Epilogue
"Rosaria, you were poisoned by Clara." Julian said, matter-of-factly, his arms crossed in front of him.
After Edith had discovered my awakening, she'd rushed to tell the others.
They were all here now, Father, Julian, Rowan, Gareth, and Edith.
Tears were forming in my father's eyes, and he could hardly compose himself.
"Survival instincts of a peanut," Rowan confirmed.
"Oh, shush. As if you weren't the one at her bedside the most out of all of us," Julian rolled his eyes. The two seemed to have formed a familial bond while I was out of it.
I scratched my head. "So... fill me in guys. What happened?"
I couldn't believe it. I had been in a coma for a whole month.
It seemed like forever. Yet somehow, when I awoke back here, I felt an incredible sense of belonging.
.. like I was truly where I was meant to be.
A massive wave of love swelled in my chest as I took in the sight of the people around me, worry and joy lining their faces.
They were my friends and family now—my real family.
How had so much changed in just a few short months?
It turned out that we had missed a few traitors. Through them, Clara was able to orchestrate a poisoning. Apparently, she'd put enough Dragon Bone Dust in my wine to kill an elephant. Miraculously, however, I'd survived. To me, and everyone else, that was still a mystery.
"I thought you were never going to wake up," Edith sobbed, "My lady, I was so scared."
Rowan shifted uncomfortably, his eyes shifting to Julian, then Gareth, then Edith.
"I'm glad you're awake too. After all, if you'd died, how could I make good on my promise of serving you to the end?
" He grinned. "And the gold, too, of course.
You had to be alive to hold up your end of the bargain. "
Julian scoffed. "Is that all you think about?"
I rolled my eyes. "Well, I'm alive, somehow, and that's what matters," I smiled. "From here on out, I'll be more careful," I assured them.
Father, finally able to speak through broken sobs, embraced me in a hug. "Oh, my sweet, sweet daughter! I'm so happy you're okay!"
After a while, everyone said their goodbyes, and they trickled from the room one by one to go carry out their duties. Only Julian remained at the end, and I looked at him, curiously. "What?" I asked. "Are you going to say something sappy too?"
Julian paused, taking an ominous tone to his voice. "Rosaria... about Rowan..." he began. "Where on earth did you find him?"
I arched my eyebrow. "I told you this, Julian. He was a mercenary for hire at a blacksmiths shop. I made an impulsive decision, and hired him on the spot."
Julian was silent for a moment. "You know, on second thought, I don't care where you found him. I'm just glad he's on our side..." he got a far off look then shivered. "Rosaria, that man... he's not human."
"What do you mean?" I asked curiously, pulling the covers up closer to me. There was a slight draft in the room.
Julian shook his head. "After you were poisoned, he was like a wild beast. He nearly shook this whole manor apart looking for the traitors who were working with Clara.
And when he found them, Rosaria... I don't wish that death upon my worst enemies.
" A shiver coursed through his whole body. I could tell he wasn't lying.
But I was confused. Rowan was like some sort of attack puppy dog, not a bloodthirsty beast. Every kill I'd ever seen him do had been clean and painless, even the assassins who threatened my life in my chambers. "What do you mean?"
Julian looked at me, his voice taking on a more grave tone.
"Rosaria, I believe that man has the capabilities to level an entire army if he wanted to.
No, I'm sure of it." he paused, his voice barely a whisper.
"I've never seen anything like it. It's like those stories of old that mother used to tell us. Like..."
"Heroes," I paused.
He nodded. "Yes. That man has the powers of a hero. Lucky he's on our side."
After that, he left my chambers. Even just that small amount of exertion had fatigued me, so they all allowed me time to myself to rest. Every once in a while, a maid would come in to bring me broth.
I'd lost a lot of weight after being in a coma for a month, and they'd had to force feed me soup and stretch my muscles just to keep me alive.
I felt cold, frail, and weak, not at all like myself.
I looked at the sealed letter on my bedside.
The crown princess summons. The one Edith brought me, which I hadn't opened yet.
I wasn't ready yet, not for the next step.
But regardless if I was ready or not, it was coming.
I would've liked for this to be the end, for everything to be over.
But the enemy we were facing was not just in this territory, no, it plagued the entire nation.
Veltin was crafty, more than Clara, and I would have to work tirelessly in order to keep up the facade. They didn't know that their plans here had failed, which meant I had a very small window to strike.
Realizing that sitting here and stressing would get me nowhere, I asked to go on a walk outside.
Rowan volunteered to come with me, and I leaned on him as we walked slowly up the hill that overlooked the manor.
The fresh air was good for my lungs, and the exercise was good for my muscles, but I would need some time to recover before I was back to normal again.
The walk was silent. I didn't hear any of Rowan's usual quips or jokes, and he seemed oddly pensive, which was unlike him.
"Is everything alright?" I asked, and seemed to have jolted him from his thoughts.
"Oh, uh, yeah, everything's fine," He replied. "Sorry, just a lot on my mind,"
"That's unlike you," I jabbed, with a small smile on my face.
"Yeah, well, there's a first time for everything!" He grinned.
We reached the tall tree that had stood for a hundred years, and looked over the entire estate.
He gently leaned me against it, and I sat back, taking in the vast expanse.
The winding roads leading out of the manor towards the sweeping fields of the tenant farms, the faint blue glow of the ocean in the distance, the looming mountains, and the swaying trees.
Truly, the place I live now was beautiful.
"You weren't lying, were you?" I said. It wasn't a question, more of a realization. "When you said you'd pledge your life in service to me."
Rowan nodded. "I don't joke about these things, my lady."
"Does that mean... you're going to stay?" I asked, tentatively.
"Well, I've no other place to go, and no one who pays as handsomely as you do," He grinned. "And besides, where else could I serve such a beautiful maiden?"
I ignored his flirtatious gestures. "That's good, I'm glad." I said simply. "I was thinking that it was about time you got a raise. My personal knight had a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"
His eyes widened, and he seemed taken aback. "Really?"
"What, is 'guardian to a maiden' beneath your standing, or something?" I joked.
"N-no, not at all..." It was the first time I think I'd ever heard him stutter, or be without words. "You're serious?"
I nodded. "Who else would I trust with my life more than you?" I smiled fondly, as I thought of each time he'd saved my life in just a few short months. I didn't know what I'd done to deserve this man's loyalty, yet he showed up for me time and time again.
Suddenly he took a knee, bowing his head in front of me as I leaned against the tree, my cheeks still pale and sickly. "I would be honored," he said. "I, Rowan Blackwood, pledge my life in service to you, Lady Rosaria Leeland."
I smiled. Reaching my arms out, I touched each of his shoulders, and asked him to lift his head. "Then, I dub thee Sir Rowan, my personal knight," our eyes met. "To serve me through thick and thin, may your sword be ever sharp and ready for the cause that lies ahead."
Immediately, I knew. I could do this. And I would always have Rowan by my side. Somewhere inside me, a small spark ignited.