The Royal Mark-Chapter 40: His Naked Mate

Chris was delighted to see Elsa eat heartily and believed that she would swiftly regain her strength if she continued to eat in this manner. After Elsa finished her meal, he summoned the healer to provide her with herbal tonics that could aid in her recovery.

Elsa’s expression soured upon tasting the bitter liquid. "What is this disgusting thing?" she exclaimed.

"It’s a blend of various herbs and berries designed to expedite your recovery, my lady," the healer promptly explained.

It took Elsa a while to finish the bitter tonic, and she felt a strong urge to vomit afterward. The other healers and water mages arrived to check on her, as their King had instructed them to prioritize the health of the Prince of Arcanis and the lady accompanying him.

"How are you feeling, my lady? Do you feel any pain anywhere?" inquired one of the healers.

Elsa remembered the wound on her wrist, only to discover that it had fully healed. However, it left behind a mark resembling a light-colored tattoo. Elsa examined it closely and noticed a round shape with a slight opening at the top, along with another shape in the center that she couldn’t quite identify yet.

"I think I’m alright. But is it really warm in here?" she asked, and one of the mages noticed her sweating.

"Perhaps we should get you some new clothing. Please, follow me, my lady. You can pick the dress you prefer," the healer suggested as she led Elsa behind a partition. It was then that Elsa noticed that everyone, including herself, was dressed in a style reminiscent of the Middle Ages from her world.

"Who changed my clothes?" Elsa inquired of the healer.

"I believed it was the priestess back in the village—" the healer began to explain.

"It was me," Chris interjected.

The healer was taken aback by the Prince’s bold declaration. In their society, it was considered improper for men to witness women in a state of undress unless they were their husbands.

Elsa was equally shocked and exclaimed, "You really are a pervert!" This comment elicited a smirk from Chris.

"I couldn’t allow anyone else to touch you. Your dress was soaked, remember? Don’t worry; I didn’t look. Ciel served as my eyes; I only assisted with changing it. I’ll wait outside so you can change, princess," Chris assured Elsa.

"You!" Elsa scoffed, while the healer remained speechless at the unexpected turn of events.

"Could it be that you’re planning to marry the Prince of Arcanis, my lady?" the healer inquired after Chris had left.

"Of course not! I will be returning home soon," Elsa exclaimed.

"Then I would advise you to limit your interactions with the Prince. If word gets out that he has seen your unclothed body, it may deter potential suitors," the healer cautioned her with sincere concern.

Elsa gazed at the healer, struggling to find the right words. In the end, she simply nodded and decided to keep her conversation with these people to a minimum. Her focus shifted back to selecting a dress.

Before Elsa could make her choice, the temperature inside the tent began to feel suffocatingly hot to her. "It’s really hot in here, don’t you feel it?" she inquired of the healer.

"It’s actually fall, my lady. It’s rather chilly as winter is approaching," the healer replied.

"What are you talking about? It feels more like a steam room in here, gosh..." Elsa used her hand to fan herself, "I can hardly breathe. Untie my back, quickly!" Elsa began to panic as she struggled to catch her breath.

The healer swiftly complied with Elsa’s request, but before she could complete the unfastening of Elsa’s corset, she rushed out of the tent and collided with Chris, who had been waiting just outside.

Chris caught her before she could fall to the ground and noticed her struggling to breathe. "What’s wrong?" he inquired.

"Too hot... can’t breathe..." Elsa managed to say, prompting Chris to lift her in his arms and rush toward the river.

The panicked healer and the running Prince of Arcanis attracted the attention of everyone nearby, who all moved in Chris’ direction to watch and see what was happening.

As soon as Chris submerged Elsa in the water, steam began to rise from her pores. "Is this better?" he asked.

"Not quite," Elsa remarked, and she submerged herself entirely in the water, remaining under for a few seconds to test if it would alleviate her heat. Regrettably, it only provided minimal relief, and she still felt excessively warm, with her body beginning to ache.

"Turn around; I’ll remove my clothes. Maybe it will help," Elsa suggested as she began to undress, with Chris still looking at her.

Chris was too preoccupied to grasp her words, as he was consumed by worry and panic. It wasn’t until her corset and dress floated in front of him in the water that he understood her intentions. The water was neck-deep so Elsa didn’t mind getting naked, since Chris wouldn’t be able to see her beneath the night sky.

Chris grew alarmed upon realizing that the humans were drawing near and might see his naked mate. Hastily, he turned around and commanded, "Everyone, go back! No one is permitted to approach the river! Move away now!"

"B-But Your Highness, we need to check on the lady," the healer who had been with Elsa earlier objected.

"I’ll summon you when she needs your help. Return to the camp now!" Chris’s authoritative voice roared along the riverbank, causing everyone to scurry back to their campsite.

"Ahh!" she yelped, causing Chris to turn back to her.

"Princess!" Chris responded urgently.

"Chris, it hurts!" Elsa cried out.

"Where does it hurt?" Chris asked with deep distress as he approached her.

"Everywhere! The pain is too much, like I’m being burned from within. It’s going to kill me, ahh!" Elsa wailed, wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to alleviate her agony.

"No, you won’t! Not on my watch!" Chris declared, grabbing Elsa the moment he reached her and wrapping her in his arms while absorbing her pain.

As Elsa felt the pain in her body lessen somewhat after Chris embraced her, she gazed at him and noticed black vein-like lines on his neck, extending up to his cheeks and eyes. His eyes were turning black as well.

"What are you doing?" Elsa asked in confusion.

"I’m absorbing your pain, princess. I won’t allow my mate to perish just because she can’t handle her own power. It will never happen," Chris smirked at Elsa before growling in pain.

"Argh..."

"Christopher! Stop it! You’ll kill yourself!" Elsa sobbed, witnessing the torment on his face.

"You’re insulting me, princess. Do you think I’m that weak? I can’t let you suffer this pain alone. If it hurts so much for me, what more for you?"

"No! I swear to save lives and not let anyone die if I can save that person. So, let me go!" Elsa struggled in Chris’ arms, pushing him away.

"Fuck, princess can you please stay still? Your breasts are hitting my chest and it’s not helping me concentrate." Chris almost pleaded and cursed himself. They are already in a life and death situation but his body does not cooperate.

"Huh? Just let me go! Save yourself!" Fortunately for Chris, Elsa didn’t quite hear him loud enough and she continued to try to free herself from his grasp.

"Damnit! Stop struggling and shut up! You are not giving me any choice!" Chris yelled causing Elsa to pause and look at him. "Finally!" – was the last thing Elsa heard before Chris’ lips dived onto hers silencing and taming her completely.