Still in Doubt

"Why is there blood in this bottle?" Laura was so shocked. She really remembered that Gabrio brought this bottle to give to Stevan. She even said that this bottle was for Stevan's breakfast. "No. Impossible."

“Laura?” Stevan called, making Laura shocked, and she finally dropped the bottle she was holding. Blood was splattered on the floor.

Stevan was quite surprised to see Laura in his room. His gaze was now focused on the floor, where quite a lot of fresh blood had spilled. He approached Laura. The woman's gaze conveyed deep fear. Anxiety started to creep in. He was afraid that the woman in front of him would now walk away if she knew the truth.

“What are you doing here, Laura?” Stevan asked in a soft voice.

“I was looking for you,” Laura answered nervously. "Why is there blood here?" Her hand pointed at the floor. The rancid smell of blood was so strong.

The most-feared thing finally happened. Laura discovered something he had been trying to hide all this time. "I asked Gabrio to give me this blood," answered Stevan.

"What for?" Laura looked closely at Stevan's face. Stevan was silent, thinking about what answer he would reveal.

"Why are you quiet?" Laura spoke again.

"Good grief! Prince! Why are you shedding this blood?” shouted Gabrio excitedly. He immediately ran into Stevan's room. "I went to great lengths to slaughter a cat so that I could take its blood to exorcise evil spirits, but instead you spilled it." Gabrio's face looked so disappointed. Stevan, who was confused by the attitude of his personal bodyguard, just remained silent while observing.

"Why is the prince just silent? Quickly say sorry to me.” Gabrio looked at Stevan with a wink.

"Hah? Why am I sorry?" Stevan asked, still not understanding.

“Oh my God! I've been working hard to find a cat without a tail, just for the prince's safety. Doesn't the prince know how hard it is to find a cat without a tail?” Gabrio really dramatizes the atmosphere. He deliberately did this to save Stevan from being discovered by Laura. Luckily, he arrived on time. If he didn't come back, maybe Laura would know the crown prince's identity.

Seeing the look on Gabrio's face, Stevan finally understood. "Forgive me. I accidentally dropped it," he said, glancing at Laura.

"Wait. What does this mean? I don't understand. What does this blood have to do with the crown prince’s safety?” Laura looked at Stevan. "Did you drink blood?"

"You're crazy?" Gabrio snapped very loudly, startling Laura. Likewise with Stevan. "What kind of creature do you think the prince is? Princes don't drink blood, just so you know." Gabrio continued looking annoyed at Laura. Stevan was just silent while watching Laura. He didn't expect that Gabrio was so skilled at acting.

"Sorry, I don't know what you mean," said Laura regretfully.

"This blood is used as a talisman so that no more strange creatures attack the prince. Next time you say that, think about it first," said Gabrio, immediately taking a tissue in the bathroom to clean the blood on the floor.

“Wow, amazing. He dares to shout at the crown prince and future crown princess."Stevan muttered, which Laura heard.

“It's your fault for not explaining it directly to me. I'm embarrassed to accuse you carelessly," said Laura.

Stevan still didn't think that Laura would believe Gabrio's words. Even though he was already panicking and looking for an excuse, he even intended to admit that he was a werewolf. "It's not in vain that I made him my personal bodyguard," thought Stevan, looking at Gabrio, who was starting to clean the floor.

"Let me help." Laura immediately squatted down and was about to help, but was held back by Stevan.

“Don't touch the blood. Let him clean it. That's his punishment for daring to yell at you. We'd better get out of here." Stevan immediately grabbed Laura's hand and took the woman away from his room.

Gabrio sighed as he watched the two of them leave. "When a man becomes a slave to love, his common sense has disappeared," grumbled Gabrio as he continued cleaning the floor. He didn't forget to take a rag and floor soap so that the rancid smell of blood disappeared.

***

Laura is now on campus—in her class, to be precise. She was contemplating while sitting and staring at the window. She was still thinking about what happened in Stevan's room earlier. For some reason, she felt that something was being hidden from her. “That's enough, Laura. You can't have strange thoughts," she muttered softly. Jennifer, who had just arrived, immediately approached Laura.

“Where did you stay last night? I came to your house this morning, but you weren't there." Jennifer pulled out a chair and put it next to Laura.

“I stayed at the palace last night,” Laura answered.

"What the hell?" Jennifer shouted, making several students in the class look at her. Luckily, there were only 5 students there.

“Keep your voice down!” asked Laura.

“Sorry. You really shocked me." Jennifer leaned forward. “Why are you already able to stay at the palace? Have you married the crown prince secretly?”

"You're crazy?" Laura growled. "You always say things carelessly without thinking. Just like Gabrio."

"Then why are you staying at the palace?" asked Jennifer with an innocent face.

Laura let out a long breath. “I didn't expect it either. It all just happened.” Another heavy sigh came out. "Eh, do you have books about vampires or werewolves?"

"What for?" Jennifer answered.

"Dont ask too much. Just answer,” Laura insisted. She looked quite enthusiastic.

"There's a fairy tale like that. I have some. You are getting weirder by the day.” Jennifer put her palm on Laura's forehead to check her friend's body temperature.

"Give it to me. I want to read a book about that very mysterious mythological creature.” Laura looked back at the window.

"For some reason, I feel like my instincts weren't wrong. There is a secret that you deliberately hid from me, Prince Stevan. I'll find out for myself," Laura thought to herself.