"Your majesty!" Heather screamed in fright as she witnessed me cough out blood but I shook my head, silencing her.
"Don't cause a scene, Heather. I will be fine."
There was only one hour left until the poison would consume my life and the antidote had still not shown up on the screen.
"Just let me rest for now. I will be fine once I wake up the next day." I reasoned but Heather wouldn't budge.
"But, your majesty-"
"Heather, this is an order!" I yelled but regretted it as I felt another cough strike my throat and cause another set of blood to leave my lips.
Heather couldn't watch and turned away, tears streaming down her face as she left the room with regret.
The doors closed and I was left alone in my room to suffer.
Bradley had gotten the news of my sickness and had tried to see me earlier but I refused, ordering the guards to take him back to his room so he wouldn't witness my illness.
"Mission."
The screen appeared before me and I stared at it, trying to see any sort of clue that could reveal how I could obtain the antidote.
"Maybe there is another screen..." I muttered, holding back another cough that threatened to come out.
I wiped away the sweat on my forehead and focused intently on the screen.
"Medicine."
The screen glitched, changing what was presented to me and I felt relieved as I managed to see the antidote appear in front of me.
"There should be a manual guide for this thing." I couldn't help but complain under my breath as I summoned the antidote.
It materialised in front of me and I grabbed it, greedily drinking the entire bottle and when I had done so, a wave of dizziness struck me causing me to topple over, my face squashed against the mattress while my body ended up stuck in a funny position as I had fainted.
When Heather found me several hours later in the morning, she was in tears, horrified as she had assumed I had died until I abruptly sat up and scared the crap out of her.
"AHHHHH!"
She screamed with all her might until I slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Heather...calm down." She stared at me in shock while I looked at her with a tired look and she slowly nodded, moving back to take in the fact that my condition was a lot better than the previous night.
"H-How are you well, your majesty?" She had to ask, dying to know what had made me better but I simply grinned cheekily.
"I told you I would be well by the next day. You shouldn't doubt my words." I told and she was in awe.
"You are amazing, your majesty!" She complimented as she clapped her hands and I laughed, finding her words amusing.
"Replace the bedsheets for me and then send Bradley here while I wash up," I instructed and she nodded, starting away.
I walked with ease towards the bathroom, ignoring the guards who were gazing at my blood-covered nightwear in shock, wondering what had happened the night earlier.
"Your eyes should not be on me," I mentioned and they were startled for being called out, quickly turning their gaze to what was ahead of them.
It didn't take me long to wash myself up and the clothes I had discarded by the door had been replaced with a new set causing me to smile as I knew Heather had done it.
She was reliable.
I walked out of the bathroom, feeling fresh and returned to my room to see Bradley strolling around in boredom.
"Bradley," I called in a soft tone and he turned my way, his eyes widening but there was relief in them.
He rushed up to me and I was taken aback by the hug he brought me into.
"I was worried, your majesty." He told and I patted his back in comfort, his hold around me tightening.
"Poison can't kill me. I'm the empress." I said with confidence and he moved back, gazing at me with a smile for the first time.
My breath hitched, my heart beating fast over the sweet look he expressed to me only.
"Please don't ever smile like that to anyone ever," I ordered in a tone that he didn't recognise and his smile dropped, worried he had done something to upset me.
"Only I can see your beautiful smile."
Bradley had to admit, he wasn't expecting those words to be uttered from my mouth and it flustered him, a blush adorning his sun-kissed skin.
"As you wish, your majesty." He said but I pouted, not liking the formality he was addressing me by.
"Call me by my name," I said and his eyes were filled with shock once again.
"I cannot, that would be disrespectful." He refused and I placed my hands on my hips, raising a brow at him.
"It's not disrespectful if I'm the one telling you to do it. Plus, you can call me by my name when no one is around." I said and he remained quiet, hesitant to speak up.
"L-Lillian." He stuttered and I placed a hand over my heart, struck by how cute he was.
"Oh, my heart can't take it," I said dramatically but Bradley took it the wrong way and grew concerned.
"What's wrong with your heart? Are you unwell? Should I call the doctor?" He asked, beginning to panic.
"Your cuteness is harming my heart," I told and he paused in his panic, staring at me with a blank look as he tried to process what I had just told him.
"I...I think you should rest, Lillian." He tried to move me to my bed but I shrugged him off, playfully glaring at him.
"I am just fine, Bradley."
It was silent for a second before the two of us burst into laughter, the atmosphere brightening.
The mission screen appeared in front of me causing me to grow startled and I quickly read what my mission was.
MISSION - KISS BRADLEY
TIME LIMIT - 2 MINUTES
REWARD - BRADLEY +10 LOVE POINTS
FAILURE - DEATH
'I have to kiss him or I'll die? What kind of messed up system is this?!!!'