Chapter 11: A Flicker of Light

Celia's POV

"First, we are going to carry out an investigation," Dylria was saying when suddenly, two guards ran toward us, breathless.

"The king… His Majesty is awake!" one of them exclaimed.

The guilt that had been suffocating me for hours began to fade away, replaced by a spark of hope. My heart skipped a beat. Father… awake? He's alive!

I looked at Dylria. She had placed her fingers on her chin, clearly deep in thought. Then, she snapped upright and exclaimed,

"Yes! We should go and ask His Majesty what he remembers—what happened just before the attack."

Without wasting a moment, we rushed to his room. I entered first, Dylria trailing behind me.

Father was sitting up in bed, calmly having his meal.

Seeing him like that—safe and eating—suddenly reminded me of how hungry I was. I hadn't eaten anything since morning, and it was already suppertime.

I stood there in the doorway, silently watching him.

He put down his fork and looked up at me.

"Daughter, what's the matter?" he asked gently.

I glanced at Mother, who was seated beside him. I hesitated.

"Father, it's just… just…"

"Just what?" Mother cut in with a slight hiss in her voice.

"It's okay," Father said, smiling wearily. "We'll talk later. The doctor advised I finish my meal and get some rest."

Then he looked past me and noticed Dylria standing quietly at my side.

"Ah, you," he said. "I heard you were injured. How are you doing?"

Dylria stepped forward, bowing slightly.

"I'm doing fine, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern."

He motioned for her to come closer and whispered something in her ear. I couldn't hear what he said, but Dylria gave a small nod afterward.

Then Mother stood up and ushered us out, claiming we were disturbing His Majesty's supper.

We returned to my room. I lay down on the bed while Dylria took a seat on the couch.

I rang for a maid and asked her to bring us some snacks. As we waited, my stomach growled loudly.

Dylria burst out laughing.

"Shhh!" I whispered, embarrassed.

She climbed onto the bed beside me, grinning.

"I think my princess might eat me if food doesn't arrive in the next few seconds."

That made me laugh. And I realized… after all the pain, confusion, and tears, here I was—smiling again.

We sprawled out on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.

"I never thought," I said softly, "that at the end of this horrible day… I'd still find my smile."

"That's because you're a sweet girl and one of—" Dylria began, but she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

The maid entered with a tray of snacks, bowing politely.

"One of what?" I asked as the tray was placed before us. "I need to know the end of that sentence."

But Dylria just chuckled and started munching on a cookie.

Whatever she meant, one thing was certain—she was truly a very good friend.