Arissa placed the drawing on the vanity, deciding not to overthink its sudden appearance. Instead, she let herself admire the intricate details of the artwork. Taking a seat in the plush chair, she gazed out the window, captivated by the sweeping view of the sprawling gardens and the vibrant colors of the flowers below. The sunlight spilled into the room, casting a warm glow that filled her with a sense of hope and new beginnings.
As the maids entered to dress her, Arissa felt a blend of excitement and nervousness. The process was meticulous, their skilled hands transforming her into a vision of elegance. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of being pampered, momentarily pushing aside thoughts of her complex new life.
(Thirty Minutes Later)
After the final touches, Arissa decided she couldn't wait any longer to see her father. With a sense of purpose, she asked one of the maids to escort her. The corridors of the palace were vast, adorned with portraits of her ancestors, each gaze seemingly following her as she made her way to the king's office.
She reached the heavy doors and knocked softly. "Come in," he called, his voice warm and inviting.
Inside, she found him seated at his grand office chair, engrossed in papers scattered across his desk. Arissa approached and performed a deep curtsy. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Greetings, Arissa. Please, take a seat," he replied, his eyes lighting up with a fatherly warmth.
She settled into the chair opposite him, watching as he finished signing a document. "How does it feel to be royal?" he asked, a smile breaking across his face.
"It's fun, and I am grateful, Father," she replied, her heart swelling with a mix of pride and uncertainty.
His smile widened, clearly pleased by her response. "You can do anything you want! The garden is lovely this time of year, full of blooming flowers," he said, gesturing with enthusiasm.
"Really?! Thank you so much, Father!" Arissa's excitement bubbled over. The idea of exploring the garden filled her with anticipation.
"Tomorrow, you'll have classes," he continued, his tone shifting to a more serious note. "I've arranged for teachers in dance, etiquette, and academics."
"Alright! I have one thing to ask," she said, her voice slightly hesitant.
"Ask away."
"When will we have a family dinner with your wife, Her Majesty, and my brother...?" she trailed off, feeling awkward but hopeful.
"Soon, hopefully. Your brother will be back from the academy shortly, and your mother is in Reouli City making preparations for his birthday," he explained.
"Oh, thank you for telling me," she said, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
"No problem. You can leave now; I have work to finish," he said, his focus returning to the papers.
"As you please. See you soon, Father."
With that, she exited the room, a sense of determination settling in her chest. She decided to head to the garden, craving the fresh air and beauty of nature.
She asked one of the maids to escort her again, and together they navigated the endless staircases until they finally reached the garden. It was a breathtaking sight; the flowers bloomed in a riot of colors, and the sweet scent of blossoms filled the air. Arissa felt a surge of joy as she found a quiet spot behind the pillars of the fountain, watching the water dance in the sunlight.
As she sat there, deep in thought about how suddenly her life had changed, she caught sight of someone approaching. It was Karson.
"Oh my! What are you doing here?" she exclaimed, still seated and feeling a bit tired from the day's events.
"Hello, my princess…" he said with a playful bow.
"What's with all the bowing?" Arissa laughed, the tension of the earlier moments fading away.
"Why, I can bow to my future queen, can't I?" he replied, a teasing smile gracing his lips.
He settled down beside her, and they began to chat. They exchanged stories, laughter filling the air between them. As their conversation continued, Arissa felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. "Can I lay my head on your shoulder? I'm feeling a bit tired," she asked, shyly.
"Of course," he said, shifting slightly to give her more room. She rested her head against him, comforted by his presence. Hours slipped by as they talked and laughed, but soon, Arissa succumbed to sleep, feeling safe and warm beside him.
Karson noticed her breathing shift and glanced down, realizing she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Not wanting to disturb her, he gently tilted her head to a more comfortable position and draped his blazer over her, ensuring she wouldn't get cold. With a lingering glance, he quietly slipped away, leaving her to her dreams.
(A Few Minutes Later)
Arissa stirred, feeling a chill seep into her bones despite the warmth of Karson's blazer. She blinked awake, a mixture of happiness and embarrassment flooding her as she realized she had slept on his shoulder. Flustered, she sat up, the remnants of sleep clinging to her.
As she made her way back to her room, the coldness lingered, and her head began to throb. Skipping dinner, she decided to go to bed early instead. Upon entering her chamber, one of the maids named Lilac approached her with concern.
"Princess, you look unwell. What's wrong?" she asked gently.
"I have a really bad headache, and my body is kind of sore from the cold," Arissa admitted, rubbing her temples.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Princess. Let me brew you some tea in the meantime," Lilac said, hurrying off to the kitchen.
Arissa settled into bed, her body feeling heavy as she shifted under the covers. The headache pulsed mercilessly, and she curled up, trying to find a comfortable position.
A few minutes later, Lilac returned with a steaming cup of tea. "Here you go, Princess. This should help," she said, placing the cup in Arissa's hands.
"Thank you," Arissa murmured, sipping the warm liquid. Almost immediately, a wave of drowsiness washed over her, and she slipped into a deep sleep, the world around her fading away.
But unbeknownst to her, the tea had been laced with something far more sinister. As she drifted into unconsciousness, a creeping darkness began to envelop her mind. Was she truly asleep, or was she fighting to wake up against an unseen force that threatened to claim her?
Will she wake up?…