Eleonora felt as though her body was weighed down by heavy stones.
Over the past few days, she had drifted in and out of consciousness, haunted by the sound of her mother weeping. Desperate to wake, she finally managed to pry her eyes open today.
Lady Forrester was the first to notice the flutter of her eyelashes.
Her heart leapt into her throat as she rushed to the bedside. "Eleonora?"
Eleonora fully opened her eyes, though her vision was a blurry haze at first.
"My love, she's awake!" Tears streamed down Lady Forrester's face as she gripped her daughter's hand. "Eleonora, it's me. It's your mother. Can you hear me?"
"Mother..." Eleonora rasped, her voice as weak as a newborn kitten's.
Even that faint sound was enough to make Lady Forrester and Roderick sob with relief.
Lord Forrester, a proud and stoic nobleman, furiously wiped at his damp eyes.
"Eleonora, I am here. It is your father..."
"Father..." Eleonora whispered.
The blurriness in her vision finally began to clear, allowing her to make out the shapes of the people hovering over her.
"Physician Finch, does her waking mean the worst has passed?" Roderick asked eagerly.
The old physician peered closely at the young woman's face.
It was then that Lady Forrester noticed, and she had to stifle a horrified scream.
Eleonora's eyes were still a terrifying, blood-red color!
"Mother, why have you drawn crimson veils around my bed?" Eleonora murmured weakly. As she tried to focus, a thick, blood-colored mist obscured her sight.
She assumed heavy red drapery surrounded her.
Lady Forrester paled.
Roderick quickly stepped closer and saw the chilling crimson tint in his daughter's eyes.
"Physician Finch, what is the meaning of this?"
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