Chapter 344.1
Meeting with Mara had been surprisingly delightful, yet Eugene couldn’t shake the creeping sense of nervousness that had settled in without her even realizing it. The following day, she found herself confined to her bed, battling a relentless high fever.
Throughout that day, courtiers loitered within the queen’s chambers, their respite continually interrupted by the king’s persistent messenger. It seemed that just as they were poised to conclude their responses, the messenger would materialize behind them, gently tapping their shoulders and inquiring, “How is the queen?” This cycle repeated so often that the courtiers began to feel as if they were ensnared in an unending ordeal.
However, the ceaseless visits from the messenger were not the sole intrusion. The king’s own appearances became increasingly frequent as well. Some of the courtiers whispered amongst themselves, remarking that they had encountered the king more times in a single day than throughout their entire lifetimes.
The atmosphere within the palace remained tense as Eugene’s fever persisted, stretching into a full day. And even after that, she remained bedridden for an additional two days. Marianne gazed at her with eyes that seemed on the verge of tears, pleading for more rest, though negotiation was out of the question.
Though she concealed it well, Eugene couldn’t help but think that the reactions surrounding her were excessive. I’ve heard that experiencing a fever during pregnancy is normal. It’s not as if I’m boiling hot, she mused inwardly.
Eugene felt a twinge of embarrassment witnessing the way people treated her like fragile glass. It was a peculiar sensation, grappling with the unfamiliarity of how to navigate her own body. Yet, despite the awkwardness, she couldn’t deny that she didn’t entirely dislike it.
After three long days, Eugene finally regained her freedom and rushed to the place that had been her constant yearning. As she gazed down upon the bustling city and the majestic palace from her elevated perch, she couldn’t help but be entranced. It was here that she had met Elber, even if it had been in a dream, a vivid fantasy that blurred the lines between reality and imagination.
Elber had once told her that those who request a visit subconsciously choose the place where they feel most comfortable and secure. Eugene’s affection for this spot extended beyond its picturesque beauty. It carried with it a childlike sense of ownership, a place where she could revel in her solitude. But as she recalled Elber’s words while surveying the expansive landscape, each scene took on a profound significance. A surge of emotions overwhelmed her, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Now, I’ll spend my whole life gazing upon this view, and one day, I’ll rest in this very land,” Eugene thought, the notion of having a lifelong home feeling strangely comforting. The once unfamiliar and intimidating desert kingdom had unexpectedly become her sanctuary.