Journal Entry 81

01.10.2026

My dearest journal, my mind will not shut down. I am physically and mentally exhausted, yet sleep eludes me. Perhaps it is because I cannot get comfortable on the couch in Jonas’s suite at the castle.

The King’s bedroom door is wide open. I cannot help but envy Jonas as I watch him sleeping soundly in his bed.

Ever since we began deciphering Line Four during our hike, Jonas’s demeanor has changed dramatically.

In all my life, I have never seen this side of my King. Overprotective does not even begin to describe his behavior.

Jonas will not let me leave his side. He refuses to let me return to my residence unless he accompanies me.

There is something he is not telling me. I know it. He knows it.

Jonas and I did go hiking after fishing. Before we left, he told Damien and his men to stand down and not follow us.

We hiked until we came across a fallen tree. Sitting on its trunk, with the lake and mountains before us, we turned our attention to Line Four.

I handed Jonas my journal. He stared at the page.

A drawing of an outstretched arm holding a basket.

The words “Cyning” and “Diarium”.

An equal sign, followed by the word “Ekaterinburg”.

We both knew what Ekaterinburg referred to. We worked out the meanings of Cyning and Diarium.

Then we considered the arm holding a basket, each of us voicing our thoughts.

Suddenly, Jonas stood and pulled out his phone. He instructed Damien to prepare for our immediate departure.

I stood beside him and asked what was happening.

Jonas handed back my journal and pulled me into an embrace that seemed to last an eternity.

My King did not say a word as we hiked back to the cabin. Nor did he speak as he drove us back to Eberbach.

He steered with his left hand and held mine in his right.

From time to time, tears slipped down his cheeks.

Tonight, I keep replaying that afternoon in my mind.

There is no doubt Jonas is hiding something from me.

The question I keep asking myself is, “Do I truly want to know?”