Hiyasmin's Current Condition

Resting for several days was a welcome respite from the tumultuous events that had unfolded. In the cocoon of my room, I slept and ate, my body slowly replenishing its depleted energy reserves. Even simple tasks like walking to the privy chamber felt like daunting challenges, but I persevered with the support of Lily's thoughtful care.

During those days of recovery, Lily and Leaf became frequent visitors, their presence a comforting reminder that I was not alone in this strange place. Their companionship helped alleviate the boredom and irritation that threatened to consume me in moments of solitude.

Occasionally, Alexa would grace my room with her presence, bearing herbal tea that worked wonders in easing the lingering pains of my body. With each sip, I felt the tension dissipate, replaced by a renewed sense of vigor and well-being. 

On the fourth day of my recovery, I decided to venture out of my room and explore the library and Greenhouse. Leaf had mentioned that Ludwig and his cousin Liam were away on important matters concerning warfare in the Water Fae Kingdom. 

As I made my way through the familiar halls, thoughts nagged at the back of my mind about the significance of their frequent visits to that particular kingdom. Was there unrest brewing there that required their attention? I quickly dismissed such musings, reminding myself that it was not my place to meddle in their affairs.

With a determined nod, I reaffirmed my focus on my own priorities—to ensure my well-being and eventually find a way back home. Despite my curiosity about their activities, I knew it was best to keep my distance and focus on my own journey.

Despite my best efforts to resist, I found myself drawn to Hiyasmin's room as if by an invisible force. With each step closer, a sense of guilt and apprehension gnawed at me. I had already trespassed once before, and the thought of doing so again filled me with unease. 

As I approached her door, I hesitated, grappling with the urge to turn back and respect her privacy. I knew I had no right to intrude upon her space uninvited. Yet, an irresistible curiosity tugged at me, compelling me to proceed despite my better judgment. 

With a conflicted heart, I finally reached her door, uncertain of what I would find beyond it.

Feeling the weight of guilt pressing down on me, I knew I had to apologize to Hiyasmin. Despite my desire to seek forgiveness for intruding into her room, a sudden ache gripped my body, making it difficult to articulate my remorse.

Recalling the sight of Hiyasmin with a nosebleed, her weary demeanor etched in my memory, I grew increasingly concerned for her well-being. I couldn't shake the image of her exhaustion, wondering why she appeared so drained despite merely resting in her bed.

With a sense of urgency, I knocked on her door, hoping for a response that would ease my worries. However, my repeated attempts went unanswered, leaving me with a gnawing sense of apprehension.

"Hiyasmin?" I hesitantly called out, my voice laced with concern. "Princess Hiyasmin, it's Louise. Are you there?"

Receiving no response after another round of knocking, I pondered over the possible reasons for Hiyasmin's silence. Was she sound asleep, lost in the depths of slumber? Or perhaps she was intentionally avoiding me, harboring resentment for my previous intrusion?

"May I come in?" I tentatively called out, my voice a mixture of caution and hope.

With no reply forthcoming, I pushed the door open slowly, revealing the splendor of Hiyasmin's chamber bathed in soft light. Every corner exuded an air of royalty and elegance, adorned with intricate details and paintings that spoke of her noble lineage. My gaze drifted to the bookshelves nestled near her bed.

As I cautiously entered the room, my steps faltered when I beheld Hiyasmin lying peacefully on the bed, her features softened in slumber beneath the gentle glow of the room. Covered by a soft velvet blanket, she appeared ethereal, her beauty accentuated by the subtle play of light.

Her long, delicate eyelashes rested against her porcelain skin, casting faint shadows on her cheeks. The golden strands of her hair, though typically blond, now seemed almost white under the illumination, yet retained their mesmerizing allure.

A pang of concern tugged at my heart as I observed her pallor and the slight gauntness of her frame. Despite her frailty, her beauty remained undeniable.

With a sense of reluctance, I left Hiyasmin to her peaceful slumber and made my way to the Greenhouse. The sight of the thriving plants filled me with a sense of accomplishment, motivating me to tend to them with even greater care.

As the late afternoon approached, I passed by Hiyasmin's room once more on my way back to the library, but she remained asleep, undisturbed by my presence. Concern gnawed at me as I observed her motionless form, her pallor more pronounced against the soft light filtering into the room. Despite her apparent tranquility, the shallow rise and fall of her chest hinted at the fragility of her condition.

My heart raced with uncertainty as I debated whether to seek help for Hiyasmin. She appeared so fragile, like a delicate piece of glass, and I was hesitant to disturb her.

Startled by the creak of the door, I turned to find Alexa standing there, her expression filled with confusion. My nerves only heightened at the sight of her, unsure if I had overstepped my bounds by entering Hiyasmin's room without permission. However, no guards had stopped me, and no explicit instructions had been given to avoid the room.

Feeling torn between concern for Hiyasmin and the fear of intruding, I struggled to find the right words to explain my presence.

Stammering nervously, I quickly apologized to Alexa. "I'm sorry," I began, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. "I wasn't sure if I was allowed to come in here. The last time I saw her, her nose was bleeding. I just wanted to know if she was alright. I… I'll go out now."

Without waiting for a response, I turned to leave, eager to remove myself from the situation. I didn't want to overstep my bounds or become a burden in any way. Reminding myself of my temporary stay in the castle, I hurried away, hoping to avoid causing any further disruption.

"It's okay," Alexa responded in a firm tone, with a slight hint of a smile. "You can stay here if you want to." Her weariness was evident, a departure from her usual talkative and energetic demeanor. Surprised by her invitation, I hesitated before speaking again. "She's just always alone," Alexa continued. "I think it might be better if she has some company sometimes."

Puzzled by Alexa's statement, I furrowed my brow and asked, "She's always alone? Why so?"

Was Hiyasmin not very sociable? But when I interacted with her, she seemed pleasant enough. Strange, but fine, I just need to dismiss her earlier joke about being the Prince's fiancée and my supposed crush on Ludwig.

But now, it got me thinking. Was her claim about being Ludwig's fiancée really a joke, or did she say it because she assumed I had feelings for Ludwig?

"Why is she always alone?" I whispered again, being careful not to disturb Hiyasmin. "Isn't she usually accompanied by Prince Ludwig?"

Alexa approached the spacious bed, and I noticed a small basin of water nearby. "Since Ludwig began reclaiming the kingdom from Amelia, he's been swamped with tasks. There's so much to do, especially since the kingdom is suffering without the Aureate Flame on the throne." With a towel dipped in the water, she gently dampened Hiyasmin's forehead and arms.

Alexa went on, her voice tinged with frustration. "What's frustrating is that despite Ludwig's efforts to save the kingdom, the Ministers still doubt his abilities."

Though I was puzzled by Alexa's remarks, I refrained from asking. I didn't want to interrupt her, especially now that she seemed preoccupied with a different energy in the room. Her usual vibrancy had dimmed, and it was unsettling.

"And now, there's Hiyasmin's current condition," Alexa added with a heavy sigh.