Chapter 106 On the Edge of Collapse

Chapter 106 On the Edge of Collapse
Astrid’s POV

After everything I had lived and experienced with Lysander that night, I truly believed that things between us would change. After all, that night I hadn’t given him only my body… but my entire soul as well.

Foolishly, I allowed myself to dream of a brighter, happier future.

But I soon realized I had only deceived myself.

Reality struck me—and it struck me hard enough to break me in two.

Watching him leave the room after speaking such cruel words to me, showing nothing but utter contempt, was unbearably painful. In that moment, all I could do was collapse onto the floor, my strength gone, writhing in pain as I clutched my chest, trying to ease it even a little.

I clung to the sheets, desperate to cover my shame… and the marks of my mistake, while tears burned down my face.

I had given him everything.

And all I received in return… was his rejection.

In the days that followed, I tried to avoid him as much as possible. Since I chose to remain confined to my room—or to the farthest corners of the garden—it wasn’t difficult.

It didn’t seem to trouble Lysander in the slightest.

On the contrary… he seemed relieved.

I soon realized he was doing the same.

Avoiding me like I was some kind of plague.

It hurt more than I could bear.

But I didn’t show it—or at least, I hoped I didn’t.

Because I couldn’t endure letting him know just how deeply he had wounded me.

Not when the truth was that what had happened felt like a dagger buried deep within my chest.

Fortunately, the possibility of having become pregnant from that night was nearly nonexistent—if not impossible.

Clarissa had made sure of that.

As if she somehow knew what had happened between us, she ordered that I be given the tea she usually sent me. Only this time, I was given it daily—and unlike before, I didn’t hesitate to drink every last drop.

Our situation was already far too complicated.

The last thing we needed… was a child.

Especially one that would not be wanted.

Much less loved.

As if that weren’t enough, my medicine was beginning to run out. However, after that strange dream I had, I decided not to ration it at all. Instead, I took it strictly, exactly as instructed.

Unfortunately, all it did was make me feel weaker with each passing day.

More tired.

More fragile.

It was as though even getting out of bed became harder, more exhausting—and that only made me more afraid.

That morning, I felt slightly better, so I decided to go out into the garden for a while, just to clear my mind… and to be away from everyone.

I was near the archery grounds when suddenly I felt truly unwell.

It was as though the air had been ripped from my lungs.

My entire body began to tremble uncontrollably.

Something was very wrong.

That much I knew.

And still… all I could do was endure it.

I held on, just as I had been doing, leaning against a nearby tree to steady myself and hide behind it, focusing only on breathing.

—You can do this… you just have to stay strong and endure it —I whispered to myself over and over again.

But it was useless.

Soon, I could no longer hold myself up.

My vision blurred more and more… until I heard someone calling my name from a distance.

—Astrid —

I recognized that voice instantly.

It was Alaric.

I knew it even before I turned.

When I did, I saw him walking straight toward me. But I felt so terrible that the last thing I wanted was to speak to him.

So I chose to ignore him and tried to move away.

—Astrid —he called again, much closer this time.

—Not now… please, not now —I tried to refuse as I kept moving.

—We need to talk —he insisted.

—There’s nothing to talk about. Just leave me alone —I said, truly hoping he would listen.

I slipped between the trees, though the truth was I didn’t think I could make it back to the castle.

The only reason I was still standing was because I was holding onto the trees around me.

—Astrid, I’m serious —he pressed.

—I said I don’t want to— —

I was about to finish when something happened.

As I reached for the next tree to steady myself, a sharp pain shot through the palm of my hand.

I froze instantly.

When I lifted it, I saw a deep wound stretching from my wrist to the center of my palm, already bleeding heavily.

At that moment, Alaric reached me.

But as soon as he saw it, his expression changed completely—he looked genuinely alarmed.

—What happened to you? —he asked, clearly shaken.

—I… I don’t know —I admitted.

Because I truly didn’t.

He reached for my hand, but I tried to pull away. I didn’t want him touching me.

—Easy… just let me see —he stopped me before I could retreat further.

He gently brought my hand closer, examining it carefully.

—This looks like— —

He was about to say something, but suddenly he lifted his gaze, looking past me.

Something had clearly caught his attention.

But I never found out what it was.

Because at that moment, my strength finally gave out.

I collapsed to my knees.

And before I could even try to recover, nausea overwhelmed me.

I knew I was about to be sick…

But what spilled from my lips was not vomit.

It was blood.

A large amount of it.

I had no idea what was happening to me.

All I knew was that I was getting worse.

And I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

As the blood continued to fall from my lips, Alaric dropped to his knees beside me, trying to hold me upright. I could barely see anything anymore, but I caught a glimpse of him—the look of deep concern on his face.

—What’s happening to you? —he asked, clearly shaken.

That was the last thing I was aware of…

Before everything went dark.

And, in that moment—

Losing consciousness felt like a relief.

\--Dramáticos / intensos