Yohana secluded herself in her room for days, shutting out the outside world. She refused to eat with Thea, lacking the appetite to partake in meals. Thea grew increasingly concerned, persistently urging Yohana to eat, even though her words fell on deaf ears.
"I'll eat later," Yohana muttered, pulling the blanket closer around herself.
"You always say that, but you never follow through. I've been clearing away your untouched meals. My Lady, if you continue like this, you'll fall ill," Thea pleaded, her worry evident in her voice.
But Yohana had no strength left within her. The news of her father's demise had struck her deeply, shattering any facade of composure she had managed to maintain.
Her father was a remarkable man, a pillar of support and understanding in her life. He was the embodiment of kindness and the one person she could always rely on.
During her time as an assassin, Yohana often envisioned returning to the Reinhard Duchy. She would confess the dark deeds she had committed, and yet, her father would embrace her, welcoming her home with unconditional love. She believed that he would still love her, despite the sins she had carried on her conscience.
What pained her most was the realization that she had not been there by his side during his final moments. Even as she had been running away and hiding, she should have been present during such a crucial time. The weight of guilt and regret bore heavily upon her.
She also felt bad for Fabian, First, he had lost his biological mother, and now their father had also passed away. Yohana couldn't fathom the immense burden that Fabian had to carry. Not only did he have to cope with the grief and sadness, but he would also be thrust into the role of a duke, with little time to properly mourn their father.
***
"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Queen invites you to dinner," Mr. Hermann relayed Queen Emma's message to Henrie, who was still immersed in a stack of paperwork in his study.
Without taking his eyes off the papers, Henrie asked, "Is Lady Runa present?"
"No, Your Highness," Mr. Hermann replied.
"In that case, inform Her Majesty that I will not be attending the dinner tonight either. Also, convey to her that a man is incomplete without his fiancee," Henrie stated firmly.
"Yes, Your Highness," Mr. Hermann acknowledged and left to deliver the response. Shortly after, he returned with another announcement, "Your Highness, someone is here with a message for you."
"Hm?" Henrie initially showed little interest, but when Mr. Hermann mentioned that it concerned Lady Runa, Henrie's attention was immediately piqued.
He welcomed the unexpected guest, who turned out to be Thea, Lady Runa's personal maid. Henrie felt a sense of alarm, fearing that something might have happened to her. However, Thea reassured him that there was no accident or any such occurrence.
"Then why are you here? Does Lady Runa wish to see me?" Henrie's face lit up at the prospect.
"Your Highness, I am concerned about Her Ladyship. She has not been eating well lately. And when she does eat, it's only a little. I fear she may become ill. My words alone cannot reach her, but perhaps your words, as her fiance, can have an impact," Thea explained.
"What has happened?" Henrie inquired, curious about the sudden change in Lady Runa's behavior.
"I don't fully understand, Your Highness. It seems that Lady Runa is carrying her anxieties alone because she has no one in the palace to confide in. I am just a mere maid, incapable of solving her problems," Thea replied, fidgeting with her fingers and avoiding eye contact.
Henrie tapped his fingers on the oak table, deep in thought. Eventually, he made up his mind to personally check on Lady Runa's condition. "Lead the way!"
"Yes, Your Highness." Thea hurried outside and guided Henrie through the corridors, making their way from the northern wing through the main building to the southern wing of the palace.
Passing by the residential complex for guests, Henrie abruptly halted, anticipating Lady Runa's room to be located in this area, if not on the second or third floor. However, Thea continued walking without hesitation. "Wait!" Henrie commanded.
"Yes, Your Highness?" Thea turned around to see what had stopped Henrie in his tracks.
"Why are we walking further? Shouldn't Lady Runa's room be here? Did we miss it, or is it on the second or third floor?" Henrie questioned, confused.
"No, Your Highness. Her Majesty the Queen has assigned a completely different chamber for Lady Runa," Thea replied, clenching her teeth to suppress any hint of resentment.
"But right over there..." Henrie couldn't bring himself to complete his sentence.
"That is the servants' quarter, Your Highness. You are correct. Lady Runa resides in the antechamber adjacent to the quarter," Thea explained.
Henrie was in disbelief and hurried Thea to reach Lady Runa's location. Thea's words were proved true as Lady Runa opened the antechamber door, startled to find the crown prince standing before her.
Lady Runa appeared weak, with dark circles under her eyes, indicating sleep deprivation. She also looked visibly thinner. Henrie gently touched her cheeks and winced, as if he felt the pain himself.
"Your Highness? I mean, Henrie, what brings you here?" Lady Runa asked.
After Henrie released her cheeks, she adjusted her robe to conceal the nightgown she wore underneath. She had not intended to leave her chamber, thus had remained in her night attire.
Henrie clenched his fists, his neck veins bulging. "This is unacceptable! You will move chambers immediately. Thea, quickly! Assist Lady Runa with her dress and belongings."
As Thea entered the chamber to assist Lady Runa in changing, Henrie hurriedly sought out Mr. Hermann, instructing him to prepare a suitable chamber.
"Secure a guest chamber, or better yet, the grandest chamber in the southern wing. She is my fiancee, damn it! Haven't I made it clear to treat her with the utmost respect?" Henrie's voice boomed, causing the maids present to cower in fear.
"Right away, Your Highness," Mr. Hermann bowed and swiftly assigned tasks to the maids, diverting their attention from their previous duties to prepare the chamber as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Henrie guided Lady Runa to his sitting room. "You will have dinner with me," he stated, his tone more commanding than inviting.
In a daze, Lady Runa neither refused nor agreed. She simply followed along, resembling an empty shell being dragged along. Thea assisted Mr. Hermann in setting up the table for the meal, stealing glances at Lady Runa, who remained silent since taking her seat.
"Lady Runa," Henrie called out. It took three attempts before Lady Runa responded.
"Ah, yes. I apologize, Henrie," Lady Runa replied absentmindedly.
Henrie extended his hand, placing it gently on Lady Runa's, and asserted, "Lady Runa, you may confide in me. I will do everything within my power to aid you."
As the crown prince of the Reichwein Kingdom, Henrie believed that offering his help from his position of authority would encourage Lady Runa to share her burdens.
Lady Runa's smile wavered, reflecting a deep bitterness, and her eyes shimmered with a hint of tears. Henrie's heart ached at the sight. "I will help you," he repeated, his voice filled with pleading.
"Henrie, when was the last time you spoke with Fabian?" Lady Runa asked, her gaze empty.
"Fabian?" Henrie cleared his throat, taken aback by the familiar way she addressed Fabian. He recalled that Lady Runa may have been close with Fabian during their childhood, as the Reinhard family frequently visited the palace. "I'm not sure. Why?"
"Are you aware that Duke Welden von Reinhard has passed away?" Lady Runa's lips quivered, and despite her efforts to control it, her lower lip continued to tremble.
"I am. I attended the funeral as well. It was last year," he responded, growing more confused. "Why do you ask, Lady Runa? It seems as though you were unaware of it, despite your presence at the funeral."
Lady Runa's eyes widened, a perplexing revelation. Could it be that Lady Runa had not only lost her memories during her captivity but also significant portions of her overall recollections?
"I apologize. Please disregard my previous question," Lady Runa replied, hastily picking up the fork and knife to eat.
Concerned, Henrie gently stopped her hand and advised, "Take your time, Lady Runa. Eat slowly, or you might choke."
Lady Runa nodded, acknowledging his concern, and shifted the conversation to a lighter topic. Henrie contemplated delving further into the mystery of Lady Runa's fragmented memories but ultimately chose to let it go for the time being.
***
Queen Emma and her daughters walked down the corridor upon their return from dinner, noticing an increased number of maids scurrying about. The maids paused their activities, bowing and lining themselves against the wall as the royal family members passed by.
Curious, Queen Emma approached one of the maids and inquired, "What is the reason for all this commotion? Are you cleaning the chambers at such a late hour?"
The maids exchanged glances, silently deliberating on who would respond. Finally, a timid maid stepped forward and said, "His Highness ordered a new chamber for Lady Runa, Your Majesty."
The mere mention of that name was enough to ignite the queen's anger. Her daughter, Princess Eleanor, couldn't help but burst into laughter. "My brother certainly has some audacity. He refuses to heed your words, Mother."
Queen Emma clenched her teeth, her anger burning within her, vowing not to let this go unnoticed.
"Mother, Henrie seems quite fixated on that girl. Why don't we invite her to join us for dinner sometime?" Princess Eleanor suggested, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Princess Elke stared at her older sister, questioning her intentions. "Are you planning something peculiar again, sister? It is obvious that Mother hates her. Otherwise, why would she not invite her and lie to Henrie that she did? You must realize that you have caused enough trouble for the family, haven't you?"
"Me?" Princess Eleanor laughed out loud. "You are the troublemaker of this family."
Amidst their bickering, Queen Emma intervened, commanding them to stop. "Cease your quarreling! Remember that you are princesses of Reichwein Kingdom, and you should conduct yourselves accordingly."
Princess Elisa, who had remained quiet until now, spoke in a soft voice, "What about that lady, Mother?"
With determination, Queen Emma responded, "I will handle that matter myself."