Morning came, and Layla woke up with a strange feeling, as if the previous night had only been a dream.
But no, everything had been real.
Oris's gaze, his unsettling words, his silent departure… She had lain awake for hours, trying to decipher what he had meant.
But today, she had to move forward.
She got up with determination, took her healer's satchel, and left her room, fully intent on throwing herself into her work to forget the turmoil within her.
The day unfolded like any other.
In the people's hospital, she worked tirelessly, treating wounds, preparing remedies, and reassuring the sick.
But something had changed.
The way people looked at her was different. Some patients observed her with aastonishment, while others whispered as she passed.
Even the other healers seemed hesitant before speaking to her.
Layla frowned.
Why these looks?
She didn't dare ask. Instead, she kept working, ignoring it as best she could.
But one thought never left her mind:
Night would come.
And with it, her return to the palace.
Dusk fell.
As expected, a servant was waiting for her at the hospital's exit.
"It is time," he said simply.
Layla took a deep breath and nodded.
The journey to the palace was made in heavy silence.
She immediately sensed the strange atmosphere upon arriving.
The maids stopped talking when they saw her. Some stared at her intently, while others exchanged discreet whispers, as if her presence had become a topic of conversation.
Layla tensed but held her head high. She couldn't let them see her unease.
The servant led her through the corridors to a massive door, which he opened without a word.
She stepped inside… and her breath caught.
The room before her was nothing like a simple infirmary.
It was a full-fledged laboratory, far more sophisticated than anything she had ever seen.
The walls were lined with shelves filled with vials, rare medicinal plants, and carefully arranged scrolls.
On a long white marble table, medical instruments gleamed under the lantern light.
Layla took a step forward, dazzled.
It was… incredible.
Never had she imagined having access to such a place.
Behind her, the servant gave a faint, knowing smile and said:
"All of this is yours. Make the most of it."
Then he bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Layla remained still for a moment, overwhelmed by a flood of conflicting emotions.
She gently placed her hand on one of the vials, almost reverently.
Had she truly earned this?
Or was it the beginning of a new trial?
Days passed, and Layla buried herself in her work.
She studied every plant, tested mixtures, organized vials, and refined her remedies. Her mind was focused… or so she wanted to believe.
Yet, despite herself, her gaze kept drifting toward the door.
He didn't come.
Not even once.
The first few nights, she had expected Oris to appear at any moment, wearing his arrogant smile and speaking in his usual cryptic manner. But he never came.
Why had he brought her here, then?
If he didn't need her, why take her away from the people's hospital?
Layla clenched her teeth.
Why did it bother her so much?
At first, she tried to push the thoughts away. After all, she expected nothing from him.
But as the days passed, one question kept pressing on her mind:
Was that really what irritated her?
Or…
Was she simply disappointed not to see him?
The thought sent a shiver through her.
She set a vial down on the table a little too harshly.
"Ridiculous…" she muttered to herself.
But her heart didn't seem to agree.