Other writers: Responsibly sits down and plans/outlines their story in one setting.

Me: *wakes up at 2:00am with an idea*

*scrambles out of bed for a pen and paper to write it down*

*gets pen and paper*

"W-what was it again?"(；一_一)

ಠ_ಥ

**************************

'I'm tired.'

Once Chrysta left I was alone with my thoughts, which was very scary for me but I had to be brave and deal with them.

I couldn't help the feelings of listlessness and detachment from what was around me. I stood up and slowly walked to forget-me-not's, and once I got to them I plucked a few.

Everything felt so overwhelming, from having to come to terms with being dead, being in a foreign world, and death flags hiding secrets, seemed to surround me.

'I'm scared.' I couldn't stop my face from crumpling.

I was scared to make a mistake, and die again. Without realizing it I was balling my fist and my nails were digging into my palm.

'The old and ancient beast wants to devour the white pure rose and trample it's garden.' I looked out into the garden while remembering the warning.

Who was the ancient beast, and why did it wish to 'devour' me and trample my garden?

Was it all metaphorical or literal?

'I need to go to the library.' I needed to look at the history of the empire and the houses of the nobles. Maybe, my old nanny was connected to the 'ancient beast', the one trying to break Alina.

'But why did she leave? Why didn't they send more?' I had so many questions that weren't adding up. They were just leading me deeper into the terrifying labyrinth of unknowns. I was trying to be positive the whole time adjusting to being here, but I'm terrified. I had no one, I was alone, and the realization made me terrified.

I felt the urge to cry, I always held back the urge to cry as I knew they would not help my situation but this time I did not know if I could. My eyes started to water, but before they could fall a shadow fell over me from the side.

"Why are you here?" A deep voice asked in almost a growl. I immediately recognized the voice. I was surprised, so I turned to face him.

***

(Ethan POV)

I had finished dealing with paperwork of the dukedom. So I decided to head to the garden for a walk.

Seth came running to my room early yesterday morning to tell me Alina had lost consciousness. I had thought when she left the dinning room saying she didn't feel well was just an excuse to leave.

I thought her sudden change in behavior would stop after a while, but to my surprise she never went back to her antics. I didn't go to see her knowing it wouldn't be pleasant if she saw me and went back to her old ways.

My worry began to grow when she was still out for the whole day, and especially when I heard father raise his voice at Richard. I was thinking of seeing her this morning but Seth came to me after training saying Alina had woken up. He also said that father and everyone is hiding something about Alina.

'They know more than they are letting on.'

I knew they were keeping something under wraps. Father has always let Alina act the way she did for some reason he would not tell me.

I had asked him why the third time Alina had caused a serious dispute at a party, but he simply said there were things that I did not know and that I shouldn't question further.

I pushed off investigating the reason behind that, because her behavior wouldn't change even if I knew. But I couldn't just push this off, it was too serious judging from Alina's drastic change in behavior. I couldn't push away the memory of her crying that night, with the dread on her face.

Before I could dive further into my thoughts I saw Alina sitting at a table in the garden.

I don't know why but I hid and watched her.

She looked tired and sick, I felt my heart clutch at her gaunt figure. She sent her maid away, before standing up and walking toward the flowers blooming. She had an air of detachment surrounding her as she walked, as if she could disappear from the world at any moment.

She walked to the flowers and plucked a few while stroking the petals gently with her fingers. She stopped as her face suddenly crumpled, I was going to go to her thinking she was feeling unwell until I realized her expression wasn't of pain but complete and utter fear.

'Why? What is making her make such an expression?' My heart dropped to my stomach as I watched her expression and her dig her nails into her palm.

I felt annoyed at how I knew nothing and could do nothing for her. I held myself back from approaching her but once I saw the tears form I didn't think twice before rushing to her.

***

(Alina POV)

"Ethan?" I was struggling to hide the emotion that was consuming me earlier so my voice came out sounding meek.

"Why are you here, It hasn't been long since you've woken up." As he was asking, he was inspecting my face.

"I wanted some fresh air, Chrysta agreed as it would be good for my health." I felt flustered, but I quickly smiled warmly at him.

'He's just like the duke." I couldn't help but genuinely smile. He had a serious tone but I could tell he held no malice behind his words. If anything I was thankful as he had saved me from being swallowed by my emotions.

"I told Chrysta to prepare some tea, would you like to have some with me." His presence was saving me from my own emotions, I honestly did not want him to leave.

He did not answer, but just held his hand out to me.

I was confused, did he want something?

"Hand." He said like and order but I could tell that was just his personality. I realized that he was offering to escort me much like Chrysta did for me since I was sick.

"Thank you." I couldn't stop the smile blooming on my face, the stuffy feeling in my chest appeared once more but again I didn't hate it.

He walked slowly so I could walk comfortably, it was awkward for him since he was many times bigger than me. I couldn't help but chuckle at how he was accommodating for me.

He sharply turned his head to me with a questioning look.

"It's nothing, I just never thought I would be here like this with you. Not in a bad way of course, I enjoy it." I quickly answered his questioning look, and explained it so he couldn't misunderstand from the past strained relationship between him and the original Alina.

"Is that so." He mumbled while turning his head back.

It would be an understatement to say he is man of few words. Before the silence could turn awkward, we arrived at the table and sat down. He looked as if he was about to ask something but Chrysta came out with tea and snacks to go with it.