220 viii. The Visitor

She has been on land for three days now. She never knew how she survived from drowning. But she found herself on dry land when she woke.

It was Prince Malavar whom she first laid eyes on. He helped her, dressed her, and gave her a room inside his castle.

He has been very kind and gentle. It made her feel a built guilty since he was obviously courting her, and yet she could not even give him even the slightest of affections.

Why on earth did she keep on thinking about that brute? All she could think about is how he might already be planning his wedding by now.

"Mary! There you are!" the excited voice of Prince Malavar brought her back to the present.

She turned toward his voice and smiled automatically. She could not greet him because she lost her voice, but she hoped her smiles were able to convey at least her gratitude to her benefactor.