Extra Chapter

The night hung heavy with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and the moon cast a soft, silver glow over the palace gardens. Amaryllis, her heart shattered into a thousand pieces, treaded her way back to her room, tears streaming down her face like the gentle rain that had started to fall. The ache in her chest was overwhelming, and she decided to stay out until she could grasp the tangled threads of her emotions.

Her silver hair clung to her face, and her once vibrant eyes now mirrored the pain she felt. Noah's rejection echoed relentlessly in her mind, a painful refrain that drowned out the world around her. The communication ring on her finger buzzed, a message from her uncle.

"Amaryllis, where are you?" His stern voice resonated through the ring.

For a moment, she hesitated, debating whether to respond. The last thing she wanted was another scolding, but she couldn't evade it forever. With a heavy sigh, she activated the ring.

"I'm on my way back to my room, Uncle," she replied, her voice quivering.

"Your room? You were explicitly told not to leave!" His tone was stern, but an unusual hint of concern lingered.

Amaryllis bit her trembling lip, trying to hold back a fresh wave of tears. "I needed some air, Uncle. I'm sorry."

As she entered her room, she sensed her uncle's presence in the communication ring, his disapproval almost tangible. The door slid shut behind her, leaving her alone in the dimly lit chamber. She sank onto her bed, clutching her chest as if trying to hold the fragments of her broken heart together.

Suddenly, the door slid open again, revealing her uncle's tall, imposing figure. His eyes, usually sharp and unforgiving, softened as they fell upon Amaryllis. He took a step forward, his expression a mix of irritation and something akin to understanding.

"Amaryllis, how many times do I have to tell you that rules exist for a reason? Sneaking out again? What do you even do outside until this late? When do you sneak out?" he scolded, though his voice lacked the usual harshness. His tone conveyed that he was oblivious to the fact that Amaryllis had snuck out more than three times.

Amaryllis couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. "I just needed some air, Uncle. I didn't mean to defy your orders."

He sighed, the lines on his face deepening. "You're a stubborn one. Rules are in place to keep you safe, Amaryllis. I've told you this before."

She nodded, her eyes still fixed on the floor. The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the soft sound of Amaryllis sniffing back tears. She was embarrassed and scared to let her vulnerable side show. There was complete silence for a moment.

After a moment, her uncle sighed again, a rare display of vulnerability. "Look, I understand you might be going through something, and I won't pretend to know what it is. But sneaking out won't solve your problems."

Amaryllis finally looked up, her eyes meeting her uncle's. There was a flicker of something in his gaze, a glimmer of empathy that she hadn't seen before. It was a small crack in the wall he had built around himself.

"Go to sleep, Amaryllis. We'll talk about this tomorrow," he said, his voice softer now.

She nodded, grateful for the reprieve. He even went as far as tucking her in the bed and slowly caressing her hair before bidding her farewell for the night. This act was both fatherly and, in a way, authoritative, but somewhere, she felt a bit guilty because she badmouthed him back in the labyrinth today. As he left the room, Amaryllis couldn't help but feel a sliver of hope. Perhaps, in the midst of her heartbreak, there was a chance for understanding and, maybe, even a bridge between them.

The next day, Amaryllis woke up with puffy eyes and a heavy heart. The rejection from Noah still lingered, but she felt a strange mix of emotions about her uncle's softened demeanor the night before. She decided to face the day, hoping for some solace.

As she entered the common area, her uncle was already there, reading a report. His eyes briefly met hers, and for a moment, she saw a trace of concern. Amaryllis hesitated but approached him.

"Uncle," she started, her voice a mere whisper, "about last night..."

He glanced at her, putting down the report. "Sit down, Amaryllis."

She obeyed, her eyes fixed on her hands, nervously fidgeting in her lap.

"I've been hard on you," he admitted, surprising Amaryllis. "It's not easy being a young girl. I should have been more understanding."

Amaryllis looked up, her golden eyes meeting his. There was a vulnerability in her uncle's gaze, an acknowledgment of his own shortcomings. It was a side of him she rarely saw.

"I know I can be strict, but I do care about you," he continued, his voice softer than usual. "Sometimes I forget that you're not just my niece; you're a young girl dealing with your own challenges."

Tears welled up in Amaryllis's eyes, not from sadness but from the unexpected warmth in her uncle's words. She nodded, unable to find her voice.

He reached across the table, placing a hand on hers. "I won't pretend to understand everything you're going through, but I want you to know that you're not alone. If there's something you need to talk about, I'm here."

Amaryllis was taken aback by this gesture. The man who was often a pillar of stoicism was extending an olive branch. She wiped away a tear and managed a small, grateful smile.

"Thank you, Uncle," she whispered.

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before withdrawing it. "Now, let's discuss how we can make things better. Sneaking out is not the solution. We need to find a middle ground, a way for you to express yourself without breaking the rules."

As they talked, Amaryllis felt a shift in their relationship. It wasn't a complete transformation, but there was an opening—a chance for understanding to grow. In the midst of heartbreak and familial tension, a fragile bridge was forming, connecting two souls in an unexpected way.

Her uncle started, "Amaryllis, you need to understand the importance of rules. Sneaking out not only puts you in danger but jeopardizes the security of everyone here."

To that, Amaryllis, trying to control her sob, replies, "I know, Uncle, but sometimes I feel so confined. I needed a break from everything."

"I get it. But we can't compromise safety for personal freedom. There has to be a balance."

"I understand, but it's just so frustrating," Amaryllis said, nodding.

Her uncle softened a bit, "Amaryllis, I want to find a solution that works for both of us. Sneaking out isn't the answer, but I don't want you feeling trapped either."

Amaryllis struggled to control her tears until she couldn't hold back any longer, finally bursting into sobs. Trying to convey the overwhelming emotions within her, she started to speak, "It's just that... everything feels like it's falling apart. First, there's Noah…"

"Noah?"

Amaryllis nervously uttered, "A boy…," realizing that her admission could lead to a scolding.

Her uncle, surprisingly curious, questioned, "A boy? Are you crying because of a boy?"

Amaryllis nodded, reiterating the name, "Noah."

Her uncle had a sudden realization, "You called that name out that day in the market too. It was a boy who was…"

Amy nodded, looking down, "That's Noah. We have known each other for a while."

"How long?" He suddenly turned serious.

"A- About a month." She stammered. Her uncle sighed and motioned her to come closer, saying, "Sit here."

Once she was beside him, he put a comforting arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards his chest. Amy slumped against him, finding solace in his embrace.

"I thought he liked me, Uncle. I thought we had something special."

He sympathetically responded, "I see. Matters of the heart can be complicated."

With her voice breaking, she managed to utter a few words, "And now he says he only wants to be friends."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Amaryllis. Rejection is never easy. I am sure it was not even easy for him… But he had to."

Amaryllis, wiping her tears, said, "I just don't understand. I thought everything was going so well." She looked back again on what he said, suddenly feeling a glimmer of hope and perhaps, calmness. She then repeated what her uncle said, "You said he had to…"

"I'll be direct with you, Amaryllis, and I'm sorry if it sounds harsh, but I can't sugarcoat this reality." He paused, taking a deep breath as Amaryllis braced herself. "He is Prince Salien, the heir to our empire. It's crucial for you to grasp that he bears responsibilities unique to his position. His capacity to love is different from that of an ordinary boy. All decisions, whether concerning the empire or himself, are made with careful consideration of the royal lineage, weighing the pros and cons, and factoring in various other considerations."

Amaryllis came to the realization that her first love had little chance of becoming a reality. Sniffling, she turned to her uncle and asked, "What should I do, Uncle?"

Her uncle offered a sympathetic smile and replied, "First, give yourself time to heal. Heartbreak is a painful experience, but it's not the end. Focus on things that bring you happiness. And remember, I'm here for you."

"Even after everything?"

"Even after everything. Despite our differences, you're my responsibility and hold significance to me. Now, let's collaboratively find a compromise regarding your need for freedom."

"Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate it," Amaryllis said, managing a soft smile.

"We'll navigate through this together, Amaryllis."

She regained her composure and expressed, "I'm willing to try, Uncle. I just don't want to feel trapped all the time."

"I understand. We'll set boundaries that allow you some freedom while ensuring your safety and the security," he said, nodding.

"That sounds reasonable."

Uncle, adopting a stricter tone, added, "But you must promise me, no more sneaking out without permission. It's for your own safety."

"I promise, Uncle. I won't do it again."

Softening his stance, Uncle continued, "Good. Now, about this wonderful matter of the heart, Prince Salien. Remember, heartbreak is a part of life. It's painful, but it will make you stronger. It's your age to fall in love, but prioritize understanding yourself first—your goals, duties, and everything else."

Amaryllis felt a genuine sense of gratitude. Although she didn't entirely agree with her uncle's perspective on delaying love, she appreciated his unexpected presence and the advice he offered. She expressed, "Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate your advice."

Her uncle gently patted her shoulder and reassured her, "You're stronger than you think, Amaryllis. Your aunt was wrong in saying you are weak. Now, go get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day."

"Okay, Uncle. And, thank you, really," she said, a smile finding its way onto her face.

"Anytime, Amaryllis. We'll face the challenges together." He replied feeling reassured.

In the quiet of her room, Amaryllis found a fragile peace, knowing that amidst heartbreak and familial complexities, there was an unexpected ally in her uncle. As the day ebbed away, and night fell, the promise of a new dawn whispered tales of resilience and growth, stitching together the threads of her fragmented world.