With him/her? NEVER!

Recovery

Nara

Finally I managed to get out of my bed after another week that I regained my consciousness. Somehow, all the mirrors disappeared from the Duchy. The maids were very delicate with me and I hated their pitiful glances whenever they looked at me. Despite the order of my parents, I sneaked into my laboratory, because I just needed the truth. I rushed into while the guards changed and shut the door closed. Inside, I felt like I just been able to breath again. I had my lab in one of the towers of our castle. A huge open space, made out of special magic stones to avoid any noise of dangerous substance leaking out of the castle. The enormous, windows made out of stained glass, let the warm sunshine in, painting the whole space into all the colors of the rainbow. I took a deep breath and my nose got filled with the scent of herbs, old books, metal, and even wood. I walked to my desk and sat behind it, caressing the heavy, dark wood. Behind and around me, on this floor there were hundreds of books and shelves filled with different ingredients and prototypes. On the second floor I had the half done gadgets and on the third, I had my trial space to test every new idea. After I calmed a little and felt in my skin again, I pulled a drawer out on my desk, and took a little mirror into my shaking hand.

- It can't be that bad. - I said out loud and only with one eye open, I took a look at myself. I gasped seeing my beautiful hair looking like a pile of dry grass. I had under my eyes had huge dark circles, and my cheeks were so bony that I couldn't believe my eyes. My smooth skin was drier and paler than usual. I put the mirror down and stood up abruptly. Only then, I noticed how big my nightgown became.

- This is not gonna be good. - I said out loud and headed to the third floor of my tower, grabbing a basket and filling it with many herbs and some other ingredients I had on the shelves. I became out of breath by the time I arrived to the third floor and cursed under my nose with anger. I walked to the large table in the corner of the room, rolled my sleeves up and started chopping the herbs. I turned the burner on and put a florence flask on top of it, filling it with some water. As soon as the water started to boil, I put inside some chopped rhodiola root for boosting energy and relieving fatigue; some holy basil that may increase endurance and help cope with stress just in case. In the little mixture I have also added echinacea to help my internal wounds heal faster and to improve the condition of my skin; bhringraj and horsetail to nourish my hair; peppermint to boots my memory and alertness ;ginseng for its antioxidant and energy boosting properties, and lots of honey so I could drink it. At the end, I got a thick, strong scented mixture that didn't look appealing at all. I pinched my nose, so I wouldn't smell the disgusting scent of medical herbs all mixed and boiled together into a revival cocktail, and sent the liquid down with a gulp. After the shock that the taste gave me, I had to drink at least two jugs of water and concentrate hardly not to throw up. Once my stomach calmed down, I packed the remaining mixture into tiny viols and hid a few in the pockets of my gown. I left my laboratory and sneaked back to my bedroom. There, I hid the viols under my bed and managed to crawl into it before the door got opened by a familiar face.

- Rei! - I almost shouted and sat up too quickly for someone in my state. Rei shook her head and walked to my bed, with a little package in her arms.

- Keen wanted to see how his aunty was doing! - she said and showed me the most adorable baby of the world!!! Keen inherited Nakos's green eyes and Rei's curly brown hair, but his pale skin was a Blackwell characteristic.

- Oh my God! He looks adorable! Hello Keen! - I waved to the baby who chuckled happily and reached for my waving fingers. Rei laid on the other side of my bed, putting Keen between us and while she made sure he cannot wonder away to the edge of the bed she smiled.

- I'm glad that you are still with us. Girl! You shocked a whole freaking Empire! Such a shame you already got engaged, you could get any young stud now! - I laughed at her grimacing face and felt immediately better. Rei didn't treat me as a patient, she was talking to me and looking at me as always. Keen played with a toy she miraculously handed him from a hidden pocket of her dress.

- Sorry that I couldn't come earlier. - she said and I giggled.

- No biggie! I was sleeping anyway!

- Yeah... Sleeping beauty, yet the Prince didn't come! - I sighed a bit sadly and she caressed my head over the giggling Keen. Rei understood my feelings for Arthur and I couldn't wait to see her.

- No, but the knight in shining armor with some crappy flowers did. - Rei sighed.

- Barak is a good kid, but he doesn't get you. I have no idea why his majesty thought this is a good idea! You are like fire and rain!

- I know... We didn't use to be like that. We were once actually very good friends, but suddenly, he started to act distant. Barak became cold and avoided me as much as he could, when we did meet, he acted like I've stabbed him in the back. So, I gave up, and for the ugly humor of fate, now he is my fiance and I can't get rid of him.

- You are talented... Are you hundred percent sure you cannot make him, disappear? - My eyes widened at Rei and she looked totally serious for a second before she burst into laughter.

- Oh! You should have seen your face! I swear I saw the gears in your mind twirling! I was just kidding! Don't murder the poor guy! Make him quit instead!

- Why are you giving her ideas of how to get rid of my brother? - we heard a voice coming from the door. Elda was standing in it looking at us chilling on the bed with the baby and planning the murder of her little brother.

- We were just kidding Elda! - Rei said and she sighed.

- I'm seriously hurt... You two, after all we have been through, just leave me out of this? - we looked at Elda and couldn't help but laugh with her, once the seriousness was gone from her face, and we truly understood her words. She closed the door and hopped on the end of the bed, laying on her stomach and tickled Keen's tiny feet. He giggled happily and Elda smiled.

- It's good to see you awaken Nara, I thought your family is going to freak out! - I rolled my eyes knowing how worried they could be and smiled happily, knowing that I had my back covered anytime.

- Did you like the gift Barak gave you? - Elda asked and Rei looked curious. We explained her what I got and suddenly it hit me.

- I haven't prepared a gift yet! - I said and Elda just pat my shoulder.

- No one is expecting anything from you for now, just focus on healing.

- Too late Elda... Didn't you hear? - Rei asked with a goofy smile.

- What should I hear? - Elda asked.

- The gears! We already lost Nara! - they laughed but she was right. "What should I gave him as an engagement present?"