88 Soaked in blood

Darkness enveloped the sky. Under the enormous peepal tree, a woman wearing a bright red dress stood. Before her, a man bore the weight of her ire as her voice cut through the quietude like a blade. "What does she mean she suddenly developed an aversion to the sweets, Shadownerd? Do you know how hard it was to re-grow the whispering grove nectar tree? I did it for her alone."

"I.I don't know why the princess was nauseous, my lady. That's the sole content of the owl's message I received."

The woman's knuckles tightened as she contemplated the situation. "If her aversion to the nectar is real," She whispered, "There can be only one explanation. Her soulmate has appeared." Her thoughts ignited her imagination, leading her to ponder, "Who could that man be?"

"It must be Prince Dusen, my lady," Shadownerd said. "The guards told the princess is close with_"