CHAPTER#20:Back to square one

The crisp frosty wind surrounded the cliff where the impregnable Stygian fortress made of stone and obsidian stood for more than a millennium. The icicles had hardened on the face and wings of the gargoyles making them look scarier on the starless cloudy nights.

Luciana felt warmth on her face. She slowly opened her eyes thinking that she was back home with Avlynn rubbing her tiny soft hands on her cheeks.

She could hear sniffing sounds close to her. A tiny hand rubbed her cheek lightly. It was warm and soft.

"Mm~Avlynn?"

Her vision cleared up and saw the stone ceiling above her and a mass of dull silver hair. She slowly raised her hand and stroked the back of the head.

"Mami!"A familiar voice cried out.

She turned her head to the right and saw Nemesis with tearful swollen eyes.

-"Ahh~So it is not Avlynn who's here. This is the reality."She thought subconsciously.

"My Lady!"Mina gasped and ran towards the bed she lay in.

"Mina... "She muttered softly with deep breathing. Her eyes were still half open.

"I... Survived?"She asked as she looked back at Nemesis who had been crying.

"You... You have no idea how worried we were when Master entered the main building carrying you in his arms. He said that you fainted with shock and intense cold after going out."

"How long have I been sleeping? "she asked.

"Almost two weeks."She replied tensely.

"The shock must be greater. The master even ordered the warmest clothes for you so you may stay safe. He also ordered many things for you. We had trouble finding a seamstress so my brother took charge of the task."

-"He did not tell them the truth?" she was stunned after realizing that she had been in bed for two weeks.

She struggled to sit up with Mina's help. Her throat was parched. She coughed up and noticed blood on her palm.

Nemesis cried out nervously.

She pondered over his words. She recalled how she assured him by telling him that she and Erebus were her family.

-"He must have assumed me to be his mother."She sighed.

He could cry any moment if Luciana had not forced a smile and let him hug her. She stroked his hair and calmed him down as Mina wiped the blood away with a clean wet cloth.

"The physician warned this would happen. Your vocal cords according to him were damaged so he said that you may cough up blood once or twice."

Luciana did not say anything. She sipped some warm water. She could feel the recurring sensation of pain from time to time. But it wasn't too painful as it was the first time she used her ability in fear. She had been careful to not use it often or her throat might have ripped apart as the adverse aftereffects of its usage.

"B-but please do not worry. He made a new tonic and advised to keep using the antidote that healed you previously." Mina said almost in tears.

"I thought you'd leave us forever."She sniffed and wiped her teary eyes.

"Even the young master stayed by your side every day. He would not leave and ball out if the maids forced him to leave with them. So Master allowed him to stay beside you."She explained the rest of the events that turned about her when she lay in coma.

Jafar gave a knock on the heavy iron and wooden doors of her chamber.

Mina inquired and opened the door after taking a glance to confirm Luciana's consent.

She gave a faint nod and wrapped her arms around Nemesis' small body as if she were cradling him while laying down.

"I apologize for interrupting you, your grace." he reluctantly stepped into the room.

"Please, don't worry about it."She consented and studied him the same way he did.

"How is your health, your grace? My master is concerned about your condition."He asked her.

-"If he was concerned, he would have let me go."She sighed as words repeated at the back of her mind.

Both siblings exchanged glances at Luciana's silence. Her gaze was fixated on Nemesis as he dozed off in her arms. She gently stroked his hair that fell on above his eyes like silk.

He moaned and said out loud when she realized he was having a nightmare. She patted him and started humming the same lullaby she usually hummed and sang to Avlynn and Melody. The only way she knew worked on him.

The attendant patiently waited to let her end with the melody.

It was not long before the child was fast asleep. She did not move him or allow any other hand to touch him.

"If this is all then please assure the lord he needs not to worry about me. I'm perfectly fine."She replied with utmost courtesy trying her best to hold back her tears.

"I will do so my lady. And there is one more thing I needed to relay."He turned back and looked at her.

"The wedding preparations are complete. All that is left is the wedding dress to arrive. The head maid will bring in the dress so please try it on and let me know if there are any specific modifications you need in the dress."

-"He is not backing away. He is more determined about marriage."She thought. A vile taste filled her mouth.

She did not respond or protest. She looked at the night sky through the open window.

"I might be tied down here forever."She voiced her thoughts for the first time. She could feel a lump forming in her throat.

Jafar did not comment. He bowed out of courtesy and left the room.

"Lady..."Mina began when Luciana asked her for something to eat. The young serving girl left to get dinner for her.

She couldn't breathe. She burst into tears mourning for her shattered hopes. She hugged the sleeping child tightly. The world around her would not accept her. She had to make countless sacrifices. But fate was too cruel.

It started to rain. She could hear the sound of the falling raindrops. She couldn't help but cry.

It was painful but she knew she couldn't be hopeless in front of this child. She was breaking down.

The heavy storm passed by but the rain did not cease. A drizzle continued with the occasional rumbling of the clouds. She did not have an appetite. Nemesis played with Mina as Luciana stared out of the window. Sometimes he would play with Leo. The wolf seemed especially fond of him and would often sneak into Luciana's bed chamber and sleep near the fireplace. Nemesis was so small for his age that the wolf would think of him as its pup.

The laughter died down by dusk. She found both of them cuddled together near the fireplace. She lightly stroked the wolf on its neck and lifted Nemesis in her arms when the wolf whined.

"No Leo... Nemesis will get cold."She hissed and carefully pulled her dress from the wolf's fangs.

She tucked him in and kissed him goodnight.