The Head of The Family Arrives (Renet’s POV)

I was so distraught and furious that it robbed me of my ability to think clearly. For a while, I felt like I wasn't myself, as if I'd only vaguely remembered hurting my sister and spreading panic. I never wanted to be feared; I cared about Kyo. It was so difficult to make the decision to hand him over to the doctors, but this woman defied my worst self, one I had no full control over. I felt she truly wanted to help. I watched for a moment as she and her colleague skillfully worked together to take care of Kyo. Of course, I was really hesitant to leave him, even though Michael was right that we had other tasks ahead of us.

"Do you have someone you trust who could stay with him?" he asked, suspecting the dilemmas I might be experiencing.

"I do. I'm almost certain Sevia brought Tifia here with her. I have to find her."

It turned out she was the one looking for me. My only friend was running toward us and stopped in front of us, panting.

"I heard what happened. How can I help?"

"Stay with Kyo, you're the only one I trust." She smiled gratefully at these words. I turned to Michael. "Can I be sure that none of your people will harm her?"

"I'll see to it personally. Let's meet here in a few hours, and we'll discuss what to do next."

I nodded to him and Tifia, then turned to the soldiers. I lost something that had an effect on them earlier, but I had to do everything I could to maintain their obedience.

"I want this to reach everyone clearly!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "It's over! From now on, anyone who harms any human will have to face the consequences. Take care of the wounded; the rest of you regroup and await further orders."

They complied, so I went to talk to Sevia to prevent any more crazy ideas she might have. She lay bandaged a little ways away, guarded by Tifia's father, her greatest supporter, who didn't even pretend to be surprised to see me.

"You should have shown this side of yourself right away," he scoffed, still refusing to acknowledge my suitability for anything related to ruling.

"You heard what I said," I snapped.

"I heard, but I'll also listen to what your father has to say on the matter."

"And he will definitely be on my side." Sevia propped herself up on her elbow and smiled maliciously. "Rule while you can. If I don't succeed now, I'll try again, and eventually I'll kill everyone."

"I'm waiting for something to finally get through your hatred-filled head," I snapped again. "Keep an eye on her. You and she are to stay put," I instructed Tifia's father.

I needed help, so I chose a few of those who looked happy it was over. I assigned them some tasks. Furthermore, I saw that the wounded were on the transport, and I ordered them to tend to those fallen on the battlefield so they could say their proper goodbyes. The pyre we'd have to build—I sighed heavily—would be enormous. I didn't want to think about it, so I asked for something to eat. I told the rest of the troops to eat, rest, and prepare to march home. In the end, I ordered those who were strong enough to start building the funeral pyre.

When I had occasion, I returned to Kyo, who was already lying on a stretcher, bandaged. Tifia held his hand in hers; I couldn't. Guilt again gripped me, thinking it was my fault. I saw him falling, and I closed my eyes, knowing that the sight would haunt me for the rest of my life. The doctors approached me.

"What about him?"

"We were just about to look for you," the woman replied. "We've done everything we could; the rest is up to him. I can't say we'd prefer to move him to a tent where we can keep an eye on him."

"But we also have to tend to the other wounded," the man added, looking into my eyes. "I hope he'll pull through; he's a good boy."

"Tifia, can I ask you to stay with him? I'll change you as soon as I can."

"Of course, Prince. Don't worry, I won't leave him for a second." She smiled warmly and nodded at Michael. "He was waiting for you."

They walked a little further, and we compared our actions. The young king merely confirmed that he, too, had suffered great losses, but the obvious sacrifice Kyo was willing to make had shaken him. I wished I could say the same about my sister.

"What now?" Michael asked. "This is my first and hopefully last battle ever."

"I don't know, Sevia summoned our father, and I doubt we'll have to wait long for him. I'll try to convince him to negotiate; he's stern and indifferent, but he's not the warrior type," I announced, already preparing a list of arguments in my head. "Do you have any ideas on how to organize this?"

"The weather won't turn bad." Michael looked up at the sky and smiled faintly. "I'll organize the table, where, where… So that I remember his wish."

I understood what he meant and was grateful for his approach. My heart yearned for Kyo, to be with him, but my mind told me I had a few other things to attend to. Michael called my name and apologized again, which I dismissed. It won't matter anymore if everything ends well. I was busy for the next few hours. I noticed that one of us had already tried to approach me several times but couldn't gather enough courage.

"What's the matter?" I asked with a foreboding feeling.

"Prince, I've been wrestling with my thoughts for a long time, but your sister forced me to develop a deadly poison that won't harm us, but it will harm humans, and…"

"And?!" I felt rage rising within me, as if I were losing my mind again. I wanted to kill him, but I had to control myself for a moment longer to get more information.

"She ordered everyone to dip their claws in it," he spat out at a dizzying speed, cowering in fear before me. "I saw she hurt that man you were crying over. Without the antidote, he'd die anyway, even if he managed to lick his wounds, but…"

"So what are you waiting for?! Go prepare it and cooperate with the human doctors so they know who to administer it to."

"Yes, I know. Fortunately, it is quick to make; I grabbed all the ingredients and already have a batch ready here." He extended a trembling hand with a glass vial. "I'm sorry, I specialize in healing potions. I didn't mean to do this, but the princess can be scary. I'll go now. As soon as the antidote is ready, I'll deliver it."

"I apologize for my outburst, too," I said, concerned. "And thank you."

A commotion ensued. It had been so long since I'd seen my father, but I immediately recognized his massive frame as he flew over and landed with a grimace of pain. Apparently, his knees were hurting more than usual. I told him I still had something important to do. I was sure he'd turn to Sevia first, which I wanted to avoid, but giving Kyo the antidote was my top priority. Out of breath, I rushed into the tent where he lay just as the doctor who was treating him was about to check on him. I pressed the vial into his hands.

"My men's claws were dipped in deadly poison. This antidote is all I have at the moment, but I've ordered more to be prepared for the others." I blurted out and ran back. I turned around and asked them to tell their king that my father had arrived.

How much I was silently grateful that he hadn't gone straight to my sister but had instead been walking around the battlefield, talking to the soldiers. He hadn't said a word when I joined him, moments before he reached Sevia. He hadn't even had a chance to look around, and she had already begun persuading him to continue the attack, to take advantage of the fact that the people thought it was over and that it would be easy to wipe them out. My father raised his hand, telling her to be silent.

"I see that since you've used dishonorable tactics in combat once, the next ones come easier," he announced in a low tone. He sounded indifferent, but I could sense a hint of irritation.

"What do you mean, Father?"

"I've heard about the poison. Son, do you support your sister?"

"No," I replied firmly, straightening my back.

"So what do you propose?"

"Negotiations."

"Let's go. Help your sister get there," he ordered, but Sevia rejected my help anyway. Bent over, barely able to move, she followed our father.