Chaos Bound in Blood

Chapter 2

 She woke up feeling wet, panting. It was still dark but there was a familiar face in front of her, protective arms holding her, a warm voice telling her she is safe and that papa came and would always be there for her. And then she started coming to her senses once again, she had wet her bed, and as happy as she was her father was sitting next to her, she felt ashamed. Manon started crying for the first time this year and mind you, its end was almost here and she hugged her father as tight as she could. Her mouth felt scorching, as did her insides and she would've killed for some water. Thank Elouana, she always had water on her nightstand. Her father gave her a sip.

"Sweet baby, I'm here, it's ok. I'll ask Clara to help you change."

"Please don't go, please, I'm lonely and scared, papa, please!"

"Hush, my love, I'll be with you tonight."

There were footsteps in the hall and then Manon heard another familiar voice which belonged to none other than Arynne.

"Lady Guaire, we heard screaming from Miss Manon's room, the guards were alerted so his Majesty was informed as well, I'm sorry, I couldn't stop it from reaching him. He's with her now and Clara is helping too."

"Thank you, Lisa, try and keep it quiet please, I wish the queen didn't find out", Arynne admonished and proceeded to enter the room, where she found Sylvain with his head in his hands, sitting in their daughter's small chair, while Manon was cleaning up in the bathroom. "Syl, how is she?"

"I suppose she is ok now, she had a nasty nightmare, hence the screams, but Ary, you said she was taken care of, that you found her a maid. She should have a maid, like her siblings!"

"Really!? But she is not an heir! She is not even noble! They are not her siblings! She is like me and won't ever be royalty because Sienne won't let you officially recognize her as your daughter! Not only that, but you know damn well that it was forbidden for me to ever be with child. It is not my fault, or hers and not even yours! And it's also the queen's right to refuse! I can't take her back to Cathbharra and if she stays here it has to be like this, living like a low born!"

"I will talk to her about it again. I am so sorry, my love, I will make Sienne agree to let her have a maid. I have so much on my plate now, but once this is over I'll spend more time with her somehow. Maybe we'll stay behind and have the rest go to the Summer Palace."

"Don't make her a target, please, because one day I will do something I will not regret if the queen harms her in any way."

"Mother, is it you?", Manon croaked while coming out of the bathroom.

"Yes, Manon. It's time to go back to bed now."

"I want papa, please... please..." she begged.

"Leave it, Arynne, it's fine, I'll sleep here tonight."

"She'll be on a warpath with me tomorrow if she realizes you were not in your chambers. Manon, go to bet, your father will be with you. I'll see you in the morning, ok?"

"Yes, mother. Oíche mhaith!", she faltered, but Arynne had already left.

Manon climbed back into her bed, the king taking the place on her left. She could've sworn he wouldn't fall asleep before her, but he was already snoring. She hadn't had a nightmare for a few months now. When Arynne came in, Manon had entirely forgotten about the journal she was now reading, but it now became something that plagued her memory and will surely plague it for an eternity. Her mother was right. She was not noble, she would never be. But what did she mean when she said she wasn't to ever bear a child? For the first time, Manon wished she hadn't been born. She was never content, never happy to be alive, but this was a first. She had no wish to see Arynne the next day. For all she cared, she could be gone forever. Her surroundings were becoming now fuzzy, and her thoughts eventually muffled by sleep.