Rocío sat on the chaise in her room, following the intricate flower patterns on the ceiling above her. Doctor Tomás was checking her pulse as her mother anxiously stared at them. After her mother had made such a show, Rocío obliged to see the doctor that same day. She sighed as she closed her eyes.

“How long has this been happening?” Tomás asked, his dark brows kneading. He was about the same height as Rocío, his hair was already grey even if he was younger than her father by a few years. He was a well-groomed man, with dark brown eyes and tanned skin, he was clean-shaven and had a thin physique. He’d taken care of them since they were newborns, and the Duchess had so much trust in him.

Rocío’s honey eyes flickered open as she frowned. “About a week, but as I said, it's nothing to worry about,” she assured.

Tomás shook his head. “A week?” he echoed. “That’s not good. Have you been experiencing any other symptoms?”

Rocío paused for a moment, she thought about the previous week, but other than sleep deprivation, she couldn’t think of anything else. “No, I don’t think I’ve presented any other symptoms, doctor.”

“Has something been plaguing your mind in the past few weeks?”

Rocío pinched the bridge of her nose as she recalled the horrid nightmare. She bit the inside of her cheek. “Not particularly,” she lied.

“For now, I'll have Rafael bring you sleeping medicine. It'll help you stay asleep. Take two drops in your tea before bed every night, sleep is vital,” he instructed, taking a book in his hands before writing down a few notes. 

The duchess frowned, “Is she in good health otherwise?” She fidgeted with the handkerchief in her hands.

The doctor nodded. “Yes, she seems to be healthy otherwise, but do make sure she takes those drops, the human mind doesn't take sleep deprivation lightly. Lady Rocío might develop stronger symptoms if she doesn’t rest adequately.”

Rocío sighed. “Very well, is there anything else I should take?”

“My advice is to distance yourself from anything causing you stress or anxiety of any sort. If you keep away from such things, it might help with increasing your sleep,” he advised. Then he stood from the stool. “I'll check on you again in a few days to see if the drops have helped you, Lady Rocío.”

Rocío nodded and smiled at her doctor. “Very well, thank you, Doctor Tomás.”

“My pleasure,” he returned the smile. “Again, I'll send my son over with the medicine. Take it easy and make sure to rest.”

“Thank you.”

The Duchess stood from her seat and made her way to the doctor which had almost left the room. They spiked in a hushed tone, although she strained her hearing, Rocío couldn't hear what they'd talked about. Soon enough, Doctor Tomás left the room and the Duchess made her way towards her daughter. She took her daughter's hand and caressed it gently. “I don't think you should go horseback riding for the next few weeks, and make sure to drink water and tea.”

Rocío groaned. “But Mother, you know how boring it can get cooped up in this house, it's suffocating,” she complained.

The Duchess shook her head and squeezed Rocío’s hand. “My dear, your health is of uttermost importance. The doctor instructed you to rest and avoid anything that causes stress.”

“But horseback riding relaxes me,” she countered. 

“But it's much too heavy on the body.”

Rocío rolled her eyes. “Wouldn't that help me fall asleep better?” She asked.

“Rocío, dear,” her mother's voice became stern, “this isn't a suggestion. I will not allow you to go horseback riding for two entire weeks, am I understood?”

Rocío groaned, “Yes, Mother…” She then stood from the couch and slowly walked to her desk. “What am I allowed to do then?” 

The Duchess sighed. “I’m not forbidding you from everything. You are perfectly welcome to stroll through the gardens, and to go out to town and such. You can always relax and read a book or go to the lake and paint,” she suggested. “You have so many leisurely talents that I’m sure you’ll have no issue keeping yourself entertained, my dear.”

Rocío nodded slowly as she sat down at her desk, pulling out her diary and picking up a quill. Her mind had kept mulling over her nightmare and on the off chance it could be the future, she had written it down in her diary, and with every nightmare, she was able to write more and more details. 

“Sweetie, I know it might be uncomfortable for you, but you know that your health comes first, right?” The duchess walked to her daughter, landing a hand on her shoulder.

Rocío closed her diary just before her mother had reached her. 

The Duchess kissed the top of Rocío’s head and squeezed her shoulders reassuringly. “Santiago is coming home later today,” she informed, hoping it was enough to change the subject.

Rocío looked up at her mother and her honey eyes sparkled. “Really? I thought the patrol would’ve taken him another week.”

“Originally yes, however, it seems that the climate in the farthest territory was quite agreeable, thus it was a very quick return trip.”

“Is he arriving in the evening?” She asked, her eyes wide as she leaned closer to her mother.

The Duchess smiled. “Well, his letter didn’t go into much detail, though I assume that he might arrive in the evening.”

Rocío shot up from her desk and hurried to her wardrobe. “What is being made for dinner?” She asked, frantically looking through her clothes. 

“Rocío,” her mother sighed, “I’ve instructed the staff to prepare a meal hearty enough to satiate him from such a long journey.” 

The young woman pulled out a red satin dress from the depths of her wardrobe. “Should I inform them to make the egg custards he likes? Or do you think it's too late?”

“They could prepare them for tomorrow, but it’s quite late now,” the Duchess said as she took a seat at Rocío’s desk.

Rocío frowned. “Then I’ll go out to town and buy him some flowers, I’ll get him the lilies he likes.”

“Oh, my dear, you baby him too much. You needn’t go out to get him flowers, he doesn’t exactly have any use for them.”

Rocío turned to her mother and sighed. “He’s finally coming home after being away for a month, I think it’s only fair that I do,” she argued. “I’m sure that if it were me, he would’ve done more than buy me a simple bouquet.”

The Duchess compressed her lips but nodded. “Very well, you’re welcome to go, but please take your sister with you.”

 Rocío wanted to protest. It wasn’t that she disliked Elena, it was mostly that Elena was constantly talking about her debut, which had become tiring to hear for Rocío. “Must I?” She whined while setting the dress on her bed.

Her mother pushed a lock of her red hair behind her ear and then crossed her arms over her chest. “Rocío, you must take her. You know how upset she’ll get if you don’t.”

Rocío huffed. “Fine, I will.” She closed her eyes for a second and had dispelled the wish that she would have some peace and quiet for a short while. She then walked to the corner of her bed where she pulled the bell. 

Before long, Leticia was in her room with a bright smile on her pink lips. “Good morning my lady, how can I be of service to you today?” She bowed.

Leticia was just slightly older than Rocío, she was much taller, and her short brown hair reached down to her chin. Her big brown eyes were always a lovely sight, and she was quite the beautiful lady, her tanned skin blessed with freckles. The black maid’s uniform she wore fell loosely all the way to her feet, while the white frilly apron was neatly placed upon it. 

“We will be going out to the town today to buy some flowers for Santi.”

“The young lord is arriving today?” She asked, her head slightly tilting to the side, she hadn’t been paying attention at the servants table and she assumed she’d missed the news.

Rocío smiled. “Yes! So, if you could please call on the carriage, help me into this dress, and inform Elena to prepare.”

Leticia bowed, “Yes, my lady,” she smiled and left the room.

Rocío pulled out her favourite shoes and went to her vanity, searching for gold and ruby earrings.

“I’m glad to see that the news of Santiago returning is making you happy,” her mother smiled as she stepped towards her daughter, taking her hand and turning her towards herself. Then she placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Hopefully having him home will help you recover.”