On the other side of the city, the rain fell with the same intensity... but did not bring the same pain.
Marlie and Axel walked slowly, pressed together. The rain was falling on them without them really caring. Axel had placed his coat over Marlie's shoulders, holding her close to him, while she laughed softly.
"You realize," she said, looking up at him, "we're going to end up soaked to the skin.
—And then? Axel replied, smiling. As long as you are with me, I could walk through a flood.
"Always so dramatic," she sighed, laughing.
They talked about everything and nothing: classes, town rumors, absurd projects that they knew would never be realized. The moment was simple, light, almost unreal.
Then Axel slowed down.
His smile gradually faded.
— Marlie… I need to talk to you.
She immediately looked at him, worried.
- What ? What is it? You scare me, Axel.
"No, no… it's nothing serious, I promise.
He took a deep breath.
—You know the induction ceremony is coming up.
"Oh yes, I heard about it," she replied. It seems that the prince is going to introduce his future wife, right?
- Yes. That's exactly it.
—And…how does this concern us? Only important people will attend, right?
Axel remained silent.
Marlie's heart sank.
— No... don't tell me that your father is famous... and that you have to go?
He nodded slowly.
— He has some. And he asked me to come… with my future wife. To meet her.
- What ?! she exclaimed, stopping suddenly. Axel, you know my story. My parents are dead. And even if they were still there... they had no notoriety.
Axel immediately took her in his arms, hugging her tightly to him.
—Listen to me. My father doesn't care where people come from. He always despised titles and ranks. All that matters to him is the happiness of his children.
She looked up at him in disbelief.
- Really…?
- Yes. I swear to you.
A silence passed. Then a shy smile stretched Marlie's lips.
— So… I agree to meet them.
Axel smiles in turn, a sincere, luminous smile. He held her tighter, the rain continuing to fall around them like a silent blessing.
The next morning.
Isolde lay in an unfamiliar bed, her body burning, shaken by uncontrollable shivers. His breathing was irregular, his lips were trembling.
— Are you serious?! Klaus said, pale.
"It's the truth," Henry replied calmly, although there was tension in his eyes.
He dipped a cloth in a basin of cool water, wrung it out carefully, then placed it delicately on Isolde's forehead.
"His fever is too high," he murmured.
"I'm going to get the healer," Klaus said, standing up abruptly. He has to take care of her.
"Yes, please... do it quickly.
Klaus quickly left the room, leaving Henry alone with her.
- Mom... mom... murmured Isolde in her sleep.
Henry's heart sank.
He removed the cloth, soaked it again, wrung it out, then gently placed it back on his forehead. Then he sat on the edge of the bed and took her cold hand in his.
"Don't worry, Isolde," he whispered in a low voice. I'm not going to leave you. I will stay with you.
He squeezed her hand a little tighter, as if to anchor her to the world.