Thana sat quietly on the bed, her head lowered.
"Are you okay now?"
She slowly looked up at the sound of Dario's voice.
He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you this late, Prince Dario…" she muttered, lowering her gaze again.
"It's fine… you can leave now," he said flatly.
"No!"Her head snapped up instantly.
Dario frowned. "What?"
"I'm scared…" she whispered.
"Pablo will escort you."
"No." She shook her head.
He sighed, already losing patience.
"I can't go back to that room," she continued, her voice trembling. "After that dream… I went to drink water, and then I heard someone call my name. When I turned… I saw a shadow."
She looked at him, fear clear in her eyes."I don't want to go back there."
Dario stared at her for a moment, his face blank."Are you sure about what you're saying?"
"Yes." She nodded firmly.
"Then I'll go check it," he said, turning toward the door.
"No!"She rushed forward and grabbed his hand.
"I don't want you to get hurt…" she said, shaking her head.
Dario let out a small chuckle."I won't go alone. Pablo will be with me."
"No…" she insisted again.
He exhaled deeply."What do you want, Princess Thana?"
"I want to sleep here tonight," she said softly.
His eyes widened. "What?"
Before he could react, Thana smiled and pulled him toward the bed, making him sit.
"I want you to watch me sleep, Prince Dario," she said, pouting slightly.
He opened his mouth to protest but no words came out.
"Thank you," she added sweetly.
What exactly is she thanking me for…? he wondered, completely baffled as she climbed onto the bed and lay down.
"Goodnight, Prince Dario," she murmured, closing her eyes.
He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
He had made a mistake years ago… accepting her help, her kindness…her bread.
If he had refused, none of this would be happening.
"Calm down, Dario…" he muttered under his breath.
He began pacing the room, back and forth, his eyes never leaving her.
Then suddenly, he stopped.
Wait… are you actually watching her sleep just because she asked? You're losing your mind, Dario.
He sighed walking back to the bed, he lay down on the far edge.
"This is my bed. You can't chase me away from it, Princess Thana."
He turned away, trying to sleep but he couldn't.
Slowly, he turned to look at her.
Even in sleep… She was beautiful.
A small smile appeared on his lips before he could stop it and then her eyes opened.
Their gazes locked."You're not sleeping?" he asked.
She shook her head.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.Great. Not just a nuisance… but an actress too.
"Goodnight," he said again, closing his eyes.
But immediately opened them when she moved closer.
His eyes widened."Distance, miss," he warned, staring at her.
"It's Thana," she corrected softly.
He sighed, about to respond but his words were cut off.
Thana suddenly pressed her lips against his.
He froze completely.
His mind went blank.His heart skipped then began pounding wildly against his chest.
Thana pulled away almost immediately, her eyes wide, her fingers gripping the sheets."I'm sorry, I—I couldn't—"
Her words died in her throat because in the next second…Dario pulled her back.
And kissed her so hard.This time, there was no hesitation,No confusion.
Just something raw… something uncontrollable.
His hand tightened around her as he deepened the kiss, like he had finally lost the restraint he'd been holding onto all night.
Thana's breath hitched.Her fingers clutched onto him instinctively.
And for a moment,everything else disappeared.