Aftermath

The battle at the masquerade ball ended. It was recorded that 173 people got arrested, including Ashran Blackwell and Calista Silvas. The people Ashran Blackwell manipulated including the Aluris ducal family overwent magical treatment, it was said that Hayden Aluris went straight to his brother after his mind became clear in the battle, which resulted for Teiran and the rest of the knight’s, as well as the crown prince to deal with the intruders in a fast manner. 

Among those who attacked at least fifty died, among the citizens it was nine lives lost and several hundreds injured. Overall this outcome was considered rather good than bad since bigger misfortunes could be stopped. The imperial family decided to run the investigations, investigating every single participant in the ball and the attackers, also seemingly to seek out for more people that could have been conspiring with them. The banquet hall was severely destroyed, reconstruction is still taking some time.

And I? It’s been two weeks since all of this happened and I was bound to bed rest. Exactly I was literally forced to stay still even though I already felt better. The wound on my chest healed significantly already and even my energy reserves were already filled up, but still...

“I think I should be allowed to get up by now!” I protested.

“Really my dear, who is the one that came not only poisoned because she didn’t listen to me and absorbed two, not one but two poisonous flowers! Also cracked two rips, had a severe blood loss that could have cost her life and a hole in her left lung because of a stab wound? Tell me, do you really think you could just get up and wander around!” Carina hissed. 

It was the first time I saw her so furious it actually made me gulp in nervousness and made me hide under my blanket for the past two weeks.

“Rina, I think my lady already knows that her behaviour was risky, shouldn’t you stop it already?” Dalton said in a soothing voice trying to calm her down. 

That’s right Dalton! Talk some more, she is scaring me to death! At this point I can’t even go to the toilet without fearing to be beaten by that deadly gaze of hers!

“No! It’s still not enough! Do you know how reckless that was! You could have died if you weren’t treated on time! What would we have done then?” She yelled at me.

“I know, I’m sorry, please forgive me! I will be more careful from now on but could I just go out for just a little, it’s too stuffy in this room and there is nothing to do...” I timidly replied.

“Seriously!” She sighed.

“Then would it be fine if I went out with her for just one hour?” Teiran who just came through the door mentioned.

“Young lord, you think I would allow that?” Carina said sternly.

“Just for one hour, you also know that fresh air is important for a patient don’t you?” He responded.

“Fine, but no longer!” She finally gave in.

“We will go now, be careful and also my lady don’t move to much, don’t forget to take the medication and also-”

“I think they know what to do let us go Rina!” Dalton interrupted Carina and pushed her out of the room, nodding towards me. I nodded back as a thank you. Then the door shut behind them. With them leaving Teiran came closer to my bedside.

“There is someplace I wanted to show you, would it be alright to ride Ragnar for a bit?“ he asked me.

“Of course, gladly!” I replied in excitement to finally being able to leave this room even if it was just for a little.

“I shall call in the maids to help you with dressing up.” He continued averting his gaze. That was mannerism right? Because of my clothes?

“Thank you!” I replied and he nodded off. The maids helped me dress up in a light blue satin dress with white embroidered flowers on the long sleeves and the silhouette of the dress. It reminded me of the ice roses that were created through Teiran’s help. They styled my hair in a loose braided bun, which made it look elegant yet feel comfortable to go around. They added a golden ornament on my hair to make it tight enough and then I was ready to go.

I stepped out of the room and looked around for Teiran who met my gaze.

“You look like a fairy” He chuckled.

“Should I show you my wings?” I said timidly, which made him laugh out loud. Then he reached out his arm for me to hold on to.

“Should we go miss fairy?”

“Sure let’s go!” I replied slightly embarrassed.

As we went down the hallway I recalled my two weeks I had to spend in bed. How hard it was, the pain was so excruciating that I collapsed in Teiran’s arm right after making it back to this realm and then I passed out. I only woke up three days later, Carina told me later on that you stayed the whole three days by my side and nursed me back to health. She said you took charge of wiping away the sweat that accumulated on my face and arms and also placed a cool cloth on my forehead when I was running a fever from the poison. I couldn’t even find the right time to thank you for caring for me.

The days passed by slowly, Mica visited me in tears since he had to go back home and even though he was happy to be reunited with his family he was bawling his eyes out saying that he doesn’t want to leave. My little boy, he is far too precious! Only after promising him a thousand times that we will frequently meet up and write each other letters he agreed to leaving with his brother. 

Rusha spent time here and there flying around and chatting with the maids and knights, playing in the lab with old man Willow and Carina. She was having quite a great time. She also told me how Ashran Blackwell and my aunt Calista were held up in the cells seemingly losing their minds. It all ended more or less. Calista was the one who framed me for the slaughter back at Chronum, there was enough evidence to prove my innocence and even the empress who visited me a few days ago told me that I am free of all charges now.

I am a free person. 

It’s all over.

Yeah, it’s all over...

Now all that’s left is to tell you how I feel.