Search for Answers

As I slowly regained consciousness, I was greeted by a barrage of sensations assaulting my body. Each movement sent waves of pain coursing through me, and my head throbbed relentlessly as if being pricked by needles. It took considerable effort to pry my eyes open, the elaborate ceiling of the room coming into view.

"Don't move. You need to rest," came a gentle voice, pulling my attention to Lily, who approached me with a glass of water in hand. Concern etched her features as she offered me the glass, assisting me in sitting up against the bed rest.

I gratefully accepted the warm water, gulping it down before clearing my throat to speak. "What happened?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I glanced around the room, searching for any clues, but everything appeared unchanged. "Why... why is my body aching so much?"

The soft light of the rising sun streamed through the open window, casting a warm glow over the room and offering a brief respite from the turmoil within me.

"I'm not sure, Louise," Lily began as she tidied my blanket. "Prince Liam didn't say much when he instructed me to guard you." She paused, deep in thought. "All I can recall is that when I left you at the Greenhouse, Prince Ludwig came and…"

Ludwig. His name echoed in my mind, triggering a flood of vivid memories that threatened to overwhelm me. The electric currents, the pain in my feet, the moments of intimate contact with him. My cheeks burned with shame and embarrassment as I relived those moments, each one a stark reminder of my lack of control.

I barely registered Lily's concerned voice as she approached me, her words barely penetrating the haze of my thoughts. "Louise, are you okay?" she asked, her gaze intense as she studied my flushed face. "Why is your face so red? Are you sick?"

I didn't pay heed to Lily's questions, lost in the whirlwind of my own thoughts as I wrestled with the memories that threatened to consume me. The frustration built within me until it erupted from my throat in a shout, my hands tangling in my hair as I grappled with the overwhelming emotions swirling inside me. How had I allowed myself to succumb to such impulses? What force had possessed me to...

"What happened?"

The voice cut through my turmoil, jolting me back to reality as I recognized the concerned tone that echoed in my ears.

"What happened?" Ludwig's voice was filled with genuine concern as he approached me, his gaze penetrating as he sought answers.

Instinctively, I backed away, a surge of awkwardness washing over me as Ludwig closed the distance between us with smooth, decisive steps. He seated himself beside me and gently touched my forehead, his azure eyes locked onto mine, searching for explanations in the depths of my shaking gaze.

"You're not hot," he observed softly, his breath brushing against my disheveled hair. "What happened? Tell me." His tongue darted out to wet his lips, a flicker of concern evident in his eyes. "Why did you scream?"

"Can you…" I struggled to compose myself, my voice barely above a whisper as I swallowed the lump that seemed to be lodged in my throat. "Can you... please move away."

My chest felt tight, constricted by the rapid pace of my breathing, and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks as I struggled to maintain my composure.

Lily gasped at my request, while Ludwig looked momentarily taken aback before quickly regaining his composure. Without another word, he suddenly disappeared before my eyes, a flash of movement leaving me momentarily stunned.

"Huh?" Confusion filled Lily's face. "How could Prince Ludwig flash inside this room?"

I took a moment to collect myself, scratching my head as I tried to calm down. "Why does it seem like you're shocked, Lily? Isn't it normal for Faes to flash in and out?"

Thankfully, Lily was talkative, providing a welcome distraction from my own tumultuous thoughts.

Lily smiled at me. "Sure," she replied. "It's normal for us to flash, except inside this room. We usually have to step outside first. You know, Princess Alexa cast a magical spell in this room, but maybe the effect has finally worn off, it seems." She shrugged nonchalantly, continuing to chatter away.

All day, I kept myself imprisoned within the confines of my room, too afraid to venture out lest I encounter Ludwig along the way, an encounter that might spell my demise. Even now, I couldn't begin to explain how that incident had occurred. I was still consumed by confusion, and even the books I delved into offered no explanation. Was it possible that deep down, that was what I truly desired? No, that couldn't be. Entering into an interspecies affair was simply unthinkable.

After three long days of self-isolation, I finally mustered the courage to leave my room. Boredom had become unbearable, and I had also heard from Lily that Ludwig and Liam had departed on some business in the Water Fae Kingdom. With them away, I felt a sense of freedom to roam around without the fear of encountering Ludwig and facing his penetrating gaze. Though the memory of the peculiar softness of his lips still lingered, I shook my head to dispel the thought and ventured out at last.

It was a relief to see that despite my absence for a few days, the plants in the Greenhouse were thriving. They appeared healthy and vibrant, much to my satisfaction. I couldn't help but notice that even the trees surrounding the castle seemed to have regained their vitality. Previously, they appeared withered and on the verge of dying, but now they stood tall and robust.

After tending to the plants, I decided to explore the expansive garden located at the front of the castle. This was only my fourth visit, as it was quite a distance from my room. It took me over an hour to wander through the winding paths, immersing myself in the beauty of the flowers and the tranquility of the surroundings.

After my solitary wander through the garden, I joined Leaf in the kitchen for a meal. We chatted about various topics, enjoying each other's company before she had to return to her duties. With Lily occupied elsewhere and only expected to return later that night, I found myself alone once again. Nonetheless, I felt content as I made my way back to the library, relishing in the quiet solitude as I immersed myself in the world of books.

Lost in my search for answers, I delved into the pages of various books, hoping to find some explanation for the inexplicable events of the past few days. Why had I lost control of myself so suddenly? And why had Ludwig reacted the way he did? Unlike me, he seemed unaffected by whatever had possessed me.

The memory of my inexplicable obsession with his body weighed heavily on my mind. I needed answers, for I couldn't bear the thought of such a thing happening again.