"... How could you betray me like this!? You-You! Argh! " Frustrated, angry, and betrayed, stood Lona who had walked back home after leaving for work and forgetting her smartphone while abruptly catching both her younger sister and her best friend making out on her very bed. "I can't believe this… you, I can accept this from her but… not you babe, you are a true b*tch of a girlfriend. Fu*k our wedding, f*ck you! I'm done dealing with this sh*t! "
Lona's girlfriend and fiance for two months shot up in terror.
"Wait! Lona! Let me explain! " Generating excuses, Lona's younger sister who was already entering college had been in an intimate relationship with Lona's future wife, Misty. "Lona! Lona! "
Ignoring her pleas, Lona got in her car and drove off in haste. After a while on the road, Lona's tears continued to stream. Heated, afraid, and feeling lost while riding through the emotions, Lona glances down to her phone and passes a red light.
*BOOM!*
Lona was sent flying from her seat and crashed through the car windshield, leaving her car all together in a split second. Flying over the colliding car in front, Lona watched her passing reflection over the shiny metallic grey on the top of the latter's car. Her life was flashing before her eyes and what followed next was the view of the pavement racing toward her face when suddenly, nothingness.
~~
"... She is injured! Hurry! Call the healers! Hurry! "Lona's eyes were vacant, yet open as two faded orbs of blue remained half arched and staring into nothing. "Ahh! What happened?! What went wrong with the summoning!? "
Two slender and young figures stood over Lona as more steadily began to approach and crowd around her. Lona's red blood streamed from her nose and abruptly, the room fell silent.
"She has the hero's royal crimson blood! Her life is in the balance, hurry! Where are the healers!? "An old scruffy voice of a man cried out as suddenly, two figures rushed and everyone stepped aside. "Hurry, heal her! You MUST save her for all of Pine Nova! "
"We'll try our best… but these injuries are terrible. "One fair and velvet voice spoke out beside Lona. "Lift 30% of Mana reserves and continue to fuel me with energy while I begin resetting her bone structure. You must keep a constant 30% control, any more or less will kill her. "Suddenly, Lona dozed off as she faded while two floating orbs of green light shone and she then blacked out.
~
"... Brave Heroine? Have you woken? " Lona's eyes darted while still half closed as she couldn't see from her left eye. "Apologies, Lady Hero! We have failed you and thus, you have become crippled. We are sinful! Sinful! "
Lona's right eye slowly began regaining a faint light and then, Lona gaped her sore jaw while slightly exhaling a breath. Her soft and frail voice echoed in the wooden room as the petite and skinny girl beside her became more and more clear in her one good eye.
"... Who… am I? " Lona's voice shocked even her as she woke up, with no memory of who she was or what had happened.
"Oh… oh dear! I shall return, I must fetch Lady Vora! "The figure soon left and Lona was alone for several long and grueling minutes. "This way! Please, she may have suffered more than we thought! "
"Move, move aside. Oh.., Lady Hero. You are awake. Tsk! My apologies, My Lady, I have tried all that I could but could not heal you at my current level. I am sinful! " Lona felt a sharp jolt of pain when on her lower abdomen and entire right side. "Lady hero! "
Abruptly spasming, Vora raced to open her doctor's bag and began mixing various herbs, some of which held traces of deadly poisons.
"I beg your forgiveness, My Lady! "Vora held Lona's mouth in her hand and forced a terrible, acidic liquid down her throat. For several minutes, two more figures appeared, holding down Lona until she finally stopped moving and passed out once again. "... May the gods forgive me… I am sinful. "
~
For the third time, Lona awoke and before long, she opened both her eyes yet, only one held a faint glint whole the other remained vacant, devoid of all forms of light. Half open, Lona no longer felt the stinging pain from before however, she still felt a slight pain in specific parts of her body but the pain had subsided much more than before. Lightly turning her head and glancing around without moving her gaze, she rested her head and stsred aimlessly at the ceiling.
'Who am I… I don't understand. ' Lona was left astonished, curious, and yet detached from any and or all facial expressions. After an hour of laying in silence, a loud vibration and the echo of a heavy door creaking open entered the room.
Seconds of silence passed after the sound stopped and clicking footsteps could be heard drawing near. Suddenly, the footsteps stopped and a sudden metallic crash echoed within the room. Lona had set her eyes on the shocked and terrified figure as the figure spun and dashed out, slamming the door on the wall and shouting at the top of her voice.
Within a few minutes, several figures began to appear in the room. All browsing the bed as each face was more beautiful and dashing than the last. Lona held her eyes at the ceiling when after a few more minutes, a familiar figure entered the room in a rush and out of breath.
"... M-hah… Make room! "It was Vora, the woman doctor who tended to her before when she woke. "My Lady Hero! Ah! You are awake! You truly are awake! Everyone, leave! NOW! "
Many figures disappeared and afterward, it was Lona, Vora and the petite girl from before who had dropped the metal plate to the floor. With tears in both their eyes, Vora began asking Lona questions.
"Do you… know who you are, My Lady? "Vora asked, sweet, almost pained in her velvet smooth voice. "... My Lady? "
Lona glanced both her eyes toward Vora yet, only one held a faint glow as Lona's soft cherry-toned lips slid open.
"I don't know who I am. Will you tell me. " Lona had asked yet, she could not form a face nor raise her voice to sound that of a question.
From Vora's pained expression, tears immediately spilled from her two hazelnut colored eyes as she covered her gasped with her hand as the petite woman behind, fainted.
~
After two days awake, Lona found her body did not really need much sleep or eat very much. For the past few days, Lona had been told that she was in a world called Nova. She now resided in Nova City and was a royal guest that had been summoned by a royal family for the first time since the kingdom's founding thirty-plus years ago. Lona did not understand much but she understood that she had somehow screwed up their plans and she was no longer usable for the mission they had summoned her for.
"They are preparing for the arrival of a summoned group of hero's, My Lady. "Sen, a beautiful porcelain doll-like petite woman sat beside Lona as she had volunteered to serve Lona despite her injuries. Not seeking fame nor prestige, Sen was among the first groups of maids sent to receive Lona by the royal family but then Summoning resulted in horror. "His Majesty and Her Highness have graced you My Lady. You have been given a royal title of Princess! It was very generous of them and is the least you deserve, My Lady. "
Lona hardly responded however, she moved her half-open eyes toward Sen's crying face.
"Why do you cry… it is not anyone's fault. Do not cry for that which, you had no hand in. It was my fate that led me to my current state. Do not blame yourself for that which you have no control over. "Lona turned her gaze away from Sen and returned to silence.
Sen felt slightly better as her Mistress was very kind and wise with her words. Sen found pride serving Lona despite her current state. Having decided to follow Lona until death, Lona was blessed with a loyal and faithful friend.
*Knock-Knock*
Sen stood and headed to get the door as two men in shin silver armor stood behind Vora. Vora entered the room in large strides and landed her gaze on the indifferent Lona whom she had fallen in love with as a big-and-little sister relationship. Hugging Lona, Vora felt painful yet happy when she met with Lona.
"Has she eaten? Is she comfortable with these bed sheets? Should I splurge for an artist to paint the walls? Hmm.. "Vora sat beside the bed while Sen could only give a helpless smile as Vora truly dotted on Lona since she woke up. "Sen-was it? Oh, good! Then, Sen, go to the royal kitchen and bring the tart. The chief's baking should be done baking it per my request "
"Yes, Lady Vora. " Lona sat gently and posed against the bed frame as Sen gave a light expression and left the room.
"Ahh… my widdle baby! Hmm! "Lona remained motionless as Vora hugged and dotted on her to her heart's content now that they were alone. What's more, Lona would wrap her slender hands around Vora's slender waist when Vora embraced her. "Aww! You are so cute and adorable! "
Vera's eyes swiftly stopped on Lona's slender back as she could see through her thin blouse at the rows of gauze and many bandages around her firm and voluptuous body aside from her face. Vora had been careful when interacting with Lona and even took charge of Lona as being her personal and exclusive healer. This was a big deal around the royal capital as Vora was known as one of the continents most proficient healers with a high quality of experience and healing ability.
Many wished to catch a glimpse at the 'Wounded Hero' that had been injured in a failed summoning. None were allowed near the royal palace, much more so near Lona's private and highly guarded personal floor in the West side of the Royal Palace where only the Royal family was allowed in to.
*Knock-Knock*
"... Hello, is this a bad time? "Peering from beside the open door, a beautiful and fair skinned woman around the same age as Lona appeared. The gorgeous pearls and diamonds on her hair enveloped a sense of royalty and innocent grace. "I heard Lady Hero was doing much better and could see visitors. May I? "
"Your Highness! "Vora immediately turned and kneeled as she bowed her head while arching her back. "Lady hero has indeed been recovering from her injuries. "
"Ah, that's a weight off my heart. May I speak with Lady Hero? Has she regained some of her memories? "Vora lightly apologized and shook her head as the woman entered the room and locked her curious eyes onto Lena. "... Ehm, h-hello, Lady Hero. I am Queen Nessa. It was me and my beloved who authorized the usage of the Summoning array and it was our naivety that resulted in your current… state. "
The room sat in an awkward silence when before Vora could speak, Lona's mouth opened slightly as she spoke calmly without emotion as she faced the Queen and a slight glint filled her one good eye.
"I must apologise for my lack of expressions and emotion. But, Your Highness is indeed as beautiful as my Maid has said. I was skeptical but, now that I see the perfect woman before me, I am filled with great adoration and slight envy. You are truly blessed and I thank you for allowing me to stay here from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness has lightened my burden and I am forever grateful. I am sorry for failing you… oh-"Before Lona could finish, tears of joy had begun steaming down her otherwise, unaffected face. "My apologies, My Queen. I seem to have no control of my tear-"
A sudden panic erupted in the Queens heart at seeing Lona's genuine tears. The Queen was one who possessed the power to see through people's hearts. Whether they be good or bad, the Queen had never once faced a single person who could hide from her powerful sight.
However, when she first met Lona, Lona was engulfed in a blinding white and gold light and when the tears began to shine, the Queen's heart tightened and could not hold herself back. Out of all the things she had to do to rise into power with her husband, never had she felt such great sorrow and guilt when faced with Lona. Something about Lona set her apart from the vile and scheming nobles of the royal court that she had to fight against in pleasantries and whatnot.
Lona was a true rose flower among a field of thrones and blood. Even Vora and Sen could see Lona's beauty was reflected in her interactions with those few who have tended to her. The Queen still remembers first seeing Lona the second time she had woken and when she arrived, Nora was in a panic, which was something she had hardly ever seen before.
It was then that the Queen noticed Lona's immense potential yet, due to her injuries to her body, it was a tragic sight to bear.
"... Your Highness. "Lona's voice was the first to break the silence when she abruptly felt the Queen's arms tightened. Lona internally smiled and did not hesitate in returning the Queens affections as she hugged her in return.
Vora became teary-eyed as the room had livened up a bit as the Queen sat elegantly beside Lona. Sen had returned and the four enjoyed an evening of friendly banter despite the few words Lona spoke yet, her reactions toward Vora's jokes made the three break out laughing as they could not restrain themselves.
_________