It had already been a couple of days since the ordeal with the Crown Prince and, while Aria had fully recovered from the shock, she knew she'd caused both her father and Dr O'Maley a lot of trouble from having fallen ill twice. Regardless, Aria felt much better after following the doctor's advice to remain at rest.
As usual, Aria was resting in her bed when footsteps echoed just outside her room, followed by a soft knock on the door.
"Lady Aria, Lord Marquess and Dr O'Maley are here to see you," Emma informed through the door.
"Come in," Aria called.
Aria was eager to tell them how she'd fully recovered and there was no need to worry about her any further. In fact, she'd been itching to leave her room all this time. However, both Marquess Windsor's and Dr O'Maley's reactions were that of the complete opposite to hers. Despite her father returning her smile, his own smile didn't reach his eyes and was devoid of its usual warmth. He looked utterly crestfallen. Aria couldn't understand why; until Dr O'Maley stood next to her bed and proceeded to grimly inform her of the results of his diagnosis.
"Lady Aria, as much as I hope I'm wrong, it seems that what you had gone through last time were typical symptoms of post-traumatic disorder," Dr O'Maley took a shaky breath in and continued, "which is mostly induced through experiences of extreme distress."
Aria could only sit on her bed silently as she heard the news.
Though his eyes trembled, Marquess Windsor turned to his daughter and held her hands firmly in his as he spoke.
"Aria... I want you to be truthful with me. Has anything or anyone been bothering you?"
Aria could tell her father had been blaming himself for everything that'd happened to her. She wished she could tell them both that it wasn't either of their faults and that she was someone whose spirit was broken to begin with, but she couldn't. How could she begin to tell them everything that had happened to her, when those events hadn't even happened in this life?
Seeing her father looking so heartbroken as he tightly held her tiny hands in his, overwhelmed Aria with a pang of immeasurable guilt. The only thing she could say to alleviate some of their worries was to deny it and hope they'd believe her words.
Aria squeezed her father's hands in return. "Of course not. I'm the happiest I've ever been."
"Lady Aria..." Dr O'Maley almost broke into tears after seeing her angelic smile. He was sure the young lady was only trying to put on a brave front so as to not worry the Marquess.
Marquess Windsor understood completely what Aria was trying to say. Although he was hesitant to do so, he decided to concede to Aria's wishes and drop the matter. After all, pressing her any further when she was determined not to tell them anything would only cause her unnecessary stress.
"That's good. I'm glad that you're okay, Aria."
***