Butterflied Night

I had decided to conveniently forget about the near- no miraculous effects of the magic medicine Sage gave; big, no huge mistake.

Once night came and it was time to redress my wounds, Lark came in as per usual, medicines in hand. He removed the bandages like always- maybe a part of me still didn't believe the effects if the medicines because I didn't try to stop him and just sat still as usual, now that I think back… I haven't been feeling that slightly prickling pain I always did for a while now. I felt his hands freeze and I knew, they were completely healed. It was only a moment when Lark swiftly turned his head to me, eyes narrowed as he questioned, "How?"

I gulped unconsciously and raked my brains for a believable answer. Of course, I couldn't say the truth, an unknown man able to come into the Palace, god knows how, gave not only those crystal flowers but also a miraculous medicine! I haven't said a word about him, obviously everything about him is suspicious. I forced out a 'I don't know' but I knew he didn't believe me. His stood up and went out again without a word. It was sometime later when he returned, but not alone, along with him was the Royal Physician, my parents and siblings and want seemed to be a few curious servants in tow.

It was only moments later my shirt was removed once again and the doctor was poking around, he checked my pulse rate until he was satisfied and I was ready to keep him at least six feet away if not more.

"It seems that His Highness has healed perfectly." The doctor gave his verdict after his checkup. He looked nervous and kept glancing at me, eyes shanking.

"But how… His wounds shouldn't have healed for a while now."

My father, I nearly face palmed, I wish they would just overlook this guess I'll force it then, I stood up and swung my arms around, stretching a bit as I said, "Well whatever the case, I think it's fine. I can move freely now, no more bedrest for me- I'm a free man!" Ares snorted and said, "You'd think you were imprisoned here." Before I could state that I was technically confined here he had already begun to make his way out, Raven glanced between the two of us before she bid me good night and that I should rest well before she went as well. Mother and Father followed not long after, but only after I reassured them that I was really fine and not feeling any pain or anything of the sort- I jumped and moved like mad to prove my point. The doctor left along with them, in the end it was just me and Lark left, I waited for him to go too but instead he asked, "What did you do?"

I sighed, this man… "Nothing, don't worry just go sleep. It's getting late."

"And you? What are you doing? You should sleep as well."

"Not tired." I replied dismissively.

"Should I get you some tea then? It might help." I nodded and he went off.

I opened the doors to the balcony and sat there for a while until I felt a bit chilly, but I didn't want to go back so I continued sitting there. The tea would help me warm up either way. Lark returned not long after a both of chamomile tea in hand, he poured a cup and handed it to me. I thanked him in return and said, "You can go. I'll be fine." Lark hesitated a bit before he complied and went.

I slowly sipped letting the warm liquid slowly warm me up, I closed my eyes for a bit and let out a sigh, not of frustration of anything just letting my body calm down and relax. I opened my eyes again and stared at the moonless sky, and the stars for light and the leaves rustling along with the wind. I saw something shiny on the railing and found a Lumi Butterfly, it made me smile. A really beautiful creature- its wings glowed in the dark, each insect had their own colors and occasionally if lucky you might find one with two colors. It turquoise wings gently fluttered as it slowly lifted and flew closer and landed on the edge of the cup slowly moving its wings but otherwise unmoving.

For a while I just sat there staring at the single butterfly, when I suddenly felt a weight on my shoulders, I turned to look only to find a shawl placed on my shoulder, I directed my gaze to the one standing behind me- Ares. "I thought you went to sleep" I commented. He shrugged in response. "Is everything alright Ares?" I pushed, he hummed and instead said, "You'll get sick like this. That cup of tea isn't enough to warm you up."

I simply chuckled not saying anymore and turned to look ahead again, but the butterfly was no longer than instead a hundred other filled the sky dancing with the wind, shinning and fluttering about. A while of silence passed between us as Ares went to sit on the chair, pouring a cup for himself, "Chamomile" he murmured after. I hummed in response knowing he liked it more than others, Raven liked Hibiscus I remembered, Mother liked Red-Black (this world equivalent of Assam), Father wasn't much of a fan for teas, but he drinks any, Lark preferred Sage, Sage… I wonder what he liked. "I was worried…" he said after a while. I smiled at him and reassured, "Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine. I feel better than ever before." He gave me skeptical glance before he nodded and continued to drink his tea.

"I think Celeste will visit tomorrow." He added, "Visit? Or storm in?" I questioned back, that brought a smile on his face before he went back to his usual indifferent face.

"I found someone…"

I glanced at him, knowing he was talking about Helen, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, someone I like."

"What do you plan on doing now then? I'm sure you've realized-"

"I want to break off the engagement, I-" he stopped himself from saying anything more. I didn't push him to talk any further, considering I knew where this conversation was going. The silence that fell upon us was a bit tense something I'm not used to when it comes to Ares. I thought about what I could say to let this become even a little lighter but before I could Ares spoke first, "….do you not accept?"

I immediately denied it, no matter what the storyline was previously, right now this world is real and so are the feelings Ares has for Helen, I already know her character and personality so that isn't a concern either. Ares visibly relaxed knowing that I didn't have any issues with them. The air around us also returned back to normal so we continued to chat about different things, I asked a little about Helen too and when I'd be meeting her, I was overcome with excitement knowing I would meet Helen in real, as a fan of the game meeting the main character was exhilarating.

It was a long while after the butterflies flew away and the tea had long gone cold that we decided to go back to sleep. Ares went back to his and I lay down mine shutting my eyes and letting sleep take over.