"You're awake ..my lady " Anabel opened her eyes to see the two maids beside the bed.
"How long was I asleep?" she asked as they helped her sit up.
"Two days "one of them excused herself.
"Ah...you let me sleep for that long ?"
"His Majesty said you needed rest, so...".
"You awake " Sebastian walked in.
She beamed seeing him walk to her.
"Mmm..am sorry I slept too long "
He sat down next to her, and the two maids left.
"You must have been exhausted, how do you feel?" he asked
His hand slightly touched her forehead to check her temperature.
"I feel much better and my ankle doesn't hurt that much now "
"Do you remember what happened after you woke up from your nightmare ?" he asked.
"Huh?!... I had one. I don't remember having one " she blinked.
He breathed, "It's alright as long as you're feeling better ".
She had run a fever after having her nightmare that night. He had stayed up all night caring for her. Not allowing even the physician to help.
After she driflty back to sleep, Anabel still held on his hand the whole night.
It wasn't until the next day that she finally let go.
He excused himself as the maids helped Anabel wash up and get dressed.
"Where are we going ?" she asked as her two maids left her out of the tent.
She had not gone out since they arrived. Now she could see the knights, a training ground with some of the men sparring. Others were sword fighting; it was lively.
But she looked away when they all started to stare and whisper among each other about her.
They arrived at another tent, "this way, my lady," the maid led her inside.
Sebastian was at the dining table filled with all sorts of food. The moment she appeared, he was up getting to her side.
Helping her take her seat, he moved back to his.
Quietly, they were served by her two maids.
Anabel glanced back at Sebastian, whose eyes were on her.
"No appetite ?" he asked.
"No... I am starving ", she blushed.
"Then go ahead " he let out.
She nodded and slowly began to eat.
"Aren't you guys hungry, why don't you join us?" she turned back to her maids.
"Oh ...we can my lady "
"But it's a lot of food, and I always eat with my maid...and she is more of my friend than my maid ", she blurted out.
The maids apologised that they couldn't.
"Do as she says " Sebastian let out.
"Yes, Your Majesty" The maids sat down next to Anabel, who was happy to have more company.
She kept filling their plates with food, forgetting to eat herself.
"Come here " Sebastian suddenly called out to her.
Anabel stood up, moving to where he was, and without warning, he pulled her down into his lap.
"Stop feeding others and eat yourself ", he muttered, bringing up a spoon of soup to her.
She blinked realising what he had said, then bent down and let him feed her.
She grabbed some grapes and every time he fed her, she pushed a grape into his mouth in return.
One by one, she ate everything on his plate, and he finished the grapes, too.
The captain of the knights came in with some of the men to make a report but was stopped by the maids before they could speak.
The two seemed to be lost in their world feeding each other.
When they finally noticed them, Anabel settled away from Sebastian, who seemed not too pleased with it.
"I will excuse myself now," she said her two maids following closely behind.
....
Anabel walked around the camp, enjoying the sparring matches, cleaning of the horses and the sword fighting among the men.
"My lady ....."
"Please call me Ana...everyone I know calls me that, " she said.
They seemed to be hesitant but listened to her.
"Ana ...we wanted to know if you will return with us, " one asked.
"I wanted to follow Sebastian, but I don't think I should. I have some duties I need to take care of " she said.
After thinking about Anabel, she decided to go comfort her father. She wasn't going to run away, but she was still not going to marry the stranger.
When it started to get dark they led her back to the tent.
"Goodnight, see you two tomorrow ", she said, walking into the tent.
She paused when her eyes landed on Sebastian. He was lying in bed, shirtless, with his long black hair spread across the pillow.
His eyes were closed, he must have fallen asleep waiting for her.
Quietly she sat down and watched him.
"How can a man look so beautiful " she murmured, his lips rosy lips , perfect nose and long dark lashes , pulling up the covers over him.
He had done nothing but take care of her since they met, but she knew they had to separate soon.
As they walked back she heard the men speak about finally setting off tomorrow. So if he was finally heading back then she had to go back home too back to her own reality .
....
When she opened her eyes again, Anabel was lying next to Sebastian. When did she fall asleep or lay down ,she wondered.
His arm was around her waist, keeping her close to his chest.
The warmth of his body and the sound of his beating heart next to her ear were so comforting.
"It might be the last time I see you, so forgive me for seeking your warmth tonight...just for tonight " she muttered before she cuddled deep into his arms.