Lily opened her eyes the next morning. Something felt different. The room was spinning. Everything was out of place. She wasn't even sure if she was in her own room. She felt hot and began coughing, and she felt like she was falling. Lily opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. No one could save her. No one could help her.

Wait. Didn't she have servants? Yes, but she had to be strong. She had to overcome this by herself. She felt around and pulled on the nearest thing she touched.

Suddenly, she was lifted up. Instinctively, she hit whatever was touching her.

"My lady, I warned you not to exert yourself while being ill."

She knew immediately who it was. She opened her mouth to say his name, but was unable to speak.

Sebastian laid Lily on her bed. Lily grasped his collar, not wanting to be alone again. He was the only thing in her vision that was clear.

Not expecting her to hang on to him, Sebastian stumbled and fell on top of Lily. Lily grasped him for dear life. Right at that moment, Mey-Rin passed by the doorway. She immediately stopped and looked inside. Her nose started bleeding, and she made a strange cry.

Sebastian looked at the maid, exasperated. "The young mistress is very ill. She has a very high fever and has little control of her actions. Would you please bring a wet washcloth and some water?"

The maid nodded and slowly backed away.

The butler sighed. "My lady, I cannot even express how inappropriate this is. You must let go or I can't help you."

"Seb…as…tian….don't….leave…me…" Lily struggled to say.

"I will never leave you. I will make sure your illness goes away. Now please let go of me."

We are falling. Together. I will never let go. This hazy world is fading away. There is nothing but the two of us.

"My lady," Sebastian said, slightly annoyed. He began gently prying her fingers off his back.

Falling…Falling into an abyss…hanging on to each other….No…Don't let go…

Before Sebastian could move all Lily's fingers off, Lily lifted her head up with surprising speed and energy and kissed Sebastian on the lips. Sebastian was taken aback by the sudden gesture. He lay for a moment until all of Lily's muscles relaxed. She fell unconscious.

Lily woke up once more as if she had just had a dream. She looked around the room and saw Bard, Finny, and Mey-Rin on the other side of the room. When they saw that the mistress was awake, they became excited and relieved. Bard said, "Lady Lillith, you're awake!"

"We were scared stiff, yes we were," Mey-Rin said.

"You were out for two days. We thought you were going to die!" Finny chimed in.

Lily smiled, gratefully. "I am very much alive and feeling much better."

Sebastian entered the room. "That is wonderful to hear, my lady. Perhaps next time you will be more careful. I took the liberty of phoning Lord Dellmore and informing him of your illness. He should be arriving shortly."

The teenage girl's smile immediately disappeared. She replied, unenthusiastically, "Very well."

"I am sure seeing your betrothed will make you feel completely better."

Lily didn't respond. Sebastian told the other servants to prepare for Walter's visit. Sebastian excused himself to make sure they didn't mess up, which he and Lily both knew they would.

Sitting up, Lily struggled to remember what had happened after she became sick. If she was unconscious for two days and had become sick two days ago, then anything she saw during that time was a dream. Tears filled her eyes.

It had all been a dream.