The Abandoned Empress: Aristia La Monique

Chapter 2: Awakened

"How could I be so careless at a time like this?"

"Everyone....please be okay."

A single drop fell in a pool of water, as Aristia saw a shadow which became a figure than a person as it walled closer. Tia's vision got less blurry when the person placed their hand on Tia's right cheek and she felt warmth from the hand.

"Live my child."

A familiar voice was heard yet distant.

Another drop fell, Tia tried to open her eyes though they were heavy and when she came to realize that it was morning and she was in her room, before she moved to the Imperial Palace. She tried to move her body but it ached from the injuries that she saw on her shoulder and forehead. Then a sudden pulse ached from her heart and Aristia's whole body began getting hotter as she held her chest tight, her breathing was getting heavy. While clenching the bedcloth tightly she heard the door opening, it was Lina who took care of Tia when she was in deep sleep. In shock, she called for a doctor but before the doctor could arrive Aristia fainted then a few hours later it was around noon time that she gain conscious again. Awakened, Keiran called Tia's name and showed a wary expression when his beloved daughter looked at him. It took a moment for Tia to realize that her dad was in front of her and tears started falling from her face as she was relieved, that her only family cared for her.

"Tia! Tia!"

".....F...Father"

"I'm relieved that you're okay, Tia."

*Tears started coming out*

"Father" *sniffles*

Both hugged and a sense of relief was felt.

Tia suddenly coughed a bit so her dad went to the counter to pour a glass of water and handed it to Tia then sat on the chair which was placed near the bed.

"Thank you, father." *drinks*

"Tia, is something the matter?"

"Eh? What seem to be the problem?"

"You speak in a rather formal way towards me."

"Would it not be the proper way to speak with father?"

A knock came from the door, one of the workers informed the marquess to proceed to his office for the details regarding the incident. Keiran told Aristia to rest for the day and she responded with a nod, after Keiran left, Tia laid on her bed and kept looking at her wounds to seek the cause of it. She tried to recall her memories yet her mind was blank. A few minutes passed, another knock was heard, it was Lina who came to deliver a meal to Tia as she haven't eaten for the past three days. Lina took out a bowl with a spoon, the meal seem to be a type of soup with a familiar scent though Tia couldn't distinguish where the scent was from even when she tasted it. Lina sat beside Tia to feed her but she refused, and told Lina that she can feed herself. Her loyal maid bluntly rejected and told Tia it was better to be fed since she mentioned to Tia that her body is at a weak state which needs time to recover so in the end, Tia just accepted Lina's words.

*eating*

"Lina, what happened that made me be bedridden?"

*Lina explains the whole incident.*

*Tia made a puzzled look*

"....I held a sword and fought?"

"Yes, in exchange for your life, you saved me. Thank you my lady."

"You don't need to thank me, Lina. But, how did I become experienced with a sword?"

"Eh? You don't remember training with Sir Allendis and Sir Carsein?"

"Huh? No, I don't recall any memory of holding nor training with a sword."

To be continued.