V: Sick

I didn't know what to say.

My parents were happy with what I did, a life was saved. It was enough.

"Marie, why...why am I like this? It didn't happen when I treated you." I asked, feeling the pain seeping through my bones.

"We need to get you checked by the palace's doctor, but I asked everyone to let you rest because I know you don't like many people around you."

I just nodded. Curious to know, what was the reason behind my sickness.

*********

It had been a week since I was in the castle, with no betterment in my state, at times I would burn in fever and the other times shivering and trying to curl up under the heavy blankets.

Marie didn't tell me what the doctor diagnosed, and I felt like each passing second was pushing me towards death.

All day and night I swayed between staying awake and sleeping with the interruptions of eating food and medicine.

Moonlight made its way into the bedroom as my eyelids got heavy again when I heard soft footsteps.

The footsteps didn't sound like Marie's or any of the maids. Alarmed, I forced my eyes open, trying hard to see in the dim light.

The person sat on the bed and held my hand. My burning hand felt so better in their cold ones.

"Thank you." My vision was hazy but I didn't fail to recognize the voice.

The same voice that had said once "please". It was Hyram.

I couldn't fight the sleep that took over me.

That night I saw my father placing a crown on my head. The next morning I woke up, feeling the visible change in my state, the fever was gone and I had a much clear mind.

After another week, I was able to slowly walk. I insisted to go back but Marie asked me to stay for some more days. I didn't want to, somewhere disheartened by the behavior of the King and Queen, who for not even once came to meet me, not for saying thank you or ask how was I doing.

That afternoon I was walking barefoot on the grass when hushed voices held my feet to the ground.

Peeking around the corner, I saw it was Marie and Hyram, with their backs towards me. Not wanting to meddle I was about to turn around when I heard my name.

"Lyrah is going soon." It was Marie.

Curiosity was what made me want to listen to what Hyram had to say.

"I wish I could make her stay."

Brows furrowed, I peaked to look at him. Caramel strands of hair shined under the golden hues of sunlight. Wearing white, I could see his gaze fixed on the fountain in front of him.

Why was he saying that?

"We are sure unfortunate in the department of love." Marie laughed mockingly and I felt the pain that laugh covered up.

"But I didn't say that I'd stop loving her, Marie."

What?

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