June 15th
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, I can say without reservations that today has genuinely been a good day.
I woke with premium poesy already trickling into my conscious thoughts, apparently from a dissipated dream. Fragments, but workable material nonetheless. Additional tidbits have been sprouting up now and again throughout the day. I've taken to carrying my other journal around to ensure I'm able to jot them down before they fade away.
In an even more pleasing turn of events, I encountered Her Royal Highness in the library shortly following lunch. There had been some points weighing on my mind since our previous conversation, points I had forgotten to interject at the time, so I seized this opportunity to revive the discussion.
We wound up conversing for nearly three hours.
Fascinating as the ecosystem topic again proved to be, we actually spoke even more at length regarding something of far greater potential impact, more so than I'd ever fathomed. Years ago I had read various legends, what I had assumed to be timeless allegories even, about a monstrous Calamity that was sealed away several millennia ago. The princess stated with all adamance that these stories were, in fact, the product of an actual historical event, citing the recent excavation of countless relics from that supposed age as substantiating evidence. I suppose something of this nature is entirely possible, but she went on to assert her concerns that this Calamity may somehow stand to again pose a threat in this day and age. I...suppose that, too, is possible, but it quite simply doesn't seem a plausible event within our lifetime. I respect Her Highness profoundly, more and more so the more I interact with her, indeed, but her arguments do not convince me that we are in any immediate danger from this magical beast of legend. Rather than contradict her theories, though, it sufficed me to listen and nod as I basked in her uplifting presence.
She then proceeded to truly make my day. I felt guilty for having taken up so much of her time and in apologizing for such rattled off a self-abasing quip about my forcing her to stare into the face of an ugly old man all afternoon, and though I cannot recall precisely how she worded it, she responded with something to the effect of my being neither. Now, I won't go so far as to delude myself with the notion she was paying me anything other than a mere gesture of courtesy, but the fact remains that she could have easily excused herself from my presence at any moment. In essence, it suddenly became clear that superficial qualities are of no significance to her when in my company. I was simply a man with whom she was (presumably) enjoying a conversation. Such an affable disposition I can only conclude must come to her as naturally as her enchanting smile.
But enough of my ramblings. In any event, I believe I can finally feel the rusty cogs in this head beginning to creak to life again. Even the air in each breath has become a little sweeter, each step a trifle lighter. What I once deemed impossible no longer feels beyond my reach.
I just may pull this off.