Andreamore

10

"Lisa, I have court duties all day today. I don't want you to be stuck in your room all day so I've arranged to have a servant to be dedicated to you. She'll be here after breakfast." Tyler says after knocking and being invited into the room.

Lisa sits up in bed rubbing her eyes tiredly, yawning she says, "'Morning Tyler. Are you eating breakfast with me this morning?"

Tyler goes over to her and gives her a kiss, "If you would like me to." Lisa blushes and doesn't understand why she's blushing. They've been more intimate than this, yet for some reason this feels like the most intimate thing she's ever done.

Lisa looks down blushing even harder, "I would like that." Only then does she realize that he's fully dressed for the day. The day has barely lightened outside of her room. "What time is it?"

"About six o'clock. You needn't get up just yet. I'll be working for a couple more hours before I stop for breakfast. I just wanted to make sure I remembered to tell you about things before I forgot."

"Is there anything that I can help you with?" Lisa asks feeling the heat of the blush radiate out from her.

Tyler steps back reluctantly, "Unfortunately no. The things they will be having me do are mostly logistics. Trying to find enough food and other resources to fix housing and what not. Not least of which is fixing the palace. The damage is extensive and the money, well the people have greater needs." Tyler runs his hands through his hair before rubbing his temples. It all comes down to priorities.

"The palace is a symbol of strength for the people, but how can I put repairs to the palace above the needs of the people just to survive?"

Lisa feels something stir within her. Like when she saw Tyler hurt, but this time it isn't fire burning. She sends it out and this time things are restored. The magic surrounds the palace, suffuses it, running through the halls and corridors, even the people. When the power leaves the sun finishes rising and hits the palace, making it shine like a beacon of hope in reality. 

The people that see it feel hope renew in their hearts. The walls shine in the sun burning their fear, bringing peace. Some feel tears fall down unheeded or even noticed as they see before them their strength stand bright and tall.

"I hope this helps you a bit," Lisa says smiling. "I might not make it to breakfast." She passes out again. She hadn't sent nearly as much as she had before, but still it had drained her.

Tyler goes to her and makes sure that she is comfortable. He brings his work in with him and starts working as he stays by her side. Any rumors that might start for him being there that early in the morning will be easily thwarted as the incredible effects of her efforts are found. Areas of the palace that had been closed due to inability for the upkeep can now be opened.

Lisa stirs some several hours later to voices arguing in her room. "Tyler?" She moves her hand to her head. Once again she feels as if an army is marching through her head.

The arguing breaks off and Tyler moves quickly to her side and helps her sit up before offering her something to drink. Lisa accepts the drink and takes a long draft before she realizes just how nasty the taste is. She finishes it off and keeps herself from gagging with difficulty. She fixes Tyler with a dirty look, "Don't ever give that to me again." The restorative might work, but it makes her feel even sicker than before.

Tyler has a wicked gleam in his eye, and a smug look as he replies, "I won't make any promises about that, Lisa. If you need it, especially after helping me, I'll make sure you get it."

"So did it help?" Lisa asks falling back down. The drink raging a war on her insides, she closes her eyes hoping that will help it to calm down.

"The palace is better than it ever has been. There are parts of it that were falling down due to neglect and abandonment that are in perfect habitable space once more." Tyler is smiling at her a bit wickedly. "Now I have to figure out just what to do with all the extra available space.

"Oh, it sucks to be you, doesn't it Prince?" Lisa's sarcasm is clear to all in the room. Her face shows a sly smile.

Tyler doesn't even try to hide his smile. He loves how she treats him like a normal person. "Yeah, I guess it does."

The other people in the room start whispering in shock at her words and his response. This makes it so Lisa opens her eyes. "Just who the hell did you let in my room Prince?" This wipes Tyler's smile off his face. She'd never used his title before and doesn't like that she's using it now, nor does he like being reminded that they aren't alone.

"Court members that insisted that they be seen although I was here at your side." Tyler lets his irritation come out with his words. "Although one of the major problems has been dealt with."

She looks over and sees more females than males and it ticks her off, especially how some of them were touching his arm to get his attention. At least none of the males had tried the same with her.

"Get out." Two words, that's all she says but the power and anger that are behind it make the people scramble to leave her room. When Tyler starts to leave as well she speaks again, "Not you, you can stay."

Tyler turns back around once more smiling and goes back to her side. He sits back in the seat he'd been in earlier and picks up the papers he'd been reading. "Tyler?" 

Tyler looks over to Lisa, "Yes? Do you need help or want anything?"

"Did I just make things worse for you?" Lisa asks biting her lips.

"What? Them?" He shakes his head, "no. Actually I've been trying to get them out of here ever since they barged in here, but I didn't want to wake you."

"How long have I been out this time?" Lisa says tiredly.

"Dinner is in about an hour, do you feel up to eating?" Tyler asks solicitously.

"I feel beginnings of hunger, but no real desire right now. Perhaps by then I'll be hungry." Lisa says pushing the covers off. Before she can do anything more Tyler helps her. After sitting up, Lisa has to wait for the spinning to stop. Tyler is watching her closely so when she stands up and starts falling unable to stay upright, he catches her.

"Whoa there Lisa, you're still not quite steady, let me help." Lisa wishes that she could push him away but she feels a weakness that won't allow it.

"This is ridiculous. I'm useless, Tyler, what good am I?" Lisa starts crying as he takes her into the bathroom. He sets her down gently before answering her.

"Lisa, I've told you before, the help you gave to rid us of the enemy is enough for you to be honored for the rest of your life. What you did today, freed up a lot of resources for me, for the people and gave them a renewed hope in me and Andreamore. They've lived with their hope thinning for so long, to have it strengthened and renewed has done more for this people than full bellies and perfect homes could. Not that those things aren't important as well, but with hope it makes it easier to bear when things are tough. You know what that's like, Lisa, it's more than I could have done. Hell, it's more than I've been able to do in ten years. 

"It could happen that the people will call for you to be put on the throne and have me exiled. That's how important you've become. You are NOT useless, if anyone is, it would be me. You ended the war and you gave them hope. Those are things that should come from the throne. Not someone forced to leave her home forever." Tyler lets his self loathing coat his words, truly he feel useless to his people and he feels his failure to Lisa deeply.

"Oh, please, Tyler you are ..." 

"Lisa, what is past is just that. People remember what just happened far more than yesterday. It's a very real possibility."

Lisa snorts her derision, "They might try if they are idiots. I wouldn't make a very good ruler. I would refuse and if they tried to force me it would make me angry."