Chapter 5
After lying Alice comfortably on her bed, the Etkinson couples walked out of the room followed by the servants. They looked neither nor sad. But serious. As they walked into the dinning hall, the duke and the duchess sat on the chair while the servants stood.
"Dr. Charles, what is happening with my daughter?" the duke asked with strict tone, looking at the old man.
Dr. Charles stepped forward and answered "the wounds on the young lady's head has mostly been treated and there is no threat to the life. But her reaction… I fear…"
"Tell comfortably" the duchess said with comforting tone.
"I fear that the lady is having amnesia" the doctor said with weak voice.
"Amnesia?" Duke asked for explanation.
"It is a state in which a person forgets his or her past memories temporarily or permanently. It normally happens when a person's head is greatly wounded. So, I think even young lady is…"
"How bad is it?" the duchess helped the troubled doctor.
"Looking at the size of the wound and the young lady's reaction, I fear it is permanent. I cannot tell anything for now, I have to observe her more. It may happen that since young lady has woken up after long time so her memories are scattered" Dr. Charles answered honestly.
"What about that severe headache?" the duke pointed.
"I still don't know anything about it. As I said, I have to observe her grace more" the family doctor said, his palms sweating.
"We are asking for your opinion" the duchess said, "it is fine if it goes wrong."
"According to me" Dr. Charles said after swallowing hard, "I think the lady tried to think about something deeply. And she has recently recovered from her injury. So, overthinking may have resulted in…."
"It may happen because she tried to remember her lost memories" the duchess interrupted the already nervous doctor.
"Yes, it may be the case" the doctor supported her.
"I can understand her. If a person wakes up with no memories then it is normal for them to be confused. She doesn't even remember her name" the duchess said, thinking hard.
"It is still not conformed Diana that Alice has lost her memories" the duke said.
"But it seems so" the duchess said confidently.
Hearing his wife's words, he sighed.
"You look happy Diana, that Alice is in such state" the duke said suddenly.
"I guess I cannot really hide my feelings from you" the duchess said smirking.
"Yes, I am happy that she has forgotten who she was" she said looking at her husband with a sweet smile.
The duke looked at her with suspicious look.
"Maria. Ben" the duchess called.
The elderly maid dressed completely in black and the man with black tail coat stepped forward.
"If Alice is really having amnesia than, I don't want her to know that I am actually her stepmother. Did you understand? I want her to misunderstand that I am her own mother" the duchess ordered with a scary face.
"I understand" the maid said and bowed her head, "I'll make sure no servant will talk nonsense."
"Don't worry, madam. We will handle the situation well" the man said.
"Good" the duchess said and got up.
"Dear" she said looking at the duke with a smile, "I am going to my room. Inform me when Alice wakes up again. I should invite Daniel and Stella next time. Their sister has finally woken up."
"Do whatever you want. I am going to the castle. I have lot of work to do. If Alice wakes up, inform me immediately" the duke said and took his coat.
"I am going out" he said as he walked out.
"Bye dear" the duchess and walked in the opposite direction.
She went to her room, followed by the Maria.
She sighed when she found her desk filled with paper works. Morning sun rays coming into the room made her feel to take some fresh air. She walked into the balcony while her maid stayed inside.
"Today's weather is really beautiful" she said to herself.
"Maria, pray to god that Alice will never remember her past."
Though her tone was serious, but one could still find a sly smile on her face.