Aftermath (part 1)

I felt the softness of the silky bedsheets and the covers over me; my body felt heavy, I must have been unconscious for hours, I hope Lark wasn't too injured. I tried to open my eyes but it was too hard and tiring, slowly I fell asleep again.

The next time I was conscious again I tried to move but I felt too heavy, I did hear voices of people; maybe Lark and what sounded like Raven to me. I guess even though I was ready my body wasn't so I stopped trying and let myself rest. A few times the same thing repeated over and over.

Finally, I could move and open my eyes, I tried to ready myself for the sunlight burning my eyes off thankfully though it seemed to be night. I slowly pulled myself to sit up resting my body on the headboard of the bed. I looked around seeing nobody I let out a sigh positioning my head angled slightly upwards as I thought of everything that has happened so far. The day Ares comes forward wanting to break off the engagement should be close as well as the start of Celeste and me attending the academy.

I need to make sure that Celeste doesn't end up going down the same route as the game plot was made to be. This one definite change will keep them alive; I know that for sure the only problem is whether or not I'll be able to do so.

I heard the door creak open, slowly I opened my eyes and tilted my head to check who came in- Lark. It was mildly surprising that he came here this late; his steps turned rushed when he noticed I was up and awake, "Si- Alec?" he called out softly maybe to check if I'd gone back to sleep.

"I'm awake. And just call me like usual, 'Alec' is not supposed to exist here anyways."

I noticed his eyes narrow but he didn't say anything and I didn't comment either, "Can you get me some water please?" I asked. He nodded and rushed to a jug on the table pouring a glass for me.

After I drank the water, I felt much better, placing the glass at the side asking, "So what happened after I passed out?" The moonlight shining on his face made it easier to see, it seems like it wasn't the best story for him.

"I heard you call out my name as you passed out and that sacred me, I thought you were dying. That you lost more blood and were more gravely injured that I thought. I tried to finish the fight quickly but he was strong, I was injured as well so it made the fight all the more harder. I got a chance that helped finish the fight and I rushed you as I fast I could back to the palace. As soon as we were in the maids immediately got informing the doctor and the family. The doctor checked over you after cleaning the blood off. When he was done, he informed us you'd be fine except for some scaring on your back and shoulder. The reason you fainted was due to the pain and blood loss and that you would be up soon. This was two days ago."

"I think the doctor needs to change his perception of 'soon'." I grumbled.

Lark scoffed muttering, "He's fired."

"FIRED!! Why!?"

"Oh, your Father was angry that you were hurt and then the 'soon' wasn't exactly soon so that was it for him and he had the doctor fired just this morning."

"And nobody stopped him?"

"....they were ready to torture him for potentially killing you." He shrugged, "Your Father was the merciful one."

I slammed my hand to my forehead, now I have extra work- making sure the doctor still has a job. "What else happened while I was knocked out?"

"'Knocked out'???"

"Oh god…" I groaned, "While I was as sleep Lark."

"Ahhh, well nothing you need to worry about." I took his word for it as we continued to talk for a while until I was too tired to continue and drifted back to sleep again, Lark saying he was going to stay for a while more I yawned in reply dozing off.

"-esty, he woke up during the night."

I mumbled about it being too bright as I blinked, trying to get used to the sun. That was followed by some gasps, I turned to see- Mother, Father and Raven… and Ares and Lark on the other side; all smiling like no tomorrow. I tried to sit up, Lark immediately supported me; I rolled my eyes at him saying, "I'm not dying yet. I can move on my own."

Suddenly I heard a sob, which came from Mother, I guess that was too soon for them. I sighed, "Mother, don't cry please. I meant that I'm alright now." Mother pulled out her handkerchief and dabbed it around her eyes. They stayed a while longer constantly asking questions like, 'are you pain anywhere?' or 'do you need something?' or 'should we call for the doctor?' By the time they felt I was sure I'll be coddled like a newborn until I'm fully healed.

I spent the entire day sleeping or reading something, when I was bored of that I'd either stare out the window or challenge Lark or whoever was unfortunate enough to be keeping watch over me to a game or chess or something. My patience was running thin come evening but, the moment a toe touched the floor carpet the "babysitters" would cry out and push me back on it. I very nearly cried, tired and bored of everything until the doors burst open and heels clicked along the marble to my bed. Celeste wrapped her arms around me, the hug was welcome but it was too much making me hiss in pain when she pressed my wounds unintentionally.

"Oh stop being a baby! You'll be as good as new soon enough." She reprimanded, I was shocked and overjoyed that finally there was a person here who wasn't going treat me like I was going break any second or something. "I've been-" I was stopped again, "I don't want to hear your excuses!!"

"But-"

"What did I say?" she asked with an eyebrow raised, challenging me to say another word. I swear body here ever listens to what I what to say, they just on and on. And so, I kept quiet and listened to her go on and on what happened and what she imagined, I almost zoned out until I heard, "poor Lark was also punished. And then it was after that that I finally reached the palace-"

"Wait what???���

"What's wrong Sirius?"

"Lark was …. punished?"

"Yes. On the same day if I'm not mistaken. Oh, even the usual imperial doctor was thrown out."

"Why?"

"Well, that's because he told the King and every-"

"Not the doctor! I heard about him… I'll work on it later."

"Oh, you meant Lark? Well that was because you were injured that's why."

"Lark wasn't even aware where I was going. He secretly followed after me after I sneaked out. And I pushed him away to save him. Both times!"

"Is that so? But Lark said, 'he failed to protect you and put you in danger' which is why it was decided he would be punished."

"What?" Why would Lark lie? I tried to think why but I couldn't even begin to imagine why. "What was his punishment? Has he already received it?"

"….yes ….50 slashes of the whip."