Madeleine
I was hurting. It felt like my head was going to burst and someone was cutting my body parts. I heard some familiar voices.
" ....she is awake....."
"....it's my fault..."
I recognised these voices but my brain refused to tell me whose voices were those.
I was feeling very hot and wet everywhere, maybe from sweating too much. I opened my eyes but my eyes hurted and my vision was blurred by too much light. I closed my eyes again.They spoke again.
"..she is waking..."
" ...we should...."
It was too loud. The voices were ringing in my ears making the pain in my head unbearable.
" Please...." I moaned in pain. Please keep quiet.
Tears flowed down my eyes. It hurts.
" Princess..." It was Amy's voice.
I opened my eyes to see Amy, Jenifer and some other maids in my room. They were worried about me. Someone gave a bowl of water to Amy and she sat beside me. She put a cold wet cloth on my forehead. It brought me some relief.
" Princess, are you okay? Why are you crying?" She asked.
" Hurts..." I was capable of forming only these words out of my mouth.
" Where Princess?" She asked.
" Everywhere..." I struggled while saying.
Jenifer ordered maids something and they went into chaos. It was too loud. They made it worse.
" Quiet...." I sobbed.
My body was going numb in pain. I was nauseous but my stomach was empty so my muscles were crumpling.
" Everyone out..." Jenifer ordered them.
Everyone hustled out. Amy caressed my head and rubbed my limbs. Black dots were dancing in my vision again. Darkness was calling me. It appelead to me and I liked it because I didn't feel pain there.
Before crawling to darkness, I heard Amy. She was pleading me to stay with her.
Alaric
I was going to meet Camilla. Afterall, she was my only friend. I was on my horse Penelope. I grew up with her. She was my comrade. Weather was nice today. Sun was brightly shining in the sky. Madeleine slept late last night. She must be sleeping. I was eager to tell Camilla about her.
I fastened my pace towards dukedom. The knights opened the gates on seeing me and greeted me. I smiled at them. Everything was same here. Nothing changed. Camilla was standing at the door waiting for me. I stopped and climbed down my horse.
" I knew you were coming. I heard Penelope." She said coming towards me.
" I am here to meet Mrs. Ashford. You don't have to come all the way to greet me."
" Like I don't know that's a lie."
" Then, it's the right time to apologise."
She grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.
" Okay, I apologise. I am sorry. It was last moment decision. I also brought a gift for you."
" So, you prepared a bribe for me."
" I am sure you will like it."
We entered the guest room and I sat on sofa. She went to retrieve something from a desk.
A maid came with tea and sweets. She placed them on table and excused herself. Camilla came and sat beside me. She gave me a box wrapped in shiny blue paper. I examined that box from outside and said," It's suspicious.."
Excitement was dripping from her face. She was sure I was going to like it.
" Open it, already." She grumbled.
I nodded and slowly opened the wrapping. It contained a box. I opened that box to find a silver brcohe with peacock feather attached to it. It was beautiful. It matched well with my earring.
" So, you liked it. I knew your obsession with peacock feathers will help me win."
" Who says I liked it?"
" Don't lie.....it's written all over your face."
I smiled and said," I will let it slide this time..."
She giggled and said," I knew it.....by the way I want to tell you so much about my trip.That was so amazing........"
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
" Ride safely."Camilla told me.
I nodded and waved towards her. She waved me back.
I went towards my palace.
" I will come you to tomorrow." She shouted to tell me.
I raised my hand to show her that I heard her. Sun was almost going to set. She told me about her vacation and I told her about elder brother's engagement ceremony. We talked about many things and I filled her on events she missed. I realised I was missing something.
" Oh..I forgot the main thing." I claimed.
I forgot to tell her about Madeleine. It's okay I could tell her tomorrow.
I entered the palace and walked towards my room. I heard some maids talking. I stopped when I heard Madeleine's name.
I walked towards them .On seeing me, they greeted me. They were scared by the fact that I caught them gossiping but I ignored them because I was more interested in knowing what were they talking about.
" What happened to princess Madeleine?" I asked them.
"Imperial doctor was summoned to the wisteria palace. Princess Madeleine is quite sick....Your highness we weren't gossiping.We were........"
I walked before they could explain what were they doing? I wasn't interested not after I heard about Madeleine. She was sick. It's my mistake. She came last night because of me. She was out in cold because of me. She must be suffering and I was out whole day. How could I? Rick saw me and said," Where are you going?"
But I didn't stop. I had no time to stop. Rick came before me and stopped me.
" Let me go..." I said.
" What happened?" He asked.
" Madeline is sick. I have to go....." I tried to pass by but he was strong.
" Don't be reckless Alaric. It's not the right time to visit her." He insisted
" You are being reckless by stopping me. Don't waste my time. Move from my way."
"Why will you go there? Who are you to her ?" He suddenly shouted in my face.
I was stunned for a second by his questions. He knew everything about me and her. Was he kidding me?
" I am not asking this but everyone beside me will ask many more questions." He looked around " We are making a scene. Let's go from here."
He was painfully reasonable. I followed him to my study and closed the door.
" Wait for the sun to set." He said and came towards me.
He put his hand on my shoulder and said gently ," She will be fine."
And left the room. I looked out of the window. The sun was still there. I was awaiting for night eagerly.
Every second passed like a year. My heart was not calming at all. I imagined every worst scenario in my mind. I was worried for her to death.
The moment finally came. Darkness engulfed the sky and I rushed out to meet her.
Madeleine
I opened my eyes slowly to find Amy standing. I was better than before. Amy came towards me and touched my forehead.
" You are still hot." She said in a tensed voice.
I tried to got up but I was feeling heavy. Amy helped me up and added pillows to support my back. My head and my limbs were still hurting. My throat was dry. Amy poured me a glass of water. My hands were too weak to support that glass. It felt so heavy. Amy helped me drank water. I felt sore.
I looked out of the window to see it's night time.
" It's dark..." I whispered in weak voice.
" You were out all the day. You really scared me today. I...." She choked but she faked the courage and continued,
" It was nearly a death experience for me when I saw you moaning in pain. I..I couldn't take better care of you. I am sorry princess." Tears rolled down her eyes.
" Don't say that. You will make me cry again. You did really well. I am proud of you. Nanny will be proud of you." I said in a calm and gentle voice.
She sniffed. She was going to make me cry. I was already in pain.
" What am I saying? I should bring some food." She wiped her tears and got up.
" I am not hungry."
" But...."
" Amy don't worry about me . I will be sleeping all night. You go and take a rest. I am fine."
" Princess...."
" Please for me. I will feel better."
She didn't argue further. She walked out of the room quietly. She was feeling guilty. She was punishing herself by distancing herself from me. But, I didn't want that. It was my mistake that I went out at night. She was suffering because of me. Suddenly, I heard footsteps from balcony.