An uneaten red apple remained on the desk. Callisto wiped down Alana’s body which was lying on her bed. She wore no nightwear, and her skin was exposed. “Alana, I’ve finally gotten rid of your fever. Let me explain to you.” Callisto held Alana’s hand, who was staring blankly at the ceiling and took a deep breath.

“You promised me, yet you immersed yourself in the water again. These past two years, you haven’t done anything, so why? What happened?”

Callisto managed Alana’s day. In the morning, she would wake up to him, and they would eat breakfast together. The same went for lunch and evening meals. He also prepared her morning dresses and nightwear. Alana spent her days in accordance with a finely tuned schedule. It had been six years, but in the last two years since she became queen, Callisto was involved in everything – now, more than ever before.

“I can only guess what your thoughts are if you don’t convey them. I’m listening. Even if I don’t know what’s on your mind.” he urged.

“It was so hot that I had to take a dip,” Alana said quietly.

It was moments like these when Callisto felt the most helpless. No matter what, he could never communicate with the woman he deeply loved, like in the past again. To watch someone you cared for have the life sucked out of them, living as if the world only revolved; watching night blend into the day, losing out on the joys of life – that was another kind of heartache. He could do nothing but watch over her silently, every moment he could.

Callisto opened his mouth, then closed it. He sighed in frustration. “Hot?” he asked incredulously. “Alana, I’m fuming. I relented and accepted for you not to have a servant residing beside you – because you preferred the quietness. On the contrary, not being able to protect or know your actions, when you’re in danger or endangering yourself… that’s being deceived.” Callisto frowned. “Especially this,” he pushed at a spot next to Alana’s chest. Small traces of bruised red were marked against her pale skin. “I want to ask about this. This, it’s definitely the trace of a man.”

Alana pursed her lips and turned away. However, he forced her body to turn towards him. She raised her eyes to meet his torn blue ones. She was so close that she could feel his breathing.

“I’m going crazy. What did I endure ‘til now for? To give you to another man?” His eyes blurred as he spoke. And try as he might, Callisto couldn’t hold himself back. Droplets of salty water gently fell onto Alana’s cheeks.

“You’re so cruel. That night…before the coronation, you told me you didn’t want to marry anyone.” He weakly tilted his neck as if in resigned acceptance. His eyes looked at her imploringly.

“Until now, has that changed? Have you welcomed someone*?” Callisto dropped his head and bowed deeply. He gently glided his hand over where Alana’s womb was. “Speak truthfully. Have you accepted anyone since that night? How many, among them?” Shaking his head in denial, Callisto exhaled slowly. “I haven’t touched anyone since that night. I’ve always regretted it. I was crazy. It was my first time…did it hurt? You were about to collapse on Coronation Day.”

*husband

The only thing that came to her mind at the mention of ‘coronation’ was the uninvited guest in the black robe. However, her thoughts of the past were closed off because Callisto entwined his fingers in Alana’s hand. “Let’s start over that night. I can’t bear it any longer. I’m at my limit. Please, Alana.” Before she could answer, her lips were blocked by a soft heat.