Chapter 30 - Passion

I woke up at lunchtime, almost without pain. I thought about what that tea would be that Phillip had my servant serve me at breakfast. I decided to ask Anna's help to change me. I'd like to go down for lunch, outside my bedroom, in the company of the King and the Prince. I took a bath, put on a dress, and went down the stairs in the company of my servant.

I sat at the table for lunch. They looked at me curiously. Two days ago, I couldn't go down the stairs. I needed to ask the King to postpone the wedding. My mind was confused and frightened, and I needed to recover physically and emotionally. We talked during lunch, and the King agreed. We would delay until I was fine. Phillip seemed impatient, but he understood that I wasn't okay.
I decided to walk through the garden with Ane right after lunch. I noticed the prince was trying to reach us. The day was still clear and sunny. I was breathless thinking that the sun could kill him. Ane held me so I didn't fall. Phillip took me by the other arm and asked Ane to leave us alone.
- What happened? Why are you having a panic attack?
- You're walking under the sun... how?
- I tried to explain the other day. A few years ago, I asked a witch to do a spell to allow me to walk under the sun. I wanted to be able to see the sunrise and sunset with you. - he spoke, holding me by the waist as I recovered my breath - it's magic, but it only goes to the borders of my kingdom. Are you okay?
- No, I still feel pain... I'm still afraid.
- Do you want to go back inside? - He asked, still holding me so I didn't fall.
- Not now.
- Well, there's still something I'd like to ask Your Highness. - he asked without saying anything.
- Don't you think the princess went too far to save my life? A fiancé who so far didn't seem to have any feelings for me... You gave me no sign of affection and went to Paris. Dealing with a dangerous creature like Claus. Why did you do that? You didn't even want this wedding... - he spoke, looking right into my eyes
- And I would go further!
He stood with a slight smile of satisfaction on his lips, looking at the horizon. I felt something for him. I wasn't sure it was love. I went back to the castle. Ane followed me up the stairs. I came to my room, lay down, and asked her not to let anyone wake me up. She then sat on a chair outside my door, as I ordered.
About half an hour passed, and I could hear my servant saying to Phillip that I had ordered no one to interfere with my sleep. I slept until dinner. I went down for dinner as I did for lunch, accompanied by Ane. When I had finished, I waited for the king and the prince to go away to talk, and I went up discreetly with Ane, without any of them noticing. I locked the bedroom door and put a chair on the trunk.
I changed clothes. I lay down. When I was almost falling asleep, I heard a noise coming from the window. I opened the curtains and saw Phillip sitting outside the window shade. I opened the window and sent him in.
- What were you doing out there? How did you get up here? I asked as I walked back to bed.
- Why are you avoiding me since lunch?
- I asked first - I said, putting my hand under his chin to raise his gaze at me
- I need to remind you that I'm a vampire and can climb the castle's walls without getting tired or falling.
- I'm not avoiding you or running away from you. Dr. Oliver said I need some rest, and as I said at lunch, I need time to recover... just to go down the stairs, I feel tired.
- Your Highness, can you explain better what you were talking to me about earlier in the garden? - Did you say you would go further to save my life? - He asked, passing his hand lightly on my cheek
- There isn't a right answer to that. - I answered, standing up and walking to the window.
He stood up quickly, following me. Coming close to the window at the same time as me. Without saying anything, He hugged me, and I rested my head on his wide chest.
- I don't understand. What do you feel about me? - he asked, inhaling the smell of my hair.
- I'm confused... I don't understand... but I think I'll enjoy being your queen.
I felt his hug tighten a little more. We've been hugging for a long time in silence. I could feel him smelling my hair as I tried to nest more of my face in his chest. It was so good to be in his arms.