Page 71 of Villainess's Redemption
My head spun with possibilities, each more concerning than the last.
Chapter 19
I blinked awake, my vision slowly focusing on the familiar intricate patterns adorning the ceiling of my bedchamber. The ornate feminine golden and lilac swirls danced before my eyes, a stark contrast to the bright white and golden walls of Anderic’s room that lingered in my memory. Had I merely hallucinated waking up there?
What a terrible thing to hallucinate!
Before I could ponder further, Laurel’s concerned face swam into view. Her eyes were puffy and red-rimmed, her usually neat braid disheveled. She didn’t even let me say anything and launched into a torrent of words as soon as I was awake, her voice trembling.
“Oh, my lady! You’re awake! We’ve all been so worried sick about you. You’ve been unconscious for days, and the healers weren’t sure if… if you’d…,” she choked back a sob. “And then Prince Anderic brought you here himself, looking like he’d seen a ghost. He wouldn’t let anyone else touch you or see you, my lady. I wasn’t even allowed to see you. I didn’t even know how you were doing. And then the Queen herself came to check on you, and Lord Elyas has been pacing outside the palace for hours, and—”
“Ilyana,” I croaked, my throat feeling like I’d swallowed sand.
Laurel abruptly stopped her lecture, blinking in confusion. “What?”
I managed a weak smile. “I told you to call me Ilyana, not ‘my lady.’”
Laurel’s lower lip quivered, and before I knew it, she had enveloped me in a bone-crushing hug. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed, her words muffled against my shoulder.
“I thought I’d lost you, my la— Ilyana. When they brought you in, so pale and lifeless, I couldn’t bear it. You’ve been so kind to me lately, and I… I couldn’t imagine serving anyone else. Please don’t ever scare me like that again!”
Even though her grip was squeezing the life out of me, something in my heart warmed. I almost choked on the emotions welling up inside me. To feel so cared for, so loved by someone other than my parents… it was overwhelming. If not for the exile, I still wouldn’t have treated her well. I didn’t deserve her kindness and friendship. To think we’d become so close in such a short amount of time… maybe we were always meant to be friends but my arrogance came in between. I hugged Laurel back, ignoring the twinge of pain in my muscles.
I’ll always cherish this friendship.I vowed in my mind.
After a while, Laurel composed herself and helped me sit up, propping pillows behind my back. She busied herself with pouring me a cup of tea, her hands still shaking slightly. I took a careful sip, relishing the warmth spreading through my body.
“Laurel,” I said, setting the cup down. “What exactly happened? I know I was poisoned, but…”
She nodded, wringing her hands. “Yes, my la— Ilyana. It was at the Queen’s tea party. You drank that wine, and then…,” her eyes welled up again. “Prince Anderic saved you. He carried you in his arms, looking absolutely frantic. I’ve never seen him likethat before. He was shouting orders left and right, demanding the best healers in the kingdom.”
Like a bolt of lightning, fragments of memories flashed through my mind. Anderic’s face, usually so composed, twisted with worry. His arms around me, strong and secure. And… oh no. My thoughts.
“Laurel,” I asked, trying not to sound suspicious. “Did I… say anything while Prince Anderic was carrying me? Anything at all? You were beside me, right? You must have heard if I said anything?”
Laurel tilted her head, thinking, her eyes narrowed at me. I quickly schooled my expression.Damn! This girl is way too perceptive.“Well, you were mumbling quite a bit. But no, I wasn’t close enough to hear anything properly. Prince Anderic seemed very interested in that part but mostly he looked furious. Why?”
I closed my eyes, fighting back a groan.
I did not voice my poison-addled thoughts, did I? I only thought those because I thought I would die for sure.
No, I’d have to go ahead believing I didn’t say it. Otherwise, it would keep me awake nights at end.Out of mind, out of… whatever.
“Oh!” Laurel exclaimed, her eyes widening. “I remember you said something. Something about Prince Anderic having beautiful mesmerizing eyes, like ‘the tranquil blue of a mountain lake.’ Those were your exact words, Ilyana.”
I choked on my tea, coughing, and spluttering. “I said WHAT?”
Laurel nodded enthusiastically, a small smile playing on her lips. “Oh yes, and you also mentioned something about his hair being ‘spun from sunlight itself.’ It was quite quite romantic, really.”
“Laurel,” I said weakly, “you can stop messing with me now.”
Her smile widened, eyes glinting.
I wanted to sink into my mattress and disappear. Even though she was joking, she wasn’t far away from the truth. How could I have thought those disturbingly mortifying things? And Anderic, of all people! The man who was convinced I was some kind of criminal mastermind just yesterday, and he probably still thought like that too.
“But in all honesty though, I have never seen the cool, aloof prince so frantic. I approve.”
“Approve what?”
