Belladonna woke up the next morning, feeling absolutely refreshed and her mind a blank slate.
That might just be the most peaceful sleep she had ever had since she got to the Castle.
Her face beamed with a smile, while she stretched and watched the red glow that slighty emitted from the curtains a few distance away.
The sun was up already?!
By Ignas, she had overslept.
With swiftness, she pushed the blanket aside and jumped out of bed. Her head felt a little lightweight though and she almost swayed on her feet. Her hand came over her forehead, as she steadied herself, her smile slowly dwindling when she remembered why she had fallen asleep in the first place.
She had wanted to help Eli find out more about the Bride Thief, then tell him the things she found out afterwards. It was strange that she hadn't dreamt about him at all, despite her determination. She wanted to keep on thinking about it but somehow, the importance of dwelling on that thought felt lacking, so she gave up on it.
It wasn't necessary.
She was only a bride. If there was anyone that was in a better state to help, it would be someone else, someone with abilities like Kestra or someone with power, like the King himself.
This was something she shouldn't bother herself upon.
There was a knock at the door, snapping her right out of her thoughts.
Raquel was here! She was certainly here to fill up the baskets and take them to the market.
By Ignas, she had nothing ready!
Nevettheless, she sprinted to the door and swung it open.
"Raquel, I am so sorry but..." Her voice trailed off before it pitched high into a squeal. "Lady Kestra!"
Her arms wrapped around her with excitement before Kestra could even prepare herself for the incoming embrace.
"Morning breath." Kestra said in a strangled voice as she patted Belladonna's back, a smile spreading across her lips.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." The words slipped past her lips way too quickly and she pulled away, only to latched her hands around her wrist, pulling her into the room and shutting the door behind her.
Belladonna rushed into the bathroom next, brushing get teeth quickly then returning almost immediately.
"When did you return? I've missed you so much." She said, going around her, with a look of amazement dancing in her eyes. "You are not injured, you are fine. It is so good to see you."
Belladonna was happy, happy in a way that was unexplainable. It almost felt like she was drunk with joy.
It was amazing.
The blinding smile the bride offered Kestra was enough relief for her. It had worked. It wasn't like she had doubted that it would, but the proof had just made everything better.
"I've missed you too, my dearest Lady Belladonna."
Belladonna fell on her knees, resting her chin on Kestra's kneels, not minding how the red color of her shinny dress shone into her eyes, not the way the sequin pinched her flesh.
"You are absolutely as beautiful as I remember."
Kestra's heart skipped a bit.
That was odd.
Although some people suffered from the side effect of the memory tampering spells, it was rare.
"I was only gone for only a few months."
"It is just so good to see you. Tell me about all your adventures, Lady Kestra, tell me everything!" The bride declared, her eyes looking a little dreamy, her speech a little slurred. It reminded Kestra of that day in the tavern when she had gotten drunk.
Kestra was in no mood for this.
"I will." She moved her hands away, making both of them stand on their feet instead. Her fingers combed her hair, trying to smoothen it out of the terrible mess that it was now it. In totality, the appearance of the bride was an eyesore.
"Get a bath first, and let us talk while I style your hand." She flashed her a smile.
Belladonna eyes glimmered with joy.
"You will?"
Great. This display was stupid and irritating.
Hopefully, the bath might wash it away.
"Yes. Now hurry up and get a bath. I cannot wait to tell you everything my sweet Bell." She said, pushing her to the door of the bathroom.
"And you will be here when I return?" She asked like an hopeful child, a giggle bubbling from her throat, her fingers dancing around the doorknob.
"Yes, yes, I will."
Belladonna giggles heightened "Alrighttttttttt."
With that, she slipped into the bathroom.
But when she came back, Lady Kestra was nowhere to be found. With disappointment, she dressed up and started attempting to style her hair herself. Her aching arms made her give up halfway through the combing.
Well, she would do it later.
There was a knock shortly, once again reminding her about the sweaters.
Yet again, she had nothing on ground.
"Raquel, I'm so sorry-- who are you?"
The slim, fair skinned lady in blue uniform at the other side of the door was certainly not Raquel. standing at the other side of the door was most certainly bit Raquel.
"My name is Sabrina, my Lady." The hoarse voice declared. "I'm your new maid."
Belladonna's eyes narrowed.
"What happened to Raquel?"
Colin who she hadn't noticed before, spoke up. He was standing a little behind Sabrina. "She has been let off."
Belladonna's heart dropped. "Why?"
"Nothing terrible, My Lady. She needs the rest to get better."
A wave of dizziness hit her, making her mind go into a jumble mess, something like a memory flashing in her mind, but she couldn't figure out what it was.
There were many questions she wanted to ask, but she would ask Raquel all that herself. And that would be later, for now, the lovely aroma of the food was adequately tempting.
She allowed them in. Before she ate, she told Collin about how she didn't feel well enough to do anything today.
With a curt nod, he stated that he would convey the message to the people.
Shortly after, the maid and Collin left and she was all alone again.
Her thoughts kept her company though and during those few minutes everything seen to develop into a funny image.
She found herself giggling.
It was unlike her. It was strange, but she couldn't question it. She found the floating feeling fun and entertaining.
There was yet again, another knock.
She was not as fast to get the door this time around and the closer she got to the wooden frame, the more the whispers of those at the other side floated to her ears.
"Can she even hear us?"
"Shh."
"Will she know--"
The door swung open and there were three ladies staring right at her, beaming smiles on their faces, while one had her knuckles raised in the air.
Belladonna caught on quickly that the thing they had in common wasn't just their warm smile, but they were all wearing a necklace. Although of different shapes, they all had black zig zag lines carved against the white surface.
There was something farmilar about that.
Strickenly farmilar.
((A hundred chapters and over 500 collections. Yayyyyyyy!
Thank you so much for coming with me, so far, and for all the encouragement, I really appreciate them. I hope that you will stay till the end.))