Beyond Destiny ~ A Saga Of Timeless Love

05 ~ Midnight

"I am not staring at you, I am staring at the most peaceful sight to my eyes."

Ruhanika

A week has passed since that occurrence. Maya made sure I did not come into contact with any other royals after that incident. It was the dullest week of my life—I promise—working with the head chef and the cleaning crew. Despite the monotony, I was surprisingly successful in my quest to learn more about the history of the kingdom and the royal family. The head chef, a vibrant woman in her early fifties, took a liking to me. She had a wealth of knowledge and eagerly shared stories about the kingdom’s past, its customs, and the nuances of royal life.

Her stories painted a vivid picture of the kingdom's glorious history, filled with tales of valor, intrigue, and romance. I learned about the founding families, the legendary battles fought for honor, and the bonds forged in times of strife. The depth of her knowledge made me feel connected to this world, as if I were woven into the very fabric of its history. Yet, amidst these enlightening discussions, there remained a heavy emptiness in my heart—an ache for something beyond the routine tasks I performed day in and day out.

As the week dragged on, I hadn’t had the opportunity to slip into the prince's chamber, which left me with a nagging sense of longing. I found myself wondering about him constantly—what he was doing, whether he thought of me, and what his life entailed when he wasn’t amidst royal duties. It was already midnight, and I found it impossible to fall asleep. I tossed and turned, the events of the past week swirling in my mind like a tempest, ultimately culminating in a sigh of frustration.

With a sigh, I reached for my phone, the one thing that could keep me distracted at times like these. Of course, it was completely dead. No battery, no signal, no light—utterly useless. Great. I groaned, sinking deeper into the bed, frustrated. How on earth did people live before phones, Wi-Fi, laptops—before any of this technology? I couldn't imagine it.

A ridiculous thought popped into my mind. Maybe I should invent something... solve this ancient problem. My consciousness mocked me immediately, the sarcasm in my own voice almost tangible. Right, like I could do that.

I threw my phone back on the bedside table, not quite hard enough to break it, but with just enough force to express my annoyance. What now? I glanced around the dim room, searching for anything, anything at all, to distract myself from the gnawing restlessness.

The room felt smaller somehow, like the walls were closing in. I knew it was just my mind playing tricks, but still, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped in this timeless limbo. Is this how people lived before distractions? I wondered, a sudden wave of empathy for anyone who'd lived in a time without instant access to... everything.

Deciding I needed a break from my restless thoughts, I got up to fetch some water from the kitchen, since the jug in my room was empty. As I walked through the darkened hallways, the stillness of the castle enveloped me, and I felt a sense of freedom in the quiet.

After filling my glass, I noticed the royal garden just outside the kitchen window, illuminated softly by the moonlight. A sense of curiosity pulled me toward it. Nature had always captivated me; the lush foliage and vibrant flowers had a way of soothing my restless spirit. In the past, I had often found solace in the natural world, and tonight felt like the perfect opportunity to reconnect with that feeling.

As I stepped into the garden, I was struck by its beauty. The full moon hung high in the sky, casting its silver glow across the landscape. The moonlight shimmered on the dew-kissed petals, making the flowers appear to dance gently in the breeze. The stars twinkled overhead, as if they were sharing in the magic of the night. Each element of the garden seemed to come alive under the celestial light, creating a breathtaking scene that demanded my attention.