A few months had passed since the incident that made everyone in the Royal Palace cautious of the Princess. The palace, the Princesses home, felt different now. The presence of the new magical attendants, who didn't touch her, had become a part of her daily routine. They were efficient and kind, but there was a longing deep within her for the days when her family could hold her without fear.
Today, the royal doctor had returned, offering a glimmer of hope and new foundings. He said "The incident, when Princess Yuru hit her head, might have triggered her aversion to touch." His words were filled with uncertainty, but he thought that there might be a possibility.
As he explained, Yuru's mind raced, and she retreated into her thoughts.
"No, that's not it," she told herself,
"I've always been like this, and it's not because of hitting my head."
"The incident only made me remember that I was like this in my past life."
"But I can't remember why I was like that."
"And I can see how the doctor may have come to that conclusion, it makes sense given the timings of it."
She sighed silently, understanding how the doctor came to that conclusion. The sudden shift in her behavior must have been puzzling, and it was the most logical explanation the doctor could think of.
The queen, her mother, was the first to ask the question that had been weighing on everyone's minds. "Doctor, is there a cure for Yuru's condition?" The doctor's expression turned somber as he lowered his gaze. "I'm afraid, Your Majesty, that this is the first time I've encountered a situation like this. I can't say for certain if there's a cure. It's a complex and unique condition, and I'm not sure if there's a solution that will bring Yuru back to her previous self."
Yuru's heart sank at the doctor's words. The uncertainty of her situation weighed heavily on her, and it seemed that the path to recovery would be fraught with challenges and unanswered questions.
---
Yuru gazed out of the window from her room, her thoughts drifting back to her past life. She often tried to recall the details, but it was like grasping at fragments of a dream that slipped through her fingers. Her past memories were elusive, sometimes present and sometimes not.
It was a perplexing experience. At times, Yuru couldn't remember anything from her past life, not even her name or where she came from. It left her feeling lost and disconnected from her true self.
She pondered the reasons behind these memory lapses. She tried to come up with logical explanations, but nothing seemed to fit. Why was she unable to remember her past consistently?
In the midst of her musings, a young butler entered her room. His name was Kael, a teenager of around 16 years who had come from the slums. He had earned his position through his exceptional magical abilities and combat skills, making him a personal butler responsible for protecting Princess Yuru.
Kael approached the young princess, offering a small tray of sweets. Yuru's eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of the treats. She thanked Kael warmly and accepted the sweets.
Kael placed the sweets on the table and took a step back, maintaining a respectful distance as was customary. He watched over the princess, his duty to protect her never far from his mind, even as she enjoyed a simple moment of delight.
---
Two years had passed, and Yuru, now seven years old, was determined to explore the world of magic. She walked along the grand corridor of the palace, her youthful curiosity leading her to the Royal library. In this world, magic could be harnessed by those who turned seven, and Yuru was eager to learn.
Kael, her ever-watchful butler, followed closely behind her, his role as her protector extending to supporting her in her magical pursuits. As they walked, Kael couldn't help but express his curiosity. "Princess Yuru," he began, "where do you wish to go today? It's not often you wander around the palace. Are you searching for something? If you are, I would be more than happy to assist you."
Yuru paused and looked thoughtful for a moment. Her eyes brightened with realization, and she replied, "Yes! I'm looking for the library. I've heard that there's one in this Palace, and I want to learn magic."
Kael was surprised by her response but refrained from delving further into his questions. Instead, he gently explained, "Princess, if you're looking for the library, it won't be as simple as finding it by walking around. The entrance to the library requires a specific spell to open, and it can only be performed by a select few. You need to know the spell to access the vast knowledge stored there."
Yuru absorbed Kael's words, her determination unshaken. She understood that her quest for magical knowledge wouldn't be as straightforward as she initially thought. The revelation of the library's hidden entrance marked the beginning of her journey into the world of magic, and she was eager to uncover its secrets.
Kael, watching the determination in Yuru's eyes, couldn't help but offer his guidance. "Princess, if you truly wish to learn magic, I will gladly teach you. It would be an honor to share my knowledge with you."
Yuru's eyes sparkled with excitement at Kael's offer. She nodded eagerly and replied, "Perfect. Please, can you teach me?" With a smile, Kael agreed to take on the role of Yuru's magic instructor.
Princess Yuru's journey into the world of magic was not as straightforward as she had initially thought. Kael, her butler and newfound magic instructor, explained that there were many preparations needed before one could effectively use magic. He suggested, "If you allow me, I could arrange everything for you, and in the meantime, your first maid, Maya, will attend to you."
Yuru agreed, giving her permission for Kael to prepare the necessary materials and spells for her magical studies. As Kael left to make the necessary arrangements, he informed Maya that she would be taking over the care of Princess Yuru for the time being.
The young princess waited in the corridor, peering out of the window. Her eyes fixed on her brother, Nami, who was engrossed in his swordplay practice in the palace grounds. Curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to get a closer look at his training.
As she approached the practice area, Nami noticed her and paused. "Yuru, are you by yourself today?" he asked. "Where's Kael? Shouldn't he be with you?"
Yuru explained to her brother that Kael had gone to prepare for her magic lessons. Just as she shared this, the first maid, Maya, arrived to attend to the young princess. She quickly apologized for her slight delay.
Intrigued by her brother's training in swordplay, Yuru asked, "Nami, do you know any magic spells?"
Nami smiled and nodded. "Yes, I can use some basic magic spells, but my abilities aren't as immersive as those who specialize in magic. I'm more focused on swordplay and combat skills."
Yuru absorbed her brother's words, her curiosity about the world of magic growing, even as she watched Nami continue his swordplay training.
---