The next morning, Leticia awoke feverish, her body aching and her head heavy. Despite feeling unwell, an important meeting with the royal counselors awaited her.
"Your Highness, you're burning with fever!" exclaimed Dagmar, touching Leticia's forehead with concern. "You should be resting!"
"I have an important meeting, I cannot miss it," Leticia replied firmly, though her voice sounded weak.
As she walked down the corridor, dizziness suddenly struck her. Her vision darkened, and she staggered, about to fall. At the last moment, strong arms caught her. It was Aleph.
He supported her gently, noticing her panting breath and the intense blush on her cheeks, which, somehow, made her even more beautiful. Worried, he touched her forehead.
"You're burning with fever, Princess!" he exclaimed. "You need to rest."
Leticia, conscious of being in Aleph's arms, gently pulled away, trying to regain her composure.
"I'm fine," she insisted, though her voice failed her. "The meeting is too important to be postponed because of a simple fever."
Aleph, however, knew it was no simple fever. His touch had revealed an alarming temperature. He watched Leticia walk away, taking a deep breath and entering the meeting room as if nothing were wrong. He admired her willpower but also worried about her stubbornness.
"Does she really have to do all this for the Kingdom? To think of them before herself," Aleph thought, with a mix of admiration and indignation. "A kingdom that offers her up as a bargaining chip to gain commercial advantages..."
In the meeting, the counselors were discussing Prince Ryuuji's demand: Leticia was to depart for the Autumn Kingdom in two weeks. The news of the kidnapping had reached the prince's ears, and he had interpreted it as a personal affront and a threat to the marriage agreement. He had threatened the Winter Kingdom with serious consequences should anything happen to his future bride.
"I don't understand Prince Ryuuji's demands..." one of the counselors grumbled. "We are the ones who benefit most from this agreement. Why would we want it to be undone?"
"Perhaps he fears we won't honor our part of the deal," suggested another.
"There are countless women in the Autumn Kingdom. Why does he insist so much on Princess Leticia?" questioned a third, casting an appreciative glance at Leticia. "Though she is particularly radiant today..." he thought.
"He gains nothing from this marriage besides... the union itself," a fourth counselor pondered.
"Perhaps it's a requirement from King Ryuuichi for Ryuuji's succession to the throne," speculated a fifth. "After all, the agreement was made with the former kings."
The discussion dragged on without reaching a conclusion. King Hayden, impatient, intervened.
"Prince Ryuuji's motivation doesn't matter," he declared firmly. "What matters is that he signs the contract and provides us with the promised assistance."
Laurenn, sitting with his arms crossed, observed the scene with disapproval.
"They only think about deals and benefits, ignoring the sacrifice Leticia is making for the kingdom," he thought, casting a worried glance at his sister. "She seems different today. Is she feeling alright?"
Leticia raised her hand, asking to speak.
"This marriage was an agreement made by my mother, Queen Elyza, with the Autumn Kingdom," she said, her voice firm. "Regardless of the circumstances, I will honor her decision. I have already found a knight to accompany me and ensure my safety during the journey. Therefore, there is no reason for concern. The alliance will be realized."
The counselors applauded Leticia's words. Hayden, with a nod, dismissed her from the meeting.
"Better to dismiss her before she starts defending the kingdom's interests like Elyza used to," Hayden thought, irritated.
"Majesty," one of the counselors interjected, "speaking of marriage, when will the union of Prince Laurenn and Lady Rachel be made official?"
"The later, the better," Hayden thought, but he replied aloud: "They are still getting to know each other. We will wait for the moment when both feel ready to make the commitment. Isn't that right, Laurenn?"
Laurenn, unable to openly defy the king, confirmed with a nod. The counselors, representing different areas of the kingdom, argued heatedly about the economy, security, and agriculture. Laurenn, full of innovative ideas, longed to contribute his proposals, certain they could benefit the kingdom. For every problem presented, he formulated efficient solutions, but his attempts to express himself were either ignored by the counselors or interrupted by King Hayden, who treated him with indifference and disdain. Laurenn's frustration grew with each passing minute.
Outside the meeting room, Aleph waited patiently for Leticia. As soon as she appeared, he immediately noticed her fragility. The fever had worsened, consuming her last reserves of energy. Without hesitation, Aleph took her into his arms.
"Despite the fever, she pushes herself to the limit for a kingdom that doesn't deserve her," Aleph thought, a pang in his heart. "The journey to the Autumn Kingdom will be dangerous. I cannot leave her unprotected. I must protect her."
Aleph delivered Leticia into the care of her ladies-in-waiting, who were startled by the worsening of her condition. Upon hearing the news, Laurenn rushed to his sister's chambers, bringing the royal physician with him. He felt guilty for what had happened, knowing that Leticia had ventured into the cold night to look for him.
With the fever controlled by medication, Leticia slept deeply. Laurenn sat on the edge of the bed, took her hand gently, and brought it to his face.
"Get well soon, Leticia," he whispered affectionately. "I can't stand to see you sick. The possibility of losing another family member terrifies me."