Doves and Lovelies

A Sickening Feeling

(POV: Edgar)

I would have noticed sooner that someone was listening in on me if I hadn't been so preoccupied with protecting my already injured body from further injury. I blamed myself for believing I could conceal anything in this dreadful place. The castle truly had its own eyes and ears. I halted my steps, waiting for the person trailing me to reveal themselves.

"Where are you headed, Edgar?"

I tightened my jacket around me to cover my blood-stained shirt before turning to see my father standing just a foot away. For a fleeting moment, I thought I might be dreaming again, but the sharp pain in my side reminded me that I was very much awake. Why was he here? I had hoped to have more time before anyone discovered me. If my father realized I was on the verge of passing out from my torn stitches, he would summon the servants to drag me back to my room.

"Nowhere, sir," I replied cautiously.

"Is that so? A little bird told me that Elaine was searching for you."

"I didn't realize you had a way with birds, sir."

"We're alone, Edgar. Is there something you wish to ask me?"

"No, Father. I must point out that we are never truly alone."

"I understand. I had a troubling dream last night, and I wondered if you might have time to listen to this old man."

I knew Charles had informed him of my awakening. But why was he here in person? He could have easily sent a servant or a messenger, just as Elaine had. Being a wizard, he likely knew everything that had happened earlier; he could do anything he wished with his powers. Was he genuinely unwell from poison?

"Of course. Please, share what troubles you about this dream."

"I dreamt I was in a corridor, and a murderer was on the loose. Even after defeating him, I found myself poisoned by an unknown assailant. Though I couldn't heal myself, I discovered a protector in my dream who fought on my behalf. I realized I couldn't combat the poison alone; I needed to seek someone who could assist me. Can you imagine such a dream?"

I didn't need to explain the curse or the dream to him; my father was already aware of everything. His magic revealed that he had been poisoned, which was the root of his illness. If he possessed such power, how could he have allowed my stepmother to poison him?

"Father, how could you let allow yourself to be poisoned in your dreams? Why would someone who claimed to love you turn against you like this?"

"At first, I believed I loved her, but as time passed, I saw the darkness lurking beneath her beauty and the charming mask she wore for the world. What could I do against a woman who held my heart so tightly? She could shatter it at will, yet no matter my efforts, I couldn't reclaim my heart from the enchantress in my dreams."

"How dreadful it must be to live in fear of heartbreak and treachery from the one you cherished most. She should have cherished the gift bestowed upon her, yet she craved more and turned against the one who nurtured her. If fate were to grant you freedom from her grasp, what would you choose? Would you confront the sorceress, or would you remain ensnared in her enchantment?"

Just then, a door creaked open down the hall, interrupting my father's reply. He glanced sideways and subtly gestured with his hand while crossing his arms. A maid emerged, balancing a pile of sheets, and closed the door behind her as she approached us.

Servants were never permitted to approach the royal family without permission, and in the king's presence, everyone was required to bow and stand aside until he had left. Teddy would have dispatched one of his men to handle the blood. Requesting anything from a maid risked Valentana discovering our secrets. The realization struck me too late. The maid drew a dagger from the sheets and lunged at me. The pain and blood loss dulled my reflexes, as I had been leaning on my sword during my conversation with my father.