After that day, Alessandra had never been the same. Alessandra was really optimistic about Adrian's return, but everything in the court had changed after he left. Her hopes of learning more and becoming more intellectual vanished after the first two weeks, she really tried to keep up with reading and the impossible tasks assigned to her by Hye Jin, but she had grown too exhausted to function on both and had to then put her reading on pause. She tried speaking to Prince Adam about it, but he, too, changed. He was not the same. He had avoided Alessandra most days, and other days when he came in contact with her, it was either in a very cold matter with little to no words, or a very harsh attitude. He had stopped spending time with her entirely and instead spent most of his time with Hye Jin. While Alessandra slaved away to finish Hye Jin's tasks, she still prayed with all her heart for Adrian's return, for it to be soon and for him to be safe. None of that came true. The first month passed-- Month and a week, month and two weeks, and still no news about the nation's Crown Prince. Alessandra had grown worried over Adrian. Had he already left? For good?
Adrian was not the only thing making her worried. Her mother had also gotten a lot worse, and her father had started borrowing again. Alessandra tried to send them the money she had earned, but she wasn't sure if they had gotten the money or not. No more letters were exchanged. Alessandra doubted Hye Jin had a hand in that, but nevertheless stayed silent. Alessandra's outgoing spirit and free tongue had toned down horribly as she grew more tired by the day. She had almost stopped eating as the third month of Adrian's disappearance. Her hair was falling out so bad that she had cut it short, something she had never done, her body was growing frail, but it didn't make much difference to anyone. Neither Adam or anyone else tried to keep Hye Jin off her back.
Alessandra had grown to suspect Adam's weird ways. Why had he changed? Why was he spending time with such a harsh woman? Why didn't he stand up for her like he did in front of his own brother?
Although Alessandra had stopped reading, stopped exploring, even stopped eating, she was found most free times in the stable. Then was the only proof that Alessandra was still functioning well. She had taken care of every and each horse herself, with the help of Rean of course. She was usually then talking let it be to Rean or the horses. Most times she talked of Adrian and her expecting him anytime soon. By the third month, she had grown completely silent. Grooming the horses was therapeutic to her, but it wasn't enough.
Alessandra heaved out a shaky breath as she finished sewing the dress Hye Jin had ordered. Alessandra tried telling her that it was not her specialization to do so, but Hye Jin wouldn't have it. She had ripped it apart each time Alessandra had presented it. The old Alessandra would have typically bit Hye Jin's head off, but instead, Alessandra would pick up the pieces and start all over again.
She rested her back on the back of the bed as she closed her eyes tiredly.
''God, if you would just please, please, return Adrian back to the castle. and please just help my family, I promise I will never ask for anything again. Please.'' She mumbled as the tears stung her eyes, but she never let them out. There was no need to cry over things that were lost causes.
Alessandra got off her bed and headed toward the balcony where she guessed Hye Jin would be at the time having her evening tea. Alessandra walked in with the black, supposedly simple, dress for at least the tenth time, hoping that this time Hye Jin wouldn't find any minor flaw. She had made sure there were no extra threads, no hair, no fold was on the dress. She made sure the measurements were right at least three times before sewing it all together.
Alessandra gently set the dress in front of Hye Jin with no words as her dull blue eyes scanned the princess for any form of content.
One more thing, God, please. Take away this snake.
Adrian was not the only thing making her worried. Her mother had also gotten a lot worse, and her father had started borrowing again. Alessandra tried to send them the money she had earned, but she wasn't sure if they had gotten the money or not. No more letters were exchanged. Alessandra doubted Hye Jin had a hand in that, but nevertheless stayed silent. Alessandra's outgoing spirit and free tongue had toned down horribly as she grew more tired by the day. She had almost stopped eating as the third month of Adrian's disappearance. Her hair was falling out so bad that she had cut it short, something she had never done, her body was growing frail, but it didn't make much difference to anyone. Neither Adam or anyone else tried to keep Hye Jin off her back.
Alessandra had grown to suspect Adam's weird ways. Why had he changed? Why was he spending time with such a harsh woman? Why didn't he stand up for her like he did in front of his own brother?
Although Alessandra had stopped reading, stopped exploring, even stopped eating, she was found most free times in the stable. Then was the only proof that Alessandra was still functioning well. She had taken care of every and each horse herself, with the help of Rean of course. She was usually then talking let it be to Rean or the horses. Most times she talked of Adrian and her expecting him anytime soon. By the third month, she had grown completely silent. Grooming the horses was therapeutic to her, but it wasn't enough.
Alessandra heaved out a shaky breath as she finished sewing the dress Hye Jin had ordered. Alessandra tried telling her that it was not her specialization to do so, but Hye Jin wouldn't have it. She had ripped it apart each time Alessandra had presented it. The old Alessandra would have typically bit Hye Jin's head off, but instead, Alessandra would pick up the pieces and start all over again.
She rested her back on the back of the bed as she closed her eyes tiredly.
''God, if you would just please, please, return Adrian back to the castle. and please just help my family, I promise I will never ask for anything again. Please.'' She mumbled as the tears stung her eyes, but she never let them out. There was no need to cry over things that were lost causes.
Alessandra got off her bed and headed toward the balcony where she guessed Hye Jin would be at the time having her evening tea. Alessandra walked in with the black, supposedly simple, dress for at least the tenth time, hoping that this time Hye Jin wouldn't find any minor flaw. She had made sure there were no extra threads, no hair, no fold was on the dress. She made sure the measurements were right at least three times before sewing it all together.
Alessandra gently set the dress in front of Hye Jin with no words as her dull blue eyes scanned the princess for any form of content.
One more thing, God, please. Take away this snake.