Reunion

Nathaniel's head shot up when he saw the light out of the corners of his eyes. It happens again, he thought with alarm and tried to extricate his hand from Katherine's. He still didn't know why her magic would react to his touch, but he doubted it was a good sign. Magic usage made sleepy and Katherine had slept too long already.

However, Katherine's grip had gotten stronger and before long there was another change that stopped his movements altogether. Disbelieve and happiness surged in him, slowly drawing a brilliant smile on his face.

"Katherine! You woke up!"

This must be how a puppy feels when its owner is finally back, the sarcastic part of him commented, but Nathaniel was too happy to care. Eagerly, he brushed the hair out of her forehead, so he could see her violet eyes in all their splendor. They were half-opened, the lids still heavy with sleepiness. To refrain from startling her, he lowered his voice. "How are you feeling, my dear? Does it hurt anywhere?"

Dazed, Katherine stared up at him. She didn't know how she came back here. Where were the gauze birds? Why did her throat feel so dry? How came Nathaniel was smiling at her? He really was gorgeous when he smiled. Suddenly, realization hit her. "You are here but ... Am I not dead?"

Nathaniel's smile wavered as his eyes darkened. "You nearly were."

Nearly... "That means I am not", Katherine concluded in wonder. "Was it all a dream then? It seemed so real... "

"Did you dream something bad?", Nathaniel asked, worried. Though he didn't see Katherine in her worst condition, the story his soldiers told him suggested wounds even the strongest person would die of. He wished for Katherine to not remember this painful experience, but it might be impossible. At least, he would do everything to help her overcome the memory. She wouldn't have to go through this alone.

But Katherine's answer was surprisingly calm. "Actually, it was quite a nice dream. However, a dream is still a dream, right?"

When Nathaniel nodded, Katherine suddenly noticed that he still had his palm on her head, solemnly staring into her eyes. A cheeky grin formed on her face and she stretched out a hand to touch his cheek. "You missed me, love?"

The smooth white skin on Nathaniel's face reddened as he scooted away and caught the mischievous fingers coming after him. Luckily, they were still intact.

"You're courting death too much lately. Rest a bit before trying anything again", he chided lightly. His fingers though spoke a different language as they interweaved with hers.

"Hum", Katherine made, not at all unhappy. Why should she be? She was feeling well in body and mind and was finally back with the man she loved. The near-death she experienced seemed like a dark dream right now, and she banned it from her thoughts. In the space of the gauze birds, she had dwelled on the pain long enough.

As for Nathaniel's 'courting death' talk, she ignored it. She took it as one of the strange sides of her new husband that he sometimes said things like this and she knew that even if she asked, he wouldn't explain. This time, she was too relieved to start a fight over it. Little did she now that Nathaniel thought she already knew everything about his power since the day of their marriage.

"You were in a coma for four days", Nathaniel informed her, switching the topic. "I'm sorry for pulling you into all this trouble."

Katherine pressed his hand. "It's not your fault. You weren't the one who murdered the king, were you?"

Suddenly, she sat up, anxious. "The King! How is he? Can I help somehow? Or is he already..."

Nathaniel shook his head. "The bastard is too tough to pass on. But you don't need to rush, his condition is stable now."

Katherine looked at Nathaniel, eyes wide. She could understand why someone would call the King a bastard since she herself didn't like him. However, she was just an outsider, while Nathaniel... "Um, isn't he your father?"

Nathaniel's eyes hardened. "No. He is not."

Confused and irritated, Katherine shook her head. "How come every time I think I know something about you, it turns out to be fake in the end? What is it now? Are you not a prince, even though the King himself proclaimed you his son? Are you in the end a beggar he took in? Not that I would mind that", she added hastily. "But as your wife I would at least like to know who I'm married to!"

Against his will, the corners of Nathaniel's mouth twitched. "I would also prefer to know my past, but the truth just likes to slip my grip."

"Huh? So you don't know yourself?" All anger fled Katherine's body, leaving her blinking like a surprised child. After a second, she began to ponder, her finger unknowingly tapping against her lips. "How can this be? Why is it such a mess? This is so irritating."

Nathaniel felt the urge to laugh. "Isn't it? I thought my whole life I was the unwanted son of the King. Now it seems I am just the unwanted nephew, if that is even the truth."

"Nephew?"

"Well, you could also call it the stepson, since I am both in a way." With a sigh, Nathaniel brushed his hair back. It seemed this would be a long conversation. "Let me get you something to eat before we continue. You must be hungry."

He wanted to stand up, but Katherine, who thought it was his way to avoid the conversation, held him back. "I'm not hungry yet. Tell me."

Unconvinced, he raised his brows at her, but then noticed the stubborn gaze in her eyes and the hand that didn't let go of his. With a sigh, he sat back down. If she was this lively already, it wouldn't hurt to wait a bit with the food. Besides, he didn't want to fight when she was still recovering.

"While you were asleep, the King told me a fantastical story I wasn't sure I could believe", he began. "I just wish I could deny it instead. It turns all my plans upside-down. Well, maybe it isn't such a bad thing, but still."

When Nathaniel stopped, Katherine pressed his hand to remember him that she was here with him and urge him to continue.

"It's a bit complicated." Nathaniel smiled wryly. "I guess any such matter would be so. It starts a few years before my birth, when the former crown prince got married to the third princess of the Falumor Empire, Princess Layla Fatima Bishara. That crown prince, he wasn't the current King, but his older brother, Alexander Ymir Icefall."

When Katherine wanted to interrupt, Nathaniel raised his hand. "I know. You want to ask why she would be remarried to another King later. It is tradition that the wife of a King should be untouched before marriage, but this isn't the case. Relax. I will come to this in due time."

Katherine struggled with her curiosity, before settling back into the cushions. "All right. Tell me when you think it's right."

A grin flew over Nathaniel's lips, and he patted her hand. "Good girl."

Blushing, Katherine felt the urge to throw a cushion at his handsome face. "Just get started already!"

"Yes, yes." The grin withdrew from his lips, forming his usual serious expression. Katherine felt a little regret. "So, the third Princess of the Falumor Empire got married to this Crown Prince when she wasn't much different from a child herself. I myself can't imagine it, but I was told she was a quiet and naive girl back then. Only after the evil that resided in the crown prince tainted her, did she become who she is today: a crazy madwoman. She also is my mother."