It took Calluna a while to fall asleep, but as soon as she took a sip of the potion that Wesley had given her, rest came easy. The aching in her ribs and back disappeared almost as soon as the liquid hit her tongue.
"Much more effective than ibuprofen," she said to herself with a giggle.
-
Calluna had a recurring nightmare about the night that she, Romy, was killed… but in her dreams, she didn't wake up in Killia. Her life was over, nothing but a hollow aching sensation remained.
During her nap she was plagued with the very same memory once more.
The surreal sensation of her world shattering all at once, and the distant crying of the young girl named Daisy. She was paralyzed. No matter how much she tried to scream or move there was no result. Romy remained 'conscious' as the life drained from her body, and she became nothing but a chilled corpse swallowed by the darkness.
-
Calluna awoke in a cold sweat. Her muscles were tense and most likely sore as well, but she was still under the effects of the pain relief potion, and couldn't really feel anything.
Reaching over to ring the bell for a maid, she breathed a sigh of relief when she realized it didn't hurt to stretch. It was only a few moments until a maid knocked on the door and entered to speak with Calluna.
"What time is it?"
"It is half four, Your Highness."
"When is dinner?"
"Six."
"Okay, thanks. I would like to take a bath."
"As you wish, I will prepare the bath for you. Do you have a preferred scent?"
"Jasmine, please."
With a curt bow, the young maid left. Calluna stood from the bed and reveled in the fact she could move her body freely for the first time since she'd transmigrated. She extended her arms as far as they'd go and lifted them over her head, her previously tired muscles free of their strain.
"Wow, I really owe him," the blonde muttered to herself. She gathered clothes after her bath, then headed toward the washroom.
The sweet and familiar floral scent of jasmine filled her nostrils as soon as she entered the tile room. Steam clung to her tawny skin, and the soothing essence made her yawn. The bath was a smooth gloss marble, filled up to the perfect height with warm water.
Rose petals and tulip buds floated lazily on the surface and tinted the small pool with red and pink. Calluna removed her clothes and waltzed to the edge of the tub, lifting a leg and dipping her toes into the water. It was hot, but not hot enough to burn her skin.
"Perfect," she mused to herself as she submerged herself the rest of the way. "This is definitely what I needed."
-
After her bath, Calluna redressed herself and prepared for dinner. She found it hard to believe that it was only earlier that day that she had arrived in Knarendon, considering how refreshed she felt after resting and bathing.
The prince found Vincenzo arriving at her door, just about to knock, as she was leaving. She cocked a brow at him but he simply grinned in response. "How was your rest? You look like you're feeling better, Luna."
"It was nice. I had a nightmare again, but other than that I had a pleasant nap and a much-needed bath."
"Very good," he said, holding his elbow out for her as he usually did. "Dinner, then?"
Calluna nodded and the pair set off. She smiled with every step, the ease of walking a skill that she would never take for granted again.
"Luna? You're walking much better, was the potion that effective?" Vincenzo asked after several minutes.
"It's a godsend. I can't feel a thing, V! It's insane, I didn't know that alchemy was this powerful," she replied enthusiastically.
"So, are you going to tell me where you got it?"
Her response to the question was flashing him a finger heart to signal a wink, and then she remained silent. The rest of the walk to dinner was peaceful and quiet.
The dining hall was smaller than in the other estates, but felt a lot more like a home than some grand meeting place. Its comfort was welcomed with open arms by Calluna, who had been feeling somewhat homesick the last week or so.
A round table was set with delicious savory foods and fresh fruit that made the prince's mouth water. Despite how enticing it all looked, her attention was drawn away from the meal as soon as she realized that Wesley was already sitting at the table, reading a book. She lightened up immediately and left Vincenzo's side in a hurry to greet him.
"Wes!" Calluna said excitedly as she took a seat next to him. "Your elixir works like actual magic. It's the first time I've felt comfortable since before the accident. Really, thank you so much."
Wesley's gaze, though icy in color, radiated a warmth and kindness that couldn't be competed with. He looked up at her and met her eye with a gentle smile, and Calluna could see her reflection in his round glasses. "I'm very happy that it works. I'm happy to prepare more, and I have a spare concoction for restful sleep that I could send with you as well, if you'd like."
"Can you read minds?" Calluna asked, honey eye widening. "I've been having nightmares lately that make rest difficult."
He chuckled softly and shook his head, pale white hair falling over his eyes. "No, nothing like that. I just figured you could use it since you're traveling and switching the surface you sleep on so often."
Vincenzo followed after Calluna and sat on her other side, looking between she and Wesley with a confused expression.
"Hello, Captain. You look well," Wesley greeted warmly.
"Hey. Nice to see ya," the long-haired man reciprocated, "I didn't know you practiced alchemy?"
"Ah, well I've kept my studying to myself. My only goal is to become a Royal Court Alchemist, so I've had no need to start my own apothecary."
Vincenzo seemed slightly bothered by something, but ended the conversation there with an "I see."
Calluna looked down at the red book that Wesley was reading and frowned. The letter characters on the cover seemed unfamiliar to her, likely being part of the extended Kili alphabet.
"It's a book about offensive creations that can be done with alchemy," Wesley's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Oh, wow. That sounds interesting," she responded genuinely.
"It is very fascinating, you're right. Would you like to borrow it once I'm finished?"
Calluna seemed confused, as the bookmark he seemed to use was wedged at the back of the book – didn't that mean he'd already read it? Excited to read it, however, she just agreed. "Sure, when you come to the castle to take the alchemist exam you can give it to me. I'll think of something to give you in return."
"Compensation isn't necessary, I'm just letting a friend borrow my book," he refuted with a shake of his head. "I will give it to you at our next meeting, then."
"Wow, this food really is great," Vincenzo stated as he took a huge bite of the grilled fish. "You really should try some, Your Highness."
Calluna's stomach was grumbling, so she listened to his suggestion. An explosion of flavor found its way onto her tongue as soon as she took a taste of the fish, and she probably could have teared up because of how delicious it was. With her seafood she ate plenty of congee and drank plenty of water, filling herself as much as possible to fuel her trip to the docks later that night.
-
"Go away, you're so clingy. I want to go to bed," Calluna groaned.
"You're totally sneaking out without me," V said adamantly, then added in a purposefully teasing, nasally tone, "with Wes."
"So what if I am?"
"...I guess I didn't really think this far," he said, bursting into laughter, "I'm just sad I wasn't invited. It's fine though, I'll cover for you guys. Get back before dawn though, I don't feel like working the graveyard shift for someone who's abandoning me."
"This is why we are best friends," Calluna giggled. "I appreciate you. Don't worry, you and I can cause problems together next time."
"We better."
Vincenzo gave her a small knife to fasten to her thigh in case of emergencies, then left the room with his usual lazy stride.
She let her hair down in hopes it would help her stay warm during their short venture to the waterfront, and wore a few extra pairs of socks just in case. Just as she was finished tying up the seemingly endless laces on her riding boots, a single, gentle knock came from the door.
Calluna hopped up and gingerly opened it to greet Wesley, who was standing with his usual smile behind the door. He held out a beautiful fur-lined cape to her, wearing a similar one himself.
"Are you ready?" Wes asked.
"Of course!"
Calluna wrapped herself in the cloak and followed her new friend's lead. She couldn't wait to see the ocean for the first time, and the anticipation to do so set butterflies free in her belly.