The Scarred Luna

Chapter Eight

VIOLETA

THREE DAYS LATER

These past three days have been nothing but bliss. Princess Thania made sure I got nothing but the best treatment, even giving me new clothes after I tried protesting to Ally, but she wouldn't listen to me.

I was looking for her, not wanting to go for dinner without her presence at the table. The stares the others gave me were something I was still very uncomfortable with, and I didn't like that they weren't so accepting of me.

“...What do you mean there's no hope?”

Princess Thania's voice stopped me in my tracks. I paused to listen to what they were saying. I didn't want to eavesdrop, but curiosity filled me.

“...There has to be some solution. My father can't be bedridden forever.”

My heartbeat raced upon realizing that it was about her father, and I started feeling really bad. This was personal, and I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate me eavesdropping.

I took a deep breath and knocked gently on the door. “Who's it?” She responded.

“It's me, Violeta,” she responded.

“Come in,” she told me.

I entered, and the man exchanged glances with Princess Thania. “I think I'll be taking my leave now,” he said, and walked away. Princess took a deep breath once he was gone.

I couldn't help but notice the sad expression on her face. It pained me that she was going through this, and I wished there was something I could do to make her feel better.

“Princess Thania,” I drawled, taking a seat next to her on the bed. “What's wrong?”

She started sobbing. “I don't know what to do anymore, Violeta. My father isn't in the best condition, and every doctor I've consulted keeps saying the same thing, and it's driving me crazy.”

She continued crying, and the sight of her tears was something that was very unpleasant. She didn't deserve this; she doesn't deserve to be crying like this.

I patted her back gently. “You don't have to worry, Princess Thania. I'm sure that everything will be fine.”

She chuckled softly, but I could sense some kind of bitterness. “I don't want to bore you with my family problems, Violeta. Forget about everything I said.”

“No, no, no,” I said. “You can talk to me about this stuff, and I'm more than ready to listen. Anything that's bothering you, just know that you have a listening ear.”

She smiled and clasped her hands in mine. “Thank you, Violeta.”

It dawned on me why I really came into her room but ended up eavesdropping instead. “I came to call you for dinner. Are you hungry?”

She smiled. “I could eat,” she responded.

She entwined our fingers, and we both went downstairs. Dinner was better; they made small talk, but I was still feeling like an outsider and didn't contribute. Princess Thania tried making me feel part of the conversation, but I mostly responded with a nod, agreeing with her statements.

Even though I zoned out most of the time.

We finished dinner and retired to our rooms. My heart beat racing fast, worried about Princess Thania. I couldn't forget about the sad expression on her face.

I just wished that there was something I could do to make everything better, even though I couldn't make her problems go away. Maybe there was a way to make it better, to give her a little relief.

I tossed and turned in bed, sleep refusing to come. My thoughts kept drifting back to Princess Thania—her trembling voice, the way her hands clutched mine like she was holding on for dear life. That image of her crying was etched into my brain, haunting me even as I closed my eyes.

Eventually, I must have drifted off, but what followed didn’t feel like sleep. It felt... real.

I found myself standing in a thick forest, unfamiliar and yet oddly comforting. The air smelled of earth and dew, and my feet moved on their own, crunching softly against the leaves beneath me. In my hand was a small satchel filled with herbs I couldn’t name, yet somehow I knew them. I recognized their colors, their scents, and their textures. I was searching for something—one more flower.

“If I can find it,” I heard myself whisper, “then it’ll be complete. I’ll be able to heal him.”

I was certain I meant the King.

The dream Violeta crouched near a glowing bush and gasped softly as she plucked a single violet-colored blossom from it. The moment I held it in my hand, something warm rushed through me—like hope had taken a physical form.

“It’s done,” I whispered. “This will work.”

I jolted awake.

My chest rose and fell rapidly as I sat up in the dark, drenched in sweat. My heart thudded against my ribs like it was trying to escape.

What... was that?

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to catch my breath. My room was quiet, moonlight spilling faintly through the window, but everything still felt too real. The forest. The flower. That overwhelming certainty that I could help the King...

Was it just a dream? Or was it something else?

My mind was racing, trying to make sense of it. I wasn’t a healer. I barely knew anything about herbs or medicine. But in the dream, I knew what I was doing. Every step, every word, and every movement had been confident. Purposeful.

I pressed a hand to my chest and whispered, “Could it be possible?”

Maybe it was my paranoia playing tricks on me. Or maybe being around Princess Thania for the past few days had made me desperate to help. Still, the feeling wouldn’t go away.

What if it wasn’t just a dream?

I got out of bed, pacing quietly. My thoughts felt like a storm, colliding with one another. Could I really do something? Could there be a flower that could help the king? What if my dream was a sign?

I paused by the window and stared up at the stars, hoping they’d offer answers.

I didn’t have much. I didn’t have power or knowledge or influence. But I had this dream... and maybe, just maybe, that was the beginning of something.

If there was even a chance I could help her father, I had to try.

I had to find that flower.