A Pledge of Survival

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Eleanor felt dizzy, like she'd been hit hard on the head. She couldn't quite figure out where she was. The room was calm and quiet, with soft whispers floating around, as if people were being careful not to wake her up. Even though she didn't understand her dreams, she felt really comfortable in the cozy bed, a cocoon of comfort that induced a profound sense of contentment.

"Noah, you've reiterated this countless times already," Noah's mother's patient voice interjected, carrying a note of gentle exasperation. "Remember, the doctor is bound by the constraints of medical confidentiality. Inquiries about her health are restricted to immediate family members."

"Mom, I just want to ensure she is being taken care of properly," Noah's tone held a genuine weariness, his concern palpable. Eleanor, no longer in the throes of slumber, absorbed his words, her heartstrings tugged by his evident worry. She longed to reassure him that everything would eventually fall into place.

But then, Eleanor started to realize what was really happening. She was in a room with Noah and his mother. A silent declaration swept through her mind, "Oh, dear," she mused, "I seem to have fainted before our esteemed guests." A profound sense of remorse settled over Eleanor, an almost burdensome weight that stoked her anxiety.

A sudden stir from beyond the room's stirred Eleanor's consciousness, nearly coaxing her eyelids to part. Oblivious she was awake again. They kept going on as if she was still sleeping, and she felt so weak that even moving a finger was really hard for her.

"Where is my sister?" Thomas's voice, brimming with panic, pierced the air. His words carried an urgency. A door swung open with an abruptness that matched his worry.

"Well, you must be Miss Osborne's brother, Thomas," Lady Hayward's voice, steeped in relief, broke through the mounting tension. "I'm truly glad you've made it here," she added, a note of sincerity underscoring her words.

"Lord Hayward, kindly step aside, or I shall be compelled to move you," Eleanor overheard, though the precise context eluded her. The scenario appeared to involve Noah obstructing her brother's path towards her.

"Thomas, I must request your composure. She remains fatigued and unwell," Noah's tone carried a note of authority. Her brother hated being addressed in such a manner. Similar behaviour from the past bore painful recollections for both siblings.

"Attend closely to my words, Lord Hayward. You will move and allow me to see of my sister. I shall not brook any directives from you, particularly those concerning my family," Thomas's voice exhibited an icy edge, evoking a surge of sorrow within Eleanor. The sanctity of their family was, indeed so precious.

"Tommy, where is she?" Abigail and Edith's voices, tinged with concern, punctuated the moment. The girls had also arrived, and Eleanor was uncertain whether she felt a sense of relief or mortified.

"And who might you be?" Lady Hayward inquired with gentle curiosity.

"Mother, allow me to introduce Abigail and Edith Osborne. They are Miss Osborne's younger sisters."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, but where is my sister?" Edith interjected, her gaze sweeping the room in search of Eleanor.

"Girls, have no fear. She is just there," Thomas assured, closing the distance to Eleanor and tenderly placing a kiss on her forehead.

Eleanor experienced a palpable vulnerability, her inability to advocate for herself leaving her feeling utterly defenseless and feeble. This sentiment was something she despised more than anything. Sensing her inner turmoil, Thomas gently caressed her hands, subtly inviting the girls to draw near to the bedside. "Do not worry, Elle," he murmured softly. "We will always be by your side, this is how we survive. Together".

As a comforting tranquility washed over her, Eleanor once again succumbed to slumber.

******

Eleanor's brother had remained at the side of her bed throughout the entire night, and Noah's own emotions were becoming difficult to contain. The doctor had held a prolonged conversation with Thomas, spanning at least an hour. The weight of an hour-long discussion was rarely promising, and it was driving Noah to a state of anxious restlessness.

"Thomas, I hope the informal address is acceptable," Noah ventured as they found their way to the drawing room.

"Of course, Lord Hayward," Thomas's tone carried an undertone of defeat. It was a rare instance of Noah feeling as apprehensive as he had the day he learned of his father's illness.

"Noah will suffice."

An extended silence settled between them. "Noah, despite my relative youth, I'm not naive. What is it you wish to inquire about?" Thomas's words mirrored an astute recognition, one that compelled Noah to lay bare his concerns.

He knew Thomas was right. The matter at hand was Eleanor's well-being. "Is your sister's health in danger?" The question hung in the air, the response impending. It felt as though the world was constricting around Noah, a grip of anxiety tightening.

"I'll address your question, Noah, and let's disregard the notion that your perturbed expression solely stems from your concern for her well-being."

The last part of Thomas's response drew Noah's gaze directly into his eyes. "I've stated this previously. Although I am young, I am not ignorant. Today, I may lack the capacity for a full conversation on this matter, but rest assured, it will happen in due time."

Noah's respect for Thomas grew even stronger. He saw in him a true guardian of his family, a quality that spoke volumes about his character. "Her life is not under threat. This incident was merely a common cold that escalated due to her unwillingness to rest, or to heed my advice for that matter." They exchanged a knowing smile, acknowledging the shared stubbornness.

"Why then did the doctor need such a lengthy discussion with you?"

Noah detected a shift in Thomas's demeanor. "I'm not at liberty to provide you with details, Noah. It's not my role. However, to alleviate your concerns, know this: it's all in the past. Eleanor carries scars from long ago, and the doctor needed to understand their origins."

The reassurance failed to alleviate Noah's unease; if anything, it heightened it. His protective instincts surged, an urge to exact justice upon the person responsible for those scars. "Are you safe now?" His question bore an air of seriousness.

In this moment, Thomas's youthful facade peeled away, exposing vulnerability. "We are, largely thanks to her. Noah, she's the most remarkable person I know. She's made countless sacrifices for us, sacrifices that I'll never be able to repay. If anyone puts her in harm's way, I won't forgive them, regardless of their identity." His words carried an implicit threat. Although Noah didn't feel directly threatened, he wanted to ensure Thomas knew he was being understood.

"You have every right to take that stance. I, too, would unleash my fury upon anyone attempting to harm my family," Noah stated solemnly. What Thomas remained unaware of was that this statement now encompassed one more individual.

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Chapter 10 !!! and we are burning over here ( not from fever though ahah )

The last chapters are shorter but I do hope you appreciate them.