(Azari's pov)
His humor, though subtle and unexpected, eased something within me.
He was not particularly expressive… yet somehow, he still managed to make me laugh.
And for a little while
I forgot.
I forgot the dream.
The fear.
The woman.
"Princess, I shall be leaving now," he said.
My gaze remained fixed on him.
"Will you return?" I asked, unable to keep the curiosity from my voice.
"Yes," he replied.
"Someone will stand guard outside this chamber. If you require anything, request it from him," he said before leaving the room.
And just like that… he was gone.
I sighed deeply.
He had assigned me a guard…
Yet failed to mention the guard's name.
How remarkably like Tristan.
I sat quietly at the edge of the bed, staring at absolutely nothing.
For once… I had no desire to try to stand.
Falling once had been enough.
I preferred not to repeat such embarrassment.
Time passed by fast, and I began to think to distract myself from this dreadful silence.
What was I truly like?
Was I rude…?
Or perhaps I was one of those unbearably arrogant princesses people tolerated only out of obligation.
Was I quiet and reserved?
Or had I once enjoyed the company of maids, guards, and nobles alike?
Perhaps… I truly was a princess.
The old physician had called us both "Your Highnesses," and that hardly seemed like the sort of title one used carelessly.
I was likely of noble birth.
"Princess Azari…" I murmured softly to myself.
The title sounded oddly delightful.
I smiled faintly before falling silent once more.
After a while, I lifted a hand to my head. Thick bandages were still wrapped firmly around it.
The pain had not fully faded.
And after the dream…
My head felt strangely heavy, as though the memories themselves were pressing against my mind, desperate to be remembered.
The pain had seemed almost nonexistent this morning while Tristan and I spoke.
Perhaps the conversation had distracted me from my thoughts..
"Azari…" I murmured softly, repeating the name as though it might somehow answer the questions within me.
A knock suddenly sounded at the door.
I stared toward it uncertainly.
How exactly was one meant to respond to knocks?
Was I supposed to ask who stood outside… or simply say something composed and important the way Tristan did?
Another knock interrupted my thoughts before I could decide.
"You may enter," I said at last, shamelessly borrowing Tristan's exact words from earlier.
The door creaked open, and a young man stepped inside before bowing respectfully.
"Good day, Your Highness," he greeted.
"Good day," I replied politely.
Then, after a brief pause, I added sincerely, "Do you require something?"
"His Highness instructed me to remain on guard outside your chamber and check on you frequently to ensure no harm comes to you," he explained calmly, his posture perfectly straight.
"I am fine," I said with a small smile.
After a moment of silence, I looked at him again.
"Have you truly been standing outside this chamber the entire time?" I asked curiously.
"Yes, Your Highness," he answered immediately. "Your safety is important."
The response came so smoothly it sounded rehearsed.
I studied him quietly afterward.
He appeared young—far younger than I expected for someone assigned to guard royalty. Yet despite that, there was a certain strength and composure about him.
And admittedly… he was rather charming with his short black hair and calm expression.
"Sit," I said suddenly.
"I refuse, Your Highness," he said firmly.
"What if it were an order?" I asked, doubting my own authority, as I was truly unsure of what power I actually held.
"His Highness would be displeased to find me sitting within your chambers, Your Highness," he replied once more, his tone firm and unwavering.
It was beginning to concern me just how disciplined Tristan's people were.
"Very well," I conceded. "Then you may continue standing."
I paused briefly before looking at him with open curiosity.
"But I do wish to ask you a few questions."
"As you wish, Your Highness," he replied, his posture remaining unshaken.
"What position does Tristan hold?" I asked, staring at him.
"His Highness is the King of Aurelis, Your Highness," he answered, respect evident in his voice.
I paused.
King?
Why did I not think of him as a king? I assumed he was merely a prince or noble.
But a king?
So… I had spoken to a king like that?
I closed my eyes and slowly lowered myself back onto the bed in embarrassment.
I may have had no memory, but I knew kings were meant to be respected.
And were they not also supposed to be old? Tristan barely appeared to be in his mid-twenties.
Was I expected to bow whenever he entered now?
Call him "Your Highness"?
For some reason… the thought made everything between us feel strangely different.