What was wrong?

"I was only asking the time to try and figure out how long do I have before Professor Thomas decides to visit. I need to mentally prepare myself for his very severe chiding after all." Aria spoke up, changing the topic.

Helen smiled upon hearing this as Aria chuckled. Both of them knew Professor Thomas was not a person to ever severely scold anyone, let alone Aria, his favorite student. "It's still very early in the morning." Helen replied as she felt about for a chair and pulled it beside Aria's bed before sitting down.

The fact that Helen again had her stick in her hand didn't escape Aria's notice, but she chose not to comment on it. "Okay okay. Just more question. How long was I out." Aria sheepishly asked.

Helen sighed as she felt about for Aria's hand and held it in both of her own. "Why are you so worried about everything except your life." she mumbled before adding in her normal voice, "A week, give or take a couple of days."

Give? Or take? Aria desperately wanted to know. But she had heard the first part of Helen's sentence, and decided not to upset her any further. Helen obviously still blamed herself for whatever had happened. "Oh. By the way, where are the boys? Too scared by my scars?" Aria asked, trying to lighten up the mood.

But the effect was quite opposite of what Aria had intended. Helen's face darkened even further upon the mention of the boys and Aria could easily tell she was holding back a sob.

Aria had assumed the Joseph and Jacob didn't know about her waking up yesterday and were still asleep, as it was quite early, as Helen had said. But seeing the expression on Helen's face, she instantly knew that something was not right.

"Helen?" Aria spoke, her voice softer than a feather, "What's wrong?" "Nothing." Helen replied, shaking her head and making her voice cheerful. "I didn't check up on them. Pretty sure they'll be here as soon as they hear you're awake." she said.

Aria shook her head with a long sigh. Helen was obviously not telling the truth, anyone could have known that by the expression on Helen's face. Though her voice was cheerful as she talked, she seemed to have forgotten to put a smile on her face. Aria very desperately wanted to know what was wrong, but she thought it best not to pursue it right now.

Instead she asked, "Okay then. And tell me, how have classes been?" changing the topic. Helen seemed relieved as she looked up and said, "Kind of the same. It's just too boring without you, but I guess I need to get used to that, seeing as you are a grade higher me now."

Aria stiffened upon hearing this. She still remembered how Helen had reacted that day of their water precision exam. And it brought back rather unpleasant memories of a time too long ago. But Helen didn't seem to notice as she continued, "But other than that, they've been fine. Everyone is quite shaken up though, with the night warriors making such a bold move."

"It would have been a wonder if they hadn't." Aria thought to herself. "And, does everyone really believe I'm the queen's long lost daughter?" Aria asked aloud.