That night, like every other night, Ereya broke out in a cold sweat. She could never forget that period of her life, the kidnappers, the jungle, the heat, the starvation, the weakness, the pain...
Ereya woke up in a pool of her own sweat staining the hospital sheets. Her back was drenched. She took off her top, revealing old scars on her nape, back, and legs. The number of injuries was disturbing for any person to see but Ereya got used to it. This was her skin now. It was a part of her.
The first rays of light shined on her skin. It was a pleasant, soothing feeling, she could feel a slight warmth. Ereya raised her hand blocking the timid sunlight, her fingers playing with light and shadow.
"Nothing like the scorching sun in the jungle." Ereya smiled to herself.
The following morning Melissa came to pick up the discharged patient. Ereya couldn't help but notice her aunt dressed differently that day. She had never seen Melissa wearing pants or any civilian clothing for that matter. This was clearly a disguise, the duchess even wore sunglasses for good measure.
“It's adorable. Melissa is trying so hard to disguise herself." Ereya chuckled to herself.
"I heard of her clandestine travels. They say that in her dukedom, Melissa often wears disguises to blend in with her subjects. So it wasn't a rumor after all." Ereya thought to herself.
Ereya never had trouble blending in the crowd, she didn't participate in official tours or gave interviews. Ereya was one of the most enigmatic members of House Dorrean and she wanted to keep it that way. That was one of the reasons she didn't feel comfortable prancing around in royal dresses like her aunt did. She rarely wore dresses when she went outside, in the last years she only wore tomboy street clothing.
"I’m more comfortable wearing this now. A huge difference from when I was a kid. Back then I didn't mind looking feminine and I loved dresses."
"Ah, I guess after that incident...I just didn't care for it anymore. I stopped caring about a lot of things." Ereya came to this realization for some time now.
"So are you ready to have fun today?" Melissa smiled playfully, pressing a button on her car key opening the door to her flying car.
"Hope you won't disappont." Ereya giggled, entering the hovering car.
"Aye, aye. I'm confident in this."
"By the way, leave your car at the train station. We don't wanna be seen outside the city center with our flying car, unless you wanna be found out."
"Oh, it was that obvious, eh? I guess I'll leave it at the train station then..." Melissa pouted cutely.
Melissa always had this habit of playing dumb and innocent even if she was the most knowledgeable person in the room.
"I know she does it to make people lower their guards but it doesn't work on me." Ereya was confident about that.
The car took off and flew away from the hospital, towards the train station.
"The day before my ceremony. I wonder how it'll go..."
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