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I couldn't shake off the dream's grip on me, and it kept me from visiting Izana. Each time I thought of going, the memories from the dream would resurface, and I'd be left trembling, unable to step out the door.
I hoped against hope that I would never have that dream again, but I was wrong, terribly wrong. It became a relentless nightly visitor, haunting my sleep for a whole week. The cycle was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to evade it, the dream held me in its clutches.
"Why won't it stop? What does it want from me?"
I muttered in frustration, feeling the tears well up..
I became a prisoner in my own mind, each night a torturous repeat of that haunting experience. Sleep, once a haven, turned into a battleground, leaving me exhausted and restless. The weight of the dream clung to me during the day, casting a shadow over my every move.
"I need to be strong, to push through this.."
I said to myself,
"but I'm so tired."
My days grew darker, as did my spirit. I felt like I was losing a part of myself, like Izana was slipping away, and there was nothing I could do to hold onto him. Depression and hopelessness settled in, like unwelcome guests that refused to leave.
Every night I woke up crying and panting. Still, I couldn't remember the whole dream. But the desperation I felt when they took Izana was real and painful and I can't seem to come back to reality.
It felt as if I had lost him forever, and the dream was a cruel reminder of that loss, a reminder that played out relentlessly each night.
"Even if this happened in my past life, I Won't let this happen again. No, I can't let this happen!"
I said, my voice shaking, desperate to convince myself.
I yearned for the dream to stop, for peace to return to my nights. I longed to sleep without fear, to wake up feeling refreshed, not haunted. But night after night, it persisted, a relentless cycle of pain and fear. I felt trapped, desperate for a way out, for the dream to release its grip on me and let me find solace once more.
"Please, let this end.."
I begged silently.
Harllod, Rose, and Evan came to meet me repeatedly, but I didn't show up. I refused to meet all of them. I even made excuses to not dine together with my father. He seemed to think that I'm still concerned about what happened in the hunting ground, so he gave me space. The dream seems to take over my consciousness.
I was utterly exhausted. The same intense dream had plagued me every night for a full week. What's the point of having the same dream over and over again if I cannot remember the details to prevent it? What does the dream want me to do?
The specific details I needed slipped away like grains of sand. It felt like an unsolved puzzle that I couldn't break free from.
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"That's enough!"
Anisha threw one of her pillows out of anger and desperation. She just woke up from her repetitive dream again.
Despite the relentless grip of those haunting dreams, she couldn't ignore the yearning to see Izana. It took every ounce of courage within her, but she knew she had to face him.
As she sat there, she realized that their friendship was more important than ever. The absence of him made her appreciate him even more, and she resolved to convey this sentiment when they eventually reunited. She hoped that when they met they could pick up where they left off, just like the best of friends do..
With a deep breath, she got up from her bed and went to the window side. The fresh morning wind made her calm down slowly. She mustered her strength, determined to finally meet Izana.
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[Bellacian Estate] 📍
As Anisha entered the Bellacian Estate, a garden of fully bloomed yellow rose welcomed her.
"It's beautiful.." Anisha mumbled.
Every noble house has its own unique flower as their symbolic flower. The Royal family's symbolic flower is White Lily. House Verita has Blue Rose, house Patrickson has White Rose, and the Grand Ducal house has Amoria Rose. And as for the Bellacian, they have Yellow Rose as their symbolic flower.
Owen, Anisha's personal knight, followed Anisha to the Marquis's house and now waiting patiently as Anisha followed the maid to Izana's room.
Owen remembered what Marquis Verita told him,
"Keep an eye on Anisha. Don't let anything happen to her. If you see her even a tiny bit uncomfortable, contact me immediately."
Owen sighed. He kept looking at Anisha's back with a concerned face as she entered Izana's room.
Owen saw her struggling after she came back from the hunting ground covered in blood. She isolated herself from everything and everyone for a whole week.
"Will she be Alright?"
He mumbled with a concerned face.
.
.
.
.
.
It had been far too long, and Anisha felt a mix of worry and guilt for not visiting Izana earlier. The maid knocked on the door and after hearing the response, she swung the door open. Anisha hesitated for a moment before entering, but as she entered a beaming Izana greeted her, his eyes lighting up with genuine joy.
"Izana.."
Anisha mumbled, feeling relief wash over her as she entered the room.
Izana's response was as lively as ever, a playful grin lighting up his face.
"Anisha, my friend, you've finally decided to grace me with your presence. I was starting to think you'd vanished into the realm of epic dreams!"
Anisha laughed, feeling the tension melt away.
"Well, you know, I had a few adventures in Dreamland. But here I am, back in the land of the living, ready for some real-life excitement."
Izana winked..
"Dreamland, huh? Did you battle dragons or discover the lost city of pillows?"
Anisha played along, enjoying Izana's playful spirit.
"Oh, you have no idea! I encountered a ferocious feathered beast guarding the sacred realm of the fluffy blankets."
Izana feigned a look of awe.
"Truly legendary! I always knew you had it in you to be a true dream warrior."
They shared a hearty laugh, and the conversation flowed effortlessly as if no time had passed. Izana was careful not to press the issue of her absence, sensing that there was more to it than met the eye. Anisha appreciated his understanding, grateful that he didn't pry.
As they chatted about everything from the antics of mischievous squirrels in the palace garden to the peculiar paintings in the Bellacian grand hall, Anisha felt a warmth spreading within her. It was a relief to be with Izana, his infectious jolliness easing the weight of the recent troubled dreams.
Anisha suddenly noticed a peculiar painting on the wall, a portrait of a rather pompous-looking peacock.
She knows that it's a gift from Marquis Bellacian, Izana's father, who has a weird hobby of collecting colorful animal paintings.
"Is this your long-lost relative, Izana?"
She teased, gesturing toward the painting.
Izana chuckled, giving a mock bow.
"Indeed, that's my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfeather, Sir Animelo Peacockington III. A real charmer, he was."
"Ah, so you come from a line of distinguished peacocks. Explains your impressive sense of fashion."
Anisha grinned.
Izana gave a dramatic flourish of his imaginary feathered tail.
"Fashion, my dear Anisha, is the true measure of one's greatness."
Anisha chuckled, playfully pretending to fan herself with an invisible fan.
"Oh, of course! Forgive my ignorance, O Great Peacock of Style."
The laughter that followed echoed through the room, a symphony of shared mirth that erased the worries that had clouded Anisha's thoughts. As the conversation continued, Anisha felt a sense of belonging, a reminder of the unbreakable bond they shared.
At that moment, surrounded by Izana's infectious happiness and their laughter, Anisha knew that their friendship was a treasure worth cherishing, no matter the challenges they faced. Their shared laughter was a testament to the enduring power of connection and the ability to find joy, even amidst the darkest of dreams.
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A/N : Hey amigos ~
Sup?
Let me know your views on this chapter.. 🫰🏻