The surviving princess {Liskook}

chapter 39

Lisa had slept all day. She barely touched her lunch before returning to bed, and when she woke for dinner, she wouldn’t even touch the veal. Jungkook was worried as he watched her sit there, lost in thought, until the servant came to clear away the untouched meal.

“Are you alright?” Jungkook asked.

“Yes,” she replied, but she still looked unsettled.

Jungkook let out a long sigh. “I should have taken you out of the room yesterday.”

“No. I’m used to seeing people covered in blood. I am, but…”

She mumbled weakly, “There are too many voices in my head. I want to erase them.”

Then she began shaking her head nervously. Jungkook quickly pulled her into a comforting embrace.

“Shh. It’s alright. It’s alright,” he whispered, lifting her up in his arms.

“A bit of fresh air might help,” he said, carrying her to the balcony. The sky was already dark, the long dinner having dragged on until nightfall.

It was early July, and the warm summer breeze was thick and heavy. Jungkook realized it was the first time they had been out on the balcony together.

He sat down on a chair on the terrace, holding Lisa close. Looking up, he saw the night sky, dark as ink, with faintly twinkling stars.

“Look. The moonlight is bright tonight,” he said.

“……”

Lisa remained silent. Jungkook rested his chin on her head and spoke softly, “Are your thoughts still in turmoil?”

“Yes.”

“When that happens, there is something you can do. First, close your eyes.”

This was a technique he used to calm his younger sister, Rosie, when they were children. It might seem childish to his wife, but he hoped it would help.

“Now, can you see the darkness? Imagine that darkness is filled with all your thoughts.”

“Alright,” she responded, her tone uncertain.

“Now, fold them up one by one.”

“How do I fold them?” she asked, sounding confused.

Glancing down, Jungkook saw her frowning instead of imagining the process. Smiling, he gently rubbed the furrow between her brows.

“Just imagine folding them up. It’s all in your mind.”

“How many times do I fold them?”

“Keep folding until they’re all crumpled up and small enough to fit in a pocket. Do you see them all folded up?”

“…Yes.”

“Now, imagine putting that pocket far away.”

His memories drifted to his younger sister, Rosie, who used to rely on him in place of their stern father and bedridden mother.

The little pocket used to hold scary dreams and minor worries for his sister. What could be filling Lisa’s pocket right now?

“How do you feel?” Jungkook asked gently.

“……”

“No use, huh? Let’s see.”

He had never tried so hard to comfort someone before, so he was naturally clumsy at it. Pondering ways to distract her, Jungkook muttered to himself, “Stories about constellations might not work.”