A message was sent to the king from his research previously about Ryker's power at the library,shortly after calling Ayla to have dinner.
After some searching, they found a small, hidden room deep in the library. Inside, they found a series of old journals belonging to a man. A man in the Late Queens family who had powers of foresight, but it was many generations ago. The king began to read them, learning more about his ancestor's powers and how he used them to help the kingdom.
As he reads, the king starts to realize that Ryker powers may be more similar to this man's than he initially thought. He decides that he needs to talk to Ryker and learn more about what he's experiencing. He closes the journal and waited for them to join him at dinner,determined to support his son and help him understand his powers.
As the princess and prince Ryker walked to the dining hall, the princess looked at Ryker with a curious expression. You didn't answer my question, she says. What did you want to tell me that morning?
Ryker looked at her, then looked away.
It was nothing important, he said. Just...just something I was thinking about.
The princess looked at him skeptically, but she didn't press the issue.
They arrive at the dining hall, and the king was already seated at the head of the table. Rainer is not there, and the princess looked around curiously. Where is Prince Rainer? she asked.
The king looked at her with a serious expression. Rainer is...indisposed, he said. He will join us later.
The princess looked at the king, her eyes filled with concern. Indisposed? she asked. What does that mean?
The king sighs and looked at her.
Rainer has been...distracted lately, he said. He's been spending a lot of time with Lady Calantha, and it's been causing some problems.
The princess's eyes widen in shock.
Calantha? she asked But...but she's your...
The king holds up a hand, interrupting her. I know, he says. It's not a good situation. But we'll deal with it later. For now, let's just focus on getting you well again.
The princess looked at the king, then at Ryker, who is avoiding her eyes. She seems to sense that there is more to the story, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she sits down and begins to eat, her mind racing with questions and concerns.
As they eat, the princess can't help but notice the tension in the air. The king is quiet and somber, and Ryker is avoiding her eyes. She tried to make conversation, but it's stilted and uncomfortable.
Just as they're finishing up, the door bursts open and Rainer walked in. He looks disheveled and distracted, and the princess's heart sinked when she saw him. He barely even noticed her, and instead goes straight to the king.
Father, I need to talk to you, he says. It's urgent.
The king looks up at him, his expression serious. What is it, Rainer? he asked.
Rainer glances at the princess, then back at the king. It's about Lady Calantha, he said. She's...she's in trouble.
The king's expression darkens. What kind of trouble? he asked.
Rainer hesitates, looking at the princess again. She's...she's been accused of something,
The princess's eyes widen in shock.
Accused of what? she asks.
Rainer looked at her, his expression unreadable. Poisoning you, he said quietly.
The princess's eyes widen in shock, and she looked at the king. Is this true? she asked.
The king nods gravely. Yes, it's true, he said. We've had reports that Calantha was seen with a vial of poison around the time you fell ill.
The princess looks stunned. But...but why? she asks. Why would she do that?
Rainer shakes his head. I don't know, he said. But I know she didn't do it. She's innocent.
The king sighs. We'll investigate further, he said. But for now, let's just focus on getting to the bottom of who's spreading the rumors.
Rainer nods and turns to leave, but then he stood midway before turning back.
Rainer looked at Ayla, his expression uninterested. What happened to your hair? he asked. Trying to get attention or something?
The princess is taken aback by his rudeness. I...I don't know what happened to it,It was like this when I woke up.
Rainer shrugs. Weird, he said.
Maybe you should call the doctor or something.
Ayla looked at him, hurt by his callousness. Rainer, what's wrong with you? she asked,Why are you being so rude? You don't even look happy to see me awake.
Rainer looked at her, his expression unchanging. What's there to be happy about? he asked. You've been asleep for almost a year. Things have changed.
Tears welling up in her eyes. You're not even happy to see me? You don't even seem bothered that I was asleep for so long.
Rainer shrugs. What's done is done, You're awake now. Great. But like I said, things have changed. You need to get used to it.
The princess looks at him, her heart breaking. What's happened to you, Rainer? You're not the man I married, now you're concerned about Calantha who might Likely be responsible for my poisoning.
Rainer's expression darkened,slams his hand on the table, making everyone jump. How dare you accuse Calantha of such a thing! he thunders. She's innocent, and I won't let you slander her name like this!
Princess Ayla looked at him, her eyes flashing with anger.
I'm not slandering anyone. The evidence points to her, and you know it. You're just too blinded by your feelings for her to see the truth.
Rainer's face turns red with rage. How dare you, he said. You're just jealous because I've moved on from you.
Rainer turned and walked away, leaving the princess feeling shocked and hurt. She looked at the king and Ryker, but they both seem at a loss for words. She pushes her chair back and stands up, storming out of the room and back to her own chambers.
Once she was alone, she bursts into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
She can't believe what just happened. She thought that Rainer would be happy to see her, that he would be relieved that she was okay. But instead, he was cold and distant, and he even accused her of being jealous of his relationship with Calantha.
She throws herself onto her bed, crying into her pillow. She felt like her heart is breaking, like everything she thought she knew about her husband and her marriage was a lie.
After a while, the princess's tears begin to subside, and she lies there on her bed, feeling empty and alone.
She got up and walked over to the window, looking out at the kingdom below. She felt like a stranger in her own home, like everything has changed while she was asleep. She wonders what else has happened while she was away, what other secrets her husband and the people around her might be keeping from her.
As she stands there, lost in thought, there is a knock at the door. She turned and saw Ryker standing in the doorway, looking at her with concern. Ayla, are you okay? he asked.
I'm fine. Just...just leave me alone.
Ryker hesitated, then stepped into the room. Ayla, I know things seem really messed up right now. But we'll figure everything out. I promise.
Ayla looked at him, her eyes searching his face. Do you know something? she asked. Something about Rainer and Calantha?
Ryker looked at her, then looked away. I...I don't know what you're talking about, he said.
The princess looked at him, her eyes narrowing. Don't lie to me, Ryker,I know you know something. Tell me what's going on.
Ryker looked at her, then looked away. I...I don't know what you're talking about, he said.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. The princess's maid, entered the room.
Oh, my lady! she exclaims. You're awake! I'm so glad to see you.
The princess looked at her, a small smile on her face. Hello, Sophia,It's good to see you too.
Sophia curtsies. It's time for your bath, my lady, I've drawn the water and everything is ready.
Thank you, sophia,I'll be right there.
sophia curtsies again and leaves the room.
Ayla looked at Ryker. You should go,We can talk more later.