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CHAPTER FORTY THREE-GREETINGS AND GOODBYES
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2020-12-13 19:55:01The Great Hall was decorated in everything still left green this time of year in the Drake Kingdom. Holly and Ivy was tucked away along with white and gold bunting along the rafters while bouquets of rosemary encircled the gold candlesticks on the long rows of dining tables.
When Damien and Gretchen entered the wreath hung wooden doors of the hall, the warm glow of the firelight made Gretchen shine like the sun as it caught her crown and the gold stitching of her dress. As all their family and subjects rose to greet them, Damien kissed Gretchen's hand then led her to their place at their family's table. As the smell of the dueling aromas of food hit Gretchen's nose, she closed her eyes tightly and groaned. Damien smiled sympathetically and rubbed her knee. "Do you think you can make it through the dinner?"
She blew out a nauseated breath and reached for her glass. "I'll try. Of all the days for this. Christmas dinner is magical, I can'
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"Whoo, damn," Gretchen groaned as she braced her hand against the wound on her chest while she limped back to her bedroom. The further she walked, the weaker she felt and when she reached her room she was panting for air.Feeling her discomfort, Damien opened his door and saw her pushing her's open. "Gretchen, what are you doing? Why aren't you in bed?" He grabbed her arm and helped her to sit down on her bed.As she pushed him away, she said, "I'm fine. You can leave now."Damien pulled the chair in front of her and sat down. "Can you just put your stubborness aside for just one moment and look at yourself? You can scarcely breathe. Why are you even out of the infirmary anyway?"Gretchen looked him in the eyes and said, "I'm getting my things. I'm not going to spend one more night in this castle with you people."Damien wiped his mouth with his hand and shook his hea
