Damned by Him

The following morning arrived quietly.

Pale sunlight slipped through the curtains in thin golden strands, spreading slowly across the room and chasing away the darkness that had lingered through the night. Rosaline stirred beneath the blankets, her lashes fluttering several times before her eyes finally opened.

For a few moments, she simply stared at the ceiling.

Her body still felt weak, but the crushing heaviness that had weighed upon her chest previously had eased a considerable amount. Her throat remained slightly sore, and there was a lingering discomfort in her muscles, but she no longer felt as though every breath required effort.

She slowly pushed herself upright.

The room was peaceful.

And, to her surprise, a small breakfast table had already been arranged beside the bed.

A bowl of warm porridge sat upon it, accompanied by a few slices of fruit, a cup of tea, and a bowl containing her medicine that looked so unappetizing.

Rosaline stared at the food.

Her stomach gave the faintest twist.

Not quite hunger.

More like a reluctant reminder that she had not eaten properly in far too long.

She sighed.

"I don’t want to eat."

"You have to." The voice came from beside the window.

Rosaline immediately turned her head.

Xandros was seated in a chair near the curtains, one leg crossed over the other, a book resting loosely in his hand. He looked as though he had been there for some time, and judging from the slight crease between his brows, he had been waiting for her to wake.

He also looked a bit different and his hair were a bit longer and untamed, she didn’t notice when she woke up in the midnight.

But wait a minute doesn’t he sleep for a long time? She asked herself.

Rosaline looked back at the porridge.

"I don’t feel hungry."

"I didn’t ask whether you felt hungry."

His tone was calm.

"You are going to eat."

She gave him a displeased look.

"You sound like Lily."

Xandros lowered the book slightly.

"I’ll take that as a compliment." He said to her, and wondered how she could compare him to a sister, he would definitely change that perception soon...he promised quietly.

"It wasn’t."

"I know." He rose from the chair and walked toward her.

Rosaline immediately shifted farther against the headboard, eyeing him suspiciously as he approached.

Xandros stopped beside the table and picked up the spoon.

"Open your mouth."

Rosaline stared at him.

"...Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"I’m capable of feeding myself."

"Then prove it."

He handed her the spoon.

Rosaline accepted it reluctantly, though the moment she dipped it into the porridge, she felt his eyes following her every movement.

She lifted the spoon.

Paused.

Then slowly ate.

Xandros watched.

She swallowed.

He continued watching.

Rosaline glanced at him.

"Are you going to stare at me until I finish?"

"Yes."

"That’s irritating."

"Good."

She narrowed her eyes at him.

He remained perfectly serious.

With a quiet sigh, she took another spoonful.

Then another.

The warmth of the porridge settled gently in her stomach, and although she still had little appetite, she found that it wasn’t as unpleasant as she had expected.

"See?"

Xandros said.

"You survived."

Rosaline rolled her eyes.

"I have been through worse."

"I am aware."

Something in his voice made her glance at him.

For a moment, their eyes met.

The memory of this kind of tension flashed in her head.

Rosaline quickly looked away.

Before either of them could say anything, there was a soft knock at the door.

Xandros turned.

"Enter."

The door opened, and an elderly physician stepped into the chamber, accompanied by a young servant carrying a leather case.

The physician bowed.

"Your Grace. Her Ladyship."

Rosaline placed the spoon down.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, my Lady."

The physician approached the bed and began examining her.

He checked her pulse first, then her breathing, before placing a hand against her forehead. He asked her several questions, and Rosaline answered each one honestly.

"Any dizziness?"

"A little."

"Nausea?"

"Not anymore."

"Chest pain?"

"Only slightly."

The physician nodded thoughtfully.

"That is expected."

He opened his case and examined the small vials inside before closing it again.

"You were fortunate, Lady Rosaline. You suffered from severe exhaustion, and inhaling water weakened your lungs considerably. Your body also remained unconscious for three days, so it will take some time for your strength to return."

Rosaline listened carefully.

"Am I still in danger?"

"No."

The physician smiled faintly.

"Now that you are awake and your breathing has stabilized, there is little cause for concern."

Relief loosened something inside her.

"So I’ve recovered?"

"With proper rest and your medicine, yes you will."

He glanced toward the bottle beside her.

"Take that as instructed. If you continue improving, you should feel considerably better within two or three days."

Rosaline nodded.

"Thank you, Sire."

"You are welcome."

The physician turned toward Xandros.

"But I must insist that Her Ladyship remain in bed as much as possible."

Xandros’ gaze immediately shifted toward Rosaline.

"I heard him." Rosaline said to him and frowned.

" And I wasn’t planning to do anything."

Xandros gave her a knowing look.

"Good." He clearly did not believe her.

After giving Xandros a few final instructions concerning her medicine and meals, the physician gathered his things and bowed once more before leaving.

The door closed behind him.

Silence returned.

Rosaline stared at the ceiling.

Two days.

Maybe three.

She could survive that.

Probably.

She looked toward Xandros.

He was already reaching for the medicine.

"Here."

He held the bowl toward her.

Rosaline stared at it.

"Already?"

"Yes."

"I just ate."

"And?"

"Can’t I rest first?"

"You can rest after taking it."

She sighed heavily.

"You are enjoying this."

"Immensely."

She accepted the medicine and drank it with a grimace.

Xandros took the bowl from her.

"Good."

He placed it back upon the table before looking at her.

"Now sleep."

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

"Again?"

"Yes."

"But I’ve been sleeping for three days!"

"And you’re still recovering."

"I feel fine."

"You nearly drowned, Rosaline."

Rosaline fell silent.

Xandros raised a brow.

"That argument usually ends the discussion."

She glared at him.

"It shouldn’t."

"It does."

He returned to the chair beside the window.

Rosaline watched him for several moments.

Then she looked toward the door.

Then back at him.

He opened his book.

She frowned.

The mansion was probably bustling outside.

The gardens would be beautiful in the morning.

Lily would probably be somewhere downstairs...but why wasn’t she here?

And she...

Was trapped in bed.

Rosaline sighed dramatically.

"This is boring."

Xandros turned a page.

"Sorry."

She stared at him.

"Sorry?"

"Being bored means you’re resting."

"That’s ridiculous."

"So is drowning."

Her mouth opened.

Then closed.

She glared at him.

Xandros calmly continued reading.

Eventually, Rosaline lay back against the pillows.

Perhaps she could endure another hour.

Or two.

But then...

A few minutes later, Xandros closed his book.

Rosaline immediately watched him.

He stood.

"I’m going to my study."

Her eyes followed him.

"Why?"

"To get some work done."

"And then?"

"I’ll return."

Rosaline nodded innocently.

"Of course."

Xandros gave her a suspicious look.

She smiled sweetly.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Stay in bed."

"I will."

"Rosaline." He called out again.

"I said I will."

He stared at her for another moment before finally turning toward the door.

The moment it closed behind him, Rosaline waited.

One second.

Two.

Three.

She threw the blanket aside.

"Finally."

She slipped out of bed.

Her legs were still slightly weak, and she had to steady herself against the bedpost, but the moment she managed to stand upright, excitement flashed across her face.

She was getting out.

Even if only for a few minutes.

She quietly opened the door and peeked into the corridor.

Empty.

Perfect.

She stepped outside and closed the door as quietly as possible.

Then she began walking.

A few steps later, she realized something.

"Lily..."

Rosaline frowned.

She hadn’t seen Lily once since waking.

That was strange.

Lily would normally have rushed into the room the moment she heard Rosaline was awake.

Perhaps she was busy.

Still, the thought bothered Rosaline enough that she stopped a passing servant.

"Have you seen Lily?"

The maid hesitated.

"I..."

Rosaline frowned.

"Where is she?"

The maid lowered her eyes.

"I don’t know, my Lady."

Rosaline released her.

That was suspicious.

She continued down the corridor until she reached the entrance hall, where the butler was arranging several instructions with the servants.

"Excuse me."

The butler immediately turned.

"My Lady."

"Where is Lily?"

The butler’s expression became strangely uncomfortable.

Rosaline noticed.

"What?"

"Nothing, my Lady."

"You clearly know something."

The butler glanced around before stepping discreetly closer.

"My Lady, you aren’t supposed to be outside your chamber."

Rosaline stared at him.

"Who told you that?"

The butler hesitated.

"His Grace."

Rosaline immediately placed a finger against her lips.

"Shh."

The butler blinked.

"Do not worry about him."

"My Lady..."

"I’ll be back in my room before he notices."

The butler looked deeply unconvinced.

Rosaline clasped her hands together.

"Please?"

Her eyes softened into a pleading expression.

The old butler’s resolve weakened almost immediately.

He sighed.

"You have always been difficult to refuse, my Lady."

Rosaline smiled triumphantly.

"So you’ll tell me?"

The butler lowered his voice.

"Lily hasn’t been allowed outside."

Rosaline’s smile faded.

"Why?"

The butler glanced toward the staircase as though expecting Xandros to appear at any moment.

"Because..."

He hesitated.

"His Grace gave her quite the reprimand."

Rosaline blinked.

"He did what?"

The butler cleared his throat.

"He... chewed her out."

Rosaline stared at him.

"For what?"

The butler’s expression became awkward.

"I believe it was because she wasn’t keeping an eye on you properly."

Rosaline’s brows rose.

A strange mixture of amusement and concern crossed her face.

"Xandros scolded Lily?"

"Quite severely, my Lady."

Rosaline’s lips twitched.

For some reason, she could almost imagine the scene.

Poor Lily.

She was probably hiding somewhere and cursing Xandros under her breath.

Rosaline glanced toward the staircase.

Then toward the corridor.

Her curiosity only grew.

"Where is she now?"

The butler sighed.

"That..."

He lowered his voice further.

"That is something you may want to ask His Grace yourself."

Rosaline narrowed her eyes.

Something told her there was much more to this story than the butler was willing to say.