Eyelids flickered. They had been doing that for quite some time now. They finally sprung open, and blue eyes as deep and enchanting as the ocean itself stared at the ceiling, pale blonde hair spread around the bed. There was a weight on her legs. What could it be? She kind of found it hard to move. She felt something on her forehead. She(with some effort of course) touched her forehead and felt a bandage there. She stared up at the ceiling again. (Oh.) It dawned on her. This was hers and Diego's room. Come to think of it, she did remember him coming to her aid yesterday, but the memory was a bit hazy. Well, this was becoming uncomfortable. Her throat was parched and her legs felt stiff. Her eyelids were heavy, too. "Uhm, ah." She tried to speak. Her throat was just too dry. She moved her hands downwards. She felt some one's hair. She ruffled it a little, thinking it was Diego but at the same time hoping that it wasn't him. "Diane?" She was wrong. "Thank goodness, you finally woke up. I was worried sick." It WAS him. Before she could realise it, she was thrown into a hug. She tapped his back lightly, and she released him. "W-water, please." She croaked in her hoarse voice. He immediately filled her cup with water, and she gulped it down greedily. "I will go tell the family that you are awake. They were all worried about you." He said, and he left the room before she could even stop him. Moments later, Diane was surrounded by a the entire Raymond family- halfactually, and a crying Morris. "I thought you were going to die." Morris sobbed. "I am sorry for worrying you all." Diane said, as she patted Morris's head. (For how long was I unconscious that Morris thought like that?) Diane thought. "It's alright dear. As long as you are safe and healthy and happy, there is no need for us to worry about you." Maria, who was sitting at the edge of Diane's bed said, while gently patting her face. Diane nodded. She avoided Maria's eye contact. (So.. this is.. the genuine concern of a mother. It has been a while since I last felt that)Diane thought. "You know sister-in-law, the one that was most worried was Die-Ouch!" Theodore, who had not quite finished talking yet, suddenly exclaimed in pain. "There you go, running your mouth off again." Natasha, who had given him a hard slap to the back of the head, muttered angrily. "Um, excuse me, but may I have a chance to speak to the lady?" An unfamiliar voice called out. A man who seemed to be around Diego's age stood before her, silvery white hair, and blue eyes. "In private please?" The man said as he saw that no one had the intent of leaving. Everyone left, one by one, with Diane having a hard time convincing Morris. "You can stay, you know." The man told Diego, who was about to leave the room. "You are her husband, afterall.
Diane finally got acquainted with the stranger. He was Thaniel Perutus, The heir of the Galatio duchy. But he went by the pseudonym Derek Mobilian. He was also one of Diego's childhood friends, but since he was good at medicine, he acts as a physician at times, under his false identity. Besides, only Diego and his innate family members called him Thaniel. Everyone else knew him as Derek. "Thank you, for saving me." Diane muttered shyly. She was really feeling awkward about all of this. "Actually, it is Diego you should give your thanks to. If he hadn't saved you on time, with the amount of blood you lost, you would have..." "I know." Diane said, suddenly. "I could tell." She said, her eyes still focused on her sheets. All this time, she never once looked up at Diego or Thaniel. "Diego was very worried about you, you know. He even.." Thaniel would have continued, but Diego gave him a glare that chilled him to his bones. " He does whatever he wants to do." Diane simply stated, but in A very dull voice. Thaniel and Diego exchanged worried looks. "Well then lady, I will take my leave. It was a pleasure meeting you." He said, as he stood up. "I will escort you. Diane, I will be right back. Don't move." Diego ordered, to which Diane simply nodded. "Do take care of yourself, my lady." Thaniel said as he exited the room.
As Thaniel left, his hair color waned and changed to a magnificent jet balck, while his eyes turned Hazel. "I really can't tell If you are wise or foolish." Diego said, as they walked down the hallways. "You told Diane that much about yourself, but you didn't even reveal your true form to her?" He asked. "Well, the thing is, I don't want her to fall for me." Thaniel said with a shrug of his shoulders. "It seems like you are looking forward to die." "Can I not make jokes anymore?!". He sighed, and his face turned grave. "You remember what I said right? You have to take good care of her at this stage." " Yes, I remember " Diego said with a curt nod of the head. "I am really not joking this time. She is fragile. If she were to suddenly manifest her powers in the state of mind she is now.. I am afraid.." His voice trailed off as he looked into the distance. "It might even be worse since her true potential was restricted for so long." He continued with a sigh. "The thing that I found prevented her from blooming when she could have done so a long time ago, right?" Diego asked. " Yes. It is quite rare to find things like those." Thaniel said. "Well then, I wish you the best of luck." Diego said patting his shoulder, while Thaniel looked at him as one would look at a fool. "Natasha said they were as weak as ants.." "You really shouldn't give heed to that woman's words all the time." Diego cut him off. "Hah, whatever, I am running late. See ya!" Thaniel said, as he clicked his fingers and disappeared. "That dumb clown.." Diego muttered to himself.
When he got back to the bedroom, Diane was slumped over the bed, sound asleep. Diego adjusted her and placed the covers 9ver her, to keep her warm. He then lay by her side eand did nothing but gently stroke her hair, watching her sleep. He yawned. No one had ever made him feel this protective before. He still had paperwork to do. Maybe.. he could give this fake relationship a chance. His eyes clamped shut, as he sank into the abyss of slumber.