When the sisters learned that Ulrich had awakened, Esther was the first to move.
She rushed from Camellia's chambers without a thought for the castle corridors, the guards stationed at every intersection, or the princess walking behind her.
"Wait, Esther!" Hermione called.
Airam followed at once, her expression calm but her pace swift.
Camellia did not run, yet she came after them as well.
Esther arrived first.
The guards recognized her immediately. One of them opened the door before she even managed to catch her breath.
"Lady Esther—"
She was already inside.
The first thing she saw was Ulrich sitting upright in bed.
He looked pale, his crimson hair slightly disordered hanging besides his stern face, and the bandages beneath his loose shirt were still visible at his collar and wrists. But his eyes were open. His expression was calm. He was alive.
Esther stopped.
Her blue eyes widened.
Then tears filled them so quickly that she could not stop them.
