Towering trees filled the scene, reaching the low, faint clouds above.
Smooth bark painted white jade reached onto twisted, thin branches, all glowing softly in the subtle, amber sunrise. Golden leaves littered the trees' heads, and faintly thundered an applause as the world's breath passed by.
The soft, lush green grass gathered beneath each tree shivered to and fro under the ever changing wind. A carriage made of aged and torn wood creaked and groaned as a horse led it over the uneven dirt road, and surprised birds fled in small groups whenever it sauntered near.
Valerius, now dressed in a noble's attire, sat in front of the wagon. He fists were clenching and unclenching at the reins, and a look of urgency escaped through his green, lime-flecked eyes before being instantly replaced by a complacent expression.
Within the carriage, pale and slender fingers clasped the wooden lattice on the wagon, and pair of half opened eyes with a hue that reflected the blue sky watched the peaceful forest pass by. The woman's silver-grey eyelashes trembled with the grass from the moving air.
She was almost home.
For one day and night, she traveled with Valerius across an array of forests and wild plains that Elswyth had no clue about; her previous life as the sheltered princess did not provide her much knowledge about the geography of her nation.
Fortunately, they were now in a forest that she did know-- the Lunar Woodlands. It was the closest forest to the royal castle and also the same location where she and her little brother were captured.
During her trip back home, Elswyth fainted multiple times from a fever and from the pain exuded by the open sores on her skin as a result of her long stay in the water dungeon. As she majored in pharmacognosy, the study of plants for the purposes of producing medication in her past life, and dabbled in herbal medicine as a princess, she was able to alleviate a portion of the pain when she recognized green chirettas (a medicinal plant that could treat infections and fever) on the ground along the way. However, the green chirettas that she found were sparse and only kept her from fainting less frequently from the pain.
While she was conscious, Valerius never entered the carriage once nor spoke to her, other than the one time where he gave her and prepared the medicinal plants she requested. But every time she woke up from another black out, a blanket would always be found covering her entire body from the chilly fall air, and her head back on a small pillow.
A overwhelming wave of dizziness crashed into her head as the wagon arched into a sharp turn. Many subsequents waves followed, and Elswyth stumbled back from the lattice and landed on her side from the inertia.
For the first time in many hours, Valerius finally spoke in a brisk tone. "Princess Elswyth, we are only a within half an hour away from the palace. Hold on."
Elswyth opened her mouth to respond, but her eyes were already closing once more.
* * *
Within the palace, a full-grown man was pacing with his hands behind his back across the intricately woven carpets in a spacious room. Stacks of paper littered a wide desk. His defined chestnut brows were furrowed, and his dark, brown eyes never broke their stare at the tall glass windows facing a castle entrance.
He only stopped when a white-haired butler briskly entered the room and bowed. "Your Highness, the princess has been found by Sir Valerius Arlys Rainhilda. She is currently in her room being treated for her high fever and multiple bruises on her body."
The man's eyes flashed in anger. "She is ill and injured?!"
"Yes, your Highness."
Before the butler finished his sentence, the man had already rushed toward the door in long, agitated strides.
The butler hurried to catch up with the man, shock pervading his heart. The 1st Prince was a serious and calm man. Nothing fazed him, but the fifth princess held such a place in his heart that he had become so out of sorts?!
The maids promptly stepped out of the way as the prince rushed into his sister's bedroom.
His blood ran cold as he saw his little sister in bed before him, her face scrunching slightly in pain.
"Els."
Elswyth fluttered open her eyes and locked eyes with the intruder. "Brother?"
The first prince knelt at her side after dismissing the servants, and gently encased her hand with his. "Yes. How are you feeling?"
A well of emotions began to fill up her soul. She suddenly realized how much she missed her family of this life.
"Brother, they tore my dress." Elswyth's lower lip stuck out slightly.
His dark blue eyes seemed to grow darker, as if bearing a weight. "You have gone through more than you should ever have to experience in your entire life."
She gazed at her oldest brother warmly before shaking her head and deliberately showing a downcast expression. "Brother, you don't understand--they tore my dress. I would like a new one."
The first prince looked down at his sister, confusion slightly twisting his brows.
As Elswyth was speaking, she inched her right arm slowly toward her brother, as if she desired for him to clasp it with her own.
Sensing the motion, her brother did not hesitate to hold her limp hand. He felt something like strings touching his palm. What was this, silk?
"By any chance—could you replace it someday?"