Victoria groaned annoyed as what seemed like a sharp like shone on her and forced its way through even her closed eyelids.
Finally Victoria opened her eyes to be greeted by the light of day streaming through the window and Victoria groaned as she turned around.
When she had fallen a sleep she had felt cold, now she felt incredible hot. Her throat was beyond scratchy and it hurt, her head was thumping and she felt sluggish as she sniffed to get rid of some of the snot running out of her nose, then she turned and looked out of the window again looking up at the incredible blue sky.
It was ridicules, last night had been so stormy and now everything out there looked so serene and clear. Then Victorias eyes widened. ZORRO! DIEGO! immediately she sat up only for a dizzy spell to hit her and Victoria groaned deeply. But she shook it off herself and then she cursed to herself.
Why hadn't Alejandro woken her?! judging from the suns position it had been light for hours! So Alejandro had gone on his search without her?!
Victoria fumed in annoyance as she got up and stumbled towards the door in spite of her poor balance, then she stumbled down the stairs and halted by the sight of a ton of people still camping in Alejandros living room.
Children laying on blankets sleeping, mothers looking over them, then Victoria looked out towards the garden and saw even more sitting out there under the shadows of the trees.
Poor people, many of them didn't have houses right now they would have to rebuild, there weren't really any young men around. They had probably all gone to check on damages already, only the older genneration and the children were still hanging out speaking of which.
Victoria glanced up and saw an older Don talking to one of the woman and her eyes widened. Alejandro! What was he doing here?! If he was here that meant… Diego!
Immediately Victoria ran down the stairs and towards Alejandro. "Did you find him already?!" she asked making Alejandro turn to her. "Is he safe?! Did you find Diego?! WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME!" she shouted and then nearly fell over if Alejandro hadn't caught her.
"Victoria! Hey it's okay, Diego is okay!" Alejandro assured.
"So you found him?!" Victoria asked looking up.
"Not at all, he found his own way home." Alejandro assured. "I can't tell you when, it was after I went to bed myself. I only now when I checked on his room at dawn he was already in there sleeping. I let him sleep though, I think Diego did his share this time."
Wide-eyed Victoria looked up at Alejandro. "He made it back on his own?" she asked. "And he's in his room? Why didn't you wake me?" she asked.
"I saw no reason to." Alejandro admitted. "Diego is safe, and he's sleeping. And you looked like you needed the sleep as well. Honestly you still though." he commented concerned. "Victoria you look horrible." he commented and put a hand on her forehead. "And you're burning up." he stated removing his hand.
At that just on cue Victoria started to cough and coughed into her hand, she sniffed and looked up with deeply feverish eyes.
"That's it young lady! You're going back to bed!" Alejandro demanded. "I'll send a maid with breakfast, tea and cough medicine up to you!"
Victoria sniffed sucking up the running snot. "I'm fine." she assured in a voice filled with snot and fever.
"Victoria! Use a handkerchief!" Alejandro demanded pulling out a white handkerchief handing it to Victoria. "And you're not fine! Go to bed! Now!" he demanded.
Victoria was just about to object but then was met by Alejandro's stern demanding eyes that did not tolerate any objections and suddenly Victoria realized the man would be ready to manhandle her if necessary. Aside from that, she didn't actually have it in her heart to disobey him in this matter and finally she hung her head.
"Okay." She muttered. "Let me just check on Diego." she asked and Alejandro softened up.
"Of course, but make it quick." Alejandro asked. "He looks just as exhausted as you do, then go straight to bed."
"Si." Victoria nodded and turned back rushing up the stairs, but then had to halt as dizziness overwhelmed her after just a few steps and she had to make it to Diegos room in a slower pace to her great annoyance.
That stupid Diego! How dared he! How dared he worry her so much!
Victoria bit together annoyed and was ready to slap Diego awake as she pushed open the door to Diegos room and then she halted.
It was true, Diego laid in bed and he looked beyond used and exhausted.
His hair still looking slightly damp was in a disarray around his face, his skin laid like wax over his cheek bones and made his eyes look slightly sunken in, there was a red blush going over his cheek and nose as he took in deep harsh breath.
In this position, Diego looked utterly exhausted and Victoria just felt her anger melting away, she did not have it in her heart to wake him or even be angry at him, instead she slowly closed the door and then walked to his bedside, then she sat down on a chair glancing down at Diego's slightly feverish face.
A renegade string of hair was falling down Diegos forehead and Victoria actively had to fight the urge to sweep it away, finally though she gave in and gently swept the hair to the side, in the process feeling his forehead which did indeed feel quite hot. "You bloody fool Diego." she breathed. "What are you doing to yourself?" she asked in a pained voice then let her hand slide from his forehead to his cheek, feeling the softness.
Victorias anger had disappeared, and now instead sadness overwhelmed her as she looked at Diegos sleeping frame. For the first time realizing something… She loved this man.
Now as he laid there in front of her, exposed, unable to hide, Victoria could see how vulnerable he truly was, and it was hard to bear the thought of how much he was hurting. And Victoria felt so powerless, she wanted to help him, so badly, but she had no idea how she could!
"Why wont you let me help you?!" Victoria seethed annoyed. "You idiot!"
Diego how-ever didn't respond, he was caught in deep sleep the only sound coming from him being his raspy breaths and Victoria felt his forehead to be confirmed that his to was burning hot.
Well, at least they were going to be equally miserable ones he woke up… It looked like they had caught the exact same illness. Great… Just fantastic.
On the upside that also meant there were no worries as Victoria bowed down and kissed Diego on his hot forehead. "Sleep well." she asked before she stood up and finally left the room, went to the guest room and dumped down into bed.
When the maid came with the promised tea and breakfast, Victoria was already sleeping again. Exhausted from just that little small travel outside of the room.