THE Knight's Hidden Princess
Chapter 50: Birthday Wishes And Secrets

Chapter 50: Birthday Wishes And Secrets

"How do I look?"

"Like death!" Heather replied without missing a beat.

I stared at myself in the mirror and realized my face looked foreign even to myself. No amount of makeup could hide how I truly felt underneath. Heather had applied kohl around my eyes to give the illusion of life but that did nothing to hide the hollowness within them. My lips were painted deep crimson, matching the color of the blood that soak the bandage beneath the dress I wore. My hair which was my source of pride, lay limp and lifeless despite the meticulous curls.

The dress I wore was a crimson one that flowed all the way down to my waist. I chose it because it would blend perfectly well with my blood should the stitches reopen. My dress combined functionality with sophisticated form while remaining deceptive to the eye.

"You know you could stay right? Besides, I honestly do not think you are fit for this party. You haven’t even anything all day, you feel nauseous most of the time and I think that has nothing to do with the pain. I don’t know what I’m saying right now but can you not just go?" Heather asked me her voice trembling with each words she spoke. "No one would fault you if you do not show up." She quickly added, hoping to convince me.

"And what excuse do I give for missing my husband’s birthday celebration?" I retorted, my voice wary.

I had missed all the day activities, coming up with one excuse or another doing everything I could to stop people from finding out that I was lying in a pool of my own blood. I would have loved to miss tonight except that I couldn’t. Even though Reagan and I weren’t on good terms. I couldn’t miss his birthday celebration, as his wife I had to be there, even though my whole body protested that I stay in.

I had never missed the magic medicine Madam Heidi always gives me, tears of a mermaid. I had used the last one up completely, so now I had to do it the old fashioned way and suffer through stitches and the pain that comes with it.

I heard something like a sniffle and I looked up only to see Heather crying. My gaze met her misty eyes through the mirror. "Why are you crying?"

Heather sniffed as she wiped away her tears, "I’m so sorry mi’lady." She apologized, her voice wobbly, "I can’t help but think this is my fault. If only I hadn’t asked you to do any of these, if only I had waited for help just like you had said, if only."

"They would be dead." I responded and Heather’s eyes widened with confusion, "If we had done any of those things, those people would be dead in their cells or become killers just for their own survivals, so don’t you dare blame Heather." I finished as I turned to look at her.

Nodding her head, Heather threw me a wry smile. "But you are okay right?"

"Of course I am. Few cuts like these are nothing, you should see me during my training session with Bjorn." I said with a wry smile.

Heather still didn’t look convinced but she nodded her head, "You have to be okay though, if Sir Reagan ever finds out...I mean if he could do this to you, there is no telling what he would do to you next!"

I nodded my head at her, then with a warm smile I decided to ask again. "How do I look?"

"Like a warrior." Heather responded and I smiled at her, this time I ignored the pain.

Taking her hand in mine, Heather gently walked me out of my room and escorted me to the grand hall where Reagan’s birthday party was being held.

***

Light hearted music filled the hall ways, along with laughter and the chattering of hearty conversations. The delicate glass clink from distant corners could be heard as various guests walked through the venue. Drinks flowed freely, each one of them of different colors as they swirled in their crystal decanters. Various delicate dishes were also made available along with beautiful pastries that seemed too beautiful to consume.

Servants glided through the guests, as they carried wine and pastries in their tray while maintaining well practiced smiles throughout the events.

I stood at the end of the room, a drink in my hand, though I didn’t seem from it. For some reason, I’ve been feeling really nauseous. The food smells funny to me somehow, almost repulsive and the thought of stomaching it just makes me want to throw up. Perhaps my body was still focused on the pain, too focused on healing it didn’t care much for anything else, which was the only logical explanation I had. My gaze scanned the crowd, watching the lively faces of the guests and that of my family.

One would have thought Marina was the celebrant with the way she was dressed, busy prancing around in her golden puffy dress and that shimmered under the chandeliers. Right on her heels was Celeste, who was busy smiling and telling anyone who cared to listen she was carrying Reagan’s heir.

Speaking of Reagan, almost as if my body knew where he was going to be. I had no trouble finding him. He was seated at the head of the table, drink in hand as he casually chatted to well-wishers who walked up to him. I hadn’t even wished him, I couldn’t because I was too much of a coward to do so.

But as people surrounded him and even though he wore a smile on his face as he addressed each guests, I could see right through him. I could see that there was something bothering him and I knew very well that I was the reason.

As if he could sense my gaze on him, Reagan’s gaze found mine. My eyes widened like I just did something I shouldn’t be doing and when he began to stand up from his seat, I knew right then that I was doing something that I shouldn’t be doing, so I turned to flee only to bump right into someone, spilling drinks everywhere.

"Oh gods above, I am so sorry." I apologize as I stared at the shoes of the man I had soiled with drinks.

"Oh don’t worry about it love."

That familiar drawl, I looked up only to find Killian staring at me with a huge smile which soon disappeared as he stared down at me, "Gods Dahlia, are you okay?"

I quickly plastered a smile on my face, "Of course I’m fine." I answered staring up at him, "Whatever do you mean by that?"

Killian looked like he was about to say something when his gaze flickered to something behind me and I watched his eyes darken. "Did he do something to you?"

"What?" I gasped and turned only to find Reagan a few pace away from me. Shit! I turned around to look at Killian, "He didn’t do anything to me, I am just not feeling well." I said firmly, my tone almost dismissive.

I had hoped that I would be able to escape before Reagan could find me but it would appear luck wasn’t on my side.

"Dahlia." Reagan called and as if my body couldn’t resist his call, I turned to look at him. "Dance with me." Reagan demanded.

"I..."

"Just one dance." Reagan cut of whatever protest I was about to say, "Please." He added.

There was that magic word and again, I was helpless towards it. Alarm bells went off in my head and my body screamed in protest but I still grabbed Reagan’s hand and I allowed him to pull me to the dance floor.

Reagan and I swayed gently to the beat, it was in a corner in the ball room but I could still feel eyes on us. I tried to push it all out, and pretend that everything was alright. But the ache in my arm was a constant reminder that everything was not.

Reagan and I danced in silence, not saying anything and when the music came into a crescendo, I decided to leave but Reagan still held me tightly not letting me go.

"Can we talk?" He asked staring down at me.

I shook my head, trying to step away from him but Reagan wasn’t having it. "Reagan I said let go!"

"Please Dahlia, just talk to me, let me explain myself!" Reagan pleaded but I didn’t want to say and listen to him.

I yanked myself away from him and I could feel the stitches in my arm tear. I could also feel the blood begin to trickle down my arm. I had to get out of here! I thought to myself and then without another word, I turned and fled the ballroom.

I walked as fast as my legs could carry me, walking down the hallways and climbing up stairs so I could heard to my bedroom. I could heard footsteps coming after me and I knew who they belonged to. Pushing myself to walk faster, I turned down the corridor to my bedroom and I would have made it if Reagan hadn’t grab a hold of me.

"What the hells is going on with you?" Reagan asked me, "You are fucking driving me mad Dahlia? I get it I screwed up but don’t I seriously get the benefit of a doubt? You’ve shut me out long enough and I think it’s high time we faced it like adults."

A wave of dizziness suddenly hit me and I had to shake my head to brush it off. I glanced up at Reagan but his form looked blurry. Fuck, I can’t do this!

"I can’t do this right now Reagan."

"Then when?" Reagan suddenly yelled at me causing an ache to form in my head.

I held my head, whimpering in pain. It hurts! It really hurts! My whole body hurts, my whole body really hurts! Groaning, I held on to the wall to support myself.

Reagan finally seemed to sense that something was wrong with me because he suddenly approached me, "Dahlia, what’s wrong? Are you okay?"

I moved away from his touch, "Stay away from me Reagan!" I gritted out before I turned to leave but Reagan suddenly grabbed me by the sleeves of my dress.

I heard a rip, just as the sleeve of the dress came off! A gasp escaped me as I turned to stare at my bare shoulder that was covered in bandages that were now soaked in blood. Slowly, I raised my head up only to meet Reagan staring at me with a look of utmost betrayal on his face.

"How did you get those wounds?" He asked not looking at me, but staring at my arm that was now bleeding.

Swallowing, I took a step towards him, "Reagan, there’s something..."

"It’s you isn’t it?" Reagan whispered in a hushed tone, "The black knight?"

I knew right then that there was no excuse that I could come up with. My greatest fear had now been confirmed, my identity was out. Reagan knows who I am now and as I tried to gauge the look in his eyes, I realized that there was no sign of anger. Only betrayal, hurt and...and fear!

"Reagan, please, I_"

"Guards!" Reagan suddenly yelled out loud and my eyes widened, "Guards!" Reagan suddenly yelled and two guards immediately appeared at the end of the hall way.

My eyes filled with fear as I stared at Reagan. I could almost hear the beating in my chest as I stared at Reagan and then back at the guards.

"Seize her!" Reagan ordered, his tone firm, even though the look in his eyes was one of hurt!

"What? No!" I breathed out as I gaped at Reagan in disbelief, "Reagan, please, I..."

Reagan’s gaze raised up to meet that of the guards at the end of the hall. "Did anyone not hear what I said? Seize her and lock her up!" Reagan demanded and whatever hope I had left plummeted.

The guards recovered from their shock and began approaching me and I stared at Reagan, waiting to see if he would stop this but all he did was just turn his back at me, walking away. Tears blurred my vision as I watched Reagan leave but just as the guards grabbed me by my arm, I suddenly felt that wave of dizziness hit me again and there was this ache in my lower abdomen.

The wave of dizziness that hit me was too great and this time around there was no fighting it.

I suddenly felt the floor getting closer to my face and before I knew it, darkness descended over me.