Hiyasmin's Condition

I gasped and clutched my chest as the library door swung open with a resounding thud, breaking the tranquil atmosphere. It was a rare occurrence for someone to enter besides me, so I turned my attention to the doorway. My eyes widened in surprise as I recognized Alexa hurrying towards me, her eyes fixed on a myth I was reading.

"What on earth have you done?" Alexa's voice rose in agitation as she paced back and forth in front of me, her hands unable to stay still. "Do you even realize what this is? Do you know its origins? Do you understand its significance?" Her face was etched with doubt as she presented the hairpin I had gifted her yesterday for her birthday.

Confusion clouded my thoughts as I tried to grasp why Alexa appeared so distressed.

"The old man said it was for witches," I replied, trying to recall the details. "He mentioned it could alter a witch's hair color," I added innocently.

"Exactly," Alexa affirmed, her expression still troubled. "Where did you get it?" Her tone was firm, indicating her urgency.

"I got it at the shop," I answered, scratching my head in confusion. I couldn't fathom why her reaction was so intense.

"Which shop, precisely?" Alexa pressed, her lips forming a tight line.

"At Hidden Hollow," I replied. "It's on the outskirts of town."

"Hidden Hollow?" Alexa repeated with a sharp intake of breath. "Are you talking about the Hidden Hollow?" Concern flashed in her eyes. "And what did you exchange for it?" She paused, her voice lowering. "Did you pay for it with your own blood?"

I hesitated for a moment, sensing the gravity of her questions. As she realized my hesitation, her eyes widened in alarm, and she remained rooted to her spot. "Bloody hell," she exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and concern.

Alexa's high-pitched squeal pierced the air, echoing as if soaring into the sky. In a sudden burst of emotion, she embraced me tightly. "Thank you so much, Louise!" she exclaimed before darting away and disappearing from sight.

I stood there for a few moments, watching where Alexa had vanished, but realizing she wouldn't return anytime soon, I turned back to my reading.

It struck me then that Alexa's birthday celebration had been rather lackluster. While there were feasts, there seemed to be no elaborate party, games, or revelry. It felt like just another ordinary day, with no one even bothering to wish her.

I began to wonder if Alexa simply didn't want to celebrate her birthday at all. Liam and Ludwig were also absent, occupied with preparations for the upcoming Mythical Quest Carnival, scheduled just before Ludwig's wedding. However, I couldn't fully grasp Lily's explanations about the festival, as my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of finding my own space away from everyone and everything. 

Almost a dozen books lay scattered across the expansive table before me, their pages filled with ancient wisdom and hidden knowledge. I had also retrieved several dusty ancient texts from distant shelves, yet despite delving into numerous volumes, the elusive answers I sought remained beyond my grasp.

Upon my return to the library after purchasing the gift for Alexa, I had dedicated all my time to reading and searching for clues to my questions.

Four days had slipped by, but the answers I sought remained elusive. My primary focus was on uncovering information about the Sealing Charm mentioned by the old man. Perhaps within its secrets lay the key to unraveling the mystery of my true identity.

After careful consideration, I resolved that if I were truly unable to return to my world and my home, it would be crucial to familiarize myself with the intricacies of Quailsham's trades to avoid potential chaos. To accomplish this successfully, I needed to uncover my true identity and purpose.

Additionally, my quest for knowledge extended to understanding everything about the portals and exploring alternative methods of transportation back to the human world. Despite the seeming impossibility of such a task at present, I refused to give up hope. Deep within, I held onto the belief that I would find a way to return home. I just needed to persevere and explore every avenue available.

As I was on the verge of closing the book in my hand, feeling disheartened by the lack of relevant information, my eyes caught sight of an illustration of a flower. It was the same flower I had encountered at Hidden Hollow, with its distinctive golden seeds.

Intrigued, I delved into the description of the flower, confirming that the old man's words had indeed been truthful. The book went further to mention that this particular flower could only be found in the Kingdom of Elvens, providing me with a valuable clue. Eagerly, I sought out any information regarding the gifted Elvens, known as Geass, hoping to uncover more about my own identity and potential abilities.

Disappointed by the lack of information about the Sealing Charm and the Geass, I continued to browse through the book, hoping for any clues. Instead, I stumbled upon illustrations of other flowers, none of which were relevant to my immediate quest.

However, one particular illustration caught my attention once more—it was the Enchanted Moonvine. Memories flooded back as I recalled its significance in treating the Werebeasts back in the Lands of Eldertree.

As night fell and my search in the library proved fruitless, I decided to leave and make my way to the kitchen, perhaps seeking solace or distraction in familiar surroundings.

As I observed the bustling activity in the palace, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions swirling within me. The impending wedding of Princess Amethyst and Prince Ludwig hung in the air like a heavy cloud, casting shadows of doubt and longing over my heart.

Lily, one of the busiest servants, was caught in the whirlwind of Princess Amethyst's demanding orders. Her latest task, to find the rare Celestial Leaf for the wedding dress decoration, added a layer of complexity to an already daunting list of responsibilities.

I couldn't imagine facing Princess Amethyst's perfectionist demands firsthand again. Her meticulous nature and high standards were intimidating, to say the least. Yet, deep down, I couldn't deny a twinge of frustration knowing that she was soon to be wed to Ludwig, the prince I held in such high regard.

After dinner, I made a conscious effort to push aside thoughts of Ludwig and the upcoming wedding. Solitude accompanied my meal as even Leaf was engrossed in her duties. Once the dishes were clean, I left the kitchen behind and made my way to Hiyasmin's room.

Upon entering, I found her still unconscious, her condition worsening with each passing day. I was aware that Alexa, Liam, and Ludwig's concern was palpable. They feared that Hiyasmin's fragile body wouldn't withstand the curse much longer. Ludwig had taken swift action, seeking out Amelia, while Liam set off to gather intelligence on the whereabouts of the malevolent woman responsible for this plight.

I sighed deeply, feeling a pang of sadness as I stood by Hiyasmin's bedside. Her peaceful slumber seemed unending, and I couldn't help but wish that she would wake up before I finally left. I longed for the chance to bid a proper farewell to Princess Hiyasmin, whose grace and wisdom had left a lasting impression on me.

Our conversations, though brief, revealed her remarkable intelligence. Despite the constraints of time, Hiyasmin had a way of understanding the depths of my emotions, particularly my growing affection for Ludwig. Though my feelings may not have been as intense back then, they had certainly blossomed into something powerful and undeniable.

Lost in my thoughts, I shook my head as a new idea began to form. The night had deepened, casting a tranquil darkness over the room. The cool breeze that wafted through the open windows urged me to draw the curtains closed, creating a cocoon of privacy and solitude.

As I closed each curtain, the room gradually descended into darkness, save for a faint glow that emanated from the far end. Intrigued, I made my way toward the source of light, my curiosity piqued by the unexpected illumination in the otherwise dim room.

The room was bathed in a golden glow, the lights emitting from a partially closed cabinet. Intrigued, I approached and opened it, only to be met with a sight that filled me with awe and wonder once again—the Stardew Hyacinth.

My forehead creased in confusion as I tried to comprehend why such a rare and exquisite flower was hidden away in Hiyasmin's room. This was the second time I had encountered the Stardew Hyacinth here, and its presence puzzled me deeply.

The flower's beauty was breathtaking, especially in the way the golden dust seemed to dance like fireflies amidst the darkness of the room. As I continued to gaze at the mesmerizing light emanating from the flower, my heart grew heavy with sadness as I turned to look at Hiyasmin lying on her bed, her once vibrant spirit now subdued by her delicate frame.

I gently arranged Hiyasmin's blanket up to her chin, pausing as my hand grazed her neck. The intense heat I felt there made me pause, wondering if it was just a symptom of a high fever or something more.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I touched her neck again, only to recoil quickly as the heat seared my palm like a scorching flame. Concerned and slightly alarmed, I left Hiyasmin's room in search of Alexa, hoping for an explanation.

I wondered aloud if it was normal for someone like Hiyasmin, who was rumored to be a Fire Fae, to have such intense warmth emanating from her body.

Trying to calm my rising anxiety, I reminded myself of the inherent resistance of Fire Fae to heat and flames. Perhaps Hiyasmin's body was naturally adept at handling such temperatures, or maybe it was a sign of her battling the curse that plagued her. Despite my attempts at reassurance, the worry lingered in the back of my mind, urging me to seek further clarity on Hiyasmin's condition.

As midnight approached, I continued my search for Alexa, only to discover that she had left on Ludwig's orders to meet with someone. The night passed with unanswered questions swirling in my mind, and when I awoke the next day, it was already noon. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow that made the heat bearable.

After a quick meal, I returned to my reading, determined to find some answers. However, much like before, my search yielded no results. Still, I refused to give up hope.

Driven by curiosity and a relentless desire for clarity, I decided to visit Hiyasmin again, hoping that perhaps she had awoken. To my surprise, when I entered her room, I found not only Hiyasmin but also Liam, Alexa, and Ludwig gathered there. Their collective presence seemed to exude power and authority, giving the room an intense atmosphere.

Among them stood an old witch, dressed in dark attire with striking blue hair. The unexpected assembly left me intrigued and eager to learn more about the situation unfolding before me.