My night and day were opposite juxtapositions. Last night I drowned my sorrows in my own sobbing. I awoke with my splitting headache to such a heartwarming scene. Finally, at this moment, I could only watch the comical scene unfold before me. As much as I fought back I was far too weak and much too cold to refused his offer once more. It hurt my pride, but it felt almost like that actions caused a shift, like it mended something broken. Now Jayce was trying to get me settled, and refused to talk about what he wanted to spill in the tent until I was taken care of. It was as touching as it was infuriating because I wanted to know what he had to say. However, it was also quite clear to me that even though he was a careful and gentle man he's never dealt with a sick person before. I had never seen the man make so much expression with his face before, and most of the looks were of abject horror, embarrassment or complete utter confusion. Firstly, he tucked me I'm so tightly I couldn't breathe. Then he tried feed me soup-- much to my embarrassment-- most of which landed on the blanket he swaddled me in like a cocoon. He begrudgingly removed it, muttering how he was worried about my chills. He tried to keep me company and talk to me despite my blinding headache. He dropped cough medicine on the ground and made made the whole tent smell like a Buckleys which I thought was interesting albeit disgusting. Finally, he stumbled trying to place a cool cloth on my fiery forehead and dumped the cold water on the bed, soaking the fleece blanket and my pure white chemise. Luckily I was able to cover myself after the impact of the water and Jayce had the good graces to turn around after his fit of panic. He had to grab Camille to dry me off, which he looked incredibly displeased about since she was insistent on staying for a bit to help.
"I've been trying to get her comfortable so we can have a discussion." He emphasized the last word thoroughly. Camille looked down at men her cooling hands replacing the cloth on my forehead as I could only manage to weakly stare at her and breathe heavily. Her eyes were filled with pity, her flowing lilac flowy top and skirt were almost mesmerizing. It was made of a thin material like tulle but more silky. Her sash wrapped around her cinched waist was a contrasting silk black. Her braided hair was twisted into a large bun with a few if the mini braids falling out. Gold coils around them made her look almost angelic I'm nature. She was a contrasting figure behind the darkness of the surrounding tent.
"Your grace, she is quite ill and needs care and attention. I believe you're discussion can wait." Her words sounded somewhat polite but they were sharpened to the edge. He grit his teeth and I could tell without looking at his aura that he was annoyed, bordering on rage. I could feel the tension I the air, and my curiosity was starting to burn in my chest. My body was sore and weak, but I managed to reach out and touch the side of Camille's thigh with my finger tips. Her gem like eyes widened on shock for a breif moment at my touch.
"Would you be able to ask Jubilee if we have any peppermint? It might help with my headache." Camille looked at me warily, biting her lip like she wanted to say something. Instead she just put some light pressure on my forehead before retracting and standing up.
"I'll be back soon." She gave me a soft smile, something I was slowly becoming accustomed to. I tried my best to reciprocate. She looked at me for a second longer and then proceeded to elegantly almost float out the door. Jayce wasted no time scurrying over to my side, planting himself on the bed next to me. He straightened out the cloth back to my forehead and snatching up my weak and trembling hand. Every second I was awake was agony, my head throbbing and eyes stinging. My stomach was churning and I felt a bit nauseous. But his hand brought me a surprising amount of comfort even though my heart was still aching. His handsome face was etched with worry, his rather large frame leaning over me like a protective cover. He kept a respectable distance, but still closer than one would usually be.
"You had something to tell me." My soft words made his ears burst bright red and his hand to tighten on mine for a second. His Adam's apple bobbed for a moment as he swallowed hard as if gathering his nerves. My body was feeling a little empty emotionally, trying not to hold onto any large amount of hope in readiness for harsh words. Instead he started to gently rub his thumbs over the thin ligaments in my hands. He looked like a ball of nerves, eyes focusing downwards to avoid my own eyes that were struggling to stay awake. My heart was pounding in my head, making me wince a bit and for his hand rubbing to increase as if to soothe my pain.
"I wanted to apologize for my actions the day of the party, and my actions thereafter." His words made my chest crack and I released a deep sigh and closed my eyes, trying not to focus of the crackling pain.
"You don't have to." My voice cracked and was hoarse from the soreness in my throat. He finally met my eyes with his nerves supposedly steeled.
"No, I have been informed by someone with more experience that what I did was most likely very hurtful. I would like to explain." His words made me open my eyes a sliver despite the ligjt piercing my eyes. The sudden fire in his eyes was intense. He looked more like he was preparing to cut down barbarians than apologize to me.
"That night, I didn't think it would be right of me to take advantage of you in such a vulnerable state." His words made me perk up, starting to feel shame and embarrassment roll through my veins with my blood. It made my limbs heavier than they already were. He gripped my hand a bit tighter and cleaeed his throat.
"I thought you would have seen me in a negative way and would have liked your space for my rudeness, so I thought it best to keep my distance. I now see that my actions may have been perceived in a negative and cruel manner, and for that I deeply do apologize. I did not mean you any harm." My jaw dropped at his startling apology. I never realized it until this moment that I had one of the most powerful men in the entire Empire holding my hand and begging my forgiveness. I had gotten to accustomed to his almost doting behaviour that it never occurred to think this way. I tried to cover my mouth with my other hand as I shut it, feeling the heat from my face as my toes curled from the intense flustered feeling. The sincerity in his voice was overwhelming, and it lulled me a bit making me feel a bit sleepy.
"I am sorry that I misunderstood your intentions." I managed to blurt out trying to not tremble. It was definitely a failure though, however it was easy to hide it as my chills. He let out a shaky breath he seemed to be holding in and deflated a bit, bringing my hand up for his forehead and pressing it gently to my warm hands. His silky hand tickled my fingers, and his cool skin felt nice against my knuckles.
"You have no reason to apologize." His voice was barely over a whisper and cracking, as if he was holding himself back. My sore body was screaming at me intensely and my nausea was coming back it a vengeance. I squeezed my eyes shut and could see lights spinning behind my eyelids and my stomach started to gurgle angrily.
"Are you okay?" I shook my head, my hand on my mouth tightening as I fought the urge to vomit.
"I've been selfish. You must be exhausted from being sick." I removed my hand from my mouth and waved him off, my other hand still firmly in his possession.
"No its okay. I really appreciate you being honest." With my words came a sheepish expression that overtook his face, making him curl inwards for a breif moment before fixing himself.
"A-Actually I have one other thing that I would like to share with you before I leave you to rest." I squeezed his hand instead of answering because I felt a little too weak to do so. He was trembling in his hands as much as I was but I pretended not to see. He released my hand and laced his together, leaning forward to meet my eyes better. I expected him to tell me knowledge in regards to raids or the upcoming venture home. Perhaps he would tell me that he would like like hire me afterwards as several others had already done. Instead, he gave me news that I hoped for yet dared not to expect.
"I would like to start courting you."