Odessa
I grunted in pain as I slowly opened my eyes, and the bright light in the room stung them.
"Shit!" I cursed as I held my head, which felt like it was going to fall off if I moved.
"I should have just taken Dahlia's warning…" I snarled.
"Atchoo!" I sneezed, and the pain in my head multiplied. I rubbed my already reddened nose and sneezed a few more times. Dancing in the rain last night was clearly a horrible idea; I could barely feel my face anymore.
"Good morning, Odessa.." Dahlia greeted her as she walked into the room with a tray.
"Good morning, Dahlia," I managed to respond, pulling the bed covers closer to my chin.
Dahlia pulled a chair and sat by my bed, placing the tray on the stool beside her.
"I warned you last night not to stay out for so long in the rain, Odessa.." she scolded, pouring the kettle's contents into a teacup. "Sit up and have this."
I pulled myself up despite the pain in my head and took the teacup from her.
As I lifted the cup to my nose, my brows furrowed, and I pulled my face away.
"It smells horrible, Dahlia," I cried.
"It's healthy for you. Stop whining and drink up," she ordered. I reluctantly gulped down the entire mixture. It was hot, and the burning sensation it gave me as it went down my throat was definitely what I needed.
"Now go back to sleep, and the next time you wake up, that headache will disappear, and so will the sneezing," Dahlia said as she stroked my hair.
"What about Marcel's mother?" I asked softly.
"I'll take care of her. Just focus on getting better," Dahlia responded and walked away.
Dahlia said I was supposed to sleep, but I couldn't. I rolled from one end of the bed to the other. The only thing that mixture did was stop the headache. As for the sneezing, it didn't even budge.
"I wonder how Marcel is doing now.." I said as I clutched the pillow and pulled it even closer to myself. "He's definitely not thinking of me the way I think of him, so why am I disturbing myself?"
My stomach grumbled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything since last night. I had been too busy dancing in the rain to think about dinner, and I didn't want to bother anyone after they had all retired for the night.
The grumbling grew louder, so I got up from the bed and headed downstairs for breakfast.
"Good morning, Annabeth.." I greeted her and she turned to look at me. She always had a broad smile on her face– she's so lucky to always have a reason to smile. I only have a gazillion reasons to cry myself to sleep every night.
"Slept well?" She asked as she dished my meal, and I picked up a spoon.
"Mmhmm," I muttered as I stuffed my face with food. I lifted my head, and my eyes met with the lady I spoke with the night before I took Marcel's mother outside the manor.
It was all her idea, and I had no idea I had walked into a trap set by the same people twice. To make matters worse, I fell for them on the very same day.
I thought of confronting her, at least to get an answer to why she was treating me this way, but on second thought, she is not worth it.
I rolled my eyes and continued eating. The deed has been done, so now I know better than to allow any of them to manipulate me anymore. Not even Annabeth.
"Thank you, Annabeth…. The meal was delicious, I said as I offered to carry the plates into the kitchen, but someone else picked them up. I walked straight to my lady's room, and as I pushed the door open, I found Dahlia inside.
"Good morning, my lady," I said as I walked over to her bed while Dahlia fed her with some of her medications.
"Good morning, child," she replied.
"How do you feel now, Odessa?" Dahlia asked as she packed up the things she brought, preparing to leave.
"Much better. The pain in my head is no longer there." I replied, and she smiled in satisfaction.
"I'll leave you two while I ensure everyone else is at their duty posts." She left and shut the door behind her.
"Did you sleep well?" I asked, parting the curtains properly.
"I guess so… but I don't think I'm getting any better," she responded, and I rushed to her side and sat down.
"Why would you say something like that, my lady?" I probed, and she leaned on the headboard.
"Child, I have no idea…" she replied shakily, as if she was holding back tears. "I just know that I don't feel good."
I held her hand in mine and squeezed gently. "You're getting better, and you'll live for your son. You'll watch him be happy and start a family… his children will run around your bedside and you'll play with them until you're dizzy…" I reassured her and she looked at me, smiling softly.
"Thinking so much will alter your peace of mind, and that's not good for your health. Please don't put yourself through any emotional stress," I urged, and she nodded.
"Thank you, child…" Lady Violet replied, and I nodded.
"I wonder where Marcel was able to find such an angel to take care of me…" she teased, and I chuckled.
---
"We bumped into each other. He saved me from a life-threatening situation and brought me here.." I explained, making sure to omit the part where he signed legal marriage documents.
We talked about everything and anything, and I noticed she started talking less and dozing off more.
"I'll leave you to get some rest," I said, tucking her in properly before leaving the room.
"When Marcel returns, I'll inform him about his mother's health and how she feels.." I said to myself.