, helped her take it off, and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Changing my clothes?"
"I can see that, but why didn't you call one of the maids to help you?"
"I don't like depending on others for everything."
"Even so, your wound hasn't healed completely. Don't do it yourself."
Abril was left with only a light slip. Alessandro lowered his hands to the hem of the dress, his fingers brushing against her bare skin. Abril blushed.
"Now you're ashamed to be seen naked?
