The Hathway Kingdom. (Book 1)

Chapter Forty-Two.

~Forty-Two. ~

"What do you mean she is awake?" Lizbeth asked as she put her quill down and stared at Lavina, who stood before her looking as frazzled and exhausted as Lizbeth had ever seen the woman.

"Her Highness is awake and refusing to remain in bed. I have been trying to convince her to remain in bed, but she won't listen to just my word alone. I felt terrible for leaving Miss Elissa alone with her to convince her, but I had to come and beg you for your help," Lavina said as she bowed her head. Lizbeth got to her feet quickly and walked around her desk.

"No need to beg, Lavina. Come. I fear for Elissa should we leave her alone with Larissa for much longer," Lizbeth said as she and Lavina now hurried from the room and to Larissa's.

They arrived at Larissa's room in time to see her trying to get out of bed yet again and a frustrated Elissa doing her best to convince her to remain in the bed.

"You mustn't get out of bed, Princess! Lady Maki will have my head..." Elissa tried to say as she struggled to keep Larissa from getting up.

"She can bloody well yell at me later for it! I am sick and tired of being told to remain in bed for so long each time I am ill or injured! I need to get some air, or I am going to go insane!" Larissa shouted in return before her eyes fell on the pair that had entered the room and they both froze when Elissa's eyes also fell on Lavina and Lizbeth.

"I think I shall yell at you now for it, Your Highness. I do believe that I told you to wait one more day to be safe and I am not like your Lady Cooper. My word is to be obeyed within these walls. Simply as His Imperial Majesty, or Lady Ayers here, what happens when they are disobeyed," Lavina said in as calm a voice as she could managed as she narrowed her eyes on the frozen pair before the Princess scowled and sank back into the bed, allowing Elissa a chance to breathe, her arms crossed over her chest as she huffed a wayward lock of her hair out of her face.

"Very well then...But I really am well, Lady Maki. I know my own self," Larissa said as Lizbeth and Lavina walked further into the room.

"Be that as it may, Larissa, you need to listen to Lavina. Believe me when I say that it is for your own benefit," Lizbeth said as she sat on the bed beside Larissa, who pouted some before she nodded her head.

"Perhaps, if she deems you well enough Larissa, Lavina will grant me permission to steal you away for a turn about the gardens?" Lizbeth asked Lavina as she looked at the still rather angry Healer.

"Perhaps, My Lady," Lavina replied as she moved and took Elissa's place at Larissa's side.

Larissa remained silent as Lavina went about her examination of the Princess, doing as she was told when she was told to do something. By the time that she was done, Lavina was surprised to find that Larissa had been correct in the assessment she had of her own health. She was fit as a fiddle as they say, and even the wounds she had received from the sparring session were all but healed in the few days that she had been resting. She sighed and she moved back from Larissa, giving her a polite smile.

"It seems you were correct, Your Highness. You are well. You are fit to leave your room and take a turn about the gardens with Lady Ayers if you wish," Lavina said as she packed up her things and Larissa smiled happily.

"Excellent! I shall change quickly, and we shall go at once, Lizzie," Larissa said as she got out of bed in a hurry and Lizbeth chuckled.

"As you wish, Your Highness," she said as she bowed her head before she laughed as a pillow was thrown at her.

Larissa smiled and giggled as she moved behind the changing screen nearby before she helped Elissa to remove her nightgown and change into a clean set of clothes. Elissa soon joined her and began to help the Princess into her under gown and corset before her dress was draped over her and fastened into place. Once she was dressed, Larissa stepped out from behind the screen and walked over to her bureau where she sat down and allowed Elissa to fiddle with her hair. Once done, Larissa got to her feet and turned to Lizbeth, who had been patiently waiting for Larissa to be ready.

"Shall we then?" she asked, and Lizbeth smiled as she stood up. She walked over to Larissa and took her arm.

"We shall," she said as they began to leave the room, Elissa following behind them. As they left the room, Tristan joined them, stepping behind the trio and Larissa glanced at him before she nodded to him.

They walked out into the gardens and Larissa stopped for a moment, breathing in the fresh air as she closed her eyes. Lizbeth allowed her this moment, watching as Larissa soaked up as much of the sunshine as she could before she opened her eyes again and looked at Lizbeth. Her eyes were bright once more where they had begun to look dim before, and Lizbeth smiled at the sight before offering her arm to Larissa once more.

"Come, my friend. There is still much to be seen," Lizbeth said and Larissa smiled and laughed as she took Lizbeth's arm and they began walking once more.