Words Of Concern

When my soul convinced my heart that he was the sole possessor of the only heart in the whole world which could match the steps of the dance of my heart, I had decided to dance alone rather than without him.

- Diary Of Ophelia

"Mama, how is she?"

Epione was back from the healing facility. She may have appeared cool and capable while treating the Crown Prince, but she's been super anxious about her sister. The only consolation was knowing that her mother was the one treating Celosia.

The girls of the Royal blood were always trained to be healers from time immemorial. The only exception being 'that Princess' who was never mentioned in the island anymore. The one who relished the feel of weapons in her hand, rather than the touch of herbs. She protected the citizens using swords rather than healing them after they were hurt. Her motto had always been: Precaution is better than care. That was partly why the Queen was reluctant to let Celosia learn the language of war. But the stubborn little girl refused to give up. The Queen, being a loving parent, let her have her way at the end.

"Yeah, she'll live. She has lost a bit of blood. But that's something that can be rectified. I've prescribed a special medicinal meal for her. Why don't you check that and add or remove something as you see fit?"

" Mama, why would I remove the ingredients when you are the one who prescribed it? You are the best healer!" Epione said with a warm smile.

" No dearest. I'm sure that you will surpass me in the near future and I'll be the happiest. You can slowly take over my position as the Main Healer of the island. It's time that I start imparting the knowledge I've gained to little sunshine. Just like I taught you." Danaë was lost in her memories and said with a wistful sigh.

"You seem so composed, Mama. Comparing to the last time Sia was injured gravely, this reaction is too peaceful." Epione teased her mother while gazing at the sleeping figure of Celosia.

"The last time she got injured was when she was 9." Danaë rolled her eyes. "Of course I blew the top. I didn't want my baby to play with swords. And yet she did. But at the crucial moment she just threw it away. Silly child."

" She was saving a baby lion, Mama. How could she have taken a sword to the already frightened kitten."

" And to what end!? Thank god Leo and Zeus was nearby and they had the soldiers with them. Or else she would have been mauled beyond recognition by the pack of wild wolves." Danaë's voice was coloured with fondness tinted exasperation.

"Well, it did turn out well Mama. The lion is now her loyal friend." Epione was giggling while recounting the strange incident.

" Have no doubt, I very nearly fainted with shock. After the wolves were chased off, the pair of a human girl and a lion cub was all that remained in the spot. And both were covered with blood. Sia was rubbing behind the ears of the cub and it let her do it. I panicked alright. Moreover, she took it into her arms. And then she smiled. That was the precise moment when I came out of my stupor, broke the maids' hold on me and rushed to hug my baby girl. The cub trying to growl in an intimidating manner to scare me off was such an endearing sight. Sia scolding it in a stern tone and introducing me to it made my day." Danaë laughed with the the remembered relief.

Epione stood by listening to the story that she had heard a hundred times and never got tired of. She was right there and had watched her elder sister with an excited face. She had full confidence in her warrior sis. It was Epione who treated the cub's wounds, creating a bond between her and the beast. The little cub was now a mighty lion. Epione and Celosia being the only ones who could play with it. Celosia had named it Logan. He was clearly a loyal friend.

"Ahh..." Celosia was gaining consciousness. Danaë gestured Epione to take a glass of water and turned to Celosia.

"Don't move about carelessly, dear."

"Mama, I'll help her sit up. You help her drink." Epione was back with water.

Epione carefully helped her elder sister sit up and supported her weight while Danaë helped Celosia drink water. Celosia's complexion looked so pale and weak. Somehow she managed to drink the whole glass with much effort. She was clearly injured a lot, but she refused to show it to her kin.

"Hey Mama, how am I?" Celosia asked her mother in a mischievous voice. Her voice sounded a bit croaky.

" Do you need to know all the medical details or that whether there will be any lasting injuries?" Danaë asked in mock stern tone.

"Oh come on, Mama. Of course, the latter." Danaë said tongue in cheek.

"Yeah. Of course." Danaë said with an exasperated sigh. Her daughter clearly had no interest in medicine. Moreover, it seems like she'll never acquire that interest. "Yeah, I've patched you up good. You will be as good as new within a few days."

"Isn't my Mama the best!!?" Celosia gave her mother a sweet smile.

"Stop buttering me up." Danaë rolled her eyes. "Well, I heard that someone defeated you. What happened? Who was that beast that let you taste the medicine of defeat?" Danaë asked her daughter in a shocked voice. Her eyes were twinkling with mischief.

Epione couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Now it was Celosia's turn to roll her eyes. "Mama, shouldn't I be the asking you that? And I believe he is a gentleman. Isn't that so Mama?"

"What makes you say that, Sia?" Epione was filled with surprise.

"Why else dear? He wouldn't have been breathing now if our Mama had found him any less than good, given that he injured me." Celosia said with a smile.

"How can you be sure that he's still alive?" Danaë asked with a calm smile.

Celosia was taken aback for a moment. She recovered swiftly and made a show of listening to the sounds from outside. And then said out loud, "Can you both hear that?"

"What?" Danaë and Epione was at a loss about what Celosia was talking about.

"The sounds of a war. Can't you hear that?" Celosia's voice was tinted with panic.

"Of course not, Sia. There is no war going on." Danaë said with certainty.

"Exactly, Mama." Celosia gave her mother a wide smile. Danaë was confused to say the least.

"Mama, he's the crown prince. If he had died here, there would definitely be a war. So, that means....."

" You naughty girl!" Danaë was both annoyed and amused.

Epione shook her head at the pair. 'A pair of children.' But she was happy to have such a lively and loving family.

" Yes. He is alright for the time being. He must have tried his best not to hurt you. He had very serious injuries coupled with the effects of poison.."

" Poison?? Who poisoned him?" Celosia interrupted her mother hurriedly.

" You did, Sia." Epione answered her. "Remember your new tactic? To coat your swords with the new poisons I brew. Well, I was surprised. I never thought you kept your swords coated with poison the whole time."

" I did that to him..." Celosia mumbled to herself. "No Epione. That's not the case. Remember the new poison you gave me yesterday? I wanted to try it out. I was going to hunt some hyenas yesterday evening but failed to do so because Thea demanded my attention. " Celosia said out loud.

"You must have let Epione give him the antidote. So, how is he? Faring well?" Celosia asked as casually as she could, given his identity. She was eager to see him again. To confirm whether he was really the one who visited her in her dreams. And the knowledge that she attacked him with the poisoned sword didn't sit well with her. She felt very uncomfortable for some unknown reason.

"Yes, the antidote was applied and he'll be alright." Epione said in a reassuring manner.

Danaë was busy observing her daughter. Why did she sound so concerned about the Crown Prince? Her eyes had a tinge of worry and uncertainty that Danaë had never seen in Sia's eyes. 'There is more to it than meets the eye. Why is my daughter behaving strangely?'

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