No One Else Goes

As my shadowed figure caught their attention, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. "I'm sorry," I stammered, addressing no one in particular. "I didn't realize you were all here." My cheeks burned with shame, and I made a move to leave, wanting to give them privacy.

However, before I could step away, Ludwig's voice, low and captivating, stopped me in my tracks. "You can stay," he murmured almost inaudibly, but his words resonated deeply within me.

Despite my initial hesitation, I found myself drawn to the scene unfolding before me. The old witch held Hiyasmin's face gently, her hand emanating a different kind of light. The curiosity burning within me refused to be ignored, compelling me to stay and observe, even though I didn't want to intrude on their important conversation.

Earlier, Lily had informed me that Alexa had left the previous night in search of a powerful witch from Primotheus. Her goal was to uncover knowledge on how to break or manipulate the curse that afflicted Hiyasmin.

As I observed the scene with the old witch and the others, minutes passed in silence, broken only by the rhythmic incantations in a language unknown to me. The atmosphere was tense, evident in the panicked expressions and inability of the group to regain composure. Finally, the old witch let out a heavy sigh of resignation and disappointment.

"I could not sense anything, Ascendant," the old witch confessed, wiping sweat from her forehead. "Are you certain she was cursed by a Fae?"

The mention of Hiyasmin being cursed by a Fae added a layer of complexity to the situation, leaving everyone in the room with more questions than answers.

I startled as Ludwig suddenly punched a nearby wall, the impact sending dust cascading and causing a mild tremble in the ground beneath us. He vanished from our sight without a word, leaving behind an uneasy atmosphere. Liam took a deep breath, visibly trying to steady himself, while Alexa stepped forward to address the old witch.

"We are certain that Hiyasmin was cursed," Alexa stated firmly, her gaze fixed on the old witch. "This curse manifested after she was struck by Amelia's spell."

The old witch nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "When someone is cursed, there is an energy that attacks from within, an energy that is not their own, much like yours," she continued, addressing Alexa directly. Her words caused Alexa to bite her lip and glance away, clearly affected by the implications.

Looking back at Hiyasmin's unconscious form, the old shared her observations. "However, when I touched her and tried to sense the curse within her, I couldn't detect anything of the sort..." Her voice carried a mix of confusion and concern, hinting at the complexities of Hiyasmin's condition. She clearly had more to share, having had an intimate and insightful conversation with Alexa outside the room.

Liam and I remained inside the room, the worry evident on his face despite his silence. Hiyasmin's condition had deteriorated, her once vibrant complexion now ghostly pale, her breathing shallow and erratic, and her lips parched and dry.

Leaving the room, I absentmindedly walked through the castle, massaging my temples as I tried to process the troubling situation. My visit to Hiyasmin's room had caused me to skip lunch, and now it was almost late afternoon, the sun casting a golden hue as it prepared to set.

As I entered the kitchen, I was met with a flurry of activity. Everyone was busy preparing for the Mythical Quest Carnival, and the excitement for the upcoming wedding was palpable in the air. 

"Louise, I'm sorry to ask, but could you find Leaf for me?" Lily's voice carried a mix of exhaustion and frustration as I entered the bustling kitchen. "I was supposed to help organize the materials for the Mythical Quest Carnival, but Princess Amethyst has been ordering so much that I haven't had time to finish my own tasks," she explained, a hint of sadness and anger in her tone. "Please tell Leaf to go to the heart of the town and assist Jil." Her concern for managing everything weighed heavily on her.

I couldn't help but feel sympathy for Lily. As one of the highest-ranking servants in the castle, she was often tasked with being Princess Amethyst's personal assistant, bearing the brunt of her demands. It was clear that the workload had become overwhelming, leaving Lily to handle everything with limited resources and support.

After finishing my meal, I set out to find Leaf and quickly spotted her in a hallway near her quarters. I explained Lily's situation to her, and like me, Leaf couldn't help but sympathize with Lily's predicament.

"I just don't know what will happen if Princess Amethyst marries Prince Ludwig," Leaf remarked, her usually kind demeanor clouded with concern. "She's not even our Queen yet, but she acts as if she owns the entire castle."

I chuckled at Leaf's candidness, as it was rare to hear her express such sentiments. Leaf was known for her kindness, and hearing her voice frustrations showed just how much Princess Amethyst's behavior had tested the patience of the castle's servants.

It was comforting to know that I wasn't the only one hoping for Prince Ludwig not to marry Princess Amethyst, as it seemed like a union between them could bring about negative changes and worsen some of the challenges faced by the castle staff.

"Louise, could you deliver the food to the knights positioned outside? I was supposed to do that, but with everything going on, I'm stretched thin," Leaf explained, her exhaustion evident in her voice. "They're not allowed to leave their posts due to the limited manpower. Some of our forces are in town guarding other defenses. King Philippe fears Amelia might attack during his daughter's wedding to prevent Ludwig from claiming the throne."

I nodded without hesitation, understanding the urgency of the situation. "I'll take care of it," I assured Leaf as she left for the town. I understood the importance of maintaining security and ensuring the knights were nourished during their watch.

After Leaf departed, I made my way back to the kitchen to collect the food for the knights. However, as I walked, a small flower caught my attention on the floor near the servants' quarters. I picked it up and examined it closely, a flicker of recognition crossing my mind.

"Could it be…" I whispered slowly, my thoughts racing with possibilities.

I hurried to the location of the knights and delivered the food as requested. Afterward, I inquired about the whereabouts of the Medical Corps and was directed to their office.

Upon reaching the Medical Corps office, located in the far east wing of Lancaster Castle, I explained my purpose, but unfortunately, they seemed disinterested in matters unrelated to warfare. Feeling disheartened, I left with my shoulders slumped, my confusion growing.

Despite the late hour, I returned to the library and immersed myself in reading, hoping to find answers. The night wore on as I delved deeper into the texts, my determination unwavering despite the fatigue setting in. The dim light of the lamp barely illuminated the pages, and I found myself tearing through them in haste, some even becoming damp with sweat.

Finally, after hours of intense reading, I stumbled upon something significant.

As I uncovered the answer I had been seeking, I wasted no time and rushed through the dawn of the new day toward Hiyasmin's room. The passages were deserted, and silence enveloped the castle. Opening the door to Hiyasmin's room, I found her lying there as usual, still pale and unmoving.

My heart raced as I approached the cabinet where I had seen the Stardew Hyacinth before, only to find it missing, leaving behind only traces of dust. Alarm bells rang in my mind, and I grew more concerned and suspicious.

Leaving Hiyasmin's room, I searched for Alexa but encountered Liam first. He floated across the hallway, lost in deep thought, his brows furrowed and lips pressed tightly together, arms crossed in contemplation. His presence somehow alleviated the growing unease and uncertainty that lingered in the air.

Liam's demeanor shifted as he noticed the worry in my eyes, prompting him to gracefully descend to the ground and approach me with a newfound seriousness. "Is something wrong?" he inquired, his gaze becoming analytical as he assessed our surroundings and my demeanor.

Glancing around the deserted castle, I couldn't shake off the unease creeping over me. Despite the presence of the knights on duty, I couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability. Ludwig's words echoed in my mind, reminding me that not everyone in the castle supported his claim to the throne.

"Do you know of any safe place?" I began cautiously, making sure no one was within earshot. "Somewhere secluded, where no one else goes?"

Liam's forehead creased in confusion and disbelief. "Safe? What's going on, Louise?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I need to share something important with you, but it must stay between us," I insisted, emphasizing the need for secrecy.

Liam's understanding gaze conveyed his acknowledgment of the gravity of the situation, and without further questions, he led me to the greenhouse that I often frequented.