The Nightmares

Besides, I have a different perspective on this situation."

The emperor's eyes flicker with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. "Explain yourself."

Taking a deep breath, Lexzandra says, "It would be highly unusual to summon the marquess to question him about a matter he might not even be aware of. Considering the circumstances, it might be more prudent to handle this with discretion. If Lady Lily is indeed who she claims to be and possesses the skills necessary, her inclusion could be beneficial."

The emperor and Aldric exchange a glance. The room falls into a thoughtful silence as they consider Lexzandra's words.

Finally, the emperor nods, albeit reluctantly. "Very well. We shall not summon the marquess. But this Lily will be watched closely. If she proves untrustworthy, it will be on your head, Lexzandra."

Lexzandra bows her head slightly in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take full responsibility."

With the matter settled, the conversation shifts. The emperor's demeanor becomes slightly more relaxed as he changes the topic. "Regarding Lady Irina, she will be put behind bars for her actions, and her position will remain vacant until a suitable candidate is found."

A wave of relief washes over Lexzandra. She had feared that Lady Irina's influence would continue to haunt the palace. "I am relieved to hear that, Your Majesty. Lady Irina's actions have caused much distress."

The emperor shifts awkwardly in his seat. He looks at Lexzandra, trying to find the right words. "You… you have done well, Lexzandra. Your handling of this situation has been commendable."

Lexzandra's heart warms at the praise. It's the first time she's heard such words from her father. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am merely doing my duty."

The emperor's eyes soften slightly, though his expression remains somewhat stiff. "You have shown wisdom and courage. It is not easy to confront such matters head-on."

Master Aldric nods in agreement. "Indeed, Your Highness. Your approach has been both strategic and compassionate."

Lexzandra feels a surge of pride. She realizes that earning the respect of the emperor and his trusted advisor is a significant step forward.

The emperor gives a small, almost imperceptible nod. "See that you do. Now, if there is nothing else, you may take your leave."

__

The night is silent, the palace shrouded in darkness, with only the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the windows. Lexzandra is deep in sleep, her mind restless. Her dream takes a dark turn as she finds herself running through an endless forest, shadows looming all around.

Her heart pounds in her chest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She can hear the footsteps behind her, heavy and relentless. Fear grips her as she glances back, seeing a dark figure gaining on her.

She pushes herself to run faster, but it feels like she's moving through thick syrup. The figure draws closer, a chilling presence that makes her skin crawl. She tries to scream, but no sound comes out.

Suddenly, the figure strikes her, a searing pain radiating through her body. She collapses to the ground, and darkness engulfs her.

Lexzandra wakes with a start, her body drenched in sweat, her heart racing. She sits up in bed, trembling, trying to steady her breath. The vividness of the nightmare leaves her shaken.

Ever since she became the princess, these nightmares have haunted her, each one more terrifying than the last. She has no idea why they keep happening, but they always leave her feeling exhausted and on edge.

Needing to clear her mind, Lexzandra throws off her covers and slips out of bed. She makes her way to the balcony, hoping the cool night air will calm her. She steps outside, the breeze gently tousling her hair. The vast expanse of the palace grounds stretches out below her, bathed in moonlight.

She takes a deep breath, feeling a bit of the tension leave her body.

As she stands there, trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmare, she senses a presence. Her eyes flick to her left, and she freezes.

There, in the shadows, a glowing figure hovers. Her eyes widen in horror, her heart leaping into her throat. She blinks, and the figure is gone. She stares at the spot, her mind racing. Was it a hallucination? The figure wasn't the same as the one in her dream, but the sight of it fills her with the same dread.

Lexzandra tries to calm herself, reasoning that it must be the stress of her new life and the nightmares affecting her mind. She closes her eyes, taking slow, deep breaths. When she opens them again, there's nothing there. Just the quiet night and the rustle of leaves in the breeze.

She stands on the balcony for a few more moments, allowing the cool air to soothe her frayed nerves.

She knows she needs to rest, to be ready for the challenges that tomorrow will bring, but sleep feels like a distant possibility now.

Reluctantly, she turns and goes back inside. She climbs into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. Her mind is still racing, but she forces herself to think of something calming.

She pictures the garden in full bloom, the vibrant colors of the flowers and the soothing sound of the fountain. Slowly, her body begins to relax, though the tension never fully leaves her.

As she drifts off to sleep, she can't shake the feeling that something isn't right. The nightmares, the hallucinations—there has to be a reason for them. But for now, all she can do is try to get some rest and hope that the next night will be better.

The darkness closes in again, but this time, she manages to slip into a dreamless sleep, her mind and body finally finding a brief respite from the horrors that haunt her.

The next morning dawns with the soft hues of dawn painting the sky in pastel shades of pink and orange. Lexzandra is going through her journal, keeping in check about the flow of the story when she hears a knock on the door.

As Elara enters her chambers with a tray of breakfast, Lexzandra's stomach grumbles in anticipation. However, her excitement quickly fades as she takes a hesitant bite of the dish before her—a simple omelette with herbs.

Her face scrunches up in disappointment as she chews the bland food. Despite the change in cooks, the lack of flavor remains unchanged. With a sigh, she sets down her fork, her appetite suddenly waning.

Elara notices the grimace on her face and inquires, "Is something wrong, Your Highness? Do you not like the food?"

Lexzandra shakes her head gently, a slight frown forming on her lips as she gazes down at the plate before her. "It's not that I dislike it, Elara," she explains softly, her tone thoughtful. "It's just… lacking, somehow. There's no depth of flavor, no excitement to tantalize the senses."

Elara's brow furrows in concern, her eyes reflecting her worry for the princess's dissatisfaction. "Should I have the cook prepare something else for you?" she asks.

Lexzandra considers for a moment before shaking her head. "No, that won't be necessary. I think it's time I take matters into my own hands."

Confused, Elara asks, "Pardon? Princess, what do you mean?"

Lexzandra do not reveal anything further and instead asks Elara to help her with the dress.

As Lexzandra and Elara descend the grand staircase, the servants in the palace are taken aback by the sight.

"Good Morning, everyone," she greets them with a smile. Shocked, it takes a moment for them to process and reply to her. It's not often they see the princess wandering about, especially not heading towards the kitchen. Lexzandra, however, seems unperturbed by the attention, her demeanor composed and determined.

Upon reaching the kitchen, Lexzandra pauses at the doorway, taking in the bustling activity within. The chef, a stout man with a flour-dusted apron, jumps at the sight of her, clearly surprised by her unexpected presence. He quickly wipes his hands on a nearby towel and straightens up, his expression a mix of confusion and apprehension.

Meanwhile, Elara, hovering just behind Lexzandra, watches the scene unfold with a mixture of curiosity and concern. She shoots a questioning glance at Lexzandra, silently urging her to explain her intentions. However, Lexzandra remains silent, her focus entirely on the chef before her.

 Lexzandra strides purposefully towards the chef, her steps deliberate and confident. She stops in front of him, towering over him slightly despite her petite stature, and meets his gaze with unwavering determination.

"Tell me, Chef," she begins, trying to intimidate him, "is cooking your passion?"

The chef blinks, taken aback by the directness of her question. He hesitates for a moment before nodding tentatively. "Yes, Your Highness," he replies, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Lexzandra nods, seemingly satisfied with his response. "Good," she says simply, before continuing, "Now, I require certain ingredients for a dish I have in mind. Fetch them for me."

The chef, still visibly nervous, nods quickly and scurries off to gather the requested ingredients. As he rushes about the kitchen, Lexzandra's gaze sweeps across the bustling room, taking note of the various pots simmering on the stoves and the tantalizing aromas that waft through the air.

Just then, the head maid enters the kitchen, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of the princess. "Your Highness," she begins, her tone a mixture of confusion and concern, "what are you doing here?"

Lexzandra turns towards her with a playful glint in her eyes, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Why, I'm here to teach the chef a lesson."