In the week that had passed Elise could safely say that a good night’s rest had eluded her once again, unable to get more than a couple of hours at a time she struggled to remove the images from her mind as nights passed. Memories ranging from the past with her brother to the server Ozragad had forced to drink the poison both permanently stained into her mind. It felt like her hands would never be clean, blood staining them and no matter how much she scrubbed she couldn’t remove the feeling of the warmth on her fingertips, the blood she had once touched. Even eating had become a chore for her as she found it hard to swallow anything solid and keep it down for a few hours before the haunting had resumed and the ability to keep food down whilst vivid imagery graced her mind became difficult. 

Elise had done her best to keep this a secret, not wanting any of it to go back to the King as she kept the simple façade of happiness. Whether or not her ladies had caught on to her nightmares and lack of eating they didn’t make it known which she was thankful for, even if it was all starting to catch up again. Freedom to leave her section had now been granted, but she didn’t roam far keeping to her rooms for the most part because the idea of leaving played about with her anxiety that someone was ready to strike her down. 

At times when she felt daring, she could be found in the library using the books to read as an escape and a good source of focus for her mind away from all the bloodshed. With her tired form and lack of energy she had even fallen asleep in one of the chairs in the library only to wake up at any little sound still on edge from the incident. Elise could feel the tension as the days passed, but things seemed to settle again and there was a buzz about the castle as Manawydan had started to prepare the great hunt that was a premarital tradition. 

After having kept to herself for most of the week she hadn’t seen Ozragad from their last discussion where her vulnerable side had shown, it was a blessing because she didn’t know what she would have to say to him. Not after the assassination attempt and that fact that she had and probably still was suspected to have had a hand in it. Elise couldn’t blame them for the accusation or suspension for that matter because if she had been in their shoes, had she nearly been killed her first thought would go to the King wondering if he wanted her gone. 

Atarah had the good sense to plan a beautiful gown for the hunt, something of Formori culture to help gain favour with his people. It was another fine gown with a deep rich colour rather than the pale blues and purples she would wear back home, this gown had a golden lace and trim and she could feel Atarah having to tighten it up more than she usually would on other outfits. Thankfully the woman didn’t even speak about it and had just gotten her ready for the day curling her hair and letting it fall down naturally as she wove in a golden circlet atop her head. Once dressed for the day Atarah handed her a fur trimmed shawl to keep her warm if the temperature had dropped as they would be outside for the hunt itself most of the day and she was pleased to know Atarah would be with her throughout to help with names and information to help with small talk. 

Already Elise felt tired, and the day had yet to begin, playing an act as if everything was okay took a lot of energy and with her lack of sleep, she knew she would have to be careful and not snap at those around her. It was why she had said to Treville to just watch her from afar because hearing his constant disappointment in her actions and how she should present herself would only infuriate her. They were all outside currently waiting for the King to arrive and Atarah had informed her of the horse she would be riding and was talking through the day with her only to stop as silence fell across everyone signalling his arrival. 

Following suit, she bowed alongside the others not even playing the game and daring to bow as little as she could get away with, no she was too tired to play and just bowed like she normally would not caring about it in the slightest. There were bigger priorities on her mind right now, the thought of staying alive amongst this pack of wolves that wouldn’t hesitate to cut her down. 

[color=00aeef][i]You can do this, it’s just another day. Another event and once it is over, I can return to the peace of my room. But… what if a stray arrow shoots me whilst out here?[/i][/color]