Asleep, yet awake

The subsequent night hours was one of the worst moments of Duke Roelle's life. He thought Moniqua's death was the worst but this was far more distressing.

He watched with his heart in his throat as both Felicia and Alexander were tended to by the head physician and 4 maids. They were both bathed and dressed in their unconscious state before being placed on their mother's bed. Even after the physician had confirmed that neither one was injured and both has succumbed from muscle tension and fatigue, the Duke was still struggling to contain his emotions. His eyes never left the faces of his children. He refused to leave until he saw them open theirs. 

Thankfully, after 5 excruciating hours and several death threats made to the physician if anything went wrong, Alexander opened his eyes. 

The Young Master sucked in a harsh breath as his senses cleared. He felt such terror for a second that he shot upright and nearly drew the Holy Sword.

Thankfully, the familiar surroundings and familiar faces halted his instinctive urge to kill.

"Alex!"

"Master Alexander, do not move so quickly. You may faint again."

Two pairs of hands touched his arms causing him to clench his fists in distaste. His gaze was instinctively moved to his right. He saw his sister sleeping peacefully and thankfully without a drop of blood on her.

Releasing a deep breath, Alex ran a hand through his hair and lifted up one knee to rest his elbow on.

So we are safe...for the time being.

He still felt restless, but not longer taut with so much paranoia as he had earlier. 

It all feels like a dream. Just as the first time I raised the Holy Sword as Alexander. Was it really me who fought and killed those men? I'm wearing his face, I'm moving his body and all my emotions are real.

Alexander is me.

The Duke's concerned intruded her thoughts.

"Alex!? Alex, what's wrong with you? Can you not hear me?" Roelle placed his hands on his son's shoulders and shook him.

Alex's body was still trembling. "Look at me boy! It's over! You are no longer in danger! You're home now!"

Still getting no response, he did what he often did when Alex was still a child and woke up from a nightmare. The fear would still be with him even after the figments were gone. He went through a especially bad phase of nightmares after Moniqua was killed. Roelle just woke up crying, but Alex would often shout in his sleep. Eventually, he had to be medicated so both he and the entire manor could get some sleep.

After several long seconds, Alex returned his father's embrace. Tears fell from his eyes as his heart began to settle. 

"I thought we were going to die, father. It was so close. Felicia nearly bled out in front of..." His voice broke and trailed off.

Roelle patted his back. "It's alright son. You did well. You protected yourself and your sister. The coachman and Hildegarde told me of your bravery. This was the first time you put your skills to the test and you succeeded. Be proud of yourself."

Roelle pulled back and met his son's broken gaze with steady eyes. "I will not rest until I find and punish the ones who dared to do this to you and Felicia."

"I must get stronger. Today made me realize just how vulnerable I truly am. I have to become stronger if I am to properly protect Felicia." Alex intoned with a heavy look on his face.

The Duke's brows furrowed at his son's statement.

Why is he more concerned about Felicia than himself? Something has changed within Alex. His feelings for his sister have gone beyond brotherly concern. He went from disregarding her completely to refusing to leave her side no matter what and now he speaks about protecting her as if he is a knight pledging his life to his master.

"We have knights who will protect you both. The ones who died today were too young and inexperienced to be assigned as your escorts. I have already told Sir Dyron to train our guards even harder so they will not fail as they did today." The Duke's face scrunched. "Though they proved themselves obsolete, I will still have to be fair and compensate their families."

"Where are their bodies right now?" Alex asked pulling the blanket off him and dropping his legs off the bed.

The Duke stood up. "I have already had them cleaned, wrapped and sent back to their homes."

Alex tucked the blanket around Felicia's body ensuring she was perfectly comfortable before standing up. He glanced around the room.

The physician was standing near to his right still looking at him with concern. The maids were seated on the floor with their heads bowed. None of them could understand how both Master Alexander and Lady Felicia had no injuries on them. Their clothes had been torn and there was so much blood on them.

What exactly had happened? And why was Master Alexander awake and not Lady Felicia? Why had she arrived unconscious and continued to remain so?

Alex glanced outside and saw that it was pitch black. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Five hours. It will be dawn in 3 hours." The Duke felt exhausted. Alex noticed right away.

"Go get some sleep, father. You haven't rested at all have you?"

"How can I rest when both of my children showed up covered in blood and then slept as if they were slipping into a coma?" Roelle turned to the door, but then glanced back at Felicia. "Why hasn't she woken up yet?"

"Let's just say she took the brunt of the attack. She exerted herself more than I did once she saw that my life was in danger. I would have died if not for her selflessness." Alex walked over and placed a hand on Felicia's forehead.

He frowned. "Her temperature appears to be rising."

"I will go get my concoction. I had suspected as much. Lady Felicia's constitution is very weak compared to yours, Young Master. Years of starvation have left her vulnerable. Too much exposure, exertion even emotional distress can cause her to fall ill."

The Duke glanced away when he heard that. His heart burned with guilt once more. If she had never been sent to the annex then she would have woken up by now. Her body is no longer normal. She has health problems at such a young age.

Just as the physician stepped out, Nanny Hildegarde rushed in and embraced Alexander.

"Oh, thank goodness you're alright! I was so scared watching the two of you sleeping like the dead!" Tears fell down her eyes and stained Alexander's shirt.

The maids and even the Duke were a bit taken aback by Hildegarde's boldness. Even if she were their nanny in the past, it was improper for her to embrace the Young Master like this.

Alex didn't mind. He happily returned Hildegarde's embrace. As far as he was concerned this woman had always been their second mother. Tyren was never fit to take Moniqua place. If only the Duke had never married her, then Hildegarde would have never left. Felicia would not have suffered in the annex.

And the three of us would have rebuilt our bond. Father, son, daughter and an amazing nanny.

Alex kissed Hildegarde's head affectionately. "It nighttime, Nana. An old woman like you should still be in bed. Don't make me worry about your health."

The servants were even more shocked. 

"Leave us!" Alex ordered.

They bowed and left, the last one closing the door behind her.

Hildegarde pulled away from Alex and went to check on Felicia. She glanced at the door before speaking. "Master Alex, what is the truth in all this? What was that magic I saw? Why is the little lady still asleep? Did she get hurt spiritually?"

Alex nodded. "Yes, Nana. Felicia drained her aura by calling on so much healing magic with no prior training. The infinity on the Holy Sword didn't simply heal her; her mind has been pulled away. She may be conversing with the Goddess right now."

Hildegarde brows shot up. "She...is with Goddess Katara right now?!"

Alex glanced at the door before nodding. 

"That is why she is not waking up?"

"Yes. Her body is here but her soul and mind are missing. She has been summoned. Until Goddess Kartara decides to release her, she will remain this way. I can sense it."

Alex closed his eyes and took a deep breath as his heightened intuition as the Saintess's protector gave him clarity. "She will not wake up for an entire month."

Both their gazes fell on Felicia's peaceful face. 

If only they knew of the chaos she was in right now. She was witnessing everything that had happened to her soul after she had been burned by fire.