The Princess And Her Alpha Bodyguard

37~ HOW COULD ONE PERSON BE AT THE SAME PLACE AND AT THE SAME TIME?

Now that Lumina had mentioned this, a vague memory flashed at the back of my head. In retrospect, I remembered hearing I Love You at some point. I thought I was being delirious. Or maybe I was dreaming. But now, it looked like that wasn't the case. 

I really heard it. 

He did say that. 

But… why? 

It'd only been days. It hadn't been a week since Edward and I knew each other. So, how could he have a romantic feeling for me? It made no sense. 

Then again, there was a saying… love at first sight. 

It might sound cliche. But as someone who had experienced this (it happened in my relationship with Iory), it made sense if Edward's case was the same as this. 

"I know those words weren't for me. But when I heard it that night, my heart fluttered like butterflies on the first day of spring," said Lumina with a broad smile. Her black eyes sparkled like the brightest star in the sky and her round face was painted with a crimson hue that resembled a ripe tomato. 

"Lumina, you said I was out for a week. Was I unconscious the entire time?" I asked.

"Well..." Her brows furrowed as she tried to recall the past. "You were out cold when doing the stitches for like... three days. Then, you seemed to stir and murmured things on the fourth day. But you didn't reply to us when we called you. You also didn't wake up." 

I see. That explained why I could hear him saying that. I thought to myself. 

"What are you doing?" asked Dila. Her hand was still carrying the folded dress. "Shouldn't you start wiping Miss's face?" 

"I will." Lumina snapped out of her thoughts. She pulled out the white cloth in her hand and shook it before refolding it neatly. "Alright, Miss. Please close your eyes." She brought the white fabric closer to my face. 

"Hang on," I said, making her action halt. "I want to do it myself. Can you help me up?" 

"Are you sure, Miss?" She frowned. 

"You can't help me change while I'm lying like this, anyway. I'm going to get up sooner or later." 

"Well, that's true. But…" she trailed off. Her face showed a reluctant look. 

"Don't worry. I'll let you know when I'm exhausted. Trust me. I can't stay like this forever now that I've woken up." 

"She's right," said Dila. "She'll need to make some movements for her muscles to wake up. We can do it slowly. One step at a time."

"Exactly." I looked up and smiled at Dila, who was standing behind Lumina. 

"I'll help you up, Miss. I'll sit behind you so you can lean on me. Your wound is in the middle of the back. The upper and lower parts are okay. I'll hold you behind your shoulders while putting the pillow to support your lower back. It'll save your strength, so it shouldn't exhaust you too much." Dila smiled back at me. 

"Thank you. I'm glad I have you two." I looked between Dila and Lumina. We only got to know each other recently, but they'd always been taking good care of me. Even though I was an outsider, they never cared about it. 

Somehow, seeing them reminded me of Damara. I wondered how she was doing right now. I ran away without getting to see her for the last time. I didn't even know if she was still alive. If she was, I hoped Iory wouldn't be too harsh on her. 

The sad thought made a sigh escape my lips without me knowing.

"Don't talk like this, Miss. It's our honor to serve you," said Dila in haste. It was as if she tried to cheer me up.

"She's right." Lumina nodded. "Besides, we were so honored that King Valdemir sent us to serve you. He told no one but us when he brought you to the castle that first night. That showed how much he trusted us when we were only maids." 

Valdemir! Hearing his name was like waking up to a giant bell on the top of the hill. The one that was used to signal morning time to the entire kingdom. I'd been focusing on Edward too much that I almost forgot about him. 

Speaking of that, I wondered where he was. I didn't hear the girls mention his name once. Not until now. 

"Has Valdemir heard about this incident yet?" I asked, unable to contain the curiosity anymore. 

"Of course. Sir Edward sent a messenger to inform his majesty about this. I believed he must be furious to hear. I heard that he stopped whatever he was dealing with and returned immediately. But he wasn't at the border. He was in a kingdom far away from here, so it took some time for our message to reach him. But he should arrive today. Right, Dila?" Lumina turned to ask Dila. It was as if she wanted to confirm the schedule. 

"Yes." Dila nodded. 

"He went to another kingdom?" I frowned in confusion. "Where is that? And why was he there?" 

"We're only maids, Miss. We didn't dare to inquire about the king's mission," Dila said in a low voice. "Would you like to get up now? The soup might get cold if we wait any longer. But if you still haven't felt well, it's okay. I'll go and reheat it later." 

"No. Don't bother. I'll get up now." I didn't want to impose on them anymore. I knew they were busy taking care of me these past days while I was unconscious. Now that I had woken up, I needed to try my best to minimize their works as much as possible. "Help me, Dila." 

"Of course, Miss." 

With the help of Lumina and Dila, my weak body finally sat up on the bed for the first time in seven days. I'd never know getting up could be this exhausting. By the time I rested on Dila's arm, I was out of breath and had to take five minutes' rest to let the screaming lungs inhale enough air.

"Are you okay, Miss?" asked Dila in a worried tone. 

"I'm fine," I replied to her with my eyes still closed as I waited for the dizziness to pass. 

"I'll soak the clothes again. It already turned cold," said Lumina. 

After a short while, I opened my eyes to see if I still got dizzy. Thankfully, I didn't anymore. That was when Lumina handed me the warm clothes to wipe my face. It was hard to lift my hand at first, but I tried my best not to look so weak. 

"I'll undress you now, Miss," said Lumina after she took the used cloth from me. 

I nodded. I closed my eyes again as she and Dila wiped the warm clothes all over my skin. It was embarrassing to be taken care of like a baby. Still, I had no choice but to endure it until I could move on my own. 

"It's done, Miss," said Dila. "Let me feed you the soup." 

I was taken aback when I opened my eyes to see that hunter green was already on my body. "When did you put the dress on me? And how?" 

"This new dress was loose around the waist. It's so easy to put on. That was why you didn't notice." Lumina smiled as she sat down with the food tray on her lap. "As for the back, there were only strings to hold them together. One was at the top, and another was at the bottom. It won't touch your wound. It'll be convenient when applying the herbs as well. Sir Edward is meticulous. I want to give him a thumb up."

"So, it was like an open-back dress?"  

"Yes, something like that. Now, say ah, Miss. I already blew it. It's not hot anymore." Lumina held the spoon before my mouth, waiting for me to open wide. 

The three of us talked about random things as Lumina fed me the soup. Sometimes, Dila scolded her friend for telling jokes that made me laugh so hard. She was afraid that I might tear the stitches. Still, I guaranteed her that I'd be okay.

"I think that's enough for today, Miss. One step at a time, remember? Let's get you back to sleep. We also need to reapply the herbs on your back," said Dila. 

"But what about the bedsheet?" asked Lumina. 

"Oh, I almost forgot about it. Go to inform Sir Edward that it's time. I need to hold Miss until he arrives."

"Okay." Lumina put the spoon down and got up, carrying the tray with her. 

"Wait," I called out to her before she could turn around. "Don't." 

"What's wrong, Miss?" Lumina looked at me in confusion. 

"Don't go to him." 

"But why, Miss? We need him here to hold you while we change your bedsheet. You're in no position to sit on your own. Your body can't take it yet." 

"I know. But I don't want to disturb him. Didn't you say he hadn't slept these past days? Maybe he's resting now. Let him sleep more." 

"What about the bedsheet?" asked Lumina.

"Just get me a new blanket for now." I smiled. 

"Alright. If you say so, Miss," said Dila. "I'll help you lie down on your stomach now. After we apply the herb and you want to sleep on your side, just let me know. I'll help you." 

"Sure." 

With that, I lay on my stomach and bit my lips as Dila applied the ground herbs on my wounds. It still hurt, making me want to scream in pain. But I held it in by biting my lips. Tears blurred my eyes every time the medicine touched my skin.  

Don't cry, Lae. You'll make them worried. Think of something else to distract yourself. An inner voice popped up at the back of my head. A diversion could make one's brain forget the pain. Try it. 

As if it was the cue, the one thing that appeared in my mind was them. Or rather, him.

I got that idea again. I suspected that Edward and Valdemir were the same people. When I stared into Edward's eyes this morning (when we almost kissed), I saw Valdemir in there. Even though the eye's color was different, I still found them familiar. After all, Valdemir and I used to be this close once when he accidentally toppled on top of me. It was on this bed. 

This might also be why I never saw the two of them together. Ever since Edward appeared, I rarely saw Valdemir. Not once. The day Edward showed his appearance was the same day Valdemir left for the bother. Was this too much of a coincidence? 

I wasn't sure if the story of Valdemir being at another kingdom was real or just a cover-up. There was no reason for Dila and Lumina to lie to me. Still, if their king instructed them to do so, they had no choice but to obey. 

It looked like I had to figure out the answer by myself. 

Fortunately, Lumina mentioned that Valdemir would return today. I bet he would also come to visit me. When that happened, I'd ask him to bring Edward in. If he tried to come up with an excuse, it'd mean my speculation was correct. Then I'd expose his lie and confront him. 

Yes. I'd do that. 

*******

I didn't know I had fallen asleep. But when I opened my eyes, the room was filled with a pale tint of orange. It was the sign that the sun was setting. I was surprised to drift off to sleep without me knowing. Still, it wasn't as shocking as what I saw when my vision became more apparent. 

Valdemir was sitting on the chair next to my bed with the same posture I first saw him. He leaned back leisurely and folded his arms across his chest. And next to him stood the person I least expected to see. 

Edward. 

Wait. Do I see things? How can Valdemir and Edward be in the same place at the same time?

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©️StellaKMary | The Princess And Her Alpha Bodyguard

A/N: Who do you want Lae to be in a relationship with? Comment below and let me know if you're #teamedward or #teamvaldemir.