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Chapter 5 - Headache

Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 22 - Ashspire Estate, Elandor

Late at Night - Adonis' Room

Night bathed the estate in silence, corridors dim with only a few lightstones illuminating the walls.

In his bed, Adonis twisted under the sheets, restless. He tossed and turned, never truly resting.

Then came the pain. 

His body jolted up, hands clutching his head. He let out a strangled cry.

"Aghhhh." 

The shout cut through the quiet, raw, as if it had come straight from his soul.

The door banged open. A maid stumbled inside, eyes wide with panic.

"Master Adon—?"

The words stopped when she saw him. He couldn't answer. His cries shook the room.

"Aghhh."

Another voice came, urgent, followed by quick footsteps.

"Adonis!"

Rowena entered, barefoot, in her nightgown. She dropped to her knees at his bedside, pulling his hands away from his face.

"Adonis, look at me!"

His eyes darted wildly, unfocused, until hers caught them. Rowena pulled him closer and hugged him tightly, voice gentle.

"Tell me…Adonis, what's wrong?"

 His voice came hoarse and weak.

"I—I saw…a girl. I don't…I don't know her. It hurts. It hurts, Mother."

Tears streamed down his face, and Rowena's arms closed firmer around his trembling body. 

Rowena looked at the maid without loosening her hold. Her voice was sharp as she issued the order.

"Fetch a healer."

The maid ran, and the door slammed shut behind her.

Rowena's hand smoothed through his damp hair, over and over. Her voice was soft.

"You are safe, Adonis. I'm here."

He tried to breathe to calm himself, but his vision blurred, strength draining. Then he slumped, losing consciousness.

Rowena's hand stayed in his hair.

***

Late at Night - Adonis' Room

I sat at his bedside, the quiet of the chamber wrapped around us, my gaze fixed on him.

'He looks so small when he sleeps.'

His hand lay in mine, calloused, knuckles raw. He tried to hide it...boys always thought mothers couldn't see. The thought brought a smile to my lips.

My smile vanished as he grimaced in his sleep. I brushed my fingers through his hair until the pain in his face eased.

'He's not mine. But he feels like mine.' 

My hand lingered, tucking loose strands from his face, and memories came without permission.

My first winter in this house, the one where I learned which rooms stayed warm and which did not, which smiles I need to fear. The lessons that wives learn or break upon.

My focus turned back to him, voice soft.

"Anton won't protect you."

I bent and pressed my lips to his temple, the way I did with Theodora when nightmares found her.

"I am proud of you, my dear."

Knock.

A sound startled me. I straightened at once, my voice firm.

"Enter."

The healer stepped in and bowed.

"My Lady."

I waved a hand in dismissal, already turning back to Adonis.

"How is his condition?"

The healer came closer, set two fingers to Adonis's wrist, then pressed a palm to his forehead. He waited, then gave a slight nod.

"No fever."

I exhaled quietly, my shoulders easing.

He spoke again, withdrawing his hands.

"Awakening leaves memories for some. Headaches are not uncommon."

My head turned from Adonis to him, my voice a mix of confusion.

"Memories?" 

The healer's reply came gently, patient as he explained.

"Yes, some gain insight with their awakening, and some relive fragments. It will get better after a few days."

I nodded faintly.

He set a small vial on the table before leaving.

"For the pain." 

Click.

The door closed behind him.

I turned back to Adonis and leaned closer, brushing my hand through his hair, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest. I whispered.

"Let him find happiness." 

 

***

Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 23 - Ashspire Estate, Elandor

Early Morning - Adonis' Room

Mother had gone to fetch broth. I slipped through the door as she left, a grin on my lips.

'Should I tease him first?'

The thought grew inside me.

'Something like...Well, Sir Talent, do we bow to you now?'

I tiptoed closer, smile widening as I drew near him.

"Rise and shine, prodigy, I came to—"

Adonis' face ended the joke. My words halted.

He wasn't awake. He slept, but not resting. His brow was creased tight, as if in pain. His fingers clutched the sheets, twisting, like he was fighting something.

The grin faded from me. I set the cup down, the soft clink loud in the silence, and sat down on the mattress, gentle enough not to wake him.

For a moment, I only stared. Watched him sleeping. My chest felt tight.

I whispered, brushing strands of hair from his face. My voice came small, almost a plea.

"Hey...you scared me."

His skin was warm against my touch. I rested my palm on his cheek, thumb stroking a slow line toward his ear. The touch calmed me more than him, and part of me liked how warm he was.

I bent down and pressed my lips to his forehead. A quick kiss, but it lingered before I leaned back.

I whispered, and the words surprised me with their shape.

"If you leave me...I'll hate you. I won't forgive you. Never."

Then something stirred inside me. I moved again and kissed his cheek instead. Light and fast, like a childish promise.

My breath shook as I pulled back. I whispered, naming both to make it seem less like a confession. 

"You and Lucien...you'll save me, won't you?"

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and pushed myself up. My steps hurried as I left the room, before Mother could return and see my face.

 

***

 

Late Morning - Adonis' Room 

I nudged the door open with a tray balanced in my hands. The smell of broth filled the room, though I doubted he'd eat much.

I set the tray down on the bedside table and leaned closer to the bed, my voice low but teasing.

"Wake up, hero. Or do you want Theodora to feed you again?"

His lips twitched before his eyes opened. The sound of his voice was rough, but the words carried humor.

"No…no more feeding from Dori. You eat it. You'll need the strength to run from the Lord's lectures."

I shook for a heartbeat at his use of 'Lord' but kept my composure. I faked a laugh before sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"Can't run from the inevitable. But nice try."

My eyes studied his face for a moment, the color already returning to his cheeks.

"Are you feeling better?"

He shifted slightly under the blanket and gave me an awkward smile.

"Yeah. It's better."

I couldn't help the pride that pushed into my voice as I spoke.

"You reap what you sow, Adonis. Twelve…you awakened at twelve."

He grinned faintly, eyes brighter.

"Write it down, or you'll forget and claim that you were first."

I smiled and nudged his shoulder with my hand.

"Keep up, little brother. I'm still one year ahead."

He smirked, his tone playful.

"Not for long."

Silence settled between us.

We watched each other in silence, gazes serious until laughter broke the tension.

"Pfff."

"Hahaha"

Our laughter stopped at the sound of the doorknob.

Click.

The door swung open. Mother stepped in, carrying a fresh bowl of broth. She paused at the sight of us laughing, her eyes narrowing at me.

'Time to go.'

I rose from the bed and smoothed the blanket where I had sat. I walked toward the door past Mother.

'Oh, right. The party. I'm sure he forgot about it.'

I stopped at the threshold, I glanced back at him, smiling.

"Hey, prodigy, don't forget about the party later. Theodora will be furious if you dodge it again."

His face turned pale.

***

 

Noon - Lucien's Room

I stood in front of the mirror, as two maids worked in silence around me. One tugged the line of my tunic straight, the other smoothed down my hair, fingers brisk and practiced. 

'Another event.'

A small gathering of young nobles to smile, trade harmless jokes, share stories, and sort out who would be friend or enemy. Children, but the masks would be real enough.

And tomorrow, the banquet.

The last before winter.

I stared at my reflection as my mind wandered.

'Anniversary and contract. The Grand Duke's presence is…unusual.'

I asked the maids without taking my eyes off the mirror.

"Lady Selene?"

One maid adjusted the fall of my trousers before answering, her tone polite.

"The lady arrives with his grace tomorrow." 

I gave her a faint nod, though my gaze had already shifted past the mirror, toward the window. Outside, servants clipped hedges into sharper lines, polished railings until they gleamed, raked gravel paths into perfect order.

Too much fuss for a simple anniversary.

'Our parents' anniversary alone isn't enough to warrant a Grand Duke's presence. So what is it? A new contract? Another deal Father wants sealed? Or just curiosity, the Duke's way of passing time?'

I shook my head. Questions without answers, at least not yet.

My thoughts slipped back to Adonis's awakening. Since that day, I'd seen it, the way servants watched Adonis too closely, their glances lingering.

'Father's orders, most likely.'

I turned back to the mirror, but my gaze slipped sideways. To the desk. To the letter that still waited for an answer.

I drew in a deep breath.

'Not yet. Not until after the banquet.'

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