Chapter 9
Velvet Pattinson's Point of View
I ran away from him and returned to the banquet hall while catching my breath.
" Sis? You're here, I was looking for you." said Red. He's with Ethan and the others.
" What happened? Why are your dress wrinkled?" asked Lucas.
" Are you really embarrassed from earlier that you ran away?" Ethan said while smirking.
I'm getting really dizzy...
My vision's blurry.
" Papa...let's go home..." I said.
" What? But the ball's not over yet.." Papa answered.
Ugh... why is everybody's image spinning?
" S-sweetie, are you okay?" asked Mother.
The Duchess and the Duke are worried too.
Lucas touched my face because he's worrying so much.
" You're burning!" he said.
huh?
I didn't realize that my temperature's high...
"Haaa...haa.."
My balance...my balance is...
FALL
THUD!
" Velvet!/ Sis!/ Sweetie!/Lady Pattinson!"
Calixtar Zinitriou's Point Of View
W-what the hell is that girl?!
She's loud...
She's noisy...
and on top of all...
She's strong.
She managed to block my hand earlier
and...
and...
I saw...
BLUSH
That idiot!
Is she really a noble?!
And...
she's not scared of me and she even called me a bastard.
She's bold, vulgar, and violent.
Everyone fears me except for my clan and the Imperial Family.
And, let's add her to the list.
I headed straight to the banquet hall, but then I saw...
!!!
HER.
She's unconscious and being carried by the head of the Pattinson family, Sebastian Pattinson. She's with her brothers and Ethan Portgas.
!!!
D-did she faints?
I-It's not my fault...
I didn't even hit her!
W-well, I don't really care whatever happens to her.
" Brother Cal!" my cousin yelled.
I was startled by her loud voice and I can see sweat on her forehead.
" What is it, Lilian?"
" Where have you been?! A-anyways, I wanted to introduce you to Velvet Pattinson, my new friend, but she suddenly f-fainted. They said she has a very high f-fever!"
!!!
So it's not because of me after all!
And...
FRIEND?
Lilian's new friend?
Does Lilian have a friend?
I knew Lilian wanted to make some friends but all the persons she approached are afraid of her.
But I guess not that Pattinson girl.
" I see.. so you've made a friend, huh?"
" Yes! I am very happy about it but I'm sad about her condition..". She's teary-eyed.
" Don't worry, she will be alright. She's a Pattinson after all."
" That's exactly why I'm worried!"
" Huh?"
" All the Pattinson GIRLS are born with a weak and frail body. Why didn't you know?"
!!!
Weak and frail body?
...
And she kicked me as we equal in strength?
...
AND SHE'S BURNING BECAUSE OF A FEVER AT THAT TIME?!?!
What...
What is she?!
Ethan Portgas' Point of View
Why?
Why??
Why didn't she tell me she's sick earlier??
We're now riding the Pattinson's carriage and headed straight to their mansion.
Marquess Pattinson quickly sent a messenger to the doctor that is in charge of their family to treat his daughter to their mansion.
Mother and Father can't come with us because their presence is necessary for the event.
Lucas wrapped his coat to Velvet's body to warm her.
The marquess is really worried about his beloved daughter.
The marchioness is crying and worrying for Velvet.
Red's busy thinking his thoughts.
And I'm clenching my fists while staring at her face.
It's possible that she's stepping on my foot and tripped earlier because she's dizzy.
And I didn't even notice her temperature because of her gloves.
We just made up and became friends but why am I worrying this much for her?
" Just a little longer, Velvet..." -the marquess.
" We're almost there...sis." -Red.
" Sweetie..." -Marchioness.
...
" Ethan, why did you come with us? You know you're no longer getting engaged, right?" said Lucas.
...
" I know, but I'm here as her friend..."
"..."
CLIP CLOP
CLIP CLOP
THE PATTINSON'S MANSION
VELVET'S BEDROOM
Velvet's lying in her bed with a small towel on her forehead.
" Her temperature's 40 degrees C, this is bad."
" Doctor! Just cure her already!" -marquess.
" Calm down, Dad. It's not that easy!" -Red.
" I'm sorry to say this but, the medicines are not working on her." -Doctor.
What?!
I felt a wave of sudden anger.
" You're a doctor but you can't heal a fever?!" I yelled.
" I'm r-really sorry, my lords. But if you want her to heal instantly, you must ask the high priest for help."
...
" Lucas, send a message to the temple, immediately." -marquess.
" Yes..."
CLACK
" And I'll be taking my leave now, my lords. Just do the things I told you to make her temperature lower. I still have works to do. Call me if you need anything, my lord..."
CLACK
" Dad, Mother... you need to rest. I know you're worried about sis but she'll hate you if you're tiring yourselves for her..."-Red.
" O-okay..." -they answered.
CLACK
" Brother Ethan, do you have any idea why sister ended up like this?"
" Red... I don't know."
" I don't know either, I'm pretty sure I trained her with mild exercises that fit her physical body."
!!!
Huh?
Wait...
what?
" She's training with you?"
" Ah.. yes. I trained her after seeing her train by herself."
" Since when did you train her?"
" Around a week ago."
It's the time we met at the town square!
I didn't know she's training by herself before.
" Actually, I trained her myself because I'm afraid she will overdo herself if she did it alone..."
"..."
"Nggghh!"
!!!
Velvet!
She groaned while sleeping.
We rushed to her side to see if she's waking up.
"Ngggh. haa...haa.."
She's breathing heavily. Is she having a nightmare?
" I-I'm sorry..." she hissed.
!!!
Tears are flowing from her eyes.
She's crying!
But she's not waking up.
I wiped her tears and Red fixed her blanket and towel.
You must get well soon Velvet...
Velvet Pattinson's Point of View
"E-excuse me, miss? Are you already awake?"
Hmm?
I opened my eyes and saw a woman.
A familiar woman dressed in pure white.
Huh? Where am I?
I looked around the surroundings and I think I'm in a garden.
I can smell the aroma of flowers...
The sunlight is touching my skin.
The fresh wind brushes my brunette hair.
And the woman with black hair and red eyes...
" Who are you?" I asked.
" Oh... I'm really sorry for not introducing myself, miss Jade Louise. My name is Velvet Pattinson."
Velvet Pattinson? Never heard of it. But why does she looks so familiar?
" How did you know my name?"
She curved her eyes into a smile. A very sweet smile
" I just knew."
Uhh...you just knew?
" By the way, where are you from?" I asked.
" Me? I no longer exist." she shrugged her shoulders while saying those words.
...
Hah? Is she playing a prank on me?
" What do you mean?"
She looked at me in the eye...wow, her crimson eyes are very pretty.
" I'm only here to give you a message, miss."
A message?
Is it an invitation to a tournament or an interview?
I wonder what that is.
" You probably don't remember this, but I want to tell you that I don't blame you for my death..."
!!!
Eh?!
"Hah? What the heck are you talking about?"
She showed a faint smile, but I can sense her sadness behind that smiley mask she's wearing.
" Yes... I died. But you simply wish to live. I am a disgrace to my family and I'm a weakling. But I want to thank you for everything you've done for my family. I want to tell you that I always enjoyed your talk with the boys and how you did things in your own way..."
" Wtf?"
"You're very unlike me. I wish I can be like you... but watching you every day feels like I'm dreaming about myself."
My chest hurts.
Why??
" Before I go, please do me a favor."
"..."
I don't know the reason as to why I remained speechless. I want to chase her out, I want to yell at her....but, there's something in me that's saying to listen to her.
" Take care of my family... because they're your family now. And please take care of Ethan. I don't hold any grudge against him so please forgive him for me. Take care of the friends you've made."
"..."
" I'll be going now, miss Jade Louise... or should I say, the new Velvet Pattinson"
And now...she looks like an image from a telegram.
She's fading...
" Farewell...
... Champion"
She's disappearing...
And as she fades... I unconsciously said...
" I'm sorry..."
And before I knew it, my eyes were wet.
EVERYTHING TURNED BLACK
...
...
...
" Nggghh..." I groaned.
" Sweetie?"
It's mom's voice.
I opened my eyes and saw six faces in front of me.
Mom
Papa
Lucas
Red
Dellie
Ronald
?!?!?!
" Kyaa! What the hell are you guys doing?!" I yelled out of surprise.
" Velvet!/Sweetie!/Sis!/Milady!" they said and hugged me tightly.
Oh yeah... I remembered I collapsed at the ball...
Oww... their hugs hurt.
But it's warm.
I thought I had a strange dream.
But I can't remember it.
Well...
Most people forget their dreams anyway.
" How many days am I asleep?" I asked.
" Seven..." -Lucas.
" SEVEN?!"
Did I sleep that long?
" The high priest came but he left instantly after he healed you with his divine powers... he said you should visit the temple sometimes.." said papa.
High priest? Ah... there is one high priest in every country and they have divine powers gifted by their god. It's similar to healing powers. Wow, I can't believe magic exists here too.
" Did I made you guys worry too much?"
" We're so worried about you, big sis!"
Oh, come on, Red.
" Is that so? Thanks for worrying about me but I'm perfectly fine now. (smile)"
Haa... I really didn't realize I had such a high fever that night because of the stress.
That night is the worst...
A sh*tty blonde boy...
An assh*le prince...
And a perverted dog...
Ahh, those bastards... I want to kick them all.
Ahh...
My body feels light and really fine.
" I want to take a walk..."
"No. Rest in your bed."- Papa.
" But I already slept for seven days..."
" You still need to recover, Velvet." -Lucas.
" Dellie, bring some snacks for her." -Mom.
" Yes, milady (bow)..." -Dellie.
CLACK
" I'm glad you're awake now milady..." -Ronald.
" T-thank you for your concerns, guys. But I'm perfectly ultimately and super mega fine now."
" If you're now okay, then that's good to hear... I should go to the imperial palace now... take care of yourself..." said Papa and kissed my forehead.
CLACK
" Velvet, you want to take a walk, right?" -Lucas.
I nodded.
" Tomorrow night, there's a festival in the town." he said while smiling.
I felt joy.
" Wow! Really?"
" You're going with me..."-Lucas.
"I and your father have some businesses to attend tomorrow so we can't join you, sweetie." -Mom.
" And I have to study, so I can't come with you guys too..." -Red.
" Young master Lucas, should I tell Dellie to accompany you tomorrow?" -Ronald.
" Don't. Let Dellie have her rest."
Ronald nodded.
" I will be taking my leave now." said Ronald and left.
CLACK
" You should send a letter to brother Ethan that you're already alright." -Red.
!!!
What?
" Huh? Why should I do that?"
...
" Ethan's worried sick about you, you know?" -Lucas.
Eh? Did I hear that wrong?
" That's not true..."
" It's true. He even sent flowers for your recovery" -Mom.
What? Why's he worried? Is it because we're friends?
Ah
That must be it.
" Brother, is it really okay for you to come to the town festival with me? What about your knight training?"
" I can manage..." he answered.
It's my first time attending a festival in this world. I admit it's fun. But I'm really bad at directions and my sister prohibited me from attending crowded events.
A few minutes later... mom and my brothers left to get some rest.
Dellie entered my room with hot cocoa, sandwiches, and pudding.
NOM NOM NOM
So delicious!
" Dellie, bring me a stationary paper, and a quill and ink."
She nodded.
Haa... if only cellphones and laptops exist in this world, it would've been a lot easier.
I sat at my study table and Dellie handed me the items I asked for.
This is my first time writing a letter.
" Dear Ethan,
I am grateful for your concern and I wanted to inform you that I'm perfectly fine now. Please do not worry yourself. Thank you for the flowers. I really appreciate it.
Your friend,
Velvet."
My handwriting is so bad because I'm not used to writing using a quill.
" Send this to the Ethan Portgas."
" Yes, milady."
The town festival...
So exciting!
To be continued~~