When Leeka opened her eyes again, she expected the white ceiling of the hospital. Maybe some fluorescent light stabbing her eyeballs? Instead -
"What...?"
She blinked.
The ceiling above her was elegantly carved, she slowly sat up. She wasn't just in bed. It was a luxurious bed- the mattress felt like it was woven from angel feathers. She was wrapped in soft silk sheets. The room was enormous, decorated with deep red curtains, golden embroidery, polished floors and antique furniture.
Her jaw dropped.
"This... This can't be a hospital," she whispered. "Is this what a VIP ward looks like? Did I become rich after fainting?" She wondered.
She stumbled out of the bed, her legs were still slightly shaky. In front of her was a large window, draped with red velvet curtains. She pulled them open - and gasped.
The sky was bright blue, and touched with sunlight. Below her stretched a vast garden, blooming with flowers of every imaginable colour - violet roses, silver lilies, golden leaves that shimmered in the breeze. She grabbed the window frame.
"I'm definitely not on the second... third floor... am I?" Her voice cracked.
"What the... Where the heck am I?! Or... Did I just kick my bucket and now this is how heaven looks?" Before she could panic further she turned, only to spot a door. A huge door. It looked like it led into another hallway. She instinctively walked towards the door, muttering to herself:
"If some angel walked out and told me I was a good girl in my past life, I swear -"
She reached out for the handle, but the door opened from the other side.
Leeka yelped.
On the other side, there was a young woman standing in a maid uniform, carrying a small tub with water and some towels.
The moment she saw Leeka, she froze... And then her eyes widened until they seemed to pop out.
"My- my lady?! You're awake?!"
She nearly dropped the towels she was carrying.
Leeka blinked.
My lady? Who? Me? She thought.
The maid hurried inside and immediately fussed over her, stepping close with panic written all over her face.
"My lady, you shouldn't be walking this soon! Please sit down."
Before Leeka could even say anything, the maid grabbed her shoulders and gently but firmly pushed her back onto the bed with surprising strength.
Leeka's eyes widened. The maid knelt slightly, hands trembling.
"My lady... Do you need anything? Any help?"
"My lady??"
Leeka spoke. "Did you... Just call me-"
But before she could finish her question, the maid gasped dramatically.
"Oh no! I nearly forgot to inform the Duke that my lady has awakened! I must go immediately!"
"Wait- what Duke? What lady?? HELLO -"
But the maid dashed out, just like that. Leeka stared at the doorway.
"- What the hell is going on?"
...
Not even a minute later footsteps thundered down the hallway-
Multiple footsteps.
Growing louder.
Closer.
And the door burst open.
A tall man stepped inside, dressed in a formal black coat- embroidered with a distinguished crest and a crisp white shirt that highlighted his board shoulders. His movements were tense- half panic, half relief.
Leeka's breath caught.
He was gorgeous, like he came straight out of a historical-romance novel. His eyes met hers.
His expression softened instantly then shifted into shock, then relief, then something like fear.
He rushed forward.
"Garnette! How are you feeling now?"
Leeka blinked.
... Garnette? Who is Garne- wait he's talking about ME?!
But before she could spell anything, a woman also rushed behind him.
She was beautiful - dark blue hair tied into a neat bun, wearing a white gown with golden embroidery, diamond earrings glittering as she moved. Her eyes were red at the corners. She looked emotional. Worried. She hurried to the bedside.
" You woke up, dear?" She said, voice trembling "Oh thank Goodness... you scared us so much."
behind her, several people entered - maids, attendants all wearing outfits straight out of a fantasy drama. All staring at Leeka as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
The man spoke again, the voice trembling slightly,
"Garnette, tell me- are you feeling any discomfort? Any pain?"
The woman touched the man's shoulder, "Calm down, honey. She just woke up. She must be confused. Right, dear?"
Confused? Madam, I feel like I've been thrown into a historical drama without notifying me. Leeka thought. Not that she could said it out loud.
Leeka only stared at them- the beautiful woman & the handsome man who looked at Leeka with overwhelming affection.
Leeka's heart thudded.
Why... Do they feel so familiar like I've seen them before... Where? I don't remember. I Don't think pretending to know them would help anything.
Leeka swallowed hard. Finally she said softly:
"Um... Excuse me, ma'am, sir... But... Who are you?"
To be continued ~