I lived a life of misery and obligations. I worked hard for my family, from one part-time job to another. I suppressed my emotions and everything I wanted to survive in a world not made for the poor and weak.

So much so that I didn't realize I was dying of fatigue and tiredness.

When I realized that, I felt relieved. At last I would finally rest and be at peace, away from this miserable life. I had already accepted it.

I closed my eyes. But when I opened them again, instead of being in heaven, I was lying in a rather large and bright room, which was not my own.

A woman was next to me, wearing maid's clothes and looking nervous, and two younger women, dressed the same, were standing by the door.

As soon as the woman next to me realized I had opened my eyes she jumped out of her chair.

"My lady! You are awake!"

She then turned to the two young women standing by the door.

"Run quickly to fetch His Grace and Dr. Connell!"

His Grace? Who is he? I have no idea what's going on.

I didn't understand anything. My head hurt and my eyes were blurry. I tried to get up off the bed but I was dizzy and I fell back against the mattress, head spinning.

"My lady, how are you feeling? Does your head hurt?" The woman said, hurriedly sitting back down next to me. 

"Who are you? And where am I?" I said, head still spinning out of control. 

Pursing my lips I mentally berated myself, I had not meant to say that out loud. The maid looked at me with a look of wonder and concern mingling together on her oval shaped face. But she didn't have time to say anything to my slightly delirious questions because at that moment the door opened abruptly and a middle-aged man came in.

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"Alina!" He said in relief. 

Alina? Who is she?

I could only assume they were talking to one of the women scrambling around the room and not me because I already had a name and Alina was not it. 

That man ran to me. He looked worried. What in the world is going on? I thought for roughly the third time in the last ten minutes. I’m supposed to be dead! My head throbbed with a vengeance, clearly making up for the last couple of less painful minutes that had given me enough time to think without feeling like my head was about to explode. 

"How are you, Alina? Does it hurt anywhere? Do you have a fever? How do you feel?" The man who was apparently called “your grace” said with a look of worry my own family particularly lacked. 

What's wrong? Where am I? And most importantly, who are all these people? Why are they calling me Alina? 

Ugh, back to square one with the questions it seemed. 

"Your Grace, Lady Alina has just woken up, let's not tire her out." said the man who came with “His Grace”.

"You're right, Dr. Connell. Please examine her."

"First of all, Your Grace, I need to talk to you." said the woman who until a few moments ago was standing next to me.

"Tell me, Mary."

"May we speak privately? Let the doctor come with us." she added hesitantly.

"Of course." His Grace agreed and the three of them left the room.

All this time, until the doctor came with the maid and the man, I was thinking.

What's the matter? Is this all a hoax? If it is a hoax then these are all very good actors. And what kind of a scene is this? They built this whole room for a prank?

"Lady Alina!" the man, who I think was Dr. Connell, called me.

When did they arrive?

"Sorry, I didn't hear you."

"Oh, Lady Alina, there's no need to be nervous. First, lie down so I can examine you." he said as he approached me.

"All right."

After the doctor examined me and gave me some medicine that smelled and tasted bitter I felt a bit better.

"Well, Mary told us that you don't remember her." The doctor started asking me.

Mary? Oh, the maid from before! 

"I'm sorry, but I don't remember anyone here"

"No one? Not even your father?"

The doctor pointed to the man he had come with. This man was standing anxiously beside Mary, looking at me in despair.

"My father?" I said tentatively, watching his face to see his response. 

"Yes, my sweetie! I am your father. You couldn't have forgotten me, right" He said, face twisted with pain and denial. 

I couldn't answer him, all I could do was put my head down. 

My "father" became numb and lost his balance. I felt bad, he seemed to have loved his daughter very much

There was only silence in the room, when suddenly a person, who looked like His Grace but younger, burst in.

"Alina!!!"