Darkness of Dreams

As I slept until late afternoon to make up for the disrupted rest, I felt a sense of relief knowing that nothing unusual had occurred during my slumber. My dreams remained blissfully absent, and for that, I was grateful. When Leaf visited me later, her concern evident in her angelic features, I couldn't help but smile.

"Are you feeling better now?" she inquired, her gaze filled with genuine concern.

I nodded, touched by her kindness. Leaf and Lily had been constant sources of comfort and companionship in this fantastical world, where cruelty often overshadowed moments of peace. Their friendship and camaraderie made my stay bearable, providing solace in a place where loneliness once reigned. They were the silver lining in an otherwise tumultuous existence, and for that, I was immensely grateful.

My heart was heavy with memories of my life before arriving in this fantastical world. In my previous existence, friendship had been a luxury I couldn't afford. Juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet, there was never enough time to nurture relationships. And even when time allowed, the stigma of poverty and debt followed my family like a dark cloud, driving potential friends away.

In our small town, plagued by misfortune and hardship, few were willing to associate with us. Loneliness became my constant companion, a silent companion in a world where acceptance seemed unattainable. But here, in this magical realm, Leaf and Lily had offered me something I had never experienced before: genuine friendship and acceptance, untainted by judgment or prejudice.

As Lily and I made our way to the kitchen for my late lunch, a noticeable silence enveloped the room despite the bustling activity of the staff. I couldn't help but notice the absence of Kyline and her cohorts, whose presence typically loomed over me like a dark cloud during meal times.

"Where's Kyline and her friends?" I inquired, scanning the kitchen in search of any sign of their presence.

Normally, their taunts and insults were an unfortunate part of the daily routine during meal times, but today, their absence was conspicuous. It was unusual not to see them lurking nearby, ready to pounce with their cruel words at any given moment.

Lily followed my gaze, her expression mirroring my confusion. "I don't know," she replied. "It's actually quite strange not to see them all day."

After finishing my meal, I made my way to the Greenhouse. Convincing Lily to let me work alone proved to be a challenge, as she was understandably reluctant to leave my side after the events of the previous day. However, after a lengthy discussion, I managed to persuade her.

As I walked towards the Greenhouse, I caught sight of Ludwig entering a nearby room. Instinctively, I averted my eyes and quickened my pace. I knew it was best not to involve myself further in whatever was transpiring, especially after the unsettling encounters of the past few days.

As the afternoon unfolded, I immersed myself in the soothing rhythm of tending to the plants in the Greenhouse. With each gentle watering and careful adjustment of soil, I felt a sense of satisfaction and joy wash over me. It was immensely gratifying to witness the plants responding positively to my care, their leaves appearing healthier and more vibrant compared to the previous day's condition.

Despite the nagging questions and uncertainties that plagued my mind, I made a conscious effort to push them aside and focus entirely on my work in the Greenhouse.

The love for plants had been ingrained in me since childhood. I fondly remembered how my uncle would always take me along when he tended to the fields, instilling in me a deep appreciation for nature's bounty. Even when circumstances changed, and we could no longer tend to the fields, my uncle continued to cultivate a small garden in our yard, where he grew vegetables that flourished despite the limited space.

I was entrusted with the responsibility of watering the plants, a task that further deepened my connection to them. 

As I busied myself with the tasks in the Greenhouse, my mind continued to churn with unanswered questions and lingering worries about my family back home, as well as the perplexing events of the previous day. The discrepancy between what I had experienced in my dream and what others claimed to have witnessed only added to my confusion and frustration.

The ache in my head persisted as I mulled over these thoughts, but despite my efforts, the answers remained elusive. I longed to speak with Liam and seek clarification about the events involving the children, but he was nowhere to be found.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, signaling the end of another day, I finished my work in the Greenhouse, but the weight of unresolved questions continued to weigh heavily on my mind.

After bathing and dressing, I made my way to the library, where I resumed my diligent search for answers amidst the rows of books. Days had passed since I first delved into the vast collection, each page turned in the hopes of uncovering a solution to my predicament.

With unwavering determination, I pored over texts on portals and dimensions, refusing to give in to despair. I knew deep down that there had to be a way for me to return home, and I was resolved to find it no matter how long it took.

Despite Leaf's reassurance that the answers might not be found within the library's pages, I couldn't shake the feeling of frustration and confusion that gnawed at me. If the answers weren't here, then how did I end up in this strange world? Was it true what monsters in the auction had claimed, that I was transported here against my will by Percival's cohort?

As night descended and Lily brought me food in the library, we sat together to eat while she shared the surprising news of Kyline and her friends' sudden dismissal. I couldn't help but feel a pang of shock at the revelation, as despite Kyline's abrasive demeanor, she had always demonstrated competence in her duties.

While I had personally witnessed her efficiency and effectiveness, her confrontational nature and bullying tendencies had made her unpopular among many. Despite this, her dismissal still came as a shock, leaving me puzzled as to the reasons behind such a sudden decision.

Deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Kyline's departure than met the eye. My mind raced with possibilities, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the thought of what might have transpired behind closed doors.

Listening to Lily's recount of her past experiences with Kyline and her friends, I couldn't help but feel a surge of empathy for her. It was evident that their behavior had left a lasting impact, and Lily's resilience in the face of such mistreatment was commendable.

As we made our way to the kitchen to return the plates, I noticed Leaf emerging from the room frequently visited by Ludwig. Like us, Leaf carried a stack of plates, but as she closed the door behind her, she swiftly vanished from sight, leaving us unable to approach her.

As I lay on my bed, questions continued to swirl in my mind, refusing to be silenced. How could I find a way back home? Was a return even possible? What had truly transpired yesterday, and why did it weigh so heavily on my heart? The mysteries surrounding Ludwig's secretive visits to the room only added to my sense of unease, leaving me with a nagging feeling that I couldn't shake.

Lily's presence brought a small measure of comfort, her concern evident as she brought me water in an attempt to ease my restlessness. Despite my efforts to assure her that I was fine, she remained by my side, a silent sentinel in accordance with the prince's orders. It was clear that the events of yesterday had left everyone feeling unsettled and uncertain, and they were determined to prevent any further occurrences of the sort.

Feeling a sudden chill, I jolted awake as a soft, unfamiliar voice whispered in my ear, expressing gratitude. It seemed to echo the cries of the child from yesterday's chaos.

Startled, I sat up, prompting Lily to rush to my side with concern etched on her face. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

Blinking in confusion, I struggled to make sense of what had just happened. Before I could respond, Alexa entered the room, holding out a glass. "Here, drink this," she said calmly, her tone masking any underlying tension.

Eyeing the glass warily, I hesitated for a moment before reluctantly taking it from her. "What is it?" I asked, my voice betraying my uncertainty.

"It'll help you sleep," Alexa replied, her gaze avoiding mine. Despite her composed demeanor, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her actions than met the eye.

Despite Alexa's typically jolly demeanor, she remained elusive and often confined herself to her room, making it difficult for us to have meaningful conversations. She seemed to avoid unnecessary interaction with others, preferring solitude over company.

Slowly, I drank the contents of the glass, hoping it would provide some relief from the unsettling events of the night. However, my hopes were dashed when I tasted the concoction and nearly spat it out in disgust. Alexa offered a sheepish smile in response to my reaction.

"What's this?" I asked, unable to hide my distaste.

"It's a potion," Alexa explained. "To help you sleep, especially since I know you've been struggling after what happened last night." Her words were reassuring, but the unpleasant taste lingered on my tongue, leaving me to wonder about the true intentions behind the potion.

Despite the unpleasant taste, I forced myself to finish the potion, hoping it would indeed help me sleep better. Almost immediately, a wave of drowsiness washed over me as I settled back onto my bed. Alexa's potion seemed to be taking effect, lulling me into a state of relaxation.

As I drifted into sleep, the last thing I remembered was the soft voice of Ludwig, his words echoing in my mind. "Leave us alone, Lily," he said, his tone firm yet gentle. With that, sleep enveloped me, and I succumbed to its embrace, the events of the day fading into the darkness of my dreams.