Marietta was typically never unkind. She was too afraid of confrontation to be unkind. She was patient. She was good. And most of all she was quiet.



“No, I am not taking more medicine!” The voice was loud and she was glaring at the healer. Marietta was in pain- and a lot of it. Beneath her bedclothes, her body was still purple, swollen, and broken from the various punches and kicks that brought her to near death little over a week ago.



Marietta was not like her normal self. In part, it was because of the various herbs that ran through her, herbs that made her head foggy and made her want to sleep even more despite the fact that she had been asleep for a week. Then when she awoke, her brain would hurt near as much as the rest of her body. Everything hurt.



“My lady, don’t be ridiculous. It’s for your pain. It’s for you to heal.” The healer said, lecturing Marietta. But he didn’t understand. Marietta didn’t want it. She wanted to be able to think. She knew she hurt to the point where it was agony but it was either pain or sleep…



And sleep was downright terrifying.



“I said I don’t want it!” It was an accident. Marietta was never like this. She was never a brat. She was never confrontational. She never threw tantrums and she was never mean. And yet her hand flew out. It was reflex, she swore, but it knocked the cup of the bitter tea from his hands. It shattered to the ground, shards flying everywhere and the steaming cup soaking the rug underneath her bed.



Despite the fact that Marietta was the direct cause of the sound, she still felt her stomach drop. Her eyes widen which to some may look like shame or guilt, but in reality it was fear. The sound terrified Marietta as she thought of the broken glass and the sounds of things shattering during the riots.



Got some fresh meat! She could hear that hag’s voice clear as day. It rang in her ears, louder than the broken cup on Marietta’s floor. Her fingers wrapped tight against the blanket that covered her legs, so white that her knuckles were pure white.



Perhaps this was why the healer didn’t snap at her. He gave her a glare and she saw his nose flare in what was obvious anger and annoyance. But he did not raise his voice or lecture Marietta. As much as he very clearly wanted to. How often did he work with nobles and royalty? He probably wished that she was a commoner.



But then again, then he wouldn’t be paid nearly as much.



After a deep breath he moved over to the little station he set up, once more preparing a tea with poppy that would melt the pain and her mind away. It didn’t appeal to Marietta in the slightest. “Drink.” He didn’t bother with the formalities. No, my lady. No please. A simple demand.



Marietta held the hot cup in her hand, staring at the free leaves in the cup of hot water. She could see her frown in the dark reflection of the cup. She didn’t want to drink it. She didn’t want to… sleep.



“Oh, your highness.” Marietta heard the healer say and suddenly her eyes snapped up. In her doorway was her grandmother.



Suddenly that frown turned into a smile as her entire face lit up. “Grandma!” She greeted, trying to move from her bed. All that got was a shout of pain as her entire body protested at the mere thought of wanting to slightly shift position.



“No,” the healer glared at Marietta and put gentle hands on her to stop her from moving. “Drink, my lady. I’ll be in the other room checking on how the other girl is healing. When I come back I expect the tea to be gone.”



With that, he left them to their privacy.