"Can you help me with your hands?" Lucian asked, his voice calm yet holding an undertone that made Violet's heart skip. Her eyes widened, but she stretched out her hand anyway, letting him take it into his grasp.
Violet glanced at their joined hands, noticing the striking difference between them. Her fingers were small and delicate, almost dwarfed by his larger, calloused palm. Yet his touch was surprisingly soft, sending a wave of warmth through her a warmth she wasn't ready to acknowledge. She quickly brushed the feeling aside, not wanting to dwell on it.
Without warning, Lucian pulled her closer, the sudden motion taking her by surprise. She blinked up at him, but his eyes were already closed, his features calm yet intense. The sharp planes of his face, now softened in concentration, made him seem almost otherworldly. Her gaze lingered longer than she intended, and for a brief moment, she felt her own breath hitch.
Before she could gather her thoughts, a shimmer of energy enveloped them. The air shifted, cool and refreshing, as the dull surroundings around them dissolved. In the blink of an eye, they were no longer where they had been. The chaos of the moment was replaced by the serene beauty of a garden. The flowers swayed gently as though welcoming them, the scent of fresh blooms mingling with the crisp night air. The garden was peaceful, timeless, and unmistakably home.
But Violet didn't notice. Her mind was tangled in illusions she couldn't escape. Lucian released her hand, the warmth disappearing instantly. He turned without a word, heading toward the mountains a quiet, familiar place where he often sought solace.
Meanwhile, high above, Alicia stirred. She tried to shift, but her body felt restrained, as if tied by invisible ropes. Her frustration mounted as she forced her eyes open, only to be met with the dizzying sight of the world far below her. Panic seized her chest. She had never liked heights, and now she was suspended far above the ground.
Desperately, Alicia looked around, searching for something anything that might explain her predicament. She ran her hands over her body, expecting to feel the bindings that held her, but found nothing. "What is this?" she whispered, her voice trembling. Why couldn't she move?
Her eyes locked on Lucian below. His calm stride irritated her even more. Her voice rose in panic and frustration. "Hey! Hey, Lucian, look up here!" she shouted.
Violet was the first to glance upward, her sharp eyes finding the source of the scream. She gasped when she saw Alicia hovering, her body stiff and unmoving. Lucian, finally looking up, showed no surprise. His lips barely moved as he whispered a single word.
"Sleep."
Alicia's protest caught in her throat. Her body went limp as exhaustion washed over her, as though she hadn't slept in days. Her eyelids grew impossibly heavy, and the world faded into comforting darkness.
Stella pushed the trolley carefully through the castle corridors, its wheels creaking softly as she approached Alicia's room. The tray was laden with an assortment of dishes and drinks, prepared with the utmost care as always. She stopped at the door, her heart light with routine familiarity, and knocked gently. Usually, Alicia's soft voice would answer within moments, inviting her inside. But today, silence greeted her.
Frowning, Stella knocked again, this time a little louder. Still, there was no response. A faint unease stirred within her chest. Something felt off. She hesitated before pushing the door open, peeking in cautiously. The room was quiet too quiet. She rolled the trolley inside, closing the door behind her with a click.
"Alicia?" she called softly, her voice wavering.
The bed was undisturbed, its silken covers still perfectly draped. A chill ran down Stella's spine as her unease grew into full-blown panic. She hurried toward the bed, her pulse quickening. When she found it empty, dread clawed at her insides. "My lady?" she called louder, her voice trembling.
She searched every corner of the vast room, opening wardrobes and peeking behind curtains, hoping to find Alicia hidden away in some playful mischief. But there was nothing. The room's emptiness felt suffocating. Her gaze swept across the space in desperation until it landed on the writing desk by the window. A pile of neatly arranged letters rested there, catching her attention.
Her hands shook as she reached for the stack, her heart pounding. One envelope stood out, bearing her name in Alicia's delicate handwriting. Stella's breath hitched. Slowly, she tore it open and began to read.
The words poured out like a dam breaking, each line pulling her deeper into Alicia's thoughts. The letter spoke of gratitude how Stella had been by her side since childhood, not just as a maid but as her closest confidant and family. Alicia's voice echoed through the words, painting a bittersweet picture of love and farewell.
Tears welled in Stella's eyes, spilling down her cheeks as her legs gave way beneath her. She sank to the floor, clutching the letter to her chest, her sobs breaking the heavy silence of the room. The bitter truth in the letter was unbearable. Alicia was gone. Her lady, her only family, the light that had brightened her dark and lonely world, had vanished without a trace.
Memories flooded Stella's mind of Alicia's laughter, her kindness, and the way she brought color into a life once filled with despair. Stella's heart broke all over again as she recalled the day the king had taken her in. Her village had been burned to ashes, her family lost to the flames. She had been nothing but a frightened child until Alicia reached out, giving her purpose, friendship, and hope.
Through her tears, Stella wiped her face and drew in a shaky breath. She couldn't let despair win. Alicia needed her, wherever she was. Rising to her feet, she clenched the letter tightly in her hand, determination burning in her chest. She bolted from the room, her footsteps echoing down the corridor as she ran to alert the royal family.
They needed to know. Alicia had to be found.