Chapter 006

Eira's POV

Disjointed images flickered behind my eyelids - a grimy alleyway, the sting of a fresh wound, a kind face hovering above me. Then, blinding white, hushed voices, and the overwhelming warmth of a hand wrapped in mine.

A throbbing pain pierced through my shoulder, dragging me back to reality with a gasp. My vision drifted, the sterile room tilting at an alarming angle.

"Easy there, Cleo," a gentle voice soothed.

Cleo? The unfamiliar name sent a jolt through me. Faint memories surfaced - a cheerful fishmonger, a grand palace, bewildered faces staring down at me. I was in the Imperial Infirmary, that much was clear from the hushed tones and the starched white sheets. I had fainted due to my wounds after the revelation of my true identity.

The Emperor and Empress had a worried expression on their faces. Was my condition really that bad? I sincerely didn't want to worry them more than I already have.

Overwhelmed, my vision blurred, the room tilting once more. The last thing I registered before darkness claimed me was the frantic worry etched on my parents' faces.

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A week later

My eyelids fluttered open, heavy and sluggish. Disoriented, I blinked, trying to focus on my surroundings. Instead of the familiar wooden beams of my room in Nemorosa, I found myself settled in a luxurious chamber. Sunlight streamed through expansive windows, illuminating a king-sized bed draped in silk that shimmered like a captured dream. Where was I?

A gasp broke the silence. A young woman, her face etched with concern, leaned over me. Her touch was cool and gentle as she dabbed my forehead with a damp cloth.

"Princess Cleo," she breathed, relief flooding her features. "You're awake!"

Before I could voice the questions swirling in my mind, she was up and scurrying towards the flamboyantly carved door. Her frantic whispers carried through the vast chamber, "The Princess is awake! Inform His Majesty and Her Majesty immediately!"

The weight of her words settled on me like a lead blanket. Princess Cleo? I was yet to get used to my actual name, I had gotten too used to Eira. I was used to being Eira, a lowly pack member of Nemorosa.

Dread coiled in my gut, a cold premonition slithering down my spine.

The maid reappeared, her hurried steps slowing as she reached my bedside. Her eyes, the color of twilight, held a mix of concern and something else I couldn't quite decipher.

"How are you feeling, Princess?" she asked softly.

"Who… who are you?" My voice emerged hoarse and unfamiliar, mirroring the alien feeling within me.

Her brows furrowed slightly, but she recovered quickly.

“ I'm your maid-in-waiting, Your Highness. If there's anything you want me to do, just ask me even if you want to take out your anger on me,” she laughed awkwardly, scratching her nape.

“ Why would I do that?” I raised my brows in confusion.

“ Erm… I didn't mean to be presumptuous… it's just that a lot of noble ladies tend to do so to their maids… Ah, not that I'm complaining,” she stated the lasy part in a panic.

" It's alright, I don't plan on treating you or anyone like that. How long have I been asleep?" I managed, the question echoing in the silence of the room.

The maid's lips pursed. "A week, Your Highness. You haven't woken up since…" Her voice trailed off, replaced by a heavy silence.

Just before I could ask her any more questions, my parents and the royal physician walked in.

“ Cleo, darling,” mom cooed, rushing over to my bed and hugging me.

“ You were out for so long and it began to make us worried,” dad said, his voice laced with concern.

“ I'm sorry for making you worry about me again,” I clenched my duvet in subtle annoyance. I can only imagine the trauma and horrors my parents had to go through when they lost me - they must have blamed themselves and my weak body wasn't helping to put their minds at ease.

“ There's no need to apologize. It's alright as long as you're fine,” mom placed her forehead against mine as she caressed my cheeks softly.

“ Erm…Her Highness wounds seems to have healed quite alright and quickly at that so they'll be nothing to worry about,” the royal physician analyzed.

“ Thank goodness,” mom sighed in relief. “ But I think she's not in the best shape, she doesn't look like she's been eating quite right,” mom scanned my body.

“ Now I feel like burning the pack you were at to the ground,” dad cussed with a straight face, though I could see flaring up under his smile.

“ Erm…excuse me. Is it alright if I can have something to eat now?” I asked awkwardly. As much as I didn't want to, I was genuinely hungry.

“ Where are our manners? I had forgotten that you'd need to eat after being asleep for a week now because I was so excited to see you,” dad apologized. “ Mona, get the chefs to prepare the Princess’s food,” dad ordered my maid-in-waiting.

“ You're still not used to referring to us as your parents,” mom brushed her thumb against my cheeks.

“ I'm sorry,” I couldn't look her in the eye. I knew she loved me and genuinely wanted to make up for all the time lost but as much as I wanted that, I still needed time to fully process and assimilate things.

“ There's no need to apologize, take your time to get used to it. I've waited this long to have you in my arms and that's more than enough. I don't mind waiting for you to fully open up to me so don't feel pressured.”

Her words were reassuring and her ever soft voice made me get emotional. I wondered how different my life would have been if I had grown up with them as my parents from the onset. Of course, I love my adoptive parents but I guess blood is thicker than water. I have barely known my birth parents but I already feel so attached to them. I don't want to ever let them go, I don't want to disappoint them and most importantly, I want to make them happy.

I gave her a broad smile, a tear escaping my eye which for a moment made mom to panic.

“ I'll do my best.”