"Here's the napkin." Gwen yelled rushing into the room. She handed the bowl of water and napkin to Madam Helen, panting heavily.
"Oh dear gods." Madam Helen muttered under her squeezing the water out of the cloth, massaging the affected area. "Come here, just keep cleaning the wound. Let me get the herbs ready." She said, handing the napkin to Gwen.
After a few minutes later, they both stood over the bed watching Eleanor breath lightly, her chest heaving. Gwen used her palm to wipe the tears off her eyes as she stared at her best friend. She had returned from the kitchen only to find Eleanor lying unconsciously on the ground with blood surrounding her head.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" Gwen asked in a small voice sniffing lightly.
"I don't know yet, child. I think we should inform the prince."
"Okay, okay. I'll go tell him now." Gwen said and hurried out of the room.
"But-" Madam heaved out a heavy sign staring at Eleanor with concern.
*
*
"Hey, please I need your help." Gwen said to the guards standing at the door of the Prince's room.
They both turned to stare at her, they're faces expressionless just like that of the prince. "What do you want?" One of them asked.
"I need to see the prince, it's really important."
"Sorry, but the prince ordered that he should not be disturbed."
"Please, you have to let me see him. It's really urgent." Gwen pleaded again hoping they'd let her in.
"No, you have to go."
"Please! It's my friend Eleanor. She's in danger and she's gonna die if we don't do something about it. Please! Just let me in!"
"I'm sorry, but you have to-" The guard stopped talking when the door creaked open and Luciano stepped outside.
Gwen heaved a sigh of relief immediately the prince stepped outside.
"What happened to Eleanor?" The Prince asked immediately, staring coldly at her.
Gwen took a huge gulp down her throat and began narrating what happened to the Prince.
"Get the royal physician." The Prince ordered the guards before turning to Gwen. "Take me to her."
*
*
Madam Helen was sitting on the bed holding Eleanor's hands, muttering prayers to the gods when the door swung open.
She stood up from the bed immediately she sighted the prince walking in.
"How did this happen?" Luciano asked.
"I don't know, my prince. I just hope she's okay." Madam Helen replied, rubbing her palm together.
*One hour later*
"How is she Mabuse?" The prince asked the royal physician, with his eyes on Eleanor.
"She'd be fine my prince." Mabuse said, picking up his bag to leave. "I'll be back in the evening." He bowed and left the room.
"Get the room next to mine ready, we're moving her there." The prince said to Madam Helen who stood beside him.
"Okay, your highness." She bowed and turned around to leave the room, motioning Gwen to follow her.
Silence settled in the room, after they left. Luciano stood against the bed staring at Eleanor as she slept, her chest heaving lightly. Her eyelashes resting on her cheekbone. She looked so peaceful as she slept.
The Prince lifted his hand to her face, brushing some strands of hair off her face.
No matter how he tries to get himself to hate her, he can't seem to.
He drew the chair beside her bed and sat on it, holding her hand.
For the first time since forever, he bowed his head and muttered a prayer to the gods hoping that she'll be fine.
*
*
"Hey, Gwen." Nikolai called running to her.
"Hey." Gwen greeted in a low voice.
"I heard something happened to Eleanor, is it really true?" Nikolai asked, panting heavily.
"It's true Nikolai."
"Oh my god, who did that?"
"We don't know Nikolai, we don't know." Gwen replied tearfully. "I'm scared, what if-"
"Shhh, no what ifs' Gwen. She would be fine I'm sure she would." He assured her, pulling her close to him and engulfing her in a comforting hug.
"I didn't go for too long, I just wanted to get us something to eat. It was scary Nikki, to see in her own pool of blood right at the door." Gwen sobbed against his shoulders.
Nikolai rubbed her back soothingly, whispering some comforting words to her ear. "Do you have any idea on who did this?"
"I don't know Nikolai, she's not in conflict with anyone except Sabrina who-" Gwen paused and disengaged from the hug, staring around with wide eyes.
"Hey, what about Sabrina."
"Oh my god." Gwen muttered, using her palm to cover her mouth. "She was serious all along. I knew it, I knew it. Oh god, she wasn't bluffing."
"Hey, what's wrong?!" Nikolai asked, shaking her shoulders. "Tell me!"
"Sabrina," Gwen started breathing heavily,
"Yeah, yeah, what about her? Did she say anything?" Nikolai asked impatiently.
"She threatened Eleanor, she told her to stay away from the prince. She was really serious but Eleanor wasn't bothered one bit. I warned her to be careful but she told me I was paranoid for nothing!" Gwen explained frantically.
"Are you sure it's Sabrina?" Nikolai asked, with his hands on her shoulders, motioning her to stare at him.
"I'm really sure Nikolai. That princess has always hated her."
"Okay, I'm gonna tell Luciano." Nikolai concluded.
"What?"
"Yeah, I'm gonna tell him. He has to know that her life is in danger, more dangers to come." Nikolai said before hurrying off.
*
*
Luciano had been sitting beside her ever since she was moved to the new room. He wanted to make sure she was okay and safe.
"Brother." Nikolai called immediately he stepped into the room. "I have something to tell you. It's Sabrina."
"What?" Luciano turned to stare at him, his brows quirked in confusion.
"Yes, it's Sabrina. It was Sabrina that attacked her."
"And how did you know that?" Luciano asked.
*
*
Luciano could be seen, walking in the hallway leading to Sabrina's room. His expression cold as ever, rage evident in his eyes.
He pushed the door to her room, storming into it.
"Woah, hey!" Sabrina shouted, turning around to stare at the angry prince in her room. "What are you doing here? Or did you come to carry out the duties expected of you?" She asked, standing up from the chair sluttishly.
"Well, I came here to do what I should have done a long time ago." He growled before charging towards her like a predator.