Saving My Broken Ice Princess

Chapter Two

She took them to the second level, where patients were housed, then to a private room. Room 404, Báine did well to remember it.

The nurse knocked on the door, “excuse us.”

Báine was quite grateful she donned such thick glasses. The room was blindingly bright, the walls an inviting cream colour. The stinging, sterilized air dampened in the room. Following her mother’s lead, Báine drew closer to the patient and tried not to sniffle. In the center of the wide room, a man lay on the hospital bed. He rested supported by the bed, two tubes in his arm and one hidden under his shirt. Báine identified the IV Drip and heart monitor but curiously looked to the yellowish fluid filled pouch. It stirred the patient when the door closed with a soft thud. Eyes fluttered open to reveal icy-blue. Those familiar eyes landed on the ruddy teen.

“You’ve grown up”, a weak smile tugged at his lips.

“Pa!” Báine rushed to the side of the bed. She was careful not to jostle him as she situated herself by her father’s side. “Pa, what happened to you?” her eyes flitted over his face.

The Marek that was before her was not the one from her memory. I reduced the man that was as healthy as frailty. His bones made a defined impression under his sickly pale skin. The area around his eyes was sunken, but somehow the whole person shined with life.

He chuckled and took off her glasses, then took her hand in his. “I’m happy I get to see you after all this time. Even if it isn’t the best situation.” His grip was still strong, Báine squeezed back, supporting. Her father’s eyes shifted behind her. “I’m glad you came back”, he offered regrettably.

“It wasn’t an invitation”, Melonie ran her eyes over him. His family didn’t lie to her when they called, but it also made her angrier in her heart. “If it hadn’t come to this, would he have attempted to at least see his child again?”

“Ma, what’s all this?” Báine turned to Melonie.

She felt her indifference become pity because of her daughter’s scared eyes. “They diagnosed your father with stage three Pancreatic Cancer,” she explained gently, “he realised too late that what he had was more than a stomach bug.”

“So what about surgery?” Báine asked hurriedly. She knew money wouldn’t be an issue.

“It’s spread to major blood vessels,” her father took the reins, “it’s inoperable right now.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “So, does that mean?”

“I still have a fighting chance”, he ran his finger along the high cheekbones she inherited from him.

“Okay”, she bit back her tears. Báine leaned into his comfort. The movement caused her to realise that it wasn’t a three-man show.

“Oh”, Marek looked over, “this is Yule.” Her father motioned for the boy to come closer. Yule resonated with a familiarity Báine couldn’t place, so she assumed he was a cousin and offered a small hello. The boy merely stared at her. “Báine, this is your older brother.”

The smile froze on her face, “come again?” Marek repeated, unfortunately she didn’t mishear. She turned to her mother. “That’s why we left?”

“This isn’t a battle of sides,” Melonie said simply. “I wanted you to come to your own conclusion. That’s my reason for not telling you.”

“You cheated?” Báine looked at her father desperately, hoping the reason was not what she assumed it to be.

“I’m sorry”, only because the room was quiet was the apology heard. “I admit I was wrong but don’t be unkind to him.”

“I know how to be an adult,” Melonie refuted Marek immediately. “Do not paint me as petty.”

The bolt out of the blue still shocked Báine. First, her father is sick and now she’s learned he cheated on her mother. “I”, she picked up the glasses, “I need to go clear my head.”

Melonie handed her purse to Báine. “there’s a vending machine on this hall.”

Báine took the leather purse gratefully as she rushed out. After putting on the glasses and giving the room number a last check, she stood by the vending machine at the end of the hall. The orange soda fell to the bottom with a bang. She quickly retrieved the cool beverage and surveyed the signs. After some deliberation, she walked to the inter courtyard. It was a relatively small space boxed in by corridors leading to different wings of the hospital. Unlike the exterior of the hospital that had an Art Deco aesthetic, the courtyard was Romanesque. Marble statues occupied the space along with marble benches and an iron-wroth gazebo that sat in the center. The lawn was well kept, accentuating the colours of the various blooms. It’s a shame in a few weeks, the colours will fall to browns, yellows and reds.

With a drink in hand, she plopped herself on a stone bench in the courtyard. Everything fell into place for Báine as she sipped. Báine was born three years into their marriage. She wouldn’t have known what their relationship was like back then. However, when she considers their life before London, Melonie would reminisce about the struggles they overcame to be together. How she believed they could make it through thick and thin. Báine clearly remembers how her mother often told her the story of their fairytale wedding. Whenever her mother spoke of her father, it was filled with undying love and devotion. Her eyes glimmered with an eternal flame. Marek was always kind and doted on her mother. She recalls it clearly.

She also recalls the flames’ first absence. Báine clearly remembers how her mother had whisked her away in the middle of the night to an unfamiliar place and how much she cried because she missed her father. Yet, after all that, Melonie had never cursed Marek for Báine to see. All the facts were laid out, yet a part of her knew her mother still loved her father. The flame was hidden, but it never died.

“He lost her trust,” she hummed, swinging her legs, “it has nothing to do with me.”

The next matter to digest was her brother. Well, Báine had already accepted the fact that she has an older brother. The problem lay in him. Would he be able to accept her? She thought back to the boy. Yule, was it? He was six feet tall and filled his clothes well. His straight hair swayed above his ear as the summer air rushed into the hospital room. The afternoon sun setting a halo on his auburn hair. Blue Hazel eyes pinned her in a stony stare, strong brows and full lips painted in indifference. Báine was curious about who his mother was. Yule is very handsome, so by extension, the woman must have been quite beautiful. Well, that mystery woman is the least of her concern. Just as she decided, a soft voice rang in her head.

“Are you okay?”

The voice of the one that stabilised her after the collision. At the moment, she was rather embarrassed and turned away quickly, grateful his hands didn’t linger. But when she realised her situation, she didn’t put up a front and graciously accepted his help. When he stood by her, the whole person became clear. He was tall compared to her stature. That was no hard feat. The boy seemed around five foot eleven inches and no older than her. A smooth tenor rather than an overwhelming bass carried his patient explanation. His ink black hair glistened under the ceiling lights, its wavy fringe rested under his lashes. She can’t recall meeting anyone who let their hair grow out to that extent. After his explanation, his eyes met hers and Báine experienced another first in her life. Until that moment, she never had the courage to hold another’s gaze, even if her eyes were shielded. The gazes of passers-by k****e the urge to hide away. The doctor from earlier prompted her to run. Yet Báine found herself enchanted by the weightless gaze. His dark eyes, like onyx gems, were filled with a subtle mirth that washed over her like the rays of the sun. It beckoned her closer. It seemed as if his thin, peach lips were perpetually stretched into a subtle smile as he checked if she was listening to his explanation.

“I should’ve asked for his name”, she quietly scolded herself.

“You’re not lost again, are you?” the boy that occupied her thoughts strolled languidly towards her.

Báine quickly snapped her gaze up. “I- No”, she stuttered. She never ceased to amaze herself at how spectacularly she could botch a simple response.

“That’s good”, an amused smile played on his lips. There was no judgement in it, and it made her grateful.

Báine plucked the little courage she had together. “Um.”

“Rohan!” a voice from the corridor arrested both of their attention. “There you are. Let’s go.” The doctor from earlier stared resolutely in their direction. Báine could feel her heart quickening.

“Yes father”, he answered quickly. “Sorry, maybe next time”, he made a face as if what he said was inappropriate, “hopefully not here. Take care.” He didn’t wait for a response before jogging towards his guardian.

The doctor smiled at the boy before ruffling his hair lovingly, earning a playful slap in return. Báine watched the pair. While the boy was tall, the doctor could easily be six feet. She watched them converse when a feature struck her as unnerving, their skin pale as if the sun was always hidden. After rounding a corner, they disappeared from her sight.

Báine then looked to the settings sun. She should go back. Visiting hours would end soon. She reached the stairs when she was met by Melonie and Yule. Báine felt a bit out of sorts, the mother and son pair.

“There you are,” Melonie smiled, “decided?”

“Yes”, she nodded.

“Let’s go back”, Melonie took the lead. Báine covertly glanced at Yule. He kept his eyes forward and lips sealed. She never had a sibling, so she desired to be close to him. However, it appears it wouldn’t be easy.

The drive back to the estate was heavy. Báine glanced between her mother and brother wearily. It felt as if something needed to be said, but she could not find the words. Instead, she busied herself to absorb her changed surroundings. New Neysa is the affluent community of Bridnorthmid. She could see the mansions were a mix of Romanesque and contemporary architecture and Edurn Estate was among those of the Romanesque style. The estate was relatively aged and a survivor of both world wars. Báine is not aware when its history began, but she knows the property is inherited through the generations of the Edurne family. The heir, and more recently heiress, would be the one who is assigned or chose to or take over the business.

When Báine had satisfied her eyes, Foder pulled into the driveway of the estate. The Estate was large. Being of the few first houses, it boasted a lot of space, and the backyard alone was seventy acres. Foder helped her out of the car. The sun was low in the sky, but Báine could see that the mansion was relatively unchanged. The front boasted a marble fountain and cobble-stone pathway, the sides of which were bordered with meticulously manicured shrubs. She drew closer to the looming structure, in the setting sun, the white granite was bathed in a russet hue. Báine stopped a few steps away from the curved, exterior stairway.

The maids and butlers lined themselves in single file lines. When all the residents of the house gathered, they bowed, “Welcome back”, they offered their greetings in sync.

“I wish I could say it’s good to be back”, Melonie acknowledged their greeting. Her eyes roamed over them. Most were unfamiliar to her. “Sofia”, her eyes landed on an elderly lady, “it’s good to see you again.”

The head maid raised her head with a genuine smile, “I am happy you’ve been well Miss.”

“Hen, do you remember Sofia?” Melonie guided Báine forward. “she was your nanny.”

“The young miss was a wee bairn when she left,” Sofia chuckled. “she wouldn’t remember little old me”

Hidden eyes ran over the woman. The maid had a full figure from age, but poise oozed from every pour. The whole person was black and white apart from her uniform. Her ebony hair, tucked into a neat bun, was stark against her ivory skin. Thin lips pulled into a kind smile and her deep brown eyes watched patiently but with a bit of expectation.

For the ruddy teen, if they had never reunited, a youthful visage of the maid would’ve been forever immortalized in her mind. “I remember”, Báine nodded decisively.

Sofia’s eyes widened for a moment before a touched smile found her lips. “I am honoured the young miss remembers me”, a bittersweet smile tugged maid’s lips, “I’m glad the young miss grew up well.”

Yule had enough of the reunion outside and brushed past Báine to climb the stairs. The sister and mother watched him closely. “Outside will get draughty soon. We should follow his lead, yes?” Báine jogged to catch up to him. Melonie and the other servants followed at a comfortable pace. “Laddie”, Melonie called to him as he started to ascent the bifurcated staircase. He stopped, blue hazel eyes looking at her curiously. She smiled at the boy. “Would it be too much to guide Báine? You would know this house better than us.”

His features twisted, and he looked to his sister who stood at the foot of the stairs wringing her hands and back to his step-mother. “No. I can do it”, he sighed in acquiesce.

“Thank you”, she smiled wider. Melonie nodded to Sofia to follow them. Then she addressed the servants, “for the lot of you. Let’s get to know each other”, she turned into the audience room.