redith hurriedly entered the chamber as soon as the servant opened the door.
"How is the lady?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.
"The lady has been in bed since her return. She has refused to eat or see the healer. I heard her crying for a while, but she insisted on being left alone," the servant replied.
The noble lady let out a sigh, her gaze shifting towards the bedroom.
"Please leave us," she commanded, her tone indicating a need for privacy.
"Yes, my lady."
The servant bowed respectfully and exited the room.
redith approached the bed, drawing closer to Anna, who lay there. She gently pushed aside the curtain covering the bed and secured it to the bedpost.
"Please, just leave alone!" Anna’s voice trembled as she spoke, her distress palpable.
Despite the princess’s plea for solitude, redith disregarded her order and sat at the edge of the bed.
"Why are you like this?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Anna lifted her head from the pillow, recognising her friend’s voice. A glimr of hope appeared in her eyes as she embraced redith.
"r!" she exclaid, clinging to her friend.
redith returned the embrace, gently patting Anna’s back as she trembled with sobs.
"He’s gone!" the princess cried in anguish.
"There, there, now," redith consoled her. "He’s only fulfilling his duty. You knew this was coming, didn’t you?" she reminded her.
"I know, but... I just... I don’t know why I’m so sad. I don’t feel like myself," Anna confessed.
"You’ve let your emotions overpower you. Calm down. He’ll be back before you know it. Have faith in him. It’s not the first ti he’s left you, right? When you lived with him at the camp, he had to leave to fulfil his duty, too. Did you cry like this before?" redith questioned.
"No, not at all. I was fine back then. Perhaps... it’s because my feelings for him have grown over ti. That’s why it feels so difficult now," Anna explained.
"You’re being overly sensitive. Have faith and confidence in your husband. He will return unscathed," the noble lady reassured her.
"Do you really think so?" Anna inquired.
"Think? I believe so! He’s the best knight in Cassian, my idol! Of course, he will co back," redith replied confidently.
A glimr of relief started to erge in Anna’s heart as she absorbed redith’s assurance. Knowing her friend’s faith in her husband provided a small asure of comfort amid her sadness.
"Now, I don’t want to see you crying like a baby like this. I bet His Highness told you to stay strong, didn’t he?" redith guessed, attempting to lighten the mood.
"How did you know?" Anna asked, surprised. Her sobs began to subside slightly.
"Am I not the President of His Highness’ fan club?" redith replied with a playful tone.
A small chuckle escaped the princess’ lips amidst her tears.
"That’s more like it!" redith said, her smile widening as she saw a flicker of happiness in Anna’s expression.
"I heard from the knights that you were not feeling well this morning. Are you all right?" redith asked, placing her palm on Anna’s forehead to check her body temperature.
"I’m fine. It’s just the usual. Lately, my body temperature has been slightly elevated in the morning, but it usually goes away after a while," Anna explained.
"That’s strange! Could it be so kind of illness? You should get it checked," suggested redith. "Should I call the royal healer?"
"No... no. There’s no need for that. You know I have a weak constitution. I think it’s just due to the changing weather. It’s getting colder these days," the princess reassured her.
"You’re right... Winter is approaching in a few months. We should be prepared. Sohow, I feel like it might arrive earlier than usual. I can sense the change in the wind already," redith comnted, a note of concern in her voice.
Anna wiped the tears from her face. Her crying had subsided.
"Sylvia didn’t co today?" she asked, shifting the topic.
"No, she won’t be coming for a while. Her grandfather is currently recuperating at her father’s mansion, so she must be busy taking care of him," redith explained. "I saw a commotion involving you from a distance, but the royal knights prevented from approaching. What actually happened?"
"About that..."
Anna took a deep breath and began recounting the incident involving the marquess on the previous night.
"What?" redith exclaid, clearly taken aback by the revelation.
"Sohow, I feel guilty when I think back on the marquess’s illness. His Lordship is already old, yet he suffers greatly from the effects of dark magic," the princess sighed.
"I had no idea about his sickness! I an... I knew he was unwell, which is why he didn’t participate in the royal court, but I never anticipated it was due to sothing like that," redith expressed her surprise and concern.
"I suppose his family decided to keep the matter discreet, away from the public’s knowledge. However, Kyren and His Majesty were aware," Anna explained.
"Of course, such a matter shouldn’t be the talk of the town. But why would you feel guilty about it? Didn’t you manage to persuade him to go to the inn and have the situation under control? From what I see, you had helped him," redith reasoned.
Anna’s gaze t redith’s before she cast her eyes downward.
"r... my grand uncle was one of the traitors, rember?"
"You are his indirect lineage! You are not his imdiate family!" redith insisted.
"But I still carry the Adhemar’s bloodline," Anna replied softly.
"Oh, stop it already! That’s all nonsense! One bad apple in a basket doesn’t an the whole basket is rotten! You have a kind heart, and you’ll never beco like him in any way, even though you co from the sa family. You are a Raychard now! Rember that," redith urged, her voice filled with conviction.
"Thank you, r, for comforting . What would I do without you?" Anna expressed her gratitude.
redith smiled warmly.
"You’re a strong woman, Anna. Even before knowing , you’ve done so well. It is I who feel honoured to have a courageous friend like you."
Anna reciprocated with a soft smile as she appreciated her friend’s opinion.
"Oh, by the way... I just rembered. Sir Drystan Mills is currently residing at the Count of dhir’s mansion," the princess added.
"Really?"
"Yes, Kyren ordered him to do so. During the incident, Sir Mills was the only one the Marquess knew of. His Excellency’s son inford that he usually doesn’t recognise anyone when the madness takes hold. That’s why Kyren also instructed him to look after the Marquess," Anna explained.
redith’s expression turned worried.
"Oh dear... then I don’t know how Sylvia could avoid the matchmaking with Sir Mills. With her whole family and relatives around, they would surely push them to be together."
"Yes, I share the sa concern. I discussed it with Kyren. Sir Mills asked him to intervene, but he didn’t want to offend His Excellency by refusing the matchmaking. So last night, when the Marquess and his family requested Kyren’s permission and blessings, he reluctantly agreed, with the condition that Sir Mills and Sylvia also consented to it," Anna revealed.
"This is getting more tense! I don’t see any way for her to escape now. Poor Sylvia!" redith exclaid.
"Should I go and talk to the Marquess’s family?" Anna asked. "After all, this is about our friend’s future. We can’t let her live in an unhappy marriage."
"Better not! I wouldn’t go if I were you," redith advised. "What if His Excellency saw you again and had his madness triggered? That could be dangerous!"
"You’re right. I should avoid him for now. I don’t want him to beco sick again," the princess agreed.
"Let’s leave the matter to them. They are both adults and since they are together at the Count’s mansion, perhaps they can discuss and devise a solution to settle their problem. There’s nothing we can do," the noble lady suggested.
Anna nodded in agreent.
"Now, I heard that you haven’t eaten anything since morning. Let’s have sothing first. Then, we can go out, breathe fresh air, and enjoy the mont. Perhaps we can take a walk in the garden or see Her Highness Princess Lilith and Laura," redith proposed.
"I don’t have much appetite, r," Anna replied.
"Oh, co on! You can’t starve yourself for the whole day just because you’re still sad!" the noble lady insisted.
"No, r... I actually feel better already. I just don’t feel like eating," the princess clarified.
Just then, a knock ca at the door, and a servant entered upon permission.
"Forgive for interrupting, my lady. But Her Majesty the Queen has requested that you join her for brunch at the queen’s court," the servant inford them.
"Perfect! A walk out of this room and having a al while chatting would be good for you," redith said, a hint of excitent in her voice.
"I don’t feel like going, r," Anna hesitated.
"Are you going to say no to Her Majesty, the Queen’s invitation? You wouldn’t, would you?"
redith gave Anna a stern look. The princess exhaled, realising she didn’t have much of a choice.
"Fine... Let’s go," she agreed, though still feeling reluctant.
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