Morning.
It was finally morning.
The morning light crept through the window, casting a warm glow on my battered soul. I sat upright in bed, heaving out a sigh that shook my fragile fra. My eyes were heavy and sore from lack of sleep. The slightest movent hurt, and closing them felt like a chore. Each blink was a struggle. I shut my eyes, finding comfort in the darkness as I tried to ignore the tears trailing down my sore eyes.
"Fuck!" I cursed, sniffing as they continued to trail down my cheeks. I had no idea a sleepless night would take such a toll on . My lack of sleep was no surprise though, given the turmoil brewing inside .
As I opened my eyes, my gaze drifted towards the window. Outside, birds flitted between branches, their sweet lodies filling the air. And in the distance, animals stirred, their gentle rustling and chirping created a soothing sound.
anwhile, within the halls, the murmurs of working servants provided a subtle backdrop – a gentle hum of activity which was a kick in the gut, considering how exhausted I was.
A soft knock on my door broke the stillness. I craned my neck towards the sound, too exhausted to respond. The door creaked open, and Elara walked into my chamber, wearing a warm smile. "Good morning, my lady," she greeted, her tone unchanged, as if yesterday’s events never happened.
But they had. The Lycan king and I shared a kiss, and he had vowed to prove how monstrous he could be. Hours ticked by, yet the mory of his lips on mine seared my skin. A frustrated groan threatened to escape, but I bit it back, turning to the window in search of a distraction.
Elara continued with my morning routine, she brought a bowl of water to wash my face, assisted with my bath, and dressed into a simple yet elegant robe.
Then she gestured toward the wardrobe. "Shall we prepare for the day, my lady?" she asked softly.
I nodded, and she expertly helped change into a flowing white gown,
Lost in thought, I stood by the window, gazing out at the world beyond my confinent. Elara’s discreet cough brought back to reality. "Shall we take a walk in the garden, my lady?" she suggested. I nodded, and together we made our way through the castle’s winding passages, its opulent halls now feeling like a maze.
I had intended to spend the day locked away in my room. However, as I breathed in the fresh air and strolled through the garden with Elara, I realized she had been right – the garden was exactly what I needed.
The garden was beautiful, bursting with colors and lush greenery that seed to stretch on forever. I’d taken a few strolls, but finding my way around the twisty, turny paths was still a puzzle. Towering trees shot up towards the sky, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
I reached out to touch a purple rose, I flinched when it pricked my finger, drawing a bead of blood. Elara rushed to my side, her eyes wide with alarm as if I had been bitten by a snake. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. "It’s just a small prick," I replied, trying to reassure her. "Don’t worry, it’s nothing."
Elara continued to fuss over , insisting on cleaning the wound and applying a bandage. I couldn’t help but chuckle at her dramatic behavior. "It’s really not that bad," I said, trying to calm her down. "Let’s just continue our walk."
Strolling through the garden with Elara was a much-needed escape. The tower’s dark vibes vanished, and I felt my worries fade with each step. Freedom might still be out of reach, but this mont of calm was mine to enjoy.
"Here, my lady," Elara said, gently draping a soft, woolen shawl around my shoulders when it started getting windy. "The weather’s getting chilly."
I noticed she was only wearing her light, linen maid’s outfit, which was woefully inadequate for the cold, yet she seed oblivious, her focus was solely on , her concern warm and genuine. And for so reason, it filled with a quiet gratitude.
Instead of protesting or rejecting her kindness, I stood still, letting the shawl cover in its warmth. The wind danced around us, whipping my hair into a frenzy. Strands flew about my face, tangling with the shawl’s delicate fringe.
Elara’s eyes sparkled with concern as she tucked the shawl snugly around . "You’re shivering, my lady," she said, her voice low and soothing.
I wasn’t, but her care was comforting. A voice called out, and I turned to see Jas tending to the flowers at the garden’s head. He was the gardener, and one of the youngest individuals I’d t here. Jas wore a rustic, earth-toned tunic with billowy sleeves, his pants tucked into knee-high leather boots. A wide-brimd hat shaded his face, and a woven basket hung from his arm.
"You’re out early, my lady..." Jas said, wearing a wide smile that creased his cheeks and ford gentle lines around his eyes. His gaze sparkled with warmth. "Are you watching the flowers?" He held his hat in place with one hand, shielding it from the gusty wind.
"It’s quite windy..." he remarked, and I chuckled, recognizing the subtle concern behind his words.
Kindness. The word still sounded foreign to my ears, yet it was sothing I’d grown accustod to during my ti here.
"I won’t stay long," I shouted above the sudden gust of wind. Jas nodded, his smile unwavering.
I clutched my shawl tightly, shielding myself from the wind, when mories of the previous night ca flooding back. A sudden chill swept over , and I grasped the shawl even tighter. Elara approached , her voice gentle.
"My lady, I think it’s ti..."
I didn’t let her finish. "Yes," I said firmly. "Take back to my chamber."
As I turned to leave, Sebastine’s voice pierced the wind, stopping in my tracks. He stood statue-still, impervious to the gusts of winds. I knew, without words, why he had co – why he always ca to find . "His majesty calls for you my lady."
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