Hi there ! Sorry it's been a long time -I've been awfully sick for a few days and I clearly had forgotten how tiring it can be.
Anyway, here's for you, guys :
Chapter 47
Luck was on Phil and Alden's side. When they got to Remyus' chambers, the old physician wasn't in.
Phil darted off to the back room to lay Varian on his bed. Alden browsed the messy shelves trying to find everything he needed to tend to his injury before joining them. Phil had managed to pull up a nearby chair for himself and was sitting next to the bedhead, his arm still tied to Varian's.
The boy was still unconscious but he was breathing evenly. Phil tried patting his hand gently, calling his name. When that didn't work, he moved to his cheeks, desperate to get a reaction from him, but he remained as motionless as death.
"Ooh this is not good. Not good at all. We must get him to wake up, and we need those keys before anyone else finds out…" he was repeating endlessly, shivering in panic now the adrenaline from their near-death experience was wearing off.
"I could also use an extra-hand," Alden added as he tried to wriggle out of his shirt with his bleeding arm. "We can thank the person who chose that deep red color for our uniforms."
"Crimson."
Phil and Alden nearly jumped out of their boots at the high-pitched voice at the door. They gave a sigh of relief as they saw Elora.
"It's crimson," she repeated as she stepped into the room, playing idly with the ring of keys,"and I will help you in a minute, Alden. Just give me time to return these to their rightful owner, if you please," she said, pointing to the keys hanging from his belt.
Alden looked down and his jaw dropped. He could have slapped himself for being less smart than a child.
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"Fantastic ! Absolutely marvellous !"
Arianna and Frederick never heard so many superlatives in such a short time. As the fitting went on, the dressmaker pinned, tucked, added ribbons and pearls while emphasizing how proud he was of his work.
Frederick was standing aside, taking in the beautiful sight in front of him. Standing on a stool in the middle of the room, Arianna patiently waited for the dressmaker to complete his "masterpiece" as he called it : her dress for the Moon Festival that was to take place the next evening in the Kingdom of Epoisses.
The Queen of Corona was looking gorgeous indeed, in a long, flowing gown of deep purple silk, enhanced with sequins and pearls, making the most incredible starry night pale in comparison. Around her slender upper body, her tight velvet bodice contrasted wonderfully with the fullness of the silk skirt, supported by multiple layers of petticoats. The delicate heart-shaped neckline was trimmed with shimmering rhinestones, and the front piece showed an elaborate embroidery made with the finest silver threads.
The most stunning part of her dress was perhaps the double sleeves : there was a first set of sleeves that followed the soft curves of her arms so closely that they might as well be sewn on her. Then, a second set of large sleeves lined with lilac silk hung loosely and reached the hem of her skirt. At the slightest movement of her arms, they seemed to float and wave in the air as smoothly as hair under the water.
Arianna, a fine sewer herself, knew what extraordinary skills such refined work required. But she couldn't put her head into chiffon and lace at the moment. She was thankful she had enough times to give orders to the servants of the castle, so they would know what to do when the villagers would bring the items she required.
She took a steady breath to calm down (as deep as could be despite her tightly laced corset). Everything should be in place in the afternoon.
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"So, Varian is not really asleep, isn't he ?" Elora ventured, alarmed by her friend's lack of rosy color on his cheeks.
Phil was fumbling through his keys, still too nervous to be efficient.
"How was I supposed to know he couldn't stand the sight of blood ? Honestly ?"
Elora sighed.
"You guys owe me one, you know. So…. what happened ?"
At last the right key was set in the cuff on Varian's wrist, but Phil paused and tried to find his words, growing more and more frustrated as silence settled in.
"I did a stupid thing, that's all."
Three pairs of eyes shot up and met the icy blue color that was revealed by half-opened eyelids.
"Varian !" Phil breathed out in relief. "You… you're awake ! How are you feeling, buddy ?" Remembering he still had that key in the lock, Phil turned it and the cuff finally opened.
Without moving from his lying position, Varian instinctively brought his wrist to his right hand and started rubbing it.
"I'm… okay… I guess."
"You sure gave us a fright back there. I'm glad you're safe and sound", Alden stepped in, pressing a piece of cloth on the bleeding slash in his upper arm.
"Don't go near him, Alden !" Elora immediately scolded. "Are you trying to make him feel faint again ? Come on, let's go next door and we'll take care of this," and she added in a whisper, "away from Varian !"
The boy on the bed couldn't stifle a half-hearted laugh. "She's so forceful when she wants to be. I'm glad I'm not in Alden's shoes right now."
His smile faded, and he looked away.
"Phil, I…. what you did outside the library… I mean… that was…". Why were words so hard to come out ? "Thank you."
They were two words, short, simple but Phil could feel how much he meant them. And appreciated the effort.
"Hey, anytime, kid. Why, if next time, helping you out doesn't imply a walk in mid-air, I would be glad though," and with that, he opened his own cuffs and hung the keys on his belt.
Varian gave a shy smile, returning his gaze to the guard.
"Varian, why did you…" Phil started and Varian winced. The last thing he wanted was a lecture for his behaviour.
"Why did you forgive me so easily ?"
Varian had to admit, he didn't see that coming.
"You are talking about the time you let Nigel in the dungeon, aren't you ?" Varian asked hoarsely, and Phil nodded.
"I… don't know. I guess it was the right thing to do."
Phil hummed soflty in agreement, studying the boy's face. Then he ventured :
"Then why must you be so hard on yourself ?"
Varian didn't utter a word but his eyes opened wide and his breathing immediately stopped. He knew what Phil meant. If he could forgive Phil his mistake without a second thought, why couldn't he believe other people would forgive his own mistakes too ?
Releasing his breath after a few seconds, Varian's voice came low and weak.
"I should actually be thanking you for letting Nigel in. After the…. beating, I… I forgot a lot of things. The bad things." The knot in his stomach tightened. "I wish… I wish I could forget again."
Phil opened his mouth to retort, but was stopped by voices next door.
"Remyus…" he whispered. "He's here." Varian sat up in the blink of an eye, ignoring the surge of dizziness the sudden change of position caused. Phil's movements became erratic as he realized he still had the shackles on his lap. He quickly put them on the floor and pushed them under Varian's bed with his foot, seconds before the old physician stormed in.
"Varian, are you alright ?" he asked, out of breath with worry. "I saw Alden's wound and…"
Remyus trailed off. Varian was here and was apparently in one piece.
"Never mind,", he said, shaking his head. He turned around and went back for Alden.
Varian and Phil breathed out, feeling slightly guilty to have freaked the old man out. But after a second, their eyes met and they broke into giggles they barely managed to keep low.
