Cecil's cast lowered, hiding the captivating heterochromia under long golden lashes. "I understand." After a fleeting moment, he gently released her hand and stood up. "Please forgive my overstep, milady."
Elaine glanced at him, discerning the blonde young man's features had returned to the familiar expressionless visage. "I will," she responded, again averting her eyes. "You may leave." Her hands balled into fists, suddenly awash with shame. Elaine chewed her lips, mounting in frustration. She wanted to confess everything and relieve the weight from her shoulders. Yet, her defense mechanism held her voice hostage.
"As you wish, Lady Estella." Cecil's footsteps swiftly migrated from her bedside. Seconds later, she heard his voice in the distance. "I will visit again tomorrow. Please rest well, milady." With those last words, he crossed the chamber's threshold, closing the door behind him.
Elaine lingered in a brooding mood for the rest of the afternoon. The servants brought her dinner and a teacup filled with dark liquid in the evening. The head maid had the poison tester sample both before Elaine touched them. Fortunately, she did not have to wait for a dead body removal prior to starting her meal. Perhaps because of her weakened state, the food tasted stale. Elaine took only a few bites and stopped, moving on to the medicine.
She brought the cup to her lips, eyes inspecting the unknown substance within. Its bitter aroma wafted inside her nostrils, knotting her stomach. Despite her outward maturity, Elaine's inner child always hated the harsh flavor. She held her breath and consumed the liquid, swallowing with forceful determination. Her hand quickly grabbed a nearby glass of water and gulped down. She then supplemented the water with a bite of cake from the dessert plate to dilute the unpleasant aftertaste.
The maids prepared Elaine for bed after the meal and retreated outside. She lay on the soft mattress, tucked inside the warm cover. Elaine turned to the window, staring at the moonless skies. Despite dreading the nightmare invading her slumber, the medicine's properties began taking effect, overwhelming her with drowsiness. Her eyelids hovered for a few seconds before succumbing to gravity.
In Elaine's half-conscious state, she felt a warm hand resting on her forehead, absorbing the fatigue and replacing it with soothing energy. No horrid illusions disturbed her the entire night. Whether the medication worked or due to another reason, her strength returned the following morning.
The news of Elaine's collapse should reach Estella's parents. However, only Yusef visited on the Duke's order in the afternoon, inquiring about her ability to attend the Third Prince's birthday celebration.
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"I can still participate," Elaine responded while enjoying her afternoon tea and snacks in the antechamber. Her silver eyes wandered to the black-clad man's hollowed right sleeve, wondering which monster devoured his limb in the battle outside the Insidious Forest.
"Thank you, Lady Estella. I shall relay your answer to His Grace." Yusef donned his familiar disingenuous smile. "I pray Milady will have a rapid recovery." He inclined his body and dismissed himself. The Smiling Devil encountered Cecil at the entrance and greeted him before stepping out to the hall. The blonde young man returned Yusef's gesture, then shifted his gaze toward Elaine and bowed.
She watched the black-clad figure disappear from view before allowing her guard to enter. Outside, the sun maintained its glorious reign, streaming light rays through the windowpanes. Its radiance illuminated the approaching young man's golden locks, momentarily blinding Elaine's vision.
"I feel better today," she stated, not waiting for him to raise the question.
Cecil remained quiet. His gaze briefly studied her and nodded, signaling acceptance. Yet, whether he believed her, Elaine did not know. Cecil stayed beside her in watchful silence until the evening, waiting for Elaine to consume the medicine before finally leaving.
For the next few days, she continued her new routine. Every afternoon, the blonde young man would visit her after completing his regiment with the other knights in training and only departing when she finished drinking the bitter liquid. Though Elaine no longer crossed paths with nightmarish creatures at night, she always felt the gentle touch on her forehead, healing her. Elaine made several attempts to break through her subconscious and uncover the mysterious stranger's identity. However, as if restrained by an unknown force, she could never pry open her eyes.
A peaceful week passed by. The head physician revisited a few times to check Elaine's progress. She watched his confounded expression each time while examining her pulse, graying brows raised, then knitted together. Perhaps he did not expect Elaine's rapid recovery, considering her severe symptoms. Who helped me? From the older man's perplexed countenance, she determined the treatment had little involvement in her rehabilitation. However, the royal event was fast approaching, leaving Elaine no time to delve into the enigma.
On the departure day, Yusef again visited her. In his possession was a tiny decorative chest. "His Grace requests you to take this before attending the Third Prince's celebration, milady." He opened it, revealing inside a transparent pill half filled with a blueish liquid.
"Why?" Elaine raised a brow.
"Forgive me, Lady Estella. I am not allowed to answer your question."
"And if I refused?"
"Though unfortunate, His Grace will notify His Majesty of a strange disease rendering Milady ill in bed." The genial curl remained on Yusef's lips despite speaking threatening words.
Elaine glowered, silver eyes like daggers directed at the smiling man. "Fine," she replied through gritted teeth, motioning a maid to accept the chest.
"His Grace requires my observation of your intake before returning," he continued. His gaze lingered on the secretive capsule.