(MY POV)
I heard him murmur, "Forgive me."
I opened my eyes and saw the blood staining his hands and garments.
In that instant, the flames returned to my mind.
The screams.
The smoke.
Then the nightmares followed.
The woman's face — bruised and broken.
The rose caught in the thorn bush.
My head began to spin.
The world blurred around me.
I rose to my feet, desperate to escape my own memories.
"Princess," I heard Tristan call.
I ignored his voice and continued walking.
Behind me, I heard him rise and follow.
Fear tightened within my chest.
I quickened my pace.
Then I tried to run.
But my strength failed me.
I slipped and fell to the ground.
Before I could move, Tristan was at my side.
He knelt beside me and placed his hand gently upon my shoulder.
"Princess… what troubles you?" he asked calmly.
"It is… quite messy in here," I said softly, pointing to my head.
"Nightmares of foreign things ,things I do not even know if they are mine — keep appearing."
I swallowed.
"Is this truly me?"
I looked into his eyes as my breathing grew uneven.
"I do not know what thoughts troubles you, nor the nightmares that haunt your rest," he said quietly. "But I know this — you are strong. Strong enough to face what you feel. You need not hide it. Do not flee from what is yours."
His voice remained calm.
"You will be well, Princess."
Then he drew me into an embrace.
At first, I stiffened.
Then slowly, I allowed myself to rest against him.
The trembling eased.
My breathing steadied.
The world around me began to blur, yet one thing remained certain….
I felt safe.
_
I slowly opened my eyes.
The first thing I noticed was the wooden ceiling above me, strange patterns carved carefully into each beam.
For a moment, I only stared at them.
Then the dull ache returned.
My hand rose to my head, and I felt the thick layer of bandage wrapped around it.
I pushed myself up slowly and looked around.
Everything felt unfamiliar.
The walls were wooden.. The room was small, simple and quiet.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed.
But the moment my feet touched the ground, they felt heavy and weak beneath me.
I sat back down.
I looked around once again and studied the room. Then suddenly, the door slowly creaked open.
I felt the presence of someone walking towards me, so I shifted my gaze toward the person.
"You are awake. You got me a little worried, Princess."
I stared at him, then I slowly shifted uncomfortably on the bed.
"Who are you?" I asked.
He stared at me for a moment.
"Do you truly not remember me, or are you trying to fool me?"
The young lad looked calm and a hint of worry lingered as he asked.
He stared at me one last time before leaving the room.
I tried to think.
I tried to remember him, but I could not.
Who was he truly? I wondered.
And who am I?
Why does everything seem empty?
The sound of the door opening pulled me from my thoughts.
An old man entered the room carrying several small bowls and strange instruments in his hands. The sight of them immediately made me uneasy.
The young man from earlier stepped in behind him.
"Who are you both?" I asked, keeping my guard up.
I tried to stand, but the old man quickly raised a hand.
"Calm yourself, young lady," he said gently. "I am a physician. I have been caring for you while you slept for four days."
My eyes widened.
"four?" I asked. "Why?"
"You were involved in an accident," the old man said as he walked toward me and began to examine me.
I stayed still, letting him check on me.
"You have lost your memory, young lady. Do not stress yourself trying to remember. They will return to you slowly, as they belong to you," he said.
Then he faced the young lad.
"It is only temporary."
"You may stay here and learn a little about yourself, but do not rush the process of remembering, young lady," the old man said, then quietly exited the room.
Silence settled immediately after his departure.
I stared at the young man before me and finally asked, "Who are you?"
He let out a soft sigh.
"It worries me… the amount of time it takes for you to discover my identity. If I am not mistaken, this is the third time I've had to do this. I thought I had left a lasting impression," he said calmly.
"I am Tristan Calverton—your soon-to-be husband."
A dry smile tugged at his lips as he finished speaking.
"Soon-to-be husband?" I thought, my mind spinning. I am engaged?
Was he lying?
Why would I ever choose him?
He did not seem jovial or kind; the smile he wore felt manipulative, almost deceptive.
Had he abducted me?
My thoughts raced—until his calm voice pulled me back to reality.
"I did not abduct you," he said, as though he could read my mind.
"How…?" I asked, startled.
"Your expression says it all," he replied lightly. "So… any more questions, love?"