Eternal

Chapter X - Hygge

Hygge – (n) a warm and cozy feeling that washes over you; it needs to be experienced to be known.

Origin – Norwegian

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Adelaide woke up with a gasp. Her eyes glanced at the moon peeking from behind the curtains and causing dread to pool up in her stomach. The light of the full moon winked at her, alerting Adelaide of what was to come. She could feel herself burning up as heat spread all over her body. Sweat was starting to gather across her forehead and discomfort was beginning to set in. Her panicked eyes searched around the room for something to ease herself with when they fell on the bathroom's closed door.

Adelaide pushed the covers from her over-heated body and stood on shaky feet. Her hand shot out to hold onto the nearby dresser as her legs buckled under her weight, but she managed to straighten herself and walk with difficulty to the bathroom.

Her cries were becoming louder as the heat waves were becoming more and more intense. She tried her best to push forward and towards the shower stall at the corner of the room.

Adelaide suddenly wished she was back home and that none of the recent events happened. Adjusting was hard when she was the outsider. None of their customs matched her people's, and it was simple things that frustrated her the most.

The other day she tried to place some Snapdragon flowers she ordered inside her room, yet, one of the maids freaked out and told her that they never place these flowers inside. She said that their customs and beliefs refused to acknowledge these plants as anything but dishonourable and sinful. She had no choice but to throw them away.

Now, in the middle of her pain, all she wanted was to be with her mother, and held in her father's safe arms. She didn't want to be sitting alone, crying under the cold water that rained down at her. She wanted to be home.

Adelaide leaned her head on the top of her legs as she got accustomed to the lowering temperature of her body, but her comfort didn't last for long. Waves stronger than the last seemed to hit her out of nowhere, and caught by surprise, a scream tore from Adelaide's throat at the piercing pain that consumed her. She could feel the scorching heat travelling through her insides, causing a frightful burn to settle. She could barely hear her own screams from the fog that was clouding her mind. She didn't even notice the set of feet rushing towards her.

Everything was a blur, and Adelaide's mind could not comprehend what was happening around her. She could hear the voices surrounding her, but for the life of her, she could not understand a word being said. Every touch on her body was like a flame of fire, and it only caused her to cry more. At some point, she found herself backing away into the corner while covering her body as much as she can. She couldn't bear to think of the pain that another skin contact would bring her. She was holding on by a thin thread, and any minute, Adelaide was sure that she would pass out. She could only stand this suffering so much.

The voices around her dimmed, and the pain lessened slightly, causing her hazy focus to return. A set of feet was walking quickly towards her, and the closer they came, the more that the pain lessened. She briefly wondered who was approaching, but her unfocused eyes couldn't make out the owner of the silhouette coming closer. Adelaide almost cried in relief when hands touched her, and the pain considerably decreased. She still was unable to concentrate clearly, but she could barely feel the heat that engulfed her body a few seconds prior.

The hands that held Adelaide moved her body slightly, and with minimal effort, they carried her bridal-style out of the bathroom. The princess could feel her body relaxing progressively, and eventually, her exhausted body caused her to drift off into the darkness, feeling safer than ever.

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Her aching bones were the first thing Adelaide noticed as she started coming back into consciousness. She could faintly remember the events of last night, but her memory was hazy. All she could remember was the fire that rushed through her veins and the retreating pain as she blacked out; nothing else.

She briefly wondered if Theodore came to her rescue, but quickly dismissed the thought. He wasn't one for such sentiments and emotions; she would know. He wouldn't come to her rescue, not that she needed him to. Adelaide handled worse and she still survived.

She was pulled from her thoughts when a voice entered the fog that somehow still clouded her head. "Good. You're awake."

It was the same man that greeted her when she passed out the first time at the castle. However, she didn't know anything about him; only that he was always by the king's side.

"My name is Tomas. I'm the beta of the kingdom." The man, Tomas, continued.

Her mind was swirling with questions.

Why was he here? Was he inside the room the whole time I was out?

"You must be confused." Tomas carried on, as though he read her mind, which she was sure he didn't. Yes, lycans were superior to them, but they did not develop those abilities yet. "King Theodore posted me as your guard last night. He saw your state and was aware you couldn't be trusted alone."

Adelaide was gaping like a fish. She didn't get a word out ever since she found him standing by the doors, which she now noticed as her own.

And what did the beta mean when he said that Theodore saw her state? Was he here last night? Was she awake, or was she crying out in pain and didn't notice him?

She had no idea what happened, but one thought was running in her mind on repeat. It might make her sound desperate for him and his attention, but she couldn't contain the joy that filled her heart when she realized what Tomas insinuated.

He was here. Theodore came when she needed him the most, and even though he left her, Adelaide was irrationally satisfied and happy.

He came.