Ok here is chapter 7, hope you enjoy :-) No Copyright Intended!
Chapter 7
Helena's Point of View
"Mum do you think Jasper is ok?" Eleanor asked, bringing me from my thoughts.
"Honey, I don't know but I'm sure he is." I replied.
Eleanor didn't look convinced but she seemed to get the idea Jasper was the least of my concerns. She dropped the subject but I knew she would bring it up again.
"Eleanor do you remember anything about what happened to you?" I asked.
I was trying to change the subject as well as get some information that could help me.
"I'm sorry no." She mumbled, but I got the impression she was lying. It was almost as if she was afraid to tell me.
Before I could press her further Liam charged into the room. He launched himself at his sister and wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank god your awake." He whispered as he released her.
"Nice to see you to Liam." Eleanor laughed.
"How are you feeling? I mean you don't look like someone who was just shot." Liam smirked.
Eleanor pretended to be offended as she pouted.
"I'm feeling ok, I guess given my situation. The pain meds have kicked in." She told him.
Liam smiled in response before turning his attention to me.
"Mum, why don't you go home? I can stay with Len for a while?" He suggested.
"I'm fine here." I replied.
There was no way I was going to leave my two children alone with a man I no longer trusted as their security detail.
"Mum I'm fine, I'm awake now you can go." Eleanor assured me.
I couldn't help but smile at the concern on her face. It was my job to worry about her not the other way around.
"I'm fine honestly." I replied.
She nodded in response as a yawn escaped her lips. A sure sign she needed rest.
"Liam I think Eleanor has had enough visiting for now. Why don't you go back to the palace, you can come back later?" I said.
"I want to stay. I only got here!" He began to protest.
"Liam, please. Your sister needs to rest." I sighed, not wanting to argue.
"It's fine Liam, I will see you later. Go be with Phi." Eleanor smiled.
Reluctantly Liam nodded, gave his sister a quick hug and left the room.
"I'm going to make sure he gets off ok. Please don't move while I am gone." I stated.
Eleanor nodded in response as I left the room and followed Liam down the corridor. I was relived as I left her room to see Ted had returned and Lucius was nowhere in sight. However Ted looked like he got no sleep.
"How is she?" Ted asked when he saw me.
"Awake and talking. Thank god." I replied.
"Any further forward on the investigation into my fathers murder and the attempted murder on my sister?" Liam interrupted.
"No your Highness, but we are looking." Ted assured him.
Liam didn't seem convinced as he let out a loud sigh and stormed off with Marcus close behind. I watched him leave before turning back to Ted.
"He's just worried about his sister, he knows your doing the best up u can." I said.
Ted nodded but I could see he was upset, he loved the King and this was hurting him. He wanted the person responsible found.
"I want you to look into Lucius. Something does not seem right with him. He was in Eleanor's room earlier and she looked terrified, not to mention she told me Jasper was shot!" I cried.
"Jasper was shot, he was found in the tunnels. I had the police examine the blood on him just in case the assailants DNA was found. It wasn't unfortunately, but there was a trace of Eleanor's blood found on him." Ted confirmed.
I was in shock, did that mean Jasper had shot Eleanor? And if that was the case who shot Jasper? Or did Lucius shot them both and pretend to save Eleanor? My mind began to spin as I ran through the possible senarios. Each one worse than the previous.
"Jasper was with Eleanor?" I finally asked Ted.
"It appears so, but I will of course look into Lucius. I never liked the man." Ted remarked.
Eleanor's Point of View
As soon as mum and Liam left my room I slowly climbed out of the bed. It hurt like hell but I had to find Jasper, I had to make sure Lucius didn't hurt him. I couldn't let that happen.
I made my way across the room, pulled open the door and checked to see where mum was. I caught sight of her down the corridor, her back to me as she talked to Ted. This was my chance to sneak out of my room and to find Jasper. So I took it.
I walked around the corner and looked in every room I passed for any sign of Jasper. However I had only made it halfway down the corridor before I realised how much getting shot takes it out of you. My side began to ache as I leaned against the wall for support. Gripping the drip attached to my arm as a crutch I forced myself to keep walking.
Another few feet down the corridor and I finally found Jasper. However by the time I reached his room I was exhausted and I lost my balance. I collapsed to the ground, pain shooting up my side. I put my hand down and felt blood begin to flow from my stitches.
"Shit." I cursed as I managed to push myself up.
"Eleanor?" I heard Jasper whisper.
I was beginning to get dizzy but I heard his voice. He was awake, alive at least. I breathed a sigh of relief as I passed out from pain and exhaustion. Hearing my name being called in the distance.
I don't know how long I was out for this time, but when I woke up mum wasn't as happy as the first. In fact she was mad, really mad. So mad I tried to close my eyes and pretend I hadn't woken but she caught me.
"Seriously Eleanor?" She questioned.
It was no use. I had to face the music. I opened my eyes and looked up at her. Despite her being mad her face with filled with concern and worry. She still hadn't fixed her appearance and I suddenly felt guilty for being so irresponsible and leaving my room.
"I'm sorry…..I had to make sure he was ok…Lu…." I began to say before cutting myself off.
Lucius had threatened to kill my mum and Liam if I told them what he had done to me. Given how easy it was for him to shoot me and get away with it, I didn't want to tempt fate. So I promised to keep my mouth shut.
However mum didn't miss a thing.
"Were you going to say Lucius?" She pressed.
"No." I winced as a sharp pain went up my side.
Mum gave me a concerned look as she carefully inspected my injury.
"You opened three stitches with your little stunt earlier." She told me.
"I had to make sure he was alive." I mumbled.
"With no regards to your own safety? No regards to how worried I was when I returned to your room and saw you gone? You promised not to move Len, you could have really hurt yourself." Mum lectured.
"I know." I whispered, ashamed at how much I made her worry.
I wasn't used to her giving me so much attention, she rarely showed this much concern and love for me. It was a whole new experience. I guess this is what dad was referring to. Then I remembered Alistair, and a whole different set of questions came into my head.
"Mum, was dad….was dad my real dad?" I asked bluntly.
This seemed to catch mum off guard as her breath caught in her throat.
"I forgot you met Alistair." She sighed.
"Mum please tell me, I need to know." I begged.
She gave me an apologetic look before replying.
"I don't know, but we can get a test if you want?" She offered.
It was then I realised she didn't know. She didn't know he was murdered. I guessed she hadn't contacted Alistair after their last phone call.
"Mum…" I began but she cut me off.
"Len, this can wait. You must be exhausted, get some rest we can talk about this later." She stated.
"Are you going to go home and rest now to?" I replied.
I could sense she was about to say no, so I beat her to it.
"I'm fine mum, I won't go walking off again. Please look after yourself too." I said.
"Promise you won't walk off?" She smirked.
"I've learnt that lesson the hard way, so yes I promise." I laughed.
"Ok then I guess I can go home for a few hours." She agreed.
"Bye mum, see you later." I smiled.
"That eager to get rid of me?" She questioned with a smile.
"Just want you to go so you can come back faster." I admitted.
"I love you Leni." She smiled as she leaned over and kissed my forehead.
"Love you to mum." I replied.
She smiled warmly before leaving the room. Once she was gone I rolled over and closed my eyes, but my dreams where filled with nightmares…..
Until next time ;-)