Princess Hiyasmin

Despite the trembling in my knees and the relentless pounding of my heart, I stood rooted to the spot, a sense of guilt weighing heavily upon me like a burden too heavy to bear. Every fiber of my being urged me to flee, to escape the consequences of my impulsive actions. Yet, I forced myself to remain, to confront the repercussions of my intrusion head-on.

I refused to succumb to fear, reminding myself that courage lay not in the absence of fear, but in the willingness to confront it. With a determined resolve, I squared my shoulders and met the gaze of the woman before me, refusing to allow my trepidation to dictate my actions.

She sat gracefully upon the bed, her form partially obscured by a thick blanket, her delicate sleepwear adorned with intricate patterns that spoke of elegance and refinement. From collar to waist, the fabric draped her form in a cascade of beauty, accentuating her every movement with an ethereal grace.

As her eyes roamed over me with a mixture of curiosity, scrutiny and subtle amusement, I gathered my scattered wits, steeling myself against the urge to falter. 

As I stood there, grappling with a whirlwind of questions swirling through my mind, each one a dagger twisting at my heart, I couldn't help but be consumed by a sense of overwhelming confusion. Who was this woman before me, shrouded in mystery and cloaked in beauty? Why was Ludwig keeping her hidden away from prying eyes, visiting her with a frequency that hinted at a deeper connection between them?

Her ethereal presence seemed to defy logic, leaving me to wonder if she was more than just a mere mortal. Was she Ludwig's spouse, bound to him by fate or circumstance? Or perhaps she was the figure Leaf had alluded to—the one prophesied to bring prosperity and renewal to the kingdom, a beacon of hope in a world veiled by uncertainty.

Leaf's cryptic words echoed in my mind, a puzzle I struggled to piece together. Why did the kingdom yearn for a Queen to usher in an era of healing and renewal? What affliction plagued the land, necessitating the presence of a royal figurehead to bring about change? Though I understood the current hardships, such as the shortage of food supplies, I couldn't fathom why the solution lay solely in the hands of a Queen. Couldn't the people rally together to address their challenges without relying on the intervention of a monarch?

"Who are you?" she asked. The woman's voice, gentle yet imbued with a subtle sense of formality, washed over me like a soothing balm. A timid smile graced her lips, adding to the aura of regal grace that enveloped her every movement. There was an undeniable elegance to her demeanor, a refinement that bespoke a life of privilege and stature. Could she truly be Ludwig's Queen, as the rumors suggested?

As I stood before her, enveloped in a silence punctuated only by the soft rustle of fabric, I couldn't help but feel the weight of her gaze upon me—a gaze that seemed to peel back the layers of my soul, as if she were carefully scrutinizing every aspect of my being.

Despite my efforts to form words, my voice faltered, caught in the grip of an inexplicable awe that rendered me speechless.

As the woman gently attempted to capture my attention with a delicate wave of her slender hand, I couldn't help but notice the subtle signs of her frailty, a testament to the toll that circumstance had taken on her. Yet, even in her weakened state, her innate grace remained undiminished, a poignant reminder of her regal bearing.

If indeed she was destined to be Ludwig's fate, as Leaf had often hinted, then it seemed fitting that they should be together, bound by an unbreakable bond that transcended the limitations of mortal existence. In their union lay the promise of a happiness that knew no bounds, a love that defied the constraints of time and space.

As I gazed upon her, a sense of quiet reverence washed over me, mingling with a tinge of sadness for the trials she must have endured in her journey towards this moment. If fate had decreed that she and Ludwig were to be together, then who was I to question the workings of destiny?

As I tasted the metallic tang of blood on my tongue, a sharp pang of realization cut through the haze of confusion clouding my thoughts. The bitterness that lingered in the recesses of my mind seemed to echo the tumultuous storm raging within me, a tempest of conflicting emotions that threatened to overwhelm my senses.

Why did I feel this way? What had changed within me to elicit such a visceral response? I searched for answers in the depths of my consciousness, grappling with the unsettling revelation that something was amiss, that I was not the same person I once knew.

"Can you speak?" Her voice, though soft, carried a trace of weariness, evident in the audible panting that punctuated her words. Despite the grace with which she held herself, there was a vulnerability in her demeanor.

Clearing my throat, I felt the weight of the moment bearing down on me, amplifying the awkwardness of the situation. "Hi?" I managed to utter, the syllables feeling foreign as they passed my lips, tinged with a hint of hesitation.

As I shook my head, a sense of disorientation washed over me, mingling with the realization that I had been irrevocably changed by the electrifying encounter with Ludwig in the Greenhouse. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a new reality in which I no longer recognized myself.

As I found myself veering into odd behavior and erratic thoughts, my speech now joining the fray with nonsensical utterances, the woman's voice broke through the haze with a hint of amusement.

"So you can talk," she remarked, a playful lilt in her tone.

Though her words could have stung under different circumstances, I couldn't muster any offense, captivated instead by the unique glimmer in her eyes. Despite the potential for insult, her genuine excitement to engage in conversation with me was unmistakable. Yet, the question remained: why such genuine enthusiasm for dialogue with someone like me?

"Your name?" she inquired lightly, as though I were no different from her, despite the uninvited intrusion into her room at this late hour. Surprisingly unruffled by my presence.

"Louise," I responded cautiously. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to intrude—"

"Louise?" Recognition flickered across her features. "As in, Louisiana Anderson?"

I arched an eyebrow in surprise. "How did you know my full name?"

I couldn't suppress the caution that tightened my brow as I slowly retreated a step. Since my arrival here, I had never divulged my full name to anyone, not even Lily. So, how could this woman know?

"Ludwig told me…" Her voice held a firmness that belied any doubt.

My breath hitched at the mention of Ludwig's name, a mild irritation simmering beneath the surface. I knew I shouldn't pry, but I couldn't resist the urge to ask.

"Lud-, Prince Ludwig told you something about m-me?" I inquired, unable to quell the growing curiosity gnawing at me. What else had Ludwig divulged about me? And how had he come to know my name in the first place? Was I truly of any significance to him?

The woman scowled, her expression momentarily clouded, yet she maintained the regal poise of a princess. "Not at all," she replied coolly. "That man is so secretive. If I hadn't pressed him for your name, he likely wouldn't have disclosed it. Actually, Alexa was the one who informed me about you."

A heaviness settled in my chest at her words, though I dismissed it with a casual shrug. It was absurd to feel saddened by Ludwig's reluctance to speak of me. I prided myself on my rationality, refusing to entertain such irrational emotions. This shift in my demeanor, in my thoughts and actions—it was temporary, just like my stay in this place.

Her laughter rang out like a melody, filling the air with a warmth that momentarily eased the tension between us. "My apologies for not introducing myself earlier," she said, her smile radiant. "I am Hiyasmin, Princess Hiyasmin…"

A discreet smile tugged at my lips as I nodded in acknowledgment. Her graceful demeanor confirmed my suspicions—she was undoubtedly a princess.

"Prince Ludwig's fiancée," she added, her words landing like a sudden blow.