The Crown Princess had been unconscious for three whole days, to the Duke's utter dismay. Although the Royal Physician had assured him that the Crown Princess was not in any kind of danger, the Duke still had decided to set aside his work and had taken it upon himself to personally care for the Crown Princess. He did not want her out of his sight, not when the incident in the lake was intentional on her part.
There was something the physician had said that invoked thought and the Duke had been stressing over it for the past three days, in addition to the Crown Princess's current unconscious state. According to the physician, the Crown Princess had been suffering from an illness of soul ever since she fell the first time in the lake. When falling and almost drowning in the lake for the second time rendered her unconscious, her body took that opportunity to cure itself of the illness. Only when she was healed from the said illness would she wake up.
The Duke was never adept in medicine but having mana affinity, he at least could feel one's aura, something unique to every living being. Indeed, he had felt something different when he first saw the Crown Princess that day. He had felt her aura and it was as weak as ever. But he had also felt something else, something mixed in, something stronger. Something very familiar. It had been this familiar feeling that completed his decision to stay.
On the first day, that familiar feeling had eventually waned and seemed to co-exist with the Crown Princess's aura. On the second day though, it grew stronger again and on the night that followed, it completely obliterated the Crown Princess's aura. The Duke never heard about one's aura disappearing like this before and being replaced. It was worrisome so day in and day out, the Duke watched over the Crown Princess.
Once, on the second day, the Crown Prince had paid a brief visit which helped the Duke take his mind off of things for a moment. They had discussed the Crown Prince's trip to Ataleania and the fruits of it, it was also then that the Duke revealed his plans to go on an expedition once more. The Crown Prince had expressed his concerns about the Duke's frequent absences but eventually gave his blessing.
On the night of the third day, the Crown Princess showed signs of stirring. The Duke ordered Lady Rowena to call for the Royal Physician immediately, who then arrived and examined the Crown Princess. Anxiously, the Duke waited in his seat by the window. The moonlight shone through the window, casting light in the dimly lit room of the Crown Princess. The scene was almost surreal to the Duke, like a painting, who had never stayed late in the Crown Princess's presence.
When the physician completed his examinations, the Duke rose from his chair and approached, the servants cleared his way.
The physician did not wait for the Duke to speak, for it was a known fact in the palace that he was a man of few words. The physician offered the information himself, saying, "the Crown Princess's condition has stabilized, Your Grace. Soon she will rouse naturally."
The Duke considered for a moment. Then, he looked and nodded at Lady Rowena, who understood it immediately. The housekeeper ordered her subordinates to leave the chamber, following close behind them and closing the door, leaving the Duke with the physician and the Crown Princess.
"Doctor, is there a way one's aura can strengthen so suddenly?"
The physician did not need to think about his answer at all. He said, "it is unprecedented, Your Grace."
"I see," the Duke just nodded, still deep in thought.
"I will be taking my leave now, Your Grace," the physician respectfully bowed and left.
The Duke took the chair by her bed and looked at the Crown Princess who was still asleep. He leaned forward, propped his elbows on his knees, and started studying that thing inside her. It was glowing so brightly, not that he could see it, but that was the feeling. It was glowing so energetically.
He could never forget this feeling. But could he be wrong? Possibly. It had been 19 years after all. His appearance may have stayed the same for decades but his mind and heart had grown weary and what left of the vivid memories he once had were now just little worn-out recollections of the past.
The quiet opening of the doors disturbed his thoughts and when he looked up, he saw Lady Rowena standing by the entrance.
"The Duke of Celedon just arrived, Your Grace," Lady Rowena announces.
"Ah, that man. Always right where he is needed."
"I cannot remember the last time we sat and talked like this, Your Grace." The Duke of Celedon, Duke Delaney, commented.
Indeed, nobody could tell when was the last time the two of them talked leisurely, let alone had tea. Duke Marvalov replied simply, "please drop the formalities, brother-in-law."
Duke Delaney picked up his tea and said, "ever so modest, our Duke of Aderthon. How could I? You are the Crown Princess's father, after all. Respect is given where respect is due."
"I am hardly a father to the Crown Princess," Duke Marvalov said quietly.
Duke Delaney frowned and huffed playfully, saying, "are you still upset the Crown Princess is the Crown Princess? After all these years?"
"It is best if we do not talk about it," Duke Marvalov said as he looked away.
"As you wish. Are you worried about her?" Duke Delaney always knew how to change topics and it was something Duke Marvalov always appreciated.
Duke Marvalov looked in the direction of the Crown Princess's room, saying, "who wouldn't be? Her ambition was one thing. Now, I worry about her health."
"Truly, the Crown Princess is a handful!" Duke Delaney's laughter boomed loudly. He continued, "who does she take after?"
Duke Marvalov smiled slightly and took a sip of his tea. He answered, "I see your sister in her."
"You do?" Duke Delaney paused, blinking rapidly to the sudden mention of his sister.
"You should tell me. You were with her the longest."
Duke Delaney, still surprised, asked, "Lucia? In what way?"
"Nevermind." Duke Marvalov asked, "Is everything alright with her, Lucianus?"
"With the Crown Princess?"
"Yes. How was she these past few weeks?"
Duke Delaney was the best to ask about things like this. He was very attentive when it came to the Crown Princess and nothing would have missed his notice. He looked deep in thought for a moment, until he answered, "I was away myself and only returned when I heard about the accident a few days ago. But according to her handmaidens, there was nothing of note."
"I see."
"But I must tell you," Duke Marvalov was not ready for the next few words, "it means a lot that you are here now, Theo."
Taken aback, Duke Marvalov focused on his tea. He took a few sips, thinking if there was any point in telling the Duke of his plans to depart on another expedition. After a moment Duke Marvalov simply said, "I leave before sunrise."
"Without saying goodbye to her?" The disappointment in his tone as well as on his face was evident. Duke Delaney always wore his heart on his sleeves, very much like his sisters.
"My absence cannot be prolonged any longer. It is enough that I saw to it that she recovered."
"Very well." Even the Duke of Celedon knew there was no point in pushing it, it would have been like pushing a concrete wall.
After all these years, nothing changed. Duke Delaney worried that the two, the Crown Princess and her father, would forever be walking on different roads.
At the crack of dawn, when his carriage was prepared and his entourage was on standby just awaiting him, Duke Marvalov went to visit the Crown Princess one last time. The corridors near her quarters were still empty, save one or two handmaids scurrying to turn off the lights lining the walls.
In a matter of minutes, the Duke reached the door of the Crown Princess's chambers. Quietly, the Duke turned the knob and pushed the door slightly open, then slipped through the small cavity he made. He was careful not to make any sound, careful not to disturb the sleep of the Crown Princess.
The early morning cast a dim light through the gaps in the curtains covering the windows, the Duke's shadow danced on the walls as he approached the sleeping Crown Princess. He stood by the bed and there he remained for a while, unmoving like a statue.
The light was enough to see the Crown Princess clearly in the dimly lit room. Her breathing was even and there was a tranquil look on her white face, no trace of the pale woman who had seemed to be having a nightmare the past few days and nights. Her sleep seemed to be deep and peaceful now, to the Duke's relief. That was all he came here for and with it, he could be at ease during his journey.
The Duke did not wish to meet the Crown Princess and hear her goodbye or even for the Crown Princess to know he had been with her for the last four days, but as he turned to leave, the Crown Princess stirred.
"Daddy?" The Crown Princess slurred. The Duke was rooted firmly where he stood, his eyes wide in utter surprise. Slowly, he looked back at the Crown Princess. Did he hear her right?
"Your Highness?" The Duke called her.
The Crown Princess was half-asleep, it seemed. She remained on her bed, under the covers. She said softly, "it's really you. Are you going somewhere?"
The Duke, as if in a trance, turned back and approached the bed. He knelt beside the Crown Princess to have a closer look at her face. He saw her eyes were half-closed but still looked at him with a glint of fondness in them,. He croaked, "I am."
"Please don't go." The Crown Princess's voice was soft and she seemed so small, like a child begging their parent to stay and scare the monsters away.
"I have to," the Duke murmured.
The Crown Princess suddenly reached out and touched the Duke's hair. The Duke nearly jumped out of his skin. The Crown Princess said softly, "your hair looks like the night sky. I love it so much, Daddy."
Silence.
The Crown Princess's hand fell to her side as she returned to sleep once more. The Duke couldn't look at her, he was frozen in place. Your hair looks like the night sky! Like Dahl's hair! Dahl loves it so much!
Dawn broke, the sun rose to chase the shadows away with its golden light. The Duke remained beside the Crown Princess, beside the child who reminded him today of home.
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