Ch4
The bed Dawn woke up in was quite nice, much nicer than she was used to. It was extremely soft, and the covers were smooth and warm, encouraging her to keep nice and snug for a while. She was content to relax, forgetting all about her problems in the toasty blankets. She was roused from her slumber as she heard a door open and close, followed by footsteps.
She opened her eyes, finally deciding to prepare for the day. The ceiling was high and vaulted, built out of white marble, and the panels were painted a light blue with pale clouds, like the daytime sky. The walls were similar, although below its horizon were fields of deep blue flowers.
Her vision traveled lower, but was obscured by the covers. She propped herself up, bending her torso in the process. A sharp pain shot through her from the stomach, making her shut her eyes, grab at her gut and hiss audibly. The person in her room hastily set down a tray of dishes and rushed to Dawn’s side.
“Your Highness, I beg your pardon for disturbing you! Please do not rise, you are still recovering and need rest!” they said.
Dawn peeled her eyes open, seeing a maid dressed in a pale blue uniform and white apron. Her face was covered with anxiety. Around her, the room was decadently furnished, with a small couch, several chairs and tables, an armoire, and various vases of flowers.
“Don’t worry about me, I’m alright. I’m more concerned about where I am,” Dawn replied, trying to put a smile on her face to put the maid at ease.
“Of- of course, Your Excellence. You are currently in the guest room of Chateau Fleur Bleu Ciel, the estate of his Lordship Master Avidité. Now that you’re awake, I must go and fetch him. Pardon me,” she states, bowing and quickly darting out of the room before Dawn could ask another question.
Dawn sighed to herself, leaving her wondering about where her companions were. She kept herself occupied by taking in her environment. Windows were placed along the left wall, with blue curtains. Light peeked in through the gaps, bouncing off the floor. The tiles were intricately designed, depicting a field of blue flowers.
Dawn’s bed was massive, much bigger than any bed she’s ever seen. The sheets were pure white and fluffy, covered over top by a heavy blanket. She pulled up the sheets, looking at herself. She was wearing a pale blue nightgown, with long sleeves and a skirt that reached down to her ankles. She pulled open the collar of she her shirt, looking at her shoulder where she was previously grazed by a bullet. The skin overtop was completely healed, without even a scar left. She pulled up the bottom of her gown up to her chest, seeing the bandages that were wrapped around her belly. A bloodstained spot was easily visible over her the left half, where she had been shot before passing out. It throbbed in pain occasionally, but it was nothing she couldn’t handle.
The burns are her side had shrunk in size, receding from her forearms and lower back up to just her shoulder and base of her neck. They pain from them was all but gone, but the skin was still very sensitive.
The door opened abruptly, startling her. Dawn quickly pulled her gown down and pulled the covers over her. A heavy-set man, dressing in a deep navy, fur-lined suit with the jacket draped over his shoulders, walked into the room. His hair was deep brown, cut short, along with a meticulously trimmed beard, and dark amber eyes. In his hands was a cane, crafted from steel.
“Greetings, your Highness. I do hope that you have found our accomidations to be satisfactory,” the man says in a deep voice, taking a bow.
“Um, yes, I think. I would like to know why I’m here, if you don’t mind,” Dawn asked politely.
“Your highness, you were injured on the battlefield, which is currently within my lands. I heard the story of an injured Princess and immediately sent for her to be brought to me for proper medical care and to allow me to offer the proper hospitalities as befitting for someone of your stature. You have been here for several days since then,” the man elaborated, an unsettling grin on his face.
Shouting came from outside the room. It was muffled, but Dawn could faintly hear them. She ignored the Lord’s speaking on in favor of this, and tried to recognize who was speaking. After a moment, her eyes shot open as she realized who one of the voices belonged to.
“It’s okay, you can let her in!” Dawn said, sitting up.
The large Lord sighed and then spoke sternly, “I do, apologize, if we are causing you any inconveniences, but we cannot allow just anyone but myself and the attendants I have assigned to you can be in your presence. We need to maintain your security after all.”
“I insist, Lord Avidité. She poses no risk to-”
“We cannot trust anyone at this time. Especially not some beast who had attacked you,” the man spoke, his fake smile fading to a frown.
Dawn could tell that this man was set on keeping those he didn’t want from meeting with her. It was far too obvious. She had to come up with some kind loophole to his little rules. She smiled to herself as she found her solution.
‘Time for me to throw some of my weight around,’ she thought to herself.
“So, only you and my attendants can be with me right?” Dawn questioned.
“Yes, your Highness, so please be rational about this-”
“That girl is my personal attendant, so let her in,” Dawn replied with a grin.
“With all due respect, I cannot let some dirty half-breed just-”
“That ‘dirty half-breed?’ She is a proud Wolfwoman and my Personal Attendant, and she is to be at my side at all times. You will treat her as such, or are you going to go against the wishes of your Princess?” Dawn said with confidence.
The Lord gritted his teeth in anger, cursing himself silently. “Very well,” he mumbled spitefully, “she may enter.”
The guards outside the door shuffled, followed by the door opening up. Lucatiel slipped quickly through the door, dressed in a long brown trench coat and slacks. Her wolf ears were free from a hat, but she had bandages covering her left eye. She rushed quickly to Dawn’s side. Lucatiel’s hands were gripped tightly on the end of her sabre.
“Dawn, are you-”
The Lord coughed loudly to get their attention, and hissed “If you indeed are Her Highness’ attendant, you should be addressing her properly, not some commoner.”
Lucatiel glared at the man with visible hatred, before Dawn whispered to her, “I convinced them to let you be around me by saying you’re my Attendant. Please, bear with it until-”
Lucatiel shook her head and relaxed. She loosened the grip on her sabre and breathed deeply, turning back to Dawn.
“No, it’s fine, Mil’lady. I’m just glad to see you,” Lucatiel spoke calmly.
The man was clearly frustrated. “Now, I do greatly apologize, but I have other matters to attend to. If you will excuse me,” he said, taking a bow and making his exit.
As soon as he was gone and out of earshot, Lucatiel’s expression changed quickly.
“Are you okay? Did he threaten you, or have you promise him anything, or-”
“No, he didn’t,” Dawn responded, “I just woke up for the first time not long ago. Why are you so worried?”
“You’ve been locked in this room for three days now, with no one allowed in or out but the Lord or a few maids,” Lucatiel said, “he was trying to keep you isolated from everyone who he doesn’t have control over.”
“I noticed. I’m still sorry that you have to be all formal to me now,” Dawn spoke.
“No don’t worry, it’s fine. I was supposed to take over for my mother eventually. I would be expected to address you like this, so I might as start now,” Lucatiel explained, “but please be wary around Avidité, he has a reputation for foul play amongst the Lords.”
“I can tell he’s up to something, that’s for sure,” Dawn said, shifting towards the edge of the bed, “but I’m more worried about you. Your eye-”
“You shouldn’t worry about me,” Lucatiel spoke, stepping forward, “you’re way more important than-”
Dawn reached out and slipped her hand between Lucatiel’s, taking ahold of her bandaged hand. Lucatiel jumped at the sudden unexpected touch. Dawn pushed her right hand away, running her fingers over the bloody bandages.
“Luki…” Dawn spoke softly and leaning her chin down, letting her bangs covering her eyes, “I’m okay. But you got hurt…protecting me…”
A drop of clear liquid falls from her chin, soaking into her gown. Another drop soon followed after, then another, and another. Lucatiel’s ears perked up as she heard a snivel and pout come from down. A shimmering trial fed each drop, trickling down her cheeks from the corners of each of her eyes.
Lucatiel’s face contorted with worry, and she started “Dawn, you’re-”
Dawn grabbed her friend’s wrist in her hand, and pulled. It threw Lucatiel off balance, causing her to fall forward, using each arm to hold herself up by placing an arm to each of Dawn’s side, leaning over her. Dawn buries her face into Lucatiel’s shoulder, wrapping her arms tightly around them. Dawn began sobbing intensely, her tears soaking into Lucatiel’s coat. Each haggard breath pulled at her wound, causing her great pain, but she couldn’t control herself.
“Why are you…” Lucatiel questioned, her eyes wide.
Dawn’s grip tightened around Lucatiel. “You idiot! Why did you have to fight them alone!” she pouted, “I thought you were dead! Do you know how much it hurt, thinking that no matter what, I would never get to see you again, that I could never talk to you again, that I would never hear your voice again?
“Luki…you were my everything. I looked up to you. Anything I did, you could always do better, and yet you always helped me with a smile on your face…”
“Dawn,” Lucatiel said, “I did that because I wanted you to be strong enough to you could protect yourself if I-”
Dawn twisted her body, ignoring the pain and pulling Lucatiel onto the bed. She then climbed into her lap, wrapping her arms and legs around Lucatiel, as if desperate to keep her from leaving. Dawn buried herself into Lucatiel’s chest, sobbing even harder.
“I didn’t want to be strong to protect myself! I wanted to be strong so I could protect you! You worked yourself ragged, looking after me and everyone else, but never yourself!” Dawn cried, “You were always there for me, but when you needed me…I wanted to be there for you, but I wasn’t! My whole life, I wanted to be by your side, to be able to support each other and live a long happy life, and then you…you ran off! Luki, I…I…I didn’t know what to do!”
Lucatiel wrapped her arms around Dawn, stroking her hair gently. She placed her head on Dawn’s shoulder, holding her close.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you felt that way,” Lucatiel said softly, “I’m here now. I won’t run away again.”
Dawn peeled herself away, looking up at Lucatiel. Her silver eyes were shining with tears, and her nose and cheeks were flushed. “Promise. Me,” she muttered between sobs.
Lucatiel’s ears flattened against her head and she leaned forward, placing her lips on Dawn’s forehead. “I promise,” Lucatiel whispered, “I will never leave your side again, as long as I live.”
Dawn’s grip relaxes upon hearing her words, and lets herself fall forward against Lucatiel. “Thank you, Luki,” Dawn speaks quietly, a smile on her face, “let’s just stay like this for a little while longer. I like being in your arms.”
Lucatiel smiles, setting her head on top of Dawn’s with a smile, her hands playing with Dawn’s golden hair. “Of course, my Princess,” Lucatiel said, feeling Dawn’s body rise and fall against her as her breathing became steady. “I like holding you in my arms.”