Chapter 12 - Discovered

You didn't advance my insistence. Unconscious, he took me to my room inside the castle. I opened my eyes in my bed, but it was still night. I couldn't see if he was there. I got up, but before I could reach the door, I heard his soft voice behind me. "Go to bed, you're not okay!"

I turned around and I could see his silhouette next to my bedroom window, but I knew he would leave me as soon as I fell asleep. But a long time ago, I couldn't sleep all night. "Your Highness, you know that I will not be able to rest enough, and finally, I think all the fear and fear that has kept me awake will only disappear when I understand exactly the reasons. Why do we have to get married? Why so fast? How is such a life possible? And above all, I'm afraid..."

He turned and walked toward me. "You look like a stubborn child, but I'm worried about your health. I need you to sleep and I'll stay here next to you," he said, pulling a chair to the side of my bed, "until I make sure you're all right and safe."

He seemed tense at the idea that the king would postpone the wedding if I wasn't well.

I went to bed. I lay my head on the pillow and fell asleep. I was exhausted.

I had scary nightmares all night. The scenes of horses feeding or Phillip saving me from the wolves...

I woke up in what seemed to be the next morning, covered in thick blankets, Ana sitting next to the bed, putting wet towels on my forehead. "Thank God, Your Highness has awakened!" - a cheerful and slightly relieved smile appeared on her face.

"Ana, how long have I been sleeping? What happened?" At this moment, the king's doctor entered my room. "Princess, you have been awake for three days. Apparently, she had an infection that seemed to be giving in. However, His Majesty made it clear that if this continues, he will have to postpone the marriage." - and finally, the doctor's words came like a blow to the stomach.

I asked my Aia to prepare a hot bath for me, on the recommendation of the doctor himself, and to bring me something because I was hungry.

After the bath, still in my room, Ana brought fruit, a slice of cake, and toast, but I could not eat everything, only an apple. I asked to stay alone, I needed to improve, but my mind couldn't understand what happened.

I looked out the window, and I could see one of the prince's horses in a castle bay. "How? Is he here?" I spoke out loud, but only for myself. I could hear a voice coming from behind me, familiar, the king -- "Yes, daughter, your fiancé is here! He arrived yesterday after I sent the messenger with a note communicating his illness and the possibility of postponing the marriage." He closed the door and continued, "How are you? And how long have you been escaping at night from the castle?"

A sickle crossed my spine. How would my father have discovered? "Dad, I..." - he didn't let me finish: "I increased security around the castle, and if you want to walk, you will always go with a guard and NEVER disobey me again!"- his roughest tone frightened me.

"You run risks during the night, in the woods!" - I couldn't answer. I was out of breath. Sitting next to me and holding my hand, with the quietest voice: "You're a princess. You have duties and duties. You got sick from the cold nights outside the gates. I need you to promise me it won't happen again." I looked at him and sat down with my head.

He left the room saying, "Eat! Empty the plates! You need to be strong in less than a week!"

"Why?" - my question remained unanswered, my father had closed the door behind him