Slowly, it was beginning to dawn on Diane that this was not the typical ruse; it was not a dream, nor the nightmares she'd had for most of her life. She was in a world entirely new. In this new world, there is no telling what fate would befall her, whom to trust in a place where nothing looks familiar.
She cast a glance at Mira, who has been busy finding more things to do all through the evening as if she is allergic to idleness. Is she someone Diane could rely on? She desperately wanted to talk about the creature with someone. Or the voice that has been lingering bedside her for a while now, whispering things in a language Diane did not understand.
She wanted to ask what exactly happened to Lady Athea and how the creature came about saving her.
She got up from the bed, tried to stand, but her feet were wobbly, and the next second, a hand grabbed her, literally saving her from an imminent fall.
"Milady, you shouldn't walk about just yet". She said as she helped Diane sit back on the bed.
"What do you need? I'll get them for you", she chirped with a broad smile on her face.
Mira had spent one good hour talking excitedly about her healing glow.
It was something peculiar only to the Lyselle's family. Athea never showed any sign of ever being a healer even though her late mother was one. She was born weak, making her an outcast within her own family.
Her suddenly getting her healing glow excited but also frightened Mira.
Because according to the stories told at the Lyselle' house, if a body couldn't manage the surge of the growing heat, one might end up being unconscious for the rest of their life. For someone who grew up a weak child, the chances get higher. According to Mira, she was out for four days, from the day she noticed the glow.
Her severe injuries from whatever happened to her here might have finally contributed to the surge of the healing glow.
It dawned on Diane that she has unwillingly stepped into a mysterious war zone.
"No, nothing, I wanted to get some air," Diane said while contemplating whether it was okay to let her in on how much of her memory was lost.
It would all have been clearer if only her memories served her well. If only she could remember all that took place in the novel. And where was her husband?
"The flower garden?"
"What?"
"I'm asking if you want to go to the flower garden, it is probably the only place you'd want to go anyway." She said unsmilingly.
"I heard so much about the beauty of the Ravenforth manor, and even fantasized how I would tour round, but now why do I feel we have just been caged!" There was something about the way her face changed with the change in emotion, how is it possible to make so many expressions come alive with that near-perfect face?
Diane didn't think it was that big a deal to be confirmed in a space; in truth, most times at the hospital call room, she'd wish to be invisible. She wished so much that no one would take notice of her, which would mean having fewer things to do.
"Remember that day you said we should go see the manor's lake, only to be turned back. Apparently, we are not to go anywhere without permission, weird people!" Diane burst into laughter. Mira looked at her like she was acting out of place. So, Diane was now fighting hard to hold her laughter.
"I mean, it couldn't be that bad, Mira". Why are we not allowed to go anywhere in the manor though? I'm the intending lady, no?"
Diane said, now intrigued by the absurdity of it all.
"Well, Milady, it is more complicated than that…" she said as she finally stopped dusting the imaginary dust off the bookshelves. She walked with a gracious stride, with the hem of her ball gown lifted, and sat next to Diane so naturally that Diane immediately knew she'd done that all her life.
"What am I to do with you, milady?" she said while shaking her hair pitifully, like a mother hen worried about her chick. "This place is already a scary place, losing your memory is more dangerous than stepping on a snake, I mean it".
"Why did you even go out that late, and what exactly happened to you that night?"
"What night?" Diane asked, now curious.
"The night you almost died, you fell into the manor lake, remember?" Ooh, no, you don't remember. How could you even go out without me? I was so scared you were never going to wake up."
Now Mira is ugly-crying, okay, it was supposed to be ugly, but it isn't, Diane thought. Her face, fully flushed and red, gave her a beautiful glow.
"You are not allowed to go anywhere without me, ever!" Mira coos on with her face all over Diane's face now. Maybe they are that close, Diane wondered. Mira must have really loved and worried about Athea, only that she is not Athea.
Diane had never been one to show emotions this openly; she does not remember telling anyone sincerely how she felt about them ever since the death of her mother. Why do all that when they will end up leaving you? Is that maybe what they call having abandonment issues?
"I will not go anywhere else without you, Mira; you can rest assured." "Will you please stop with the tears now?". Diane cajoled. Yet she knew it was the truth anyway. Where could she go alone in this unfamiliar place? She definitely needs Mira.
"Now, can we go get some air? I really feel like I would suffocate if I stayed another minute here!" she said with exasperation. Mira immediately cleaned her eyes with the back of her hands, which she then rubbed against her dress. She helped Diane to her feet and both walked lightly to the door, where they met the older woman who had come in with Mira earlier in the day.
"Milady, you should be resting!"
"I feel suffocated here, I need some air," Diane answered in a tone she didn't know she had. It wasn't hard, but definitely firm. The physician gave Mira an accusatory look and then sighed with resignation.
"I will be back later than. I brought you medicine for your pain and headache, I need to watch you take them per Lord Dravon's direct orders, so I will go with it".