Sinensis's P.O.V.-

I had no memory of what happened in that cave and Ban refused to tell me anything. One moment I was kneeling on the rocky ground distressing over my fight with Ban…. And the next thing I knew, I woke up laying on the cave's floor with Ban frantically fretting over me. He did tell me about these two trolls that came looking for the Fountain of Youth but not to worry. "I took care of 'em," he smirked cockily. I was admittedly tired yesterday, but I felt perfectly fine today. But Ban…. I couldn't put my finger on it, but Ban seemed…. different. Not in a bad way! He just seemed to be much closer and more alert than before. It was like he was constantly thinking and afraid to be away from me. I didn't feel suffocated thought; I was just wondering what could have happened to make him so…. vigilant.

At the same time, Ban also seemed very happy and playful; he was like the strange mixture of worried and relieved. He gleefully hopped around some nearby branches while I brushed my hair. "You're gonna have to tell me what happened in the cave sometime." "Sometime, but you didn't say which time," he teased. I shot him a grin. "You're really not gonna tell me anything, are you?" "Ok, I'll tell you," he said jumping over to another branch. "It was dark, and we were in a cave!" I laughed at the dramatic way he said it. "I know that!" "Good! Then you know the story." "Oh, Ban," I sighed contently. This man….. this wonderful, wonderful man.

I was about to ask if he'd like to go for a bath when a sudden, unfamiliar voice came up from the forest floor. "Princess! Princess Sinensis!" Ban and I looked at each other, then he came down and we walked over to see the man. It was a fairy envoy from the Middle Kingdom. I know that crest, I thought gazing down at his shirt. "Princess!" His face lit up when he spotted us up above. I then noticed the letter he was waving back and forth in his hand. "I am his highness's, Prince Rido, royal envoy! I bring news from the capital city!" "Prince Rido?" My eyes grew. The powerful fairy prince from the neighbouring kingdom in the Middle Kingdom? The man my grandfather engaged me to back when I was six years old? A surge of panic erupted inside me, which Ban noticed.

"Lord Rido has sacked the royal capital; your grandfather, the king, has been disposed of!" The envoy didn't waste any time delivering the news. My eyes widened even more in shock. W-what? My kingdom, my family's kingdom has been invaded and overthrown? My lower lip started to quiver. What about my family? What about my kingdom? What about….? "My brother…" I heard myself say out loud. "My brother," I immediately started to panic at the thought of King. "Where's my brother!? Where's King?! What have you done with him?!" I surprised both Ban and the envoy with how loudly I was shouting. But I don't care; I was terrified for my brother's fate at the moment.

"Worry not, your highness! Lord King had his escape to the Middle Kingdom; he is safe, though the same cannot be said for your grandfather." I didn't wait for him to finish, as I let out the biggest sigh of relief. Oh, thank goodness! King's alright, even if he doesn't have a kingdom now. He's alive and that's good enough for me. Ban didn't look so sure though. The envoy continued, ignoring both our reactions.

"My lord summons you back to the capital city, your grace! The spell will be lifted if you agree." "Agree?" Ban's eyebrow rose suspiciously. "Agree to what?" "His majesty urges you to recall the arrangement your grandfather made; he wishes to continue with the marriage!" "Marriage?!" Both Ban and I gasped in unison. He still wants to marry me!? After taking my brother's future kingdom, he wants me to….? Is this guy insane?! "Prince Rido seeks your hand in marriage, princess Sinensis. You will become queen of your grandfather's kingdom and rule alongside our king." "N-no! No, absolutely not!" I said without hesitation. Realizing I needed an excuse to legitimize my position, I quickly thought as he stared up at me dumbfounded.

"I-I can't marry Lord Rido, for I'm…. I'm guarding the Fountain of Youth." Yeah, that would work. Even Ban didn't look convinced. "Erm, your highness….. that sentence was passed by your grandfather. And I am happy to inform you that Lord Rido is willing to pardon you! He will terminate the late king's sentence." The late king…. "Uh but…. I'm still being punished," I was pushing at straws now. Ban looked like he'd had enough and wanted to intervene, but I stopped him with a pleading glance. "I was the first royal in Malagian history put on trial…." "Lord Rido sees no reason to punish you any further; my lord forgives you. And since Socrates is dead, there is no risk of you running back to him."

My eyes grew as every inch of me felt like it froze. What did…. what did he just say? Seeing my expression, Ban frowned. "There is no reason for you to stay away, your grace," this guy just didn't know when to quit. "With Socrates gone, your dignity in the fairy court is restored." That did it. Without a word, I spun around and silently walked in the opposite direction. "Uh! Excuse me, your highness?" The envoy called confused. Ban watched me for a second before shooting him a monstrous glare. "Get out of here! Go! Leave now!" "But I…!" He sounded very affronted; this was likely the first time a human had ordered him to do anything. "Get out! While you still can!" Ban commanded in a rage. "You'll regret this! Lord Rido won't take no for an answer!"

I didn't see him run off and I wasn't listening any longer either. I was merely staring out at the endless canopy in front of me. Something started to grasp me, to cloud my vision; something I hadn't experienced in a long time. Black….. a blackness swelled over me. It was like drowning in a deep dark sea, though you knew you wouldn't die. Filling your lungs with dread and pain…. so much pain. The world around me started to grow deaf and colorless, disappearing in the darkness. This was physically painful but the worst kind; the kind that came from inside, where you couldn't escape it. I tried before…. and it didn't work. Now I was left drowning but not dying, suffering with no ending in sight. I knew Socrates was dead, my lips parted a little. I knew that better than anyone…. and it hurt me each time to think about it; to remember that day. His death brought no good to this world…. only black; endless, groundless black.

I was so physically blind to the world around me at the moment that I failed to notice Ban approach me from behind. I couldn't sense him standing there or watching me. But I did come back to our shared reality when two arms wrapped around me. Still standing behind me, Ban silently embraced me; I felt the side of his head rest against the back of mine. And he stayed like that; just like that- holding me in the most hopeful, most hopeless way. It was…. the most tender thing anyone had ever done for me. I suddenly felt safe and although it didn't erase the pain, it helped me to bear it.

I know it did because us like that- with him quietly holding me- I felt strong enough to cry. It happened without my realizing it. I continued to stare out into the forest as a tear rolled down my cheek. More quickly followed, though my eyes didn't budge from right out in front of me. I was frozen, still drowning in that sea of black. But Ban was slowly but surely pulling me back to shore. Without words, he was helping me; making it easier. I needed him at that moment; I needed him to hold me, to be near me. He couldn't take away all the pain and I'd never ask him to; I believe it would never completely go away. But…. the tears kept flowing down my cheeks. Socrates… Socrates…. My lips trembled uncontrollably. Socrates. After what felt like an eternity, I finally shut my moist eyes. The black would never truly go away, not until I was reunited with my beloved teacher. But Ban…. he kept me from drowning.