Eilean Donan CastleFiona and Iona sat in the kitchen before the fireside, facing each other as a pot of food hung over the fire. Fiona occasionally got up to stir it."I'm shivering with cold," said Iona. "The weather has been getting colder with each passing day."Fiona let out a sigh and proceeded to remove the bandages from Iona's left hand. "I feel you shaking, and it's only November. I don't even want to imagine what it will be like when winter fully arrives. Please hold while I change the bandage on your hands. It is so weird. It's been a week, but your wounds don't seem healing. You should be seen by a doctor.""I agree," Iona replied. "I fear that something is wrong with me. The wounds aren't healing, and the pain is unbearable."Fiona shook her head. "Oh, I'm so sorry you're in pain, my love. I will talk with your father to arrange a doctor as soon as possible. Once your injuries heal, you will finally start helping me with the chores. I feel very exhausted and could use som
Hector was lost in his dark thoughts when a knock on the door interrupted his misery.The uninvited visitor didn't wait for Hector's permission to enter. She opened the door and entered.Hector remained in the same position - sitting in the armchair with his head bowed. He identified the person responsible for the footsteps he heard on the floor."My dear, Hector," Talisha said when she reached him. She leaned over and hugged him, placing her hands on his shoulders."I'm so sorry," she told him.Hector shook his head. "Me too," he answered. "How is she?"Talisha sat in the armchair beside Hector, studying his profile as he kept his head lowered. Her heart melted in pain. "I came to see you because I know you're in pain. You asked about Skye, though. You love her that much?"Hector nodded and said, "I love her more than anything. I would give my life for her."She tenderly rubbed his arm. "Skye is so lucky. The truth is that she is not better. She requested to take a bath and is now as
Talisha glanced at the door through which Roisin had fled and shook her head, pursing her lips. "It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but thank you," she told Hector. "Hopefully, she won't want to make a fuss again after this, although I feel sorry for that girl.""I couldn't help it, even though I feel sorry for her too. I had to prove her wrong and make her stop believing Donncha."Talisha nodded in agreement. "You're right," she said, gesturing towards the door.Hector furrowed his brows in thought, but then he understood."I'm leaving, too," he said, glancing toward Skye. However, Skye's attitude remained unchanged.Hector let out a deep sigh of disappointment."Don't hesitate to come find me if you need anything," he said, looking at Maysie, who nodded and smiled faintly.After greeting them, Hector left the chamber.Talisha turned to Maysie and said, "I'll be right back," before running out of the chamber."Hector, wait," she called out to him. Hector stopped, and Talisha appro
In the days leading up to it, Hector found a way to distract himself from constantly thinking about Skye.He asked the king for assignments, searched for books on topics that interested him in the vast library, read them, discussed unrelated subjects with the king, and did whatever else he could to stay occupied.The day passed quickly, but the night tormented him as he lay in bed staring at the ceiling, unable to escape the image of Skye burning in his mind.Despite feeling a strong urge to find her, he often refrained because he didn't want to disrupt Skye's peaceful slumber.Hector demonstrated great patience and courage as he resisted his temptation and succeeded. The third day dawned.He woke up feeling the same heaviness in his chest because he missed Skye. Her smile, laugh, and blushing cheeks betrayed her feelings toward him whenever he made her laugh or leaned in for a kiss.He sat on the bed with his feet resting on the floor. He rested his elbows on his knees, buried his he
Skye brought her face closer to the window and squinted to look better at the two people walking arm-in-arm in the garden.Although Skye couldn't see their faces, she recognized Hector's distinct build and long black hair.The figure next to Hector was a woman, but she was unrecognizable. She wore a cape, and the hem of her dress protruded from it. She was also much shorter and more petite than Hector, who stood beside her.Her heart sank; had he already replaced her? She clenched her fist to her chest, pursing her lips. Her eyes watered, and her vision blurred.Just a moment...She quickly wiped her eyes on her dress sleeve.That coppery long hair, sure she had seen it before.But, of course, her lips spread into a smile. How did she not realize it earlier? She was her…"This girl is Eithne, Maysie. Eithne!" she said with a laugh of relief.Maysie looked down at the girl in the garden and then at Skye. "You know her?"Skye quickly nodded. "She's Lennox's sister, Hector's best friend.
Eithne's face flushed in shame as she jerked back and ducked her head. "Excuse me, it was a mistake," she said, fidgeting."I just wanted to give you a kiss on the cheek to thank you for the kind words you said to me, but now everything has become complicated and...""Shhh... It’s okay, Eithne. Don't worry," he said, hugging her shoulders and rubbing them gently. "It was just an accident. Nothing serious happened. Let's forget about it.""Does that mean you're not angry? And will nothing change between us?" Eithne asked, looking up at him."Of course I'm not mad, and of course you're still my little sister," he reassured her, gently rubbing her head.Eithne giggled in relief. "Okay, you convinced me. I was worried for a moment that you didn't want to see me in your eyes again.""Hector laughed softly. 'If it was anyone else, it could be a problem. But since it's you, I know you didn't do it intentionally or with bad intentions.''I'm glad you understand that. Can we go inside now? It'
"You've hardly touched your food," Maysie said sadly, eyeing Skye's almost-full plate."I'm just not very hungry," Skye replied."Maysie sighed, picked up the food tray, and carried it to the table by the door, hoping the chamber would only smell food once a maid came to collect it.A sudden knock echoed through the room as Maysie placed the tray on the narrow table. Her eyes widened, and she hurried back to Skye. "What's wrong?" Skye asked, sensing the tension. "Someone's knocking on the door," Maysie replied, trembling slightly.Skye sat up nervously. "Did you ask?"Maysie nodded."Okay. Ask who is and come to tell me.""Okay," Maysie replied and moved towards the door. "Who is this?" she asked, her lips almost touching the door.“It’s me Maysie, Roisin. Please let me come in. I am not here with bad intentions; on the contrary."Maysie didn't answer and turned back to Skye. "It's Roisin and she says she didn't come with bad intentions, but quite the opposite."Skye furrowed her brow
Maysie reluctantly agreed with Skye's suggestion. She knew Skye was right and could see no other way out of their predicament. However, she was still unsure how to justify their actions to the person they would meet. She asked Skye, "What exactly should I tell him? How can I convince him to join us in this endeavor?" Skye responded, "Just tell him the truth. We can trust him. He is on our side and won't betray us.""Okay, I'll go now under the pretense of returning the tray of food.""I will be waiting here for you. Good luck!"Maysie agreed to take the tray and left the chamber, walking down the hall. Different from Skye, Maysie knew her way around the castle and rarely got lost. During the hours she provided her help in the castle, she spent a lot of time moving around with Talisha or the maids. Although she may have yet to discover the castle, she was familiar with most of it, particularly the area around Skye's chamber, which she frequented the most.Walking down the stairs, inten