Chapter 102 Chapter 102

Chapter 102 Chapter 102
“… much longer? We’re all so worried about her.”

“Her body has healed itself completely, which is an incredible feat for such a short amount of time, your highness. Her vitals are stable, and physically everything seems to be alright.”

“But…?”

“We can’t wake her up. Her brain is protecting her from the trauma of all the recent events, so we have no idea when she’ll wake up. She’ll have to do that herself.”

My brain seemed to be doing that a lot in the past two years. Trauma after trauma, it’s a miracle it still could function at all.

The beeping in the room grew louder and louder until I could barely handle it anymore. I craved that peaceful silence once again; the nothingness that engulfed me was soothing, but as the darkness opened its arms to embrace me once more, I knew I couldn’t go back.

My throat was dry and itchy, and my tongue felt like sandpaper against my mouth. My eyes were heavy, and as I forced my lids open, the bright light felt like tiny daggers against my tired eyes. 

A barely audible whimper left my mouth in protest, but soon enough, my mother was by my side, her usually calm voice loud with worry and relief.

“Ahri?”

There it was again.

“Ahri, darling, can you hear me?”

I gritted my teeth against the onslaught of protests that fought to leave my mouth and nodded instead.

“Oh my goodness, honey, I’m so glad you’re awake.”

I tried opening my eyes again, but the light was still too bright.

“Can you dim the lights, please?”

“Of course, your highness.” The doctor, I assumed, rushed out before heading to do as asked.

Once I could finally open my eyes, I looked around me. My mother’s face was the first thing I saw, pale with exhaustion but just as regal as always. She smiled warmly as she caressed my face, rushing to hand me a glass of water when I cleared my throat.

I tried to sit up, but the wires and whatnots that were hooked to my arm restricted my movement. I had half a mind to just rip them out because they weren’t exactly doing much, but I didn’t want the queen and the doctor to think I was deranged.

Better I kept that to myself.

Noticing my frustration, my mother helped me sit up and put a bunch of fluffed pillows behind my back for support. I smiled weakly, grateful for the assistance.

“How are you feeling?” She asked.

“Fine.” I nodded.

“Does anything hurt? Are you in any pain? Do you need anything?”

“Mom.” I cut her off. “I’m alright.” I held the hand she extended towards me. “I promise.”

“I just have to run a couple of tests, your highness.” The doctor cleared his throat, addressing my mother. “It won’t take long; I just have to make sure everything is as it should be.

The queen nodded and stepped back, allowing the doctor to start his prodding and poking.

After he was done, he assured us both that everything was indeed fine and excused himself, promising to alert the king of the new developments. Not long after, he left the door to the room burst open, and my father rushed in.

“Oh, Ahri, thank the heavens.” His voice boomed through the hospital wing.

“Lower your voice, Alexander.” The queen reprimanded. “She barely just woke up.

“And we are in a hospital.” I reminded them.

“Yes, of course,” His hazel eyes shone with unshed tears. “I apologize.”

He stood there awkwardly for a second, his fingers playing with the hem of his suit jacket. I looked both my parents over. Two years apart felt like an eternity, but they looked exactly as I remembered them.

“Well?” I started as they both looked at me like I was an unknown phenomenon. “Can I get a hug?”

It seemed as if my words were a hammer that broke the awkward tension piece by piece, and in seconds, both of them were at either side of me, engulfing me in a warm, albeit awkward embrace.

Hours passed by in what felt like seconds as we talked and caught up, soon joined by my siblings. The conversation was light; they asked about me and what I was up to in the past couple of years, about my memory loss and my life at the academy. 

They assured me everyone was alright and the kingdoms were still standing, which was a relief. I noticed, however, that certain subjects were being avoided, so I decided to let them go for now, guessing they were just trying to take it easy with me. 

They hugged me again one by one before leaving me to get some rest, but I was too alert to go back to sleep, so when it was Jessica’s turn, I held on to her until the others left.

“Hey, Daisy?”

“He’s right outside.” She smirked.

“What?” I blinked. “How did you…”

“I know you, little sis.” She cut me off, still smirking. “He’s been outside the entire time, wouldn’t leave, no matter how hard we tried to kick him out.” She ruffled my hair slightly. “I’ll send him in.”
“Thank you.”

Seconds after she left, the door opened again.

Ivan looked rough, for lack of a better word. His clothes, the same ones from the battle, were muddied and torn. His hair resembled a bird’s nest, and his eyes were red-rimmed and droopy.

“Did you even get some sleep?” I asked.

“Hello to you too.” He smiled as he sat down on the chair next to my bed.

“You look terrible,” I whispered.

“You don’t.”

“I’ve been in this bed for a long time. How long have I been unconscious?”

“Three days.” He swallowed. “You forgot to ask?”

“Yeah.” I laughed. “It slipped my mind. But I bet I look just as terrible.”

“You look beautiful.”

There goes my poor heart.
“You were always a terrible liar.” My smile widened. “How are you?”