Mysterious Room

I was startled by the sudden voice behind me. My heart raced as I turned to see who had spoken. To my surprise, it was Prince Ludwig, his expression a mix of concern and anger as his eyes locked onto my injured arm.

His sudden touch was heavy yet gentle. He carefully caressed the wounded area, his fingers tracing over the scratches with a delicate touch.

I hesitated for a moment, slightly parting my lips, unsure of how to respond.

Should I tell him the truth, or would it only complicate matters further?

But as I looked into his eyes, I saw, for a mere moment, a genuine concern that softened his stern features. 

Then, Prince Ludwig's jaw clenched, veins protruding as his eyes shifted colors once again. I instinctively tried to withdraw my arm, fearing it might break under his anger.

Why was he so furious? Was it because I had visited the Greenhouse without his permission?

He leaned closer, sniffing my arm, and I recoiled, sinking deeper into my seat.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, attempting to pull away. "Let me go!"

His behavior was unsettling. I couldn't understand why he was smelling me.

"That bitch!" Prince Ludwig spat, his fury evident and chilling me to the bone. 

In an instant, his hand began to glow, emitting a soft, soothing light. As he placed it over my wounds, I felt an immediate sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted. When he withdrew his hand, my injuries had vanished completely.

I assumed he would release me after healing my wounds, but to my surprise, he gently guided me to a nearby table surrounded by tall flowers.

With an intense gaze, he seemed to be searching for something, his demeanor unreadable.

"I'm sorry," I apologized, unable to meet his gaze. "I shouldn't have come here without your permission. It won't happen again. Please don't punish Lily, it was my fault. I'm truly sorry. I'll leave now, goodbye—"

Before I could finish speaking, he gently restrained me as I tried to stand, guiding me back into the seat.

I felt a rush of panic as he lifted my dress, revealing the swelling on my knees.

How did he know about this?

Without a word, Prince Ludwig proceeded to treat my injuries with the same precision and care as before.

Then, once he was finished, he vanished without a farewell. It left me feeling bewildered and unsettled by his sudden appearance and disappearance. 

A sudden thought came to me. The frequency of Prince Ludwig's visits to that particular room piqued my curiosity and stirred a sense of unease within me.

Despite my attempts to rationalize his presence as part of his duties as the ruler of the castle, I couldn't shake the feeling of anxiousness whenever I saw him emerge from that room.

It was as if some instinctual part of me recognized the significance of his presence there, though I couldn't express why.

Perhaps it was the intensity of his aura, or the way his manner seemed to shift whenever he entered or exited that room.

Whatever the reason, Lily's response only fueled my curiosity further.

The mystery surrounding the room and its occupant deepened with her vague explanation. It seemed that even she, as one of the castle's helpers, was not privy to the details of what lay beyond its doors.

The fact that only the highest-ranking officials were permitted entry heightened the mystery surrounding the room. It was as if it held secrets that were meant to be kept hidden from prying eyes.

As I made my way to the dining area, I resolved to focus on my own goals and avoid getting entangled in the castle's internal affairs.

It was clear that there were tensions and mysteries lurking within its walls. But I knew that delving deeper would only lead to more trouble.

My priority was finding a way back to my own world, and I couldn't afford to be distracted.

Once I finished my meal, I headed back to the library. I was determined to uncover any information I could about the portal that had transported me to Quailsham.

With each passing day, the urgency of my quest grew stronger, and I was prepared to do whatever it took to find a way home.

As I immersed myself in my research in the library, I couldn't shake off the weight of Leaf's words. If the Transcendence was truly the key to returning home, then I needed to explore every avenue available to me. 

Percival's cohort sparked a glimmer of hope. Perhaps they held the answers I sought, the knowledge of how and why I had been brought to this world.

I delved deeper into my studies, reading every text and illustrations for clues that could lead me to Percival's cohort.

I found myself once more amidst the lush greenery of the Greenhouse. Yet this time, a shiver ran down my spine as I sensed his presence behind me.

My body tensed, instinctively recoiling from the magnetic aura that emanated from Prince Ludwig.

Despite my efforts to keep my composure, his mere proximity unsettled me. It reminded me of the inexplicable power he wielded.

"What are you doing here?" Prince Ludwig asked.