She's Awake!

The sun rose at its normal time, and eventually the sun rays pierced through the curtains, and landed on the Daughter of the Duke.

Slowly stirring awake, I opened my eyes, happy to see a familiar place. After starring at the ceiling for a couple of minuets, I pulled the IV out gently, letting out a deep sigh of relief when it was out.

Positioning myself against the backboard, I waited awhile for someone to check on the rooms, but no one. Both Elias and Father were asleep at the foot of the bed, not wanting to wake them I reached over to the nightstand for a book.

Carefully grabbing it, I pulled it close to me, and started reading a couple of sentences before my dominate hand started going numb. Reaching over to grab a glass of water, my grip slackened and the glass dropped to the floor. Creating a loud crash, that awoke both Father and Elias.

They both paused and blinked a couple of time, Elias rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn't seeing things, before he jumped out of the chair. Father, immediately rushed out of his seat and pulled me close, tears dropped onto my nightdress and he sobbed like that for a couple of minutes.

"You're awake? You're awake!" He repeated through his sobs.

Patting his back with my dominate hand, I hugged him closely. I was happy to be alive, it felt like I was fighting a war, with the strange dream of the past, I was so glad to be back in the present. Even if that meant being covered with tears.

"I'm awake, Father." I muttered and he pulled back to closely examine me. Feeling my head for a fever, he let out a sigh of relief. Looking over to Elias, I opened my arms, and he also rushed in to give me a hug.

Elias didn't cry as much as Father, but there were a couple of shed tears, and I brushed back his disheveled hair. The doctor came in not long after the reunion and told me that I was healthy, except my muscles in my left arm are going to heal slowly, since it was the place of injection.

I lowered my eyes, it was no wonder that I couldn't hold the cup, 'So that was their plan.' I kept my cool, as the doctor listed the amount of things not to do while recovering, and sword practice was one of them. Once everyone left the room, I spread out my hand and tried to pull it into a grip, but I couldn't, not without pulling something that didn't need to be pulled.

"Paralysis is a horrible drug to use, especially at a time like this." I knew the Councilor put his son up to this, it made sense. I remember feeling a sting on my left shoulder, the whole cause of me being poisoned. 'They're trying to prevent me from training for the tournaments.' Standing up, I changed into a light weight dress and left my room.

Walking to the arena room, I opened the doors and stepped out of the end of the house, and into the plain fields, I couldn't help, but see the frozen barren land again, and blood splattered over the land.

Walking over to a Willow tree that had a bench underneath, I took a seat because I was slightly exhausted from the walk.

"Why are you out here? You should be resting." The Prince spoke while stepping into the warm summer air, with a scolding look. I smiled lightly to him, and his look softened.

"It should be an honor that His Highness cares about me, however, all I hear is nagging. Be considerate that I spent the last three days in bed." He took a seat on the ground, before he let out a sigh.

"I guess I should be grateful that you're not picking up a blade at the moment." I nodded my head at his statement.

"Elias, how long were you out?" I patted his hair, it felt so silky that I couldn't stop petting it.

"When I was younger, they had to introduce many poisons, small portions of course. However that year was probably the worst, it was the year, that Jacob and Eric passed away." He chuckled lightly, and I felt remorseful. It was common knowledge that the royal members were to be tested with poisons.

"I'm sorry I asked, however my question still remains unanswered." I set down my hands on my lap, seeing how he had a distant look.

"I was awake within a day." He turned around and studied me. I could see his mother clearly in his face, except he had brown hair instead of blond.

"Are you going to continue starring at me?" I asked, and we sat there in silence for a couple of minutes. He then reached up and patted my hair, I'm guessing for payback.

"Don't make me worry again, I was severely worried. You're one of the few that are close to me, I can't lose you too." I felt the tears drip down, as I caught onto his words. The young boy has suffered with so much loss, with his Mother's unknown disappearance, and the death of his two older brothers, I was surprised how he hasn't cracked.

"I won't make you worry no more." I promised while giving him a hug. I knew that Elias thought well of me, but I didn't think that it would come close, to be called family, I should have expected it though.

"Then go rest, you need it." He spoke into my ear, before pushing me back, I groaned and looked away from him. He wasn't wrong, I needed all the sleep that I can get, because I've missed three days of school, and etiquette classes.

"Fine, but only because it's the only thing preventing me from picking up a sword." I stood up carefully, not wanting to become fatigue. Taking his proffered hand, we walked back up to the front living room, to be intercepted by both Mother and Father.

"What are you doing out of bed?" Mother questioned, while helping me lightly walk up the stairs. I rolled my eyes, then leaned against her with every step.

"I wanted fresh air." I replied shortly and she closed her mouth instantly. There was nothing she could say that would prevent me from doing something. Although, it didn't make sense to walk across the mansion, when I could have been on the balcony instead, I wanted to be in a place where Elias could find me.

Over the weekend, I caught up on assignments and resisted my urge to pick up a blade. It pained me to think how much time will be lost with my injury, but I couldn't risk my dominate arm. Everyday I could feel my muscles recovering, however, it was too slow for me.

The news spread across the capital, about the Duke's daughter, although, there was no mention about the sudden attack on Elias, but I'm sure there was a private court meeting over it. Elias was fine after his injury, since he was treated immediately, and that was the good news.

"Lady Willow? It is you!" I turned around to a young woman who was standing next to the antique store I was about to shop at. She smiled lightly and waved her hand in greeting, I just nodded my head that I saw her, before stepping into the store. She followed me in, and I stood in a corner, looking at ancient books.

"Yes?" I asked while flipping through an ancient war story of another country. Her black hair was pulled into left side braid, and her green eyes sparkled, and she had red rosy lips. Her skin was fair and she had a dashing smile.

"I want to do an article on you. I've heard some rumors that the young lady of Duke Willow will participate in this year's tournaments, and I have some questions." I closed the book before setting it back on the shelf.

"I have no intention with speaking to the press, however I will agree that I am participating in this year's tournaments." I patted her shoulder, before stepping out of the store. There was a reason why I wanted a quiet life, however being from a high ranking family, didn't give that privilege.

"I just want your story." She clasped my hand, as she looked down, to meet my eyes. Although I was ten, and I was still small, I hated it, when people looked down to meet my eyes.

"A lot of people do, however I have no intention on sharing." I muttered, while taking her hand off of mine. My guard came over as soon as he saw the lady grasp my hand, but I shook my head. Instead Gerald opened the door to the car, and I looked to the lady.

"Your name?" I asked and she paused, I don't know how she was able to run in a pencil skirt and heels, but she was adamant.

"Lisa Barber." I gave her a smile, of course someone with a high reputation would want a story of me.

"Maybe fate will allow you to write a story later on. For now, my story is short." She nodded her head, seeing that this has been resolved, I hopped into the SUV and watched the store fronts blur as we zoomed home.