Chapter 67 The Saintesss Annoyance
Lysandra's room was too quiet. The scent of lilies from the crystal vase in the corner was heavy, cloying, filling up every inch of the space, but Lysandra liked it.
She sat in her chair, fiddling with an embroidery piece that just wouldn't get finished. The rose pattern should've been done by now, but her mind was drifting somewhere else entirely.
She'd felt like things had been weird lately. Everything just felt... empty.
Usually, by this time of day, Didier would've sent a message, or if not, he'd have snuck into the temple garden just to bring her sweets or say "good afternoon." But these past few days? Nothing. Silence. Just empty air.
Lysandra set her embroidery needle down. She let out a long breath, not a frustrated, explosive huff, but the breath of a girl who was just genuinely confused.
She'd heard the rumors. Palace whispers are impossible to kill. Didier, that prince who was usually so bright and brave, was currently being "kept" by the King. Locked in the palace by his own father. No leaving, no seeing anyone.
At first, she was actually thrilled when she heard Gisella had begged the King to call off the engagement. That's what she and Didier wanted, right? Gisella was just a fiancée.
Besides, in the past, Gisella and that friend of hers, Isle, were often cruel to her whenever they met. There was no way those two could be friends with someone like her. Gisella was just an obstacle. With her out of the picture, everything should've been smooth sailing, right?
But why was Didier pulling away?
Why didn't he come to her when he was upset? Usually, if he had a problem, he'd run straight to her.
Lysandra stared out the open window. The evening breeze blew in, tangling through her silky hair. She felt like something was off. Ever since that incident at the harbor last week, everything just felt... wrong.
Why did Didier have to start a fight when he saw Julian at the harbor? Why was Gisella even meeting with Julian that day?
Lysandra honestly couldn't wrap her head around it. It made her brain want to explode. Why were both of them, Didier and Julian, so obsessed with dealing with Gisella? Weren't they supposed to revolve around her?
Lysandra didn't mean to sound arrogant, but... well, wasn't that the truth? Who else would they worship if not the Saintess?
"Didier," she murmured softly. Her voice sounded so thin.
She genuinely missed him. She hated seeing Didier sad.
She was just... baffled. Why were they all acting like idiots, so tangled up with Gisella? What was even going through that girl's head? She was just a common noble who had just broken off her engagement anyway.
A knock at the door made her flinch. She immediately plastered on her softest smile, her face, which had looked a bit weary a second ago, transforming into a picture of calm, loving grace.
"Come in," she said.
Her young maid entered, looking hesitant. "Forgive me, Lady Lysandra. I brought your afternoon tea."
"Thank you," Lysandra replied sincerely. She looked at the maid with that gaze that made anyone feel appreciated. "How is it outside? Is there... is there any news about the Prince?"
The maid bowed, looking a bit fearful. "The Prince is still in the Palace, My Lady. The King is furious. No one is allowed in."
Lysandra felt a tightness in her chest. She nodded slowly. She desperately wanted to ask, Did the Prince mention my name? Does he miss me? But it felt wrong to keep asking that over and over.
As soon as the door closed, Lysandra's smile faded just a fraction. She stood up and walked to the large mirror in the corner. She studied her own reflection. She was beautiful, she was kind, she was pure. There shouldn't be a man alive who could turn her away. So why was everything like this?
She walked back to her table, sitting in front of her unfinished embroidery. She picked up her needle, but her hands were trembling. She accidentally pricked her finger. A tiny drop of blood appeared.
"Ow," she winced.
She stared at the blood. Why did it feel so sad?
She wanted everything to be like it was before. When Didier would visit constantly, Julian would look at her with awe. Instead of chasing after Gisella and all this mess.
Lysandra is just confused. She is just waiting. She will wait for Didier to realize, waiting for them all to come back to her side. Because, well, that's how it was supposed to be, right? They needed Lysandra. Lysandra was the sun in their lives.
She didn't know what else to do. She was truly at a dead end. She could only wait for news. Hoping the world wouldn't keep going crazy day by day. And she would wait, with the sweetest smile she could muster, until Didier finally realized who was actually worth having by his side.
Because she was sure they'd, Didier and Julian, come back to her. They had to.