10 Mana Awakening (1)

(Vladford's POV)

On the way to the estate, I was focused on Rosaline's breathing. Thankfully, she was breathing fine and there was no symptoms of any discomfort. She was nestled in my arms while I dash on the road, not minding what was going on around me.

"Hiyah!" I was riding as fast as I could.

"Vlad…!" Jacob shouted. "Slow down a bit. You might get into an accident!"

I might be riding like a lunatic in their eyes, but I do not mind. My focus is to get Rosaline back to the estate and make sure that she is not hurt.

'It was my fault.' I scolded myself. 'If I have not taken Rose there in the first place…'

"It is not your fault, Vlad!" Hilna who was behind me said. It was as if she had read what was in my mind. "She will be alright. Rose will be fine."

Hilna had at least set my mind at ease. Her words had always given me courage in my endeavors. But Rosaline, she is different. It was only yesterday that we met, but her voice… her smile. It gives me warm comfort that I have never received before.

The gates of the estate was in view. The guards that were stationed their were surprised to see me in haste.

"Open the gates!" I shouted.

The guards scrambled to open the gates at once and I passed by not long. I reigned my horse once I was in the courtyard.

"A physician!" I shouted. "Call a physician at once!"

I came down of my horse and carefully carried Rosaline in my arms.

"What happened?" My father the duke came out in haste alarmed by my shouting.

"Snow wolves appeared by the lake." Jacob instantly answered his questioned.

"Snow wolves you say?" My lord father was alarmed. "Why would snow wolves be here this far south?"

"I am not sure, lord father." I replied. "But I am sure they are snow wolves. We must form a team to hunt down those fiends. Many were able to escape from us, maybe there are other more."

"I understand." My lord father nodded.

"Rose… what happened to Rose!" Duke De Falco was running towards us when he saw his daughter unconscious in my arms.

"I am sorry my lord…" I was a lost of words. "I was not able to protect the lady. I am willing to pay the consequence of my actions." I bowed my head, feeling guilty as hell.

"Let us not talk about consequences for now." My lord father said. "Take the lady to one of the guest rooms. She needs to be checked by a physician. Frankford, I hope you do not bear ill will at my son with what had conspired today." Duke De Falco was reigning in his wrath as I can see. It was understandable with his only daughter lying unconscious in my arms.

"First, let the physician look at Rose." Duke De Falco replied.

"The guest room has been prepared, my lord." A servant said.

"Lead the way." I said in haste.

I followed the servant to the prepared guest room and went inside. I laid Rosaline on the bed gently as if she was made of glass. I looked at her and saw as if she was just sleeping. Her eyes were closed and she seemed rather peaceful.

"The physician is here." The servant said.

All of us went outside other than a few maids and the physician that checked upon Rosaline.

Now that she was not in my arms, I yearned for the warmth she had emitted. If only I could carry her in my arms forever, I would.

"Please be fine." I prayed to the lord of light.

**

I opened my eyes and saw that I was in a dim room that I did not recognize. I do not feel very well. My body felt heavy that it was as if a huge bolder was weighing down on it.

I felt my throat parched, I was searching for something to drink. I saw a pitcher of water and a glass at my bed side table, but I could not even lift my hand to get it.

"W-Water…" I tried to say with my dry throat. "… please."

Something caught my eyes on the far end of the corner. A shadow moved and when it came close, the light of the lamp illuminated the figure. It was Vladford, the male protagonist.

"How are you feeling, my lady?" Vladford asked. He had put his hand over my forehead. "You still have a fever. Do you need anything?"

I pointed to the pitcher of water to tell him I am thirsty.

"Oh, you want a glass of water?" Vladford asked and I nodded in reply. "Here, let me help."

The male protagonist took the pitcher of water on my bed side table and poured it in a glass. He sat beside me and helped me to sit up. He put the glass of water on my lips and I tried to take a sip but to no avail. My throat was not taking in the water and it spilled to my dress.

"This will not do…" Vladford said and was deep in thought. After a few seconds his eyes went wide like a light bulb. "… p-please excuse me if you will not like this my lady. Push me if you must, but at least let me help with your thirst."

I was confused about what he just said but before I could even process his words in my mind I saw him drink from the glass and put his lips on mine.

My mind went blank, feeling his soft lips on mine. The water that was in his mouth effortlessly made its way in my throat. My then parched throat was quenched at last.

The male protagonist parted his lips to mine and gently lay me down on bed once more. He averyed his gaze from me and had a blush on his face.

"I-I will call for a maid to change your wet clothes, my lady." He said and darted out of the room. I hear the door close and I knew he was gone.

"T-This must be a dream." I was now able to talk thanks to the water I suppose. "How can the male protagonist and I ki…ki…kiss? Y-Yeah, this is a dream. I will surely wake up." I said.

My eyes felt heavy once again and it closed. Once more I drifted to a very nice dream.

**

I woke up to the sun shining outside the window. I sat up and looked around to find myself in an unfamiliar room.

"W-Where am I?" I tried to remember what had happened last night.

The last memory I remember was when the wolves were about to attack me. My vision went black and I guess I lost consciousness.

"It looks like I was saved." I said to myself.

I pulled the rope to the maid's bell to call in a maid.

*RING RING*

A few maids that are unfamiliar to me came in. Behind them was my personal maid, Priscilla.

"Oh… my lady." Priscilla looked so worried. "I am so happy you are awake. Are you uncomfortable anywhere?" She asked holding my forehead and checking my temperature.

"I am fine, Priscilla." I replied. "Almost perfect, actually."

I have never felt so much better in my life. I stand up on the bed and jumped and jumped. I felt my body so light as a feather.

"I feel amazing." I said.

"Rosaline De Falco!" I hear my father's scolding words. "Have you no manners of a proper lady?!"

I saw my father come in. I quickly sat down attentively waiting for a scolding.

"Hah. What will I do with you?" My father sighed. "This here is the duke Heathfield's court physician. She will check you."

"Court physician?" I looked at a lady that looked in her late twenties or early thirties. This was my first time seeing a young doctor here or in my original world. If I hear the word doctor I automatically think of an old man or woman.

"Good day, my lady." The lady physician greeted. "I am Arabella. I would like to check you, if I may?"

"Oh, yes please." I replied.

Arabella took my pulse and inspected my body.

"Hmm." Arabella was nodding her head.

"W-What is it?" My father asked in worry.

"Your daughter has recovered in full health." Arabella replied. "The fever last night was the symptoms of mana imbalance. That is due to the rushed awakening of her mana. Her body was not able to adjust with the sudden output."

"Mana, you say?" I asked in disbelief.

"Oh, thank the lord of light." My father exclaimed. "Your mana has already awoken after so many years of being dormant. I had worried that… that it will not awaken again."

"Are you saying that my mana had just awoken last night?" I was in utter disbelief.