n

n

nAs my attendants helped me wash up, my mind was somewhere far away. Everything they did just slipped off my mind because I was too preoccupied.

nI was contemplating what Lost had just stated from earlier. Something about someone protecting me. I clearly heard her say it but I did not understand it one bit.

n'What does she mean by that anyway?'

nWell, I also might actually be overthinking it and that I might have misunderstood her words. But for some reason, I can't erase the budding suspicion from deep within. After all, Lost is an undiscovered mystery. Whatever it was, it might actually be connected to her real identity.

nI probably need to start my research about her. Then that would lead me back to the tower, obviously..

n'Fate is truly wanting us to meet huh…'

nAs we were just done dressing up, a knock on the door snatched our attention. Freesia went to inspect who it was and saw the marquis standing outside. She then immediately bowed in respect before opening the door wider for him to come in. Mari, who was combing my hair, stopped what she was doing and stepped aside together with the others to give us privacy.

n

"Dad?

" I uttered in curiosity.

nHe was still in his formal wear, so he must have just gotten back from the palace. But he should only be back in the evening though?

n'Did he abandoned his duties upon knowing that I had woken up?'

nI looked at my dad, taking note of his appearance. Just like Nathaniel, he had seemed to have lost weight and had aged more from the last time that I saw him. I could also see the unmistakable tiredness in his eyes as he surveyed me all over as well. Those same pairs of pale rubies reflected his worry as his hands reached out to grasp my shoulders and pulled me in for a hug.

n'Woah… This…'

nI was surprised of course, for I have never really had been affectionate with the marquis before. For as long as I could remember, my father never hugged me, the one in the real world that is. We are not considered as one happy family anyway, so I did not honestly longed for it even once. But contrary to that, I found the marquis' hug pleasant. It actually made me happy. Strangely enough, it made me feel like I have been waiting for it.

nI was frozen momentarily from his unexpected action, but I got back to my senses quickly and my hands then moved on their own accord and hugged him back.

n'This is really nice…'

nI could understand what he is trying to convey without him saying it out loud. He truly is anxious because of what happened to me.

n

"I am fine now, dad,

" I mumbled.

nThe marquis then released his hold to look at me,

"Are you sure? Maybe I should call for a Priest after all,

" he muttered with a frown on his face.

n'Priest? Err, are they going to exorcise me or what?'

n

"But I need to ask the Tower's help for that,

" he added in a low voice.

n'The tower again?'

nI let out a troubled smile,

"It's okay dad. You don't have to do that anymore. As I've said, I am perfectly alright,

" I told him.

nI am getting real tired of saying the same things over and over, I swear. On the other hand though, I am also grateful because they are all acting like this due to their concerns about me.

n'But hearing and saying the same thing for multiple times in a row is just… exhausting.'

nSee that? I am getting redundant as well… My brain might have truly gotten steamed off.

n

"Dad,

" I called him out and it was now my turn to hug him.

n'Fufufufufufu I could get used to this…'

n

"Please don't worry about this anymore. And please rest either, you have been neglecting yourself. I don't like it,

" I pouted and tightened my hold on him.

nWhat am I going to do with these two guys?

nNow I feel jealous of the novel Nadia. She has all these amazing people around her and she let these all go to waste? I will say this again. Novel Nadia is dumb. The dumbest and most atrocious person out there. You don't deserve them all!

nIf she had only been an okay person, then she could have experienced all of these. Sucks on her though~ Heh.

nI looked up at my father and beamed,

"It won't happen again~ So rest your mind, father,

" I told him this.

nHow many times did I have uttered the word rest today? Uncountable… But yeah, everyone should rest!

n-----------***

nThe next day, while I was still changing into a dress after I had bathed, George came knocking on my door.

n'Ahh, what is this again?'

n

"Young miss, Lady Gwyneth Riviere is downstairs waiting for you,

" he announced.

n

"Gwen?

" I mumbled underneath my breath,

"What is she doing here?

"

n'Did she already got the news that I had woken up? But that's too fast! I was just about to send them a message today…'

nI did not question how they knew about it. I was out for a week, that means, I had not attended classes either. The last week of the semester and I am absent, how sad.

n

"Okay, I will go down after 5 minutes,

" I told him.

n'And she's way too early to visit either. I have not even eaten breakfast yet. I wonder if she had…'

nI looked at George again,

" Ah! And prepare a light breakfast for us. Thank you, George~

"

nGeorge bowed and left the room. My attendants then quickly did their tasks so I could get down and meet my visitor. After that, the six of us made our way to the receiving room.

n

"Nadia!

" Gwen immediately greeted me as soon as I walked in.

nShe then walked right up to me and held my hand.

n

"Are you okay?!

" She exclaims, eyes wide and filled with worry.

n'Here we go again…'

nI smiled at her and squeezed her hand,

"I am perfectly fine, Gwen. Don't fret.

"

n

"I was shocked you know! I was curious as to why you were absent then I had heard the news from my brother about you in a coma. What happened?

" She rambled on.

nIt made me want to laugh out loud. I missed her liveliness…

n

"Let's sit down first,

" I told her and pulled Gwen to the table.

"Did you eat before going here?

" I inquired.

nGwen shakes her head,

" I left the house as soon as I finished bathing.

"

n'I knew it… Good thing I had asked George then.'

n

"Then let's eat while we talk, shall we?

"

n