Chapter 37 - Sad days

- Three days? How? - Did you even try to wake me up? - I asked Ane having a panic attack.

- I tried, Your Highness! I couldn't. Our doctor didn't even do it. - She answered, afraid

I finished my breakfast, and I was starving. I got up and went to the library, took a book, and decided to sit on a bench in the palace's garden. I couldn't read a word. I began to wander through the dark thoughts that floated in my mind. I provoked all this. Why did I go to Claus? Phillip made me sleep for three days. It was night, and Ane came to pick me up for dinner and sleep.

The next few days were the same. I was sitting on the same bench. I was digressing. She read the books I picked up at the library. I lost count of how many books I read. I seemed to be constantly hypnotized by the gate. My eyes just turned away from the pages of the books to that gate.

After a month, a messenger arrived with a letter. I opened it anxiously, and it was one of the worst things I've ever done, inside a paper stained with blood:

Your Highness,

He who conveys to you this painful news is the faithful servant of the Lord. Lucas.

My master, Prince Phillip, his father, and my master's father died in a fierce battle. They fought honestly, but they couldn't win.

At this hour, ur servants who remained alive in the Carpathians and were not transformed into monsters are running for their lives.

I'm so sorry.

I don't think I'll survive...

The writing was interrupted in a huge scrawl. And now? What would I do? How could I overcome the pain and continue my father's rule? I climbed the palace stairs and locked myself in. Three more days were lost. I stayed locked in my room, crying and sleeping. After my brief mourning, I thought of the kingdom and of all who depended on a ruler able to command the; I knew I had no such ability.

After a hot bath, I decided to go down to lunch. Many nobles were still in the palace waiting for the King and my fiancé's return. Only I knew the content of the letter; I wasn't ready to share it with anyone. But I'm starting to grasp it. I sat down again with a book, looking at the gates. What if they come back? What if the letter wasn't true?

She didn't feed me anymore. I didn't even sleep enough. It's been another week. Until I saw three familiar silhouettes landing from a carriage in front of the gate. I got u,p recognizing Luke and my father, a third lord, who looked like the Duke, Luke's father. Without smiling, I tried to run toward them. My feet failed miserably. I was too weak.

- Lucas, are you? - I ask, ed sitting on the grass with a rough voice.

- Yes, my angel, what happened to you? Why are you so pale? - he spoke, helping me stand up