The next few days after being declared healthy were uneventful because I could not move. I was so sick that I became like Poppy, the only weird thing was that my appetite heightened. I was eating more than usual, not that I'm complaining, it's just weird.
"Rose," Lily said, entering the room. "I heard you were sick, so I came to see you." You just heard?
"I'm fine," I said, hoping she'd leave.
"Do you want me to keep you company?" she asked.
"No," I said hastily. "No, I don't need company, if I do get bored I'll ask Millie to stay with me so don't worry," I said slower this time.
"Oh, okay," she said, turning to leave. It's best we avoid awkward silence as best as we could for both our sakes, Lily don't run out of things to say, but I would rather not talk, she'd probably find a way to add her letter or her male leads in the conversation. "Are you sure your dragon isn't the cause?" Lily asked, standing at the door.
"What do you mean?" I asked trying to sit up but gave up eventually.
"I mean, dragons have great magic power and you, on the other hand, don't have any, I think it's affecting you," she explained.
"It's just a cold," I said flatly.
"But…"
"It's just a cold," I repeated. She nodded and walked out quietly, shutting the door behind her.
…
Lily got in my head yesterday, now I can't think of anything else. There's no way Poppy is the cause of my sickness, but the wind spirit also warned me. There's no way Poppy is dangerous, I mean it's Poppy the saucy kid who is so shameless it can be annoying.
I'm not going to let these important characters deceive me, I'll just focus on my recovery, then I can move forward with my plan.
"My lady," Millie called, walking in. "You have a letter."
"I'm done with letters," I said forcing myself to sit up.
"Well… I think you'd be interested," she said, handing the letter over to me. I scanned it taking in the crest on the seal, I opened it and scanned through it.
"It's an invitation to a ball at… Jupiter's place? No way am I going," I shouted.
"My lady," Millie scolded. I might be sick and need to take it easy, but my reaction is justified.
"You won't understand, Millie," I said dropping the letter. If the number one villain is back, that only makes things worse, and I need to leave soon.
"You'll have to go, my lady," she said, sounding remorseful.
"I know, it's a big event in the book I don't have a choice," I lamented.
"Huh?"
"Forget it, I'm sure the duke already knows and will force me to go anyway," I said, already exhausted from the thought alone.
"He instructed me to inform you that you should start preparing for the ball," Millie said quietly.
"As expected," I exclaimed, not surprised.
"My lady," she called sadly.
"What color of dress should I wear? Red? Black? Purple?" I asked.
"You shouldn't have to go since you're sick," she said. A little tear will really make your word sound less cold, Millie.
"You might be right," I chuckled. "I don't have time or energy to sulk, Millie," I said, relaxing my head.
"Just be careful with your health," she advised.
"You might be right," I replied.
"I'll be taking my leave now," she said, turning to leave.
"Millie, do you think Poppy is the cause of my illness?" I asked out of the blue, I don't even know why I asked. Millie scanned my expression then she sat down at the edge of the bed and said,
"My lady, the only thing I can do is healing injuries." She can do that? "I'm not some mighty mage that can tell at a glance if someone is being affected by a dragon or not," she said with a serious tone.
"I know that," I whispered. "The wind spirit warned me, then Lily… I guess it got to my head," I explained.
"The wind spirit?" Millie asked with raised eyebrows.
"Yes, she sent a letter to inform everyone that she'll be visiting us soon," I said.
"So what you're saying is that you trust a spirit you've never met, and your annoyingly clueless… I mean, your sister that you are not in good terms with, whom the wind spirit favored over you. You trust their words over your cute dragon, I mean even with that mouth, he has said more nice things to you than your entire family in this past month," Millie said with a hint of accusation.
"I don't, I don't," I said, looking at my hands.
"My lady, people don't like you," she stated like it was some kind of unknown mystery.
"Ouch," I exclaimed, but I didn't feel hurt by her words.
"Don't push away the ones that actually care about you, for the ones that caused your miserable life," she scolded, but her expression didn't falter. As hurtful as her words were, she was right. Poppy might be saucy and annoying, but he's still one of the nicest people I've met in all three lives. I won't let those two get to my head, I'll do what I can to help Poppy, then I'll recover as well.
"Thanks, Millie," I said quietly.
"Please, my lady, don't ever speak that way again," she said with a dramatic shudder.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Are you dying? Why are you acting that way? It's not like you," she said, standing up.
"What did I do?" I asked.
"I'm leaving," she said, walking to the door.
"Millie," I called and she turned around.
"You are the rude youngest daughter of the Percando family, you do everything to get what you want, and don't let your family cloud your judgement. Don't forget that… Silver," she said walking out. Was that a compliment? Don't let them cloud my judgement, huh? I guess Millie is right.
They have never done anything for me apart from filling up my pocket, which I am grateful for, so why should I listen to them? Poppy is just an inconvenience to them, so they want to get rid of him.
"I would rather not meet the wind spirit," I whispered to myself.