CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

83.

"How are you feeling today?", my father asked.
"A bit better. I do not feel as cold anymore.", I whispered.
"She had a raging fever last night.", Combeferre chimed in.
"Childbed fever?"
"Yes. But I have everything under control.", he reassured.

My father nodded and sat down beside me. Things were also hard for him. He loved Bastien like his own son. He was the perfect son-in-law for him. The perfect match for me. He was worried for me after he passed and feared that I might join him.

I was close to choosing death over my life but realized out that I had people that depended on me. I could not leave my child behind. Timothy had struggled enough already. He should not witness his mother's death too.

We would never forget Bastien. He would always be in our thoughts, dreams, our stories. It is crazy, that when you die, you all of sudden realize how important you were.

I know that his visits are imaginary but they kept me sane. I wanted him to meet his little baby girl but he never got to see any of that. I had to fight through. No illness could take claim of my body if I didn't fight hard enough for it.

"Can you help me?", I asked my father.

My father looked at Combeferre and Combeferre was confused. He nodded and I took his arms. I pulled myself up into a sitting position.

"Oh no, you stay down."
"Get your hands off me.", I whispered.

I sat up and laid back into my pillows. It felt more comfortable to me.

"Annelise, as your doctor, I have to say no."
"I don't care. I will beat this fever and I will be there for my children.", I said, looking him directly in his eyes.

Combeferre gasped.

"What is it?", Delilah asked.

"I believe that Bastien is now combined in Annelise. Her eyes just showed a little bit of blue. Bastien's eye color was blue, hers are emerald green."

I fell back into the pillows.

"Look at me."

I looked at him. I didn't feel as strong anymore.

"Green. As I said, Bastien is helping fighting off this fever to keep her alive.", he said.

"Go to sleep, my child. I will be there when you wake up again.", my father said.

I closed my eyes and went to sleep. My body had felt weird a few minutes ago. Almost, as if it wasn't mine. But I knew it was.