Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
ALINA
The next time Sally placed the grainy mixture in front of me, I could not bring myself to drink it.
The words that I got used to hearing from everyone returned to me in that instance.
It made me feel like what I had done in the sunroom was wrong.
I had been seen by plenty of physicians who insisted that my health would take a turn for the worse and completely deteriorate if I did not take my condition seriously.
They told me that I have a severe case of inflamed nerves – whatever that meant.
I bit my lip, watching Sally move around the room.
The girl picked up the empty glasses and untouched dinner plates, before straightening the curtains.
When she turned her back to me, I quickly splashed the contents of the glass into the pot with the leafy plant I had conveniently placed beside the bed.
When it was done, I looked back at Sally, worried that she saw me discarding the mixture. If the girl knew what I was about, she did not show it in any way. I exhaled and sank back onto the pillows, already feeling the guilt creeping up on me for deceiving the maid.
What if I was wrong? What if my condition took a turn for the worst?
I missed one dose, but I did not feel any better. I was still too weak to get up and move about on my own. I had to rely on the help of servants every time I did anything even remotely physical.
“He’s good looking, I’ll give him that,” Sally said and I made an effort to catch the tone of her conversation.
“Who is?”
“Mr. Kent.”
I fidgeted with my blanket, wondering if she had been talking about him the whole time. I really had no idea.
“Is he?” I asked just to say something.
“He sure is. I wonder if he’s going out with someone.”
“Going out?”
“Yes. I would like to ask, but I never have an opportunity.”
“I see.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea? Should I ask him?” Sally continued.
“I . . . don’t know. I guess.”
“Then I most certainly will.”
I pursed my lips, suddenly feeling too hot.
“Are you alright, milady?”
“Yes. Could you please open the window?” I turned to my side facing away.
“You should be careful with the fresh air. It’s not so good for you.”
“Why?”
“Because of the people of course. All the diseases and dirtiness they bring to the city. The palace is the only place where we don’t have to see that filth.”
“Is that so?”
“I was born within these walls, and I hope I’ll never have to leave.”
“And how do you know all this about the people outside the walls?”
“We see enough of them during the ceremonies. So dirty, and the smell . . . I wish our beloved queen would cancel all the parades.” Sally wiped the mirror on one of the walls.
“Do you see her often?”
My mind seemed to run in circles and I had difficulty concentrating, but for some reason I felt that I needed to know everything.
“As much as anyone here. I know you haven’t seen her yet, because of your condition. She’s very private. People say that she’s very sick and frail, but I’m not one to gossip.”
“I feel really tired.” I adjusted the blanket and sighed.
“Of course, milady. Forgive me for all this chatter, I tired you out.”
I closed my eyes and started drifting away when the door opened and someone’s light steps sounded on the carpet.
I did not move, too exhausted from the conversation I just had.
Colorful visions shifted in front of my eyes when I overheard the quiet conversation between Sally, and by the sound of it, Lady Corliss.
“Did she take it?”
“Yes, milady.”
“The whole glass?”
“Yes, milady.”
“Did you notice anything unusual?”
“She talked to me, and even asked some questions. You said to report anything that seemed out of the ordinary.”
“Yes, you did good. Keep informing me about everything,” Lady Corliss said, and the sounds of footsteps grew louder.
Corliss approached my bed and softly touched my shoulder.
“Take care, sweet child,” she whispered.
I was fast asleep long before she finally left.
Exhaustion would not leave me, even later in the day when, with the help of my bodyguard on one arm and Sally on the other, I made my way to the garden.
My mind still tried to process everything I had learned that morning, and I was sure that if I thought about it any longer, I would lose my sanity.
I glanced at Sally who only had eyes for Kent the entire time.
She wanted to ask him out. I wondered how that would go. She looked quite pretty, she clearly put some effort into looking her best this morning. She had curled her hair and kept it loose around her face. I could detect a blushing powder on her cheeks, and peach-colored cream on her lips.
In contrast, I looked like a pruned crabapple. Thin and frail, pale with dark purple circles under my swollen eyes. To be completely honest, the outing was Sally's idea, because I would prefer to hide in my room until the world tipped over and perished into nothingness.
I sighed and caught a concerned look from the man beside me.
Kent was breathtaking as he stood in the soft afternoon glow.
It was almost painful to look at him. His astonishing brown eyes, in their deep mahogany shade, shined with amber specs.
It was almost physically impossible to keep my eyes off him.
He was absolutely gorgeous. I could not blame Sally, and pretty much every other woman who could not pass by us without giving him a second glance.
However, he did not seem to notice any of them, too absorbed in his own thoughts.
Sometimes, when I looked at him, I fantasized about reaching out and smoothing the line between his eyebrows.
“When did you arrive from Ulfare?” Sally asked.
“What?”
“When did you get to the capital?” she tried again.
“Couple of months ago.”
“It must be exciting for you,” the maid continued.
Kent said nothing. I fidgeted in my seat, not sure if I should be a part of the conversation.
“What is Ulfare like?”
“Cold.”
“Is it? That’s interesting.”
Kent did not respond. I could not help stealing a quick glance in his direction. The man was brutal. I felt sorry for Sally, and uncomfortable to witness all of that, but to be completely honest, I was glad he had rejected her.
“Milady, are you cold?” Kent suddenly referred to me and I looked back at him in confusion.
“A little.”
“Sally, it would be better for you to bring a shawl for milady,” he said, and I could sense a faint blush on my cheeks.
“Milady, do you mind waiting for me here?” Sally did not appear at all happy.
“No, not at all.”
With a last parting glance in my guard’s direction, Sally rushed toward the palace.
“You stopped taking it, didn’t you?” he asked in a low voice.
I lifted my gaze to him, too flustered to say a word.
“Be careful. Don’t let them see it.”
“Excuse me?”
“You look different. Too alert. Your eyes are less hazy.”
“Why are you doing this?” I whispered.
“Think of me as a friend who has your best interests in mind.”
“But you’re not my friend.”
Kent stayed quiet, watching me.
“I brought you something.”
With those words, he produced a leather bound book from the inside pocket of his suit.
I looked at him in awe, when he handed me the book.
“What is it?”
“You said that Molly doesn’t bring you anything good to read.”
“You mean Sally?”
“Hm?”
“Never mind. Thank you.” I looked back at him, accepting the gift.
For the shortest of moments, my fingers brushed against his and a scorching heat painted my cheeks.
“I really loved this book when I was growing up,” he said.
My mind was filled with confusion, as if him touching me was something more than it really was. Trying to conceal my embarrassment, I traced my fingers along the title that read, ‘The Hollows Of Swan Pass’. One thought bounced around in my head; he used to read it when he was younger.
What about me? What did I enjoy reading? Where was my family and friends? How did I get to be in the palace?
Instead of the answers I so desperately needed, only inky black nothingness stared back at me.
The exertion immediately manifested itself in a nauseous wave that pushed on my temples and finally settled as a pulsing pain behind my eyes.
I bit my lip, fighting the sickness that was threatening to overpower me.
“What’s wrong?” Kent took a step closer.
“I just . . . I want to go back.”
Slowly, with the help from the tall male beside me, I returned to the place of my voluntary confinement. Sally met us halfway to my room. Her light chatter and the glances she threw toward my guard made my headache even more intense.
When I was in bed at last, I quickly hid the book from Sally’s prying eyes under the blanket and turned to my side with a sigh of relief.