Chapter 28

A ray of sunshine woke Lyana the next morning. She struggled to her feet and got out of bed.

Apparently she was still wearing the coat from last night. She must have forgotten to take it off

because of the sheer tiredness.

What she had seen still seemed so unnatural to her. She seriously wondered if she hadn't just imagined it. But it was real. The coat alone was a clear sign that she was in the garden.

Since Alisen could appear at any moment, she took off her coat and then combed her hair. When she

finished, there was a knock on the door and Alisen entered. "You have already got up Your Royal

Highness," she exclaimed in surprise.

"The sun woke me up today," Lyana explained with a smile. Her maid just nodded knowingly and

helped her finish getting dressed. Today they had decided on the new dark blue dress. Brisna had

chosen it because she liked the light blue belt of silk so much, which was repeated on the chest and

sleeves in the form of small bows in the same color.

Her new chain couldn't be missing, of course, even if it now seemed like a waste not to wear the other new jewelry. The hair was tied in a high pigtail with a few strands braided.

Since they finished earlier than expected, they talked a little longer before the knock on the door finally tore them out of their conversation. She almost expected King Ulric again, but this time it was Baridi who came to meet her. Of course. After all, it was only an exception because it was her birthday yesterday. The princess tried to hide her disappointment as much as possible, not wanting to offend the valet.

"I hope you had a restful night. This afternoon you will meet the servants who are responsible for cleaning the rooms," he informed Lyana objectively as they went to the dining room together. She nodded. "I see, I'm looking forward to it." To be honest, she had almost forgotten that because she was too busy at the moment. Once in the dining room, Lyana found the king already sitting at the table. This time he was back in his old place.

She made a slight curtsy in his direction. "I wish you a good morning, Your Majesty."

He noticed it with a simple nod and then gave the signal that the food was now ready to be served.

But Lyana couldn't be discouraged any longer. His kind gesture on her birthday had given her courage. "May I ask what you intend to do today?"

"I'm afraid you have already asked me," replied the king and Lyana was surprised to find something

like a joke in his answer. "The wolves' enclosure was damaged. I will ride there after breakfast to

see how much of a damage there is."

Immediately she remembered Aleshs faithful wolf eyes. "Take me with you!" She shouted loudly

and without thinking too much about it.

The king stopped eating abruptly and looked at her in amazement. "Baridi said you would meet

some servants today."

Since Lyana was uncomfortable with her exuberant behavior, she blushed slightly when she answered him again. "It's only in the afternoon. You also said that you would think about taking me with you."

Snorting loudly, he rubbed his forehead. "I said that. Indeed," he mumbled softly in a tone almost as

if he could no longer believe it himself. "Good. I want to take you with me today. But if you disturb

me, then you have to live with the consequences."

Overjoyed, Lyana beamed from one ear to the next. "Of course! I just want to check on the animals.

So I promise not to get in your way. Thank you very much Your Majesty!"

"Don't thank me so exaggeratedly and hurry up with your breakfast. We'll be on our way right after

that." As if to emphasize his words, he got up from his chair and left the room.

Baridi was still standing at the door and Lyana waved him over to her. "Could you let my maid know that I am going to accompany the king to the wolves? She should bring me my cape too. She took it with her to clean it last night."

The valet nodded and also left the room. Lyana used the rest of the time to eat as much as possible.

After all, she didn't know how long they would stay at the enclosure. She also didn't want to postpone her afternoon tasks. After she had eaten enough, she wanted to go and search for Alisen.

However, she was already waiting in front of the dining room. The cape in her hands was now snow

white again. "You are a true sorceress," Lyana praised her overjoyed and put the cape on.

"Take good care of yourself. I heard that the king would like to carry out the inspection on his own

for the time being. So you would be all alone with him and you shouldn't disturb him under any

circumstances," Alisen warned her with a worried look.