Chapter 6"A Glimmer of Recognition"

Narrator:

When Sai began to answer King Henry's question, the door to the infirmary swung open, and Queen Eleanor, along with Princess Yumehime and her younger brother, Prince Leo, entered the room.

Queen Eleanor (worried, rushing to King Henry's side):

"My lord, are you okay…?"

King Henry (calm but slightly annoyed, reassuring):

"Yes, dear."

Narrator:

Princess Yumehime's gaze darted between the two men, her brow furrowed in concern.

Princess Yumehime (curious and slightly alarmed):

"What was that extremely overwhelming aura?"

Narrator:

The atmosphere in the room shifted as their presence added an unexpected layer of tension. Sai felt both exposed and scrutinized, the weight of their gazes pressing down on him as he struggled to find his place in this unfolding drama.

King Henry (turning his attention to the princess, authoritative):

"It's nothing for you to worry about, Yumehime."

Narrator:

Despite his dismissal, there was a flicker of unease in King Henry's eyes, hinting at the gravity of the situation that Sai had unwittingly found himself entangled in. . As the tension in the room thickened, Sai's gaze drifted to Princess Yumehime. His eyes widened slightly in recognition, a memory surfacing. She was the one who had pulled him out of the water when he had been on the verge of losing consciousness. 

**Sai (sincerely, bowing slightly with respect):**  "You're the one who saved me. I owe you my life." 

 **Narrator:** Princess Yumehime's eyes widened at the sudden attention. A soft blush crept up her cheeks, her usual composure momentarily faltering under Sai's grateful gaze. 

 **Princess Yumehime (flustered, her voice soft):** "It—it was nothing. Anyone would have done the same..." 

 **Narrator:** ' Her eyes shyly flickered to the ground, unable to meet Sai's gaze for long. In that moment, her face grew even redder as she noticed something. Sai was shirtless, his toned body clearly visible beneath the dim light of the infirmary room. 

 **Princess Yumehime (blushing even more, stammering):** "You should... probably wear something..." 

**Narrator:** Sai, realizing his lack of attire, felt the slightest hint of embarrassment. He glanced down, quickly reaching for the nearest cloth to cover himself. 

**Sai (with an awkward chuckle):** "Ah, right. Apologies for that." 

**Narrator:** ` The princess gave a quick, nervous nod, her blush not fading as she tried to regain her composure. The exchange, though brief, had shifted the mood of the room, a subtle current of warmth cutting through the previously cold tension. 

Narrator:

As Sai quickly draped the cloth over his shoulders, the room's attention shifted. Queen Eleanor eyed him with a mixture of curiosity and caution, while King Henry's gaze remained fixed, his expression unreadable.

King Henry (authoritative, but intrigued):

"Sairen Aelith... You seem to attract quite the attention, don't you?"

Narrator:

Sai straightened his posture, his unease now hidden behind a calm facade. He knew King Henry wasn't just talking about the brief exchange with Princess Yumehime. There was something deeper to his words—a test, perhaps.

Sai (calm and composed):

"It's not my intention to cause any disturbance, Your Majesty. I only seek answers."

Narrator:

Before King Henry could respond, Prince Leo, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. His eyes gleamed with curiosity as he looked at Sai, clearly fascinated by the stranger standing before him.

Prince Leo (excited, almost bouncing):

"You survived the Forest of Darkness, fought monsters, and now you're here... Are you a warrior or something?"

Sai (smiling slightly):

"Something like that. Though I wouldn't call myself a warrior, just yet."

Narrator:

The prince's excitement was infectious, his youthful enthusiasm cutting through the somber mood. Even Yumehime, though still a little flustered, managed a small smile.

Princess Yumehime (softly, still avoiding direct eye contact):

"It was brave of you... to make it through that forest."

Narrator:

Sai met her gaze briefly, the warmth of her words not lost on him. But before he could respond, Queen Eleanor's voice, calm yet commanding, interrupted the moment.

Queen Eleanor (with a raised eyebrow, direct):

"And what do you intend to do now, stranger? This isn't a land you simply wander into and leave unscathed."

Narrator:

Her tone was stern, her eyes sharp as they evaluated Sai. There was no warmth in her words—only caution, as if she were gauging whether Sai was a threat or an asset.

Sai (calmly):

"I don't plan to cause trouble. But I need answers about why I'm here. If there's any way I can repay your kindness, I'll do so."

King Henry (musing, with a slight smirk):

"Answers, you say? You'll find that our Kingdom doesn't simply hand out explanations."

Narrator:

The king's words were cryptic, but Sai knew there was truth to them. He could feel it in the air—the weight of something larger at play, something beyond his current understanding. But before he could press further, Princess Yumehime, still looking slightly embarrassed, spoke up again, this time with more confidence.

Princess Yumehime (gently, but with a hint of curiosity):

"Maybe you should rest first. You've been through a lot."

Narrator:

Sai met her eyes, sensing the genuine concern in her voice. For a moment, the room felt a little less tense. He nodded appreciatively.

Sai (grateful):

"Thank you. I'll take your advice."

Narrator:

As the air of calm settled, King Henry motioned toward the door.

King Henry (authoritative):

"Rest for now. We'll continue this conversation when you're ready. But know this, Sairen Aelith—you are a guest here, not a free man. Your movements will be watched closely."

Narrator:

The king's warning lingered in the air, a stark reminder that Sai was still very much under suspicion. He gave a respectful nod before turning to follow one of the guards who had stepped forward to escort him. As Sai was led from the room, he could feel Princess Yumehime's gaze lingering on him, her earlier blush still faintly visible. For all the coldness of the royal court, there was at least one friendly face—however brief their interaction had been.