After The End

22. His Vow

Elora POV:

Water seeped through my hair strands, tinting the once clear liquid into a faint hue of red. Her fingers moved across my scalp with a tenderness I never experienced before. My eyes closed on their own, immersing myself fully in the moment and detaching my mind from everything else.

I couldn't remember the last time someone assisted me in a bath, even in the past when I got sick I took care of myself. However, when she offered to, I was so shocked that she did I mindlessly nodded my head 'yes'. I had no regrets.

"Your hair has gotten quite long," My mother marveled, I could hear the smile in her voice.

"You must have trouble washing it, since I heard you now prefer bathing on your own, without the maids' assistance." I slowly nodded my head in response. My shoulders throbbed in pain after every wash.

"Perhaps then trimming off an inch or two won't hurt." She suggested cautiously. Clearing my throat, I nodded in agreement. My hair was very, very heavy, but I didn't have the heart to cut it short. Quite ironic if I say so, I had never liked long hair, until my eyes fell on Elora's luscious waves.

"Oh! Since you were a child you refused to let a pair of scissors touch your hair." she chuckled.

My eyebrows arched somewhat in surprise. Well since I could remember Nana forbade me to cut my hair. I had to always tie my hair in a braid, or else with the lightest breeze you'd see the sandy blonde strands of hair flying everywhere.

It was when I was fifteen that I rebelled. I remembered that day as if it was only yesterday, I was very angry with Nana. I was transferred to yet another school, and all I wanted for her was to stand by me, to defend us instead of cowering away as if we were in the wrong.

I wanted to show her, so I raced to the nearest hair salon. To my dismay, they turned me away, they were fully booked. And I lost it. I bawled my eyes out, snot and all as if it were the end of the world. One of the hairstylists, Simon, took pity on me and promised to cut my hair to a gorgeous bob after his shift ended. It was safe to say I was kicked out of the house, I spent the night at Maisy's. Well since that day I never allowed my hair to grow past my neck.

"Ellie? Honey, are you alright?" My mother's voice broke through my thoughts.

"I am fine," I forced a smile on my lips, but she saw right through it.

"Oh, my sweetheart!" Her voice quivered as she sniffled, and my heart sank. I had a feeling where this was going, I didn't want to go there.

Fortunately, I was saved. A knock echoed, and a maid's voice came from behind the door: "My lady, the physician has arrived."

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"Sweetness," My mother called me softly, her voice filled with concern as I stood unmoved in my spot. She gestured me to follow her, as a maid opened the door of Delphine's bedroom. Taking deep breaths I tried to calm my racing heartbeats as I stepped inside.

My eyes were instantly drawn to Delphine's bed. The green-blue hue that colored a bit of her nose and her swollen cheek made my heart sink. Her fingers dreamily played with strands of her hair, which was resting neatly on her shoulders over a new silk cream blouse, and her eyes twinkled as she timidly stole glances at Castiel. He was on a chair right by her bedside like it was described in the novel, his gaze was glued upon her with his eyebrows knitted together.

"Your Highness," My mother greeted with a curtsy.

Upon hearing my mother's voice, Delphine's eyes swiftly darted towards us and I immediately cast mine down. My fingers gripped the sides of my dress as I curtsied in respect to the prince.