The day had taken its toll on Aldrian. He sought solace in his chambers, craving respite from the relentless inquiries of his siblings and the unending intrigues of the demon realm.
As he reclined on a sumptuous ebony couch, shadows danced across the room, casting eerie patterns on the walls. Aldrian's thoughts were a tumultuous sea, his mind still grappling with the enigma that was Seraphina.
In the midst of his attempts to find some semblance of rest, the chamber's heavy door creaked open. A guard, their eyes wide with urgency, entered, bowing low before their lord.
Aldrian raised an eyebrow, his patience thin. "What is it now?"
The guard, their voice trembling, replied, "My lord, I apologize for disturbing your peace, but the captive princess, Seraphina, has fallen gravely ill. She beseeches you to allow her treatment and to be freed from her chambers."
Aldrian's irritation flared, and he dismissed the guard's words with a wave of his hand. "She's a captive, prone to deceit. Do not be fooled by her schemes. Leave her be."
But the guard hesitated, their loyalty to their lord in conflict with their concern for Seraphina's well-being. "My lord, I have seen her condition. She is truly suffering. If we do not act swiftly, she may not survive the night."
"I said leave her be"Aldrian yelled.
Unbeknownst to Aldrian, Seraphina lay in her chambers, her condition worsening by the moment. The fever had taken hold, her strength waning as she battled the illness alone.
As the guard left Aldrian's chambers, the guard's footsteps echoed down the dimly lit corridor, Astryl trailed behind him. His curiosity had been piqued by the urgent commotion, and he needed to understand what had transpired.
Wait," Astryl called out, his tone laced with curiosity and suspicion. "What's happening?"
The guard turned to face Astryl, his eyes betraying a mix of apprehension and loyalty. he hesitated for a moment before finally deciding to share what they knew.
"It's the captive princess,Lord astryl ," the guard explained, his voice hushed. "She has fallen gravely ill, and she requested treatment."
Astryl's eyebrows furrowed, a sense of concern tugging at him. Without further delay, he beckoned to the physician witch, a master of dark arts and healing, to join them. Together, they followed the guard, who led the way to Seraphina's chambers.
Inside, the physician witch wasted no time. She moved about with grace and purpose, her skilled hands applying remedies to alleviate the princess's suffering. Seraphina, pallid and weak, looked up with a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes as the physician worked her magic.
Meanwhile, Aldrian, still in his chambers, had a change of heart. Concern gnawed at him like a relentless beast, and he couldn't ignore it any longer. He needed to see Seraphina for himself, to ensure her condition was not deteriorating further.
With a sense of urgency, Aldrian rose from his bed, his features now softer, a stark contrast to his usual stoic demeanor. His hair tousled, he hurried out of his chambers and made his way through the palace's corridors.
As he approached Seraphina's chambers, he could hear voices within. Astryl's presence was unmistakable, and it only fueled Aldrian's anxiety. He pushed the door open slightly and peered inside.
To his surprise and frustration, Seraphina appeared to be recovering, her complexion less ghostly, and her eyes more alert. Astryl stood by her side, his expression inscrutable.
Aldrian's anger flared, and he clenched his fists. He had allowed himself to be swayed by sentiment, and it had led him to a room where Seraphina was regaining her strength.
Hissing under his breath, Aldrian retreated, his steps echoing with frustration. He had been on the brink of a decision he couldn't reverse, but now, he would need to confront his wavering emotions and the unexpected turn of events.