Rebirth (A Remington Leith AU)

Chapter 25

After the ball, I bid farewell to Remington's family before we prepared to travel back to our castle. Thr journey back took just as long, but it was a bit different this time around. After meeting Remington's wonderful family, I felt myself growing closer to him and was starting to truly accept myself as his wife and him as my husband. The day I took my sister's place and left my only home with my mother, I was afraid I would feel so lonely without her since she was the only one I trusted and loved more than anything. But now, I have more people to love and cherish and they care about me more than I expected them to. Meeting Stephanie brought back memories of my mother being so caring and affectionate, I hoped I wouldn't miss her too much. Still, I hoped I could see her again someday soon so I could tell her how happy I've been and how much I've learned.

When we arrived back to our castle, the staff and castle employees welcomed us back and I was ecstatic to tell Sophia about meeting the prince's amazing family, she was pleased to know Remington's family were just as kind as he was. About a few days after our return, I felt a bit unwell in the morning, as my body was aching and my throat was sore so it felt hard to swallow. Remington was worried I might be coming down with something, but I didn't want him to worry so I just dismissed it, "Oh, I think I'm just reacting to some allergies. I'm sure if I rest and drink plenty of water, I'll feel fine tomorrow." He seemed skeptical but tried to be fair as he asked, "Very well, then. The thing is, I need to go to an important business meeting tomorrow with some council members. But if you need me here to take care of you, I will not hesitate to cancel my plans." Hearing that, I was flattered Remington would put me before him, but I didn't want to hinder his plans, so I told him, "No, it's fine. You can go, I'll be okay." Truth is, I wasn't sure if I would be.

When I woke up the next day, my sore throat was gone, but then I started to cough every time I took a breath. A maid who had entered noticed how bad I was coughing, and she rushed over to ask, "Your Highness, are you alright?" I tried not to make a big fuss, "I'm okay, just a dry throat. I just to drink some water and I'll be okay." I tried climbing off of the bed but as soon as my feet stepped on the ground, there was no strength in my legs to carry me up and I collapsed on the hard and cold floor. The maid rushed to my side and placed her hand on my forehead and then my neck as she stated, "Princess Lillian, you have a fever and seem to be burning up. Here, I'll help you up to get back in bed and we'll help you recover as quickly as possible." She followed through as I snuggled into the bed and she pulled the covers over me to keep me warm. I realized something as I asked her, "Wait, where's Remington?" She faced me and seemed guilty as she answered my question, "His Highness left around dawn to attend his meeting with the Royal Council. He most likely won't be back for a couple of hours."

I see, I made him believe I was fine when I wasn't and now...he isn't here while I'm feeling ill. This is my doing and now I feel so weak without him here. Throughout the day, almost everyone in the castle worked tirelessly to help me rest, feed me food to regain my energy, and make sure my temperature didn't get any worse. It's strange, I've been sick before and recovered quickly, but this felt only slightly scarier because I didn't have my mother to take care of me. She knew me well and had experience with nursing young children who were sick. I felt so exhausted with this illness that I drifted off to sleep and lost myself in a dream filled with memories from my old life. I was a little girl back in my old little house, lying in bed as I suffered a cold and my mother was coming into my room as she brought a bowl of homemade soup she made for me. She always made the soup for me with meat and vegetables, for it helped provide the nutrients and proteins I needed to fight the cold. As a child, I remembered I didn't want to eat the soup but my mother insisted it would help or id stay sick. How lucky I was to have her as my caretaker...

~~~

"Why must I eat this soup, Mama? I don't like vegetables...", I asked her hesitantly taking each spoonful she fed me.

She shook her head and reminded me, "Vegetables give you strength and power. They'll grant you the abilities to feel better as if you were never sick at all. Don't you want that?"

I nodded my head as I ate another spoonful, trying not to gag at the taste of greens in it as long as my mom promised they'll help me feel better.

When I finally finished the soup, she congratulated me by bestowing a joyous kiss on my forehead.

How strange...

this kiss felt so real...

almost as if she's...

~~~

"Mother?", I opened my eyes groggily and when I did, my heart stopped to see it was really my mother leaning over the bed to plant a kiss on my head. My eyes widened and I held out my hand as I reached out for her, wondering if I was still dreaming. She grabbed hold of my hand and just the feel of her warm, soft hands were enough to bring me to tears as she smiled and exclaimed, "I'm here, Lulu. I'm really here." I sat up to hug her close and tight, and a part of me felt intense happiness as her arms wrapped around me and her hand cradling my head like she would when I was a child were enough for me in the world at this very moment. After I pulled away, I asked her, "How are you here now? I've missed you so much!" She let out a laugh of relief as she explained to me, "I missed you too, my child. I was actually brought here...by your husband, Prince Remington. He told me you were ill and that he needed someone who took care of you before to help you." I was speechless. Remington went out to seek mother and bring her to our home so she'd take care of me? I cried once more realizing just how much he loves me, and my mother snuggled up close to me while applying a cool cloth to my head to tend to the fever.