He had just come back from the southern borders of Gairi. The war was over but he was hurt. The royal physicians did not even know if the prince would survive, if he would leave his newly wed wife a widow.

When he finally opened his eyes, the scent of medicinal herbs filled his nostrils and the soft glow of afternoon sunlight filtered through the silk curtains. He saw you sitting silently by his bed, your hands moving with precise concentration as you prepared fresh bandages. On the table beside you lay the needle and surgical thread you'd used to sew his wounds shut.

His dazed brain worked to remember what your powers were... oh right, blood manipulation. The rare ability to control and heal through blood that the royal family of Shiro was famous for. He never understood why such a powerful technique was bestowed upon someone with such a fragile heart.

Your gentle expression as you cared for him contrasted sharply with the fierce warriors he'd known his entire life in Gairi's military courts. He would not expect in a thousand lifetimes that his wife would ever use her abilities to harm someone. He kind of thought of it as a waste... until now.