How could she get him on her side? Was that even possible? She shut her eyes, feeling the soft breeze on her face as she continued to walk the stone path. She took a deep breath, feeling the afternoon sunlight warm her face, her fingers feeling the pattern of her gold necklace. She wondered if he was capable of feeling empathy…he was human, of course, but how could he remain emotionless while he swung a sword at her?

“Rocío!” 

Rocío sighed at the sound of her sister’s voice. Not a day went by with peace and quiet. She stopped in her tracks as she had been walking through the gardens with Leticia and turned to where she heard her sister calling from. 

From the gazebo in the center of the gardens, Elena–and a few of her maids–emerged with a beautifully intricate sunflower yellow dress. Her hair was decorated with flowers and her blue eyes were filled with joy. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better,” she smiled as she reached her sister, taking her hands and giving them a squeeze.

“I must say, you gave us quite a fright yesterday. Mother was all over the place and Santi looked as if he too would faint,” Elena continued.

“Really?” Rocío pretended to be intrigued, but she wanted to duck into the forest and be in utter silence. 

“Oh yes, and Sir Félix looked like a fairy tale prince as he picked you up as if you were sleeping beauty herself!” Elena squealed as she tightened her grip on her sister’s hands. “Oh you would’ve blushed if you’d woken up. He was so dashing!”

Rocío’s jaw dropped. “He–I’m sorry, you’re telling me that he c-carried me?” She couldn’t help but stumble over her words at such a realization, sure, she’d come to terms with him finding her, but carrying her was another story. “That’s–” she shook off her sister’s hands. “That’s not possible.”

Elena frowned. “Do you find him incapable of being gentlemanly or something?” She raised an eyebrow and pouted her lips to the side. 

Rocío shook her head. “Well, of course not, I just–”

“Well, he carried you,” Elena deadpanned as she crossed her arms over her chest. “He was most cordial and a perfect example of what a man should be. Rocío, I can’t imagine what type of issues you have with men, and I don’t pretend to understand, but if you weren’t blinded by pride then maybe you’d be able to see that there are men out there who are–” Elena paused to take a deep breath as her rant had left her breathless. “Who are more than good enough to marry.”

Rocío couldn’t look away from her younger sister’s stern eyes. She nodded, “Yes, Elena,” she knew her sister was right. “I apologize.”

Elena huffed as she tapped her foot and looked away. “Mother says we should extend an invitation to thank him.”

“To thank him?” Rocío echoed as she turned to Leticia who simply bowed her head in agreement.

Elena nodded. “Of course, he was the one who found you and alerted us. How long would you have been in the hallway if he hadn’t gone out to search for you? Think about it, Rocío,” Elena’s body relaxed and she took her sister’s hands again. “he’s taken such an interest in you, wouldn’t it be amazing if he was the one?”

“Elena,” Rocío breathed, “I am thankful you watch out for me and my future, but as I mentioned to Santiago, I am not ready for marriage, I still need time to sort things out for myself.”

Elena nodded, “I know, Rocío, I know. But you are getting older and because of the war,” she mumbled the last part, “You’ve fallen behind. You’re a year and a half away from reaching solterona age, and I would be worried if I were you…”

Rocío’s face twisted in offense. Her jaw dropped and her brows furrowed. “Is that all you can think about, Elena?” She tore from her sister’s grip with a violent yank. 

Elena jumped. “I’m sorry,” the immediate sorrow in her face was enough to calm Rocío. 

Rocío sighed as she rubbed her temple. “Elena, I know it’s coming from a place of concern, but right now, I’m focused on my own recovery.”

Elena nodded. “Oh, of course, I’m sorry. I should’ve thought it was too soon to bring up…” She trailed. “How about you join me for tea?” She raised an eyebrow and offered in a delicate tone.

Slowly, hesitatingly even, Rocío nodded. “Very well.”

Elena’s smile returned as she led her sister to the gazebo, followed by their maids. “I made cinnamon tea,” she said as they stepped up the short set of stone steps into the gazebo. “I think it’ll be good for you, especially with all the stress you’ve been through these past few days.”

They sat down on the iron chairs and Elena poured a cup of tea for Rocío before offering her a small plate of fruit. 

“Rafael was also quite worried when he heard the news, though his diagnosis was simply sleep deprivation…” Elena spoke.

“Oh, did Tomás not tend to me?” Rocío raised her eyebrow as she stabbed a blueberry with the small fork.

Elena shook her head, leaning on the table towards her sister. “No, it seemed he was in the village. But Rafael took good care of you, as he always does.”

Rocío blinked, staring down at the clear brown tea.