Chapter 9| Broken Promises

I tried to open my eyes but failed. Again. I did not know how much time has passed, or where I am. All I could see was void darkness. Despite this, I could hear faint voices, shufflings, and I could also feel or hear what was happening around me. The only problem was my eyes. No matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn't open.

"Why is she not waking up?! Do something," Hearing Julian's voice was a relief. I tried to speak, but it seems like I am also not able to do it.

"Y-your M-majesty, the queen needs to r-rest. We do not k-know how deep the arrow had g-gotten, but she is still b-breathing, which is a g-good sign," What I suppose was the healer answered nervously.

The sound of things knocking over and the healer gasping for air reached my ears.

"So do you think that we are supposed to wait until she stops breathing? Huh?! You better make sure that she lives before I will end your life with my bare hands,"

I could picture the healer's face by now. He must be pale, shaking uncontrollably. All I wanted was to get up and tell Julian that it is all okay. But, seeing that I could not even move a muscle, it is nearly impossible.

"Julian, let go of the healer. He is right, Aurora needs to rest, and you also need to," Meredith assured Julian. I reminded my self that by the time I can speak and open my eyes, I would thank Meredith over and over.

The healer gasping for breath followed soon-after.

"Leave," Meredith dismissed the healer who did not waste time and bolted out of the door. It was obvious because just after she dismissed him, it was less than a second to hear the door opening and closing.

"I failed her Meredith. I-i broke my promise. I should have... I should have canceled the coronation!" Julian's voice boomed throughout the infirmary. "I should have saved her when I had the chance. This is my fault... This is my fault,"

"Julian, listen to me. It is not your fault, nor Aurora's,"

I was thankful for Meredith right now. Julian seemed to calm down, a little. Oh Julian, stop blaming your self. I do not blame you for what happened to me. Whoever was behind this was going to pay, dearly. Julian will stop at nothing to find out who attempted to kill me.

"You're right. The person who did this to her better be hiding in a good place. I swear, if I get my hands on him, he will wish that he never got born," Julian gritted out.

Oh boy. I feel sorry for the person who attempted to kill me. Just by what Julian said, I knew that he was serious.

I felt his hand lace with mine. He kissed the back of my palm, before rubbing it soothingly. Julian kept muttering ' I'm Sorry ', all the while combing my hair with his fingers. I wanted to tell him that it is alright, that he did not need to be sorry.

The door opened again. "Julian, you need to eat. I'm sure that Aurora would not be pleased if she saw you like this," Meredith softly spoke.

Julian did not answer. Meredith tried again, this time yanking Julian gently from me. "You need to eat, Julian."

"No Meredith! I will not leave her here. Go out and eat the damned food by your self,"

"But Julian-"

"I said Get out!" Julian shouted at Meredith. I could hear her sniffles as she got out.

Julian went back to holding my hand. What felt like minutes turned to hours. Julian still did not let go of me. I did not know how much time has passed. Did a day already pass by? or was it just a few hours? I did not know.

"Please wake up Aurora, please. If I have to trade places with you, I would do it in a heartbeat. Please Aurora. I-i am begging you," Julian pleaded. It hurt to hear him like this.

I willed my self to grip his hand that was interlaced with mine. I expected to fail, but surprisingly, I was able to grip him slightly. Julian sucked in a deep breath.

"Call the healer, NOW," he hastily ordered someone.

A newfound strength shot through me. I struggled to open my eyes, but I did anyway. Everything was hazy. The high ceiling above looked as if it was dancing before my eyes.

I blinked once, twice. I cocked my head to the side, Julian's face coming into view. I was shocked. His black curls grew, his eyes had dark circles below them. He also got skinnier. Like he hasn't eaten something.

"Aurora..." Julian's face had a mixture of shock, joy, and relief. He immediately embraced me tightly on his arms. I groaned, feeling a slight ache to my chest. Julian realized this and he withdrew.

"Do you need anything Aurora? Food? Water?" He frantically asked me. I just kept looking at him, a small, but noticeable smile on my face.

"Water," my voice came out hoarse, and just after I said it, my stomach growled.

Julian gave me a cup of water. I gulped it down in a matter of seconds. The door opened and the healer came in. He was middle-aged, with red, short hair and brown eyes. He was also slightly short. His eyes widened when he saw me. He immediately bowed and stood up, but when he saw Julian, his whole stature changed.

The healer trembled while he checked me for any more injuries. When he did not found any, he sighed in relief. "Your majesty, the queen is now fine. She just needs a little rest, and pressure to the chest must be avoided for at least a week,"

Julian dismissed the healer, without even saying thank you. I stopped the healer before he could go out of the door. I smiled at him. "Thank you,"

"My pleasure, my queen," He got out of the infirmary.

I just stared at Julian. His amber eyes were filled with guilt, and that made me feel bad. It was not his fault that I got shot by an arrow.

Julian held my hand and sat by the chair. His black curls were disheveled, probably from him touching it too much. "I'm sorry Aurora. I should have listened to you. I understand if you don't want to forgive me, but please. I am sorry,"

"It's okay, Julian." I cupped his face."It's not your fault, stop blaming your self,"

"But Aurora-"

I stopped him by crashing my lips to his soft ones. He was taken aback by the kiss, but he recovered from the shock and held the sides of my head and pulled me in deeper. His lips were so soft. Like pillows. Tingles shot throughout my body when he molded his body into mine.

Despite not wanting to withdraw, I did. I looked at him and laughed lightly. "What happened to taking it slow?"

He just chuckled in response. I was still weak. I could not move around very much. I was now in our room, with Julian laying beside me on the bed. He thankfully did not bring the topic of the kiss.

"Julian?"

"Hmmm?"

" Apologize to Meredith,"

Julian looked at me, confused. "How did you-"

"I heard everything you said, Julian,"

"Oh,"

He was going to lay back down when I stopped him by placing my hand on his chest.

"Apologize to her. Now. "

"You're cute when you act tough," he completely dismissed me by laying back down. I frowned at him. I will show you what's cute alright.

I gathered my strength and hit his chest.

"What are you doing Aurora? You are still weak. Stop moving around," he scolded me.

I repeated it again and this time, he sat up. He gripped my wrists tightly, but not enough to cause pain.

"What did I say Aurora?" his lips were so close to mine. I could feel my breath hitch.

" Apologize to Meredith. Now."

He sighed and let go of my wrist. "Fine,"

"Oh, and Julian?"

"What?"

"I'm hungry,"

Julian nodded. He got up, dressed, and walked out of the door without even saying goodbye.

That man.

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