My eyes traced the lines of her ginger hair, the soft curve of her shoulders, and the vulnerability that seemed to radiate from her despite her attempt at composure. “She is so small,” I thought to myself, my voice low and measured. "Like a bird caught in a storm, fragile and uncertain." I observed the way she held herself, a mixture of wariness and curiosity in her green eyes. Despite her petite stature, there was a resilience about her that intrigued me, a quiet strength hidden beneath her apparent vulnerability.

As I leaned against my desk, my expression remained stoic, my demeanor reflecting years of discipline and authority. I knew I had to approach this situation with caution, to unravel the mystery of her presence without revealing my own uncertainties.

“I hear your name is Elara,” I stated flatly, my voice carrying an edge that hinted at authority and expectation. My gaze held hers, piercing and unyielding. “You were found on my shores. Unconscious. Do you remember how you got here?”

I saw her not as an individual in distress but as a puzzle to solve, a potential threat to assess. My thoughts churned with the implications of her presence, the unknowns that surrounded her appearance near my domain.

Under the weight of his stare and his presence, I felt a sense of unease creep through me. I was keenly aware of my own fragility in his world, where strength and resolve were currency. As I spoke, my voice trembled slightly, betraying the nerves that danced beneath my surface. “No,” I managed quietly, holding his gaze. “I… I only remember waking up here.”

I was shocked by her boldness to look me straight in the eyes and nodded once, my expression unreadable as I absorbed her words. “Well, that does not help at all,” I muttered.

I turned my gaze to my Steward. “Gareth will arrange accommodations for you on the second floor,” I continued briskly, gesturing towards him standing by the door. “You will stay here until we can determine the next course of action.”

My heart sank slightly as I realized the weight of his decision. I was now under his scrutiny, subject to his judgment and his will. As Gareth led me away from the Duke's office, I couldn't shake the feeling of being caught up in something far larger than myself—a world where my future was uncertain and my place in it unclear.

***

I stirred awake in my new room, my eyes adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the delicate curtains. The room, with its luxurious furnishings and elegant decor, was a stark contrast to the sterile infirmary I had been confined to for days. I marveled at the beauty of my surroundings, feeling a mix of awe and excitement.

Eager to keep myself busy, I decided to leave my room. “I should find Lila.” I thought to myself as I opened the closet and started skimming the dresses. 

“I need help getting into these dresses,” I said to myself. “What do I wear?” I asked, scanning the room. I noticed something white folded on the chair near my bed. 

“What is that?” I said, walking towards it. I picked it up and unfolded it, realizing it was the dress Miriam had mentioned I was wearing when they found me by the river. It was a simple, long dress with airy fabric that draped elegantly over the body. It had a flowing A-line silhouette, providing a flattering and comfortable fit.

 “This looks easier to wear,” I said excitedly.

“I’ll start with the kitchen; Lila might be there,” I said to myself as I adjusted the gown.

***

Lila wasn’t in the kitchen. The corridors felt long and unfamiliar now that I was on my own. I wandered through the castle, trying to remember the directions the cook had given me.

“Where did she say the exit was again?” I wondered aloud, glancing around. I noticed an open door leading outside and quickened my pace, excited to see Lila, Amelia, and Sofia.

As I approached, I overheard a conversation. “I can’t believe the Duke told Sir Gareth to prepare a room for her on the second floor,” a voice I didn’t recognize said.

I paused, curiosity piqued. “Are they talking about me?” I whispered, leaning closer to the door and peeping slightly past the threshold.

“What is the problem with that?” Lila’s voice came through clearly, sounding annoyed as she hung the laundry. 

“Lila, that’s the same floor as the Duke’s chambers. You can’t ignore that,” Sofia added with a teasing tone, passing Lila the pegs.

“Our rooms are on the same floor?” I asked myself, unaware of this information until now.

“What if this is the beginning of a love story?” Sofia continued excitedly.

My face turned red at the suggestion. The idea of a romance with the Duke excited me, filling me with a sense of forbidden thrill.

“Stop making up ridiculous things. He’s probably just being a gentleman, right, Cassandra?” said the girl with short hair as she turned to a slim figure with long, flowing black hair.

 Cassandra's brown eyes were sharp, her expression one of clear annoyance.

Feeling awkward and not wanting to intrude, I decided to step back. “If I join them now, it might make things uncomfortable for everyone,” I thought. “I should go back to my room. It’s almost time for Miriam to check on me.” 

I giggled at the thought of being romantically involved with the Duke as I made my way back to my room. 

***

I was back in my room, tending to the flowers the gardener had gifted me. Their vibrant colors and delicate petals brought a sense of calm to my otherwise turbulent thoughts. I gently adjusted a bloom, inhaling its sweet fragrance.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my reverie. "Come in," I called softly.

Miriam entered, carrying her medical supplies. "Good morning, Elara," she greeted warmly. "How are you feeling today?"

I turned to face her with a smile. "Good morning, Miriam. I'm feeling much better, thank you. These flowers are lovely, aren’t they?"

Miriam nodded, her eyes flicking to the blooms before focusing back on me. "They are. It's nice to see you up and about. Are you ready for your check-up?"

I sighed but nodded, knowing it was necessary. "Yes, of course."

As Miriam began her routine examination, she suddenly paused, her fingers gently brushing the nape of my neck. "Elara, have you noticed these marks before?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

I frowned, puzzled. "Marks? What marks?"

Miriam leaned closer, scrutinizing the strange marks. "They're quite faint but noticeable. I can't believe I didn't see them before. Perhaps the lighting in the infirmary was different," she mused, more to herself than to me. "They almost look like... symbols. But I'm not sure."

My heart skipped a beat. "Symbols? Do you think they mean something?"

Miriam hesitated, not wanting to alarm me. "They could be birthmarks. Sometimes birthmarks have unusual shapes. There's no need to worry."

I tried to feel the marks with my fingers, my eyes wide with concern. "But I've never noticed them before. Could they be something else?"

Miriam suddenly realized the impracticality of me noticing something on the nape of my own neck. "Of course, you wouldn't have seen them yourself. Here," she said, reaching for a hand mirror on the vanity. She handed it to me and guided me to face the large mirror on the wall. "Hold this mirror and look into the larger one. You'll be able to see the back of your neck."

I followed Miriam's instructions, my eyes widening as I finally saw the marks. "Oh, I see them now. They really do look like symbols."

Miriam nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Given your memory loss, it's hard to say what they are. They could very well have always been there, and you simply never knew. They don't seem harmful, so for now, let's not worry too much."

I nodded slowly, though my unease was evident. "Alright. If you think it's nothing serious..."

Miriam finished her examination and packed away her supplies. "I'll keep an eye on them during our daily check-ups. If they change or cause you any discomfort, we'll look into it further. For now, try to relax and enjoy the flowers."

As Miriam left, I couldn't help but think about the strange marks. They were a weird shape to be birthmarks. What could they signify? While Miriam was determined to uncover if they were linked to any medical issue, I was trying to determine if they were linked to my past.