The next few days were a blur for Seraphina as she rested and healed in the room provided to her. Her father refused to send her back to her own mansion because he was worried about her health; he wanted to personally keep an eye on her.
The healer visited her daily, changing her bandages and ensuring her wounds were healing properly with medicinal paste. Despite the pain and fatigue, Seraphina's mind constantly buzzed with the events that had transpired.
She used her mental space to relive the moments, constantly trying to figure out better ways she could have handled the situation to avoid anyone getting hurt.
She also found something new in her mental space. The serpent bookshelf had new books on it, and after examining them a bit she was able to figure out what they were.
They were books that held the knight and fighting techniques of those she had clashed swords with or seen with her eyes. They were rough and incomplete, but they showed her that it was possible to learn from watching others.
She planned to explore it in more depth after she healed properly.
The estate was quieter than usual these days, reflecting the somber mood in the aftermath of the attack and the actions being taken to deal with it. A lot of the knights that were usually at the house, including Davanai were now out searching.
Seraphina found herself with plenty of time to think and reflect as she didn't have any training during this period, surrounded by the familiar yet somewhat stifling walls of the room around her.
On the third day of her recovery, a soft knock on her door broke her from her silence. She called out, inviting the visitor to come inside, and she was pleasantly surprised to see Lucy stepping into the room.
The girl wore a bright smile, her eyes lighting up as she saw Seraphina. Speaking with genuine concern, she asked the girl how she felt.
"Hey, Seraphina. How are you feeling?"
Seraphina managed a smile, grateful for the girl's question and company.
"I'm healing. It's slow, but I'm getting there. How about you? How's everyone else?"
Lucy moved closer to the bed, pulling a chair next to the bed as she took a seat to talk with the girl.
"We're all fine, really. Just a few scratches here and there. I've been worried about you, though. After we returned we didn't get to visit or see you for some days, I thought it was serious."
Seraphina's heart warmed at the concern in Lucy's voice, she didn't realize that people she had just met, known for only a day, had such worry for her.
She didn't think it had such kind-hearted people in this world, but maybe she was wrong.
"Thank you, Lucy. That means a lot. I'm just glad you're okay."
For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the quiet of the room interrupted only by the occasional rustling of the trees outside by the wind that blew. Seraphina found Lucy's presence soothing, her bright energy a balm to the complete silence and boredom the girl faced previously.
"Oh, I brought you something."
Lucy said suddenly, reaching into a small bag she had brought with her. She pulled out a small bouquet of wildflowers, their colors vibrant and fresh.
"I was going around the estate since they didn't want us to leave yet and saw these. I thought these might brighten your room a bit."
Seraphina smiled as she accepted the flowers and placed them on the bedside table.
"You didn't need to, your company is enough to brighten up this boring room. But they're beautiful, Lucy. Thank you."
Lucy blushed slightly at the girl's words, lowering her face to hide it from Seraphina.
"I'm glad you like them. I've been thinking a lot about what happened, and... I just wanted to thank you again. Really, you saved my life back there, I would be dead without you."
Seraphina waved her hand dismissively.
"I did what anyone would have done. You don't need to thank me for that."
"But I do."
Lucy insisted, her eyes meeting Seraphina's with a serious expression.
"You were so brave, Seraphina, unlike me. You protected all of us, even when you got injured because of it. That means a lot to me... I mean, to us."
Seraphina didn't know how to respond to the girl's words. To her it really wasn't a big deal, it was something she did without thinking about it, something she believed anyone would do.
"Lucy, really, all that matters is that you're all okay. That's all that matters to me, I don't need thanks."
Lucy's eyes softened as she looked at Seraphina, she admired the girl. she found herself drawn to the girl's strength, kindness, and something else that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
To Lucy, Seraphina was what she believed a Knight should be—what a Knight was. Lucy had always admired Knights, and she believed that Seraphina would make a great knight—no—Seraphina was a great knight.
"Can I stay here with you for a while?"
Lucy asked, her voice almost muffled as she spoke.
"I mean, if you don't mind that is. I can keep you company, and maybe we can talk a bit more. If you don't want that it's also fine, I understand, you probably need to rest to heal."
Seraphina chuckled at the girl's rambling, and she nodded her head.
"It's fine Lucyk, I would like the company. I've been bored just sitting here all alone."
The two girls spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing, their conversation flowing easily as they shared stories and dreams. Lucy found herself admiring Seraphina more and more as she learned more about the girl.
She found herself sharing her dreams with the girl, the fact that she wanted to be a knight but was never allowed to—something she had rarely told others.
When Lucy learned that Seraphina was previously so sick she couldn't even train to be a knight, and how she overcame it in order to follow her goals—Lucy wished she could do that.
Seraphina felt some pity for the girl. She was lovely, lively, and friendly, but deep down Seraphina could see that the girl was missing something. She craved something she couldn't have because of her family, and she wasn't strong enough to take it herself yet.
Seraphina pitied that, she wished she could help her—but she wasn't even strong enough to help herself.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the room, Lucy stood up to leave. She hesitated for a moment before leaning down and giving Seraphina a hug.
"Get some rest, Seraphina. I'll see you tomorrow."
She whispered, her heart pounding in her chest as she quickly released her and rushed to the door.
"Goodnight Lucy. Thank you for today, I'll be waiting."
As Lucy left the room, Seraphina laid back against her pillow, her mind swirling with thoughts from the day. She found herself enjoying the company of the girl, and she even looked forward to seeing her more. Her presence is a bright spot midst her recovery.
Meanwhile, the others who had been involved in the attack were also healing up. Adrian and Annabeth, who had only suffered minor injuries were soon well enough to return home. Davian ensured that they were escorted in protected carriages, their safety a priority after the recent events.
Gunther, though still nursing his injuries, also left the estate shortly after them because he didn't want to stay for too long. He was picked up by his family's knights and escorted back, so they didn't need to send knights with him.
The only one who remained was Lucy, choosing to stay longer than needed because she wanted to keep Seraphina company while she was injured.