Writing My Way Out

Chapter 5

Lena slowly roused from her slumber in the soft, afternoon sunlight, feeling slightly disoriented. Her eyes fluttered open, and she couldn't help but be startled by the realization that she had dozed off. The memory of her conversation with Lucian about finding Vida the night before weighed heavily on her, and it had evidently taken more out of her than she had thought. As she surveyed her room, Lena's internal monologue reflected her annoyance with herself, "Fell asleep talking to Lucian, great. Way to be vigilant."

Despite her unintended nap, the memory of her discussion with Lucian about finding Vida remained vivid in her mind. She had hoped to summon him today to begin their quest to find Vida, but, no matter how hard she concentrated, he was conspicuously absent. Lena couldn't help but wonder sarcastically if she needed to be in the bath for Lucian to make an appearance. Frustration simmered beneath her words, and she couldn't help but curse Lucian for his unpredictability.

Determined to shake off her annoyance, Lena swung her legs over the edge of the bed and got up. She began to tidy herself up, muttering self-deprecatingly, "Time to face the day, Lena."

Once she had refreshed herself, Lena made her way out of her room and down the corridors of the mansion. Lena understood her role in this peculiar world, yet to her surprise, she found that someone had already taken care of her usual duties. Isabelle had stepped in and fulfilled the responsibilities that Lena had grown accustomed to.

She could hear voices from outside and curiously peeked through a nearby window. Isabelle was hard at work, cleaning diligently. Catalina and Chattercup watched Isabelle closely, and the sight made Lena feel somewhat superfluous, as if her presence wasn't needed.

As she observed the scene, Lena couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh, muttering to herself, "Seems like Isabelle has it all under control today."

Catalina, noticing Lena's presence, approached her with a smile that seemed to hold hidden knowledge. Catalina engaged Lena in a soft conversation, "I've been trying to get her to stop, but she won't budge."

Lena nodded, appreciating Catalina's concern, but a hint of frustration crept into her voice as she replied, "Of course, she won't." It was clear to her that Isabelle was eager to prove herself, even without any prompting from the prince.

Thinking of the prince, Lena remembered that he was rarely seen outside, especially in the harsh sunlight. She decided it was time to check on him.

"Has the prince had his breakfast yet?" she asked Chattercup, who was perched nearby.

Chattercup, with his tiny saucer eyes, shook his head. "No."

Just as Lena was about to head to the kitchen to prepare a meal for the prince, Catalina suggested, "Maybe Isabelle should go check on him."

Lena raised an eyebrow at the idea, well aware of Catalina's ulterior motives. Despite her reservations, she agreed, understanding that this could be a chance for Isabelle to prove herself.

Catalina, with a seemingly clueless demeanor but a knowing smile directed at Lena, chimed in, "Yes, Isabelle. Why don't you go see if the prince needs anything?"

Isabelle, who had been cleaning, glanced between Catalina and Lena, a wary expression on her face. She greeted Lena but not with much enthusiasm, her weariness evident.

Lena decided to encourage Isabelle and asked her gently, "Isabelle, could you please take some food to the prince?" Isabelle hesitated for a moment but eventually shook her head, indicating that she was reluctant to do so.

Lena felt a pang of sympathy for the young woman and reassured her, "Isabelle, the prince may look intimidating, but he's not a bad person. Please, don't judge him solely by his appearance." The guilt of how Isabelle was treating the prince weighed on Lena's conscience.