"Um... Excuse me, ma'am, sir... But... Who are you?"
The room went silent. The couple who had been smiling now froze.
The woman placed a hand on her chest. She couldn't speak.
The man stepped forward.
"Garnette... What nonsense are you speaking? You don't recognise us?"
"I am serious," Leeka insisted. "I really don't know any of you."
Silence slammed into the room again.
The man's composure finally broke. "Victor! Bring the doctor right now!" He commanded.
A white bearded man bowed deeply and sprinted away like his life depended on it.
Leeka glanced around.
There were maids and attendance lined up behind the couple at least six or seven, all looked worried. They were wearing a perfectly ironed maid outfit that looked too realistic to cosplay.
In the meantime Victor returned panting, with a doctor - a middle aged man wearing a white coat and carrying a bag. Very fantasy-novel-doctor-chic.
The doctor froze when he saw her awake at first, like he couldn't believe what he saw. Then he composed his face and smile warmly.
"Oh blessed heavens, the young miss has finally woken!"
Just how long did I sleep that everyone who is see me first, is talking about 'finally waking up', she thought.
The doctor bowed to the gorgeous man and woman, then hurried to Leeka. He examined her like she was a fragile antique porcelain vase.
"She looks healthy. Some rest and she should recover fully." He exhaled in relief.
But the woman shook her head urgently and said tremblingly,
"No... no doctor, there's something wrong - she doesn't remember us."
The doctor blinked then turned to her - Leeka or rather Garnette.
"My lady... Do you recognise me?"
Leeka stared at him and simply said, "No."
"Not even your own father and mother?" He asked curiously.
"My- What?" Leeka snapped. She has parents but they are not here... Not when everything seems like a historical drama.
The doctor continues, "Yes, my lady, your parents... Duke Whitepearl and Duchess Whitepearl."
He pointed at those gorgeous looking couples who looked fresh out of a fantasy drama.
Her eyebrows twitch.
"Duke and Duchess is my father and mother..."
Since when did my parents upgrade their wardrobe to royal couture?! She screams in her mind.
And what he said? Whitepearl?!
I think I've heard about this somewhere... Maybe in my history book I don't remember... Things happened too fast to process anything for her.
He read Leeka's expression carefully as he continued, " Yes, my lady... My lady can you tell me who you are and what is your name?"
Who am I? Of course I know I'm Leeka Lumivale. She replied on her mind. But her instinct said to keep it silent. So she simply shook her head saying,
"No I can't, I don't know."
The man who is apparently Leeka's father (Duke) ran a hand through his hair while the woman who is apparently Leeka's mother ( Duchess) covered are mouth saying, "She doesn't remember..."
The doctor stood and cleared his throat... Looking worried.
"My lord... It appears the young miss has amnesia. She has forgotten all her memories temporarily."
Duke's expression changed into fear, "Amnesia? How? Why?When?... When will her memory return?"
"My lord," the doctor replied calmly, "amnesia has no direct cure. The recovery depends entirely on the patient's will. She simply needs time."
The Duchess sniffled, and the Duke nodded agreeing with him.
Everyone in the room stared at Leeka.
She stared back. Awkwardly. Then forced a small, uncomfortable smile.
The doctor cleared his throat gently.
"Don't push yourself, young miss. Look around slowly. Familiar surroundings may trigger some memories."
She nodded… but absolutely nothing looked familiar.
Not the room. Not the furniture. Not the royal-looking couple claiming to be her parents.
The Duchess stroked her head softly, her eyes still a little red.
The Duke only nodded, as if agreeing with some silent, heavy thought.
The doctor asked for permission to leave, and the Duke granted it with a wave.
But just as the doctor turned toward the door, another man rushed in — a servant in his late 40s, with a neat mustache and a perfectly ironed uniform.
"My lord!" He bowed deeply.
The Duke raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
The servant straightened a little.
"My lord, words has come from the young master."
Young master? Their child? WAIT, so I have a brother now? No way…
Leeka thought, blinking twice.
The Duke asked, "What did he say?" There was a sense of relief in his words.
The mustache servant continued,
"He said that he would be here by the night before dawn."
The Duchess exhaled, visibly relieved.
"Theo is returning? That's a relief…"
The Duke nodded in agreement.
Theo? So my new brother's name is Theo, huh?
Theo?
Well… I guess it's a good thing. I always wanted a brother. Leeka said to herself in her mind.
The doctor, who was still standing nearby, brightened at the news.
"That is indeed a wonderful news, my lord. After such a long time, Young Master TheodoreWhitepearl is finally returning home."
He bowed again and this time, finally left the room.
Meanwhile, Leeka's soul almost escaped her new body.
Wait… WHAT? Theodore? THEODORE WHITEPEARL?! As in the Theodore Whitepearl from the novel?!
Her mind screamed. She shot up from the bed in pure shock.
"This can't be real…!" She whispered to herself.
To be continued ~