Feel the Call

I woke up feeling disoriented, the sun's rays high in the sky casting a warm glow over the room. As I tried to sit up, my body protested with aches and soreness, each movement sending waves of discomfort through me.

My heart skipped a beat when Alexa suddenly appeared, riding on her broomstick and sprinkling magical silvery dusts on the ceiling.

"Don't push yourself," she advised from above. "No one's going to get mad at you if you rest the whole day. You need it. Four days of sleep are not enough to regain the strength you have lost."

"Four days?!" I exclaimed, my voice hoarse and my throat parched. I desperately needed water.

"Oh yes," Alexa confirmed, her voice echoing in the room. "You were sleeping for four days uninterrupted."

"What? How? What happened to me?" I asked, my mind racing with questions.

"Here," Alexa said, her voice soothing as she tossed something toward me. With trembling hands, I reached out to catch it, my fingers closing around the object as it landed on the bed a few inches from my grasp.

It was a silver necklace with a small pendant dangling from it. The pendant was a brilliant shade of red, shaped like a circle, and it sparkled as I held it up to examine it.

At first glance, it appeared to be a simple and elegant piece of jewelry. But as I stared at it, I noticed a faint golden glow emanating from within the red pendant. Instantly, I realized that there was magic woven into its very essence.

"Wear that," Alexa instructed, her tone serious. "It helps ease the nagging pain you always feel whenever Ludwig is near."

My eyes widened at her words, the implications sinking in. Despite the lingering discomfort in my body, I turned to look at Alexa, who was now seated beside me. The broomstick was gone, replaced by a basket of fruits that she was busy devouring, seemingly oblivious to my discomfort.

"How did you know that I feel pain when Prince Ludwig is near me?" I asked, my voice barely audible as my dry throat protested against speaking.

"You're human," Alexa replied between bites, her words matter-of-fact. "Your body is weak. Of course, it will be difficult for you to face and accept the energy radiating from Ludwig, especially when he's angry, which is most of the time. We, ethereal beings, even have a hard time accommodating him, so it's no surprise you struggle more."

Alexa's casual shrug belied the gravity of her words, as if what she had just revealed was of little consequence.

As her explanation sank in, I realized that what I had been feeling was indeed just a normal human reaction to the intense energy emanating from Ludwig. I had allowed myself to entertain other, more fantastical explanations, but now it seemed clear that my discomfort was simply a result of my human limitations.

With this realization came a renewed sense of purpose. I needed to focus on finding a way to escape from this place. That was the only thing that mattered now, the only thing I must do.

"Here," Alexa handed me a full glass of water, and I eagerly took it, drinking it down with fervor to quench my parched throat. She then pointed to something on the chair. "Wear it, then rest again," she instructed. "Your body will be alright after a few days," she assured me before hastily excusing herself.

I was left speechless, still processing her words, when Alexa suddenly returned. Startled, I nearly choked on the water I had been drinking.

"Oh, I forgot to mention…" Alexa trailed off, looking uncomfortable, and I couldn't help but give her a puzzled look, urging her to continue.

"If you, um…" she began awkwardly, trailing off as her cheeks flushed pink. 

"What?" I prompted, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"That…" Alexa continued, her hesitation only adding to my confusion. "When you felt that…" There was a mischievous glint in Alexa's eyes, as if she were about to reveal something amusing that I was completely unaware of. Her smile bordered on insanity, and I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease.

"When you feel that call of…" Alexa trailed off, sensing my bewilderment, and wisely chose not to continue down that haphazard path. "You know, whenever you feel that your body needs Ludwig…"

"What?" I exclaimed, my confusion mounting. "Why are we discussing this?"

"Well," Alexa sighed, her tone heavy with resignation. "When you feel that you need to be near Ludwig to alleviate the pain. When you feel the call of your body to kiss him like before, just remember—before you two do anything intimate—find a private, unoccupied, uninterrupted place, okay? It's risky, you know. Someone might notice, and your life could be in danger. Remember, that woman has many eyes." With that, Alexa hurriedly departed, leaving me to ponder her cryptic warning in silence.

As Alexa's words sank in, a wave of embarrassment washed over me, my face flushing red with shame. It felt as though my cheeks were about to burst into flames at any moment.

How could she know about what happened between Ludwig and me? Did Ludwig tell her? But that seemed impossible. Why would he confide in someone else, especially a girl? No, it couldn't be. Then, did Alexa see us? But we were in my room at the time—or were we? I couldn't remember clearly anymore.

I felt utterly exposed, with no face left to show. What must Alexa be thinking right now? Surely she must see me as some kind of promiscuous woman. The thought made my stomach churn with unease.

Tears welled up in my eyes as a tumult of emotions swirled within me—embarrassment, sadness, anger, and disappointment all vying for dominance. I longed to cry out in frustration and explain myself to everyone, to make them understand that it was not my intention, that I was not in control of my own actions at that time.

But what would they say? They had welcomed me into their home, provided for me, and sheltered me from my unfortunate circumstances, only for me to betray their prince, who was destined for someone else.

In the midst of my turmoil, memories of Hiyasmin and our conversation from yesterday flooded back to me. Despite the pain and chaos in my heart, her words still echoed in my mind, cutting through the cacophony of my emotions.