Daphne was silent after the episode with the prince. She often found herself distracted in the next days that passed.
Her Ma Freda had noticed this change in her and questioned her about what happened but Daphne remained mum. For the first time, she wanted to keep a secret.
"Daphne, you have a fever!" Freda palmed her forehead.
Daphne tried to evade her mother. Freda approached her from behind.
"I'm fine, Ma!"
"What's on your neck? You always wore a shawl to hide something!" Freda pulled the thick fabric before Daphne could stop her.
"No!" she screamed painfully.
"Huh!" Freda covered her mouth when she saw the infected puncture on Daphne's skin. "When and where did you get that wound, Daphne?" she asked sharply.
"I got it the other day... somewhere in the forest..." Daphne fainte
