Siv is wide awake when the sun starts rising. She watches out of her window with her bloodshot eyes. She has been thinking all night about Colby and how to save him. She has decided to ask Gary for help, he is the only one who can help.
'I will just tell him that he is a friend, he doesn't need to know the details.'
The duchess might be able to help too, but Siv doubts she would let her go on a journey to rescue Colby. She seems to be more of a woman who orders people to do stuff instead of going herself. But Siv wants to go herself, she owes it to Colby.
She changes her clothes quickly, and walks with purpose to the spot where Gary had trained her the day before. His kiss crosses her mind briefly but she pushes the thought away. There are far more important things she needs to take care of than to be mad about a stupid kiss.
Siv waits for about an hour before realizing that Gary is not coming. She has mixed feelings about the situation, disappointment is one of them. She is not sure what she is disappointed about, though.
'I must be cursed or something. Everyone ends up leaving me at some point, it's like I repel them.'
Siv kicks a few pebbles to the pond absentmindedly. She is not sure what to do since Erling is still away. Maybe she can ask about Gary's whereabouts after training, surely her grandmother would know. They seemed close. If Gary can't help her save Colby, then she has to find someone else. But there is nobody else. She doubts Brandt would be willing to help, with everything going on.
"Ugh! Screw this."
Siv stomps to the training grounds and starts training. She does for hours while ignoring the looks and whispers of the soldiers. She does her best to only concentrate on her sword. She trains until her whole body aches. She had hoped that it would help release some of the frustration she is feeling, but unfortunately it didn't. After her muscles reach their limit, Siv walks to her room sweaty and tired.
"Veda, could you please prepare a bath for me?"
"Of course, my lady."
"And some food, please. I am starving." Siv crashes on her bed. "Make you sure you make it yourself and don't let anyone else touch it." She adds, remembering Colby's warning.
"Yes, my lady."
Siv eats first. She is so hungry, she just stuffs her mouth with whatever is closer to her on the table. Then, she takes her time in the tub. Her mind is a mess. The longer it takes to travel to Bluevale, the more danger Colby's life will be in. She has to find Gary and ask him for help as soon as possible.
'Why did he bail on me today? Is he mad? Why would he be? I am the one who is mad.'
"Ugh."
'If worst comes to worst, I can just use the money I have to hire a stranger to take me there, I guess.'
Veda helps her wear her dress, and as soon she is finishes, Tove comes into the room.
"My lady, Her Grace wishes for you to join her for tea."
Siv sighs and rubs her eyes. They are still red from lack of sleep and fatigue. She leaves her room immediately, and when she arrives at the sitting room, she notices that her grandmother is not alone.
"Your Majesty." Siv curtsies surprised, she did not expect King Ronald to be there.
"My dear, come sit. No need for formalities." She complies.
"His Majesty is here to discuss the events from last time." Thyra explains.
"Mostly to apologize." The king adds.
"I don't recall anything you need to apologize for, Ronald."
"For my son's behavior, I am afraid."
"Wouldn't you say that he is the one who needs to apologize, Your Highness?" Siv asks.
"Why of course, and he will. I am only here to facilitate. You two should sit together and speak about it."
"Honestly, I don't think there is anything we can say to each other." The king stares at her for a moment, startled. Siv rubs the bridge of her nose as her head starts pulsing.
"What do you mean?" He asks.
"I just feel that His Highness does not see me as a suitable wife, so there is no reason to extend this inconvenient situation."
"Well, I know for a fact that is not true." Ronald attempts to smile but fails. "Please, don't forget that he has lost his memories because of that curse. Remember how in love with you he was before that."
"I do remember, Your Highness." Siv clenches her fists. "And that is what makes me even more upset. Unfortunately, His Highness never stopped loving the duchess, even when he was engaged to me. I doubt what he showed was love at all." The room falls into silence for a while.
'Well that shut him up.'
"My apologies, I don't mean to be rude but I have a migraine and I wish to go lie down."
"Yes, of course dear." Her grandmother responds. "We can finish this conversation another time."
"Thank you."
Siv bows quickly and rushes out of the sitting room. She returns to her room with a terrible headache. She walks in rubbing her temples to try and reduce the pounding in her head.
"Are you alright, my lady?" Veda asks with concern.
"No, my head is about to explode."
"Would you like me to make you a tonic?"
"Yes, please Veda do. It's horrible."
Veda returns a few minutes later to find Siv already in bed, even though it is only late afternoon. Siv drinks the tonic and goes to sleep right away.
In the middle of the night, she tosses and turns, she is sweating and uncomfortable. Her body aches, but not from training. It is a different throb she has never felt before. She moans from the pain and turns on her back again, hoping for a more soothing position. But it is vain. She feels a tightness around her neck so she pulls on her nightgown. The fabric is almost choking her.
"What the hell is going on?" Siv finally opens her eyes. She finds herself panting as sweat drops cover her forehead and her neck. She pushes up and walks to the table to get a glass of water but freezes when she sees her reflection in the vanity mirror. She stares at herself for a long time.
'This must be a dream.'
Siv blinks a few times in disbelief. Her hand caresses her face unconsciously.
'No way.'
She takes a few steps closer to the mirror and grabs it with both hands. She looks deep into her reflection's dark eyes.
"Why the hell is Gene the one staring back at me?"