The Royal Contract

She woke up with a brilliant smile on her face. She could see the bright light coming from the lone window in her room. But she doubted it was the reason for her sudden enthusiasm.

It must have been her dream, remembering only a few bits and pieces of the story that played in her mind. Or it could be something else.

She just had not figured it out yet. Maybe later, it would be more evident as she recalled more information and made sense of the puzzle pieces.

"Hey, Sweetie. How are you feeling today?" Mrs. Sheldon, her mother, walked toward her bed, looking as jolly as she was.

She could only speculate that they might have a different reason for their high spirit. Nevertheless, she was happy to see the middle age woman smiling.

She might not remember her in her memories, but she felt an odd connection with her. She knew she could trust her and felt safe around her.

Besides, she loved the food she kept bringing to the hospital. Its delicious taste helped her gain her appetite. Slowly, she was eating solid food again.

She believed it helped her gain some weight again and put some flesh on her body. She noticed how thin she was when she woke up from her coma.

"Hey, Mrs..." Then, she stopped, realizing she was about to call her mother just like how the nurses did. "Mom." She quickly corrected herself as she tried to get used to her presence.

However, she could not help but wonder where her so-called fiancee was. Usually, every time she opened her eyes, he was there. He would be sitting on the sideline and patiently waiting.

"How are you feeling today?" She asked as she placed the things she had brought with her today. "The doctors said you were responding well to your therapy sessions."

She could not say if her performance would classify as good enough, but she managed to follow some of the orders. Still, she failed many of the crucial tests.

She had to work on doing better next time, which would be an hour from now, looking at the clock on the wall.

"I think I am better than yesterday." That was the best way she could describe her situation.

She could still feel pain throughout her body, but the doctors assured her it would eventually disappear as she strengthened her muscles again.

She had been sleeping so long that her body had forgotten how to move. Besides, she still needed to increase her body strength so that her legs could support her weight.

"That is great news." Her mother continued, cheerful as ever. She wondered if she had always been this happy. Or was it just because she was getting better?

But what about her other family? What were they like? Did she also have a good relationship with her father and siblings?

"I think you are a great cook. At least in my book, since I love everything you have given me at least so far." She commented.

"Anyway, enough of that." Her mother said as she helped her into a more comfortable position and started eating the delicious meal.

She started with softer foods, but the doctors said she could slowly consume other solid foods. At least food that was easy to digest.

"Try to eat more. So you will have more energy during therapy." Her mother suggested as she helped her with another small serving.

She ate it with gusto. She was glad that swallowing the food was not that hard anymore compared to the first few days.

Even her voice had somewhat returned to normal. It was not as hoarse and out of breath as before. But she still had to exercise her lungs so she did not feel tired quickly.

"Mom, can I ask you a question?" She finally asked, hoping that she could help her with what was bothering her.

"Sure, what is it?" Her mother asked as she put away the leftover food, cleaning the room before the nurses took her away for her next session.

"What do you think of David?" She wanted to trust him, but the thought that she could not remember anything about him still bothered her.

Still, she could not stop thinking about her relationship with him. Just like now, why was she looking for him? Why did she feel uneasy not seeing him in the room when she woke up?

"Do you want my honest opinion?" Her mother said as she stopped what she was doing and turned to face her.

She nodded, assuring her mother in not so many words that it was what she wanted. She wished to know everything she could find out about the man she was supposed to marry.

"Ok. At first, I never liked that man for you. David was everything a mother would not want for her daughter." Her mother explained as she described to her why she did not like him.

"He came from a wealthy family, way above our social standing. In my experience, people from that class are untrustworthy.

Then, I also heard that he was a womanizer. He changed women as fast as he switched his clothes. And I didn't want you to be another one of his conquests." Her mother continued, shaking her head at the thought.

"And there was a time I saw you crying over him. But you will never tell me why. Until now, I don't know what happened that day." Her mother added.

"Do you still feel that way, Mom, about him now?" Rosella could not help but ask, suddenly curious about how she could like a man like that.

Why would she fall in love with him? How did she find herself engaged to someone her mother did not like? Or was she too in love with him? And she was too blind to see his fault.

Should she remain engaged to him? Or would it be better to end it now while she had a chance? Was he the man in her dream?