Chapter 446 - WAS ALL A DREAM: PART VI

Lady Zhao did not hold back and ran to her daughter's side.

"Darling..."

"Mother, please, I can't breath." It was all futile. No matter how much she tried to push her mother away from her, she couldn't since she didn't have the strength at all. At the same time, she didn't try hard, for she missed her mother's embrace as well. Who knows how long she's been asleep for and how long her mother has wished to hold her.

Lady Zhao released her daughter and asked, "Are you hungry?"

"Well, actually, a glass of wa-"

Before she could even finish her words, the man handed her a glass of water, which brought a smile on Elizabeth's face.

"Thank you."

"Want more?" He asked.

"No thank you, I'm fine now." she answered with a smile.

"Darling, how about some food. What do you want to eat?" Lady Zhao asked still in tears.

"I'm not really in the mood to eat at the moment."

"Okay."

Lady Zhao looked at her husband worriedly. She didn't know what else to do and didn't know what more she could do for their daughter. She has just woken up and she fears that if she exerts too much effort it might bother their daughter.

"How are you feeling?"

Elizabeth scanned herself as if she was examining herself and answered, "I'm fine, I kind of feel quite light." 

"Hmm."

She stayed silent seeing her father did not say anything further. She wished to ask them something, but she felt it was not the right time. She observes her parents and notices that they are being too cautious with their words and actions. 

'Ah, must be because of what happened earlier.' She briefly recalls that she had a fit and caused quite a ruckus. She couldn't remember every detail about what happened, but she was sure it was the only explanation as to why her parents are acting like they are now. 

"I'm perfectly fine, nothing to worry about. If you don't believe me. Why not bring the doctors in to check me." 

Both Lady Zhao and Lord Knightley were surprised by what their daughter just suggested. They didn't expect her to take the initiative to even have herself examine. They never even thought to have her be examined at all. All they wanted was to see their daughter looking as she is and nothing more. 

"Are you sure?" He asked her with a serious look on his face. 

"Hmm." she nodded. 

Lord Knightley left to go get the doctor leaving Lady Zhao to watch over their daughter. 

"Mother, I am fine. You need not worry."

"I know, I just hope I'm not dreaming and that you are indeed awake." 

Dream

A word that brings such bothering thoughts to Elizabeth. She had thought earlier, she was living in a dream, but that was all false hope. She was alive and well, but so many things are unknown to her. So she needs to gain her parents' trust back and be confident that she is well in order for her to find out what happened that night.

"Mother, how have you been?" 

Lady Zhao's smile was all stiff and forced, as she held back the flash of water about to pour out. Her emotion was all over the place and she was having a hard time to control herself already. She has not yet gained control of her emotions back when she was speaking to her husband and now she is speaking with her daughter as if the level of her emotion has reached its very limit and is about to explode. 

"I am fine and well. I was away for a day since I needed to handle some matter."

"Oh, what may that be?"

"It's best for you to wait and see." 

Elizabeth was curious as to what her mother meant. She noticed the excited smile on her face, which could only mean it's a good thing. 'I wonder what it could be?'

"Is everyone here?" 

"Not everyone, your brother is back home." 

"I see."

"Don't worry, you need not see them at once." 

Lady Zhao was aware of the look on her daughter's face. She was not yet ready to face the world, nor her family. She has so many lingering questions in her mind and facing them would mean she will have more things to worry about. 

They all are aware that she went to such a cruel experience and had caused her quite a trauma. They have already talked about it and not to bother and question her what happened. They believe in time the truth will be revealed and the girl will eventually tell them what she did during the past years she was away. 

She did not say anything but only smiled at her mother. 

'I wonder how everyone has been? I beat Jackie will have more to say than my family.' Just the thought made her smile making Lady Zhao curious as to what she could be thinking of that made her laugh. 

"May I know?" 

"I fear that once I see everyone. I'll be needing some ear plugs." She continued on laughing whilst leaving her mother confused. 

"Ear plugs?"

"For Jackie will have so much to say when the day comes and I'm not sure if my ears will be able to handle her foul mouth." 

"Ah."

Indeed, Jackie does have her ways with words. She did grow up on the other side of the world which gave them so much freedom of how they present themselves and speak. At the same time, the child grew up in an environment where speaking in such a manner is a must. 

"Don't worry, I bet she'll be all in tears and won't be able to speak a single word once she sees you." 

"Then, I'll need to bring a bucket as well then." 

As Lord Knightley returned to the room with one of the doctors, both of them were amazed when they heard laughter coming from the room. 

"It seems the Young Miss is doing fine." 

It was indeed very reassuring to hear laughter again. Seeing the bright glow on the doctor's face just proves that his daughter was indeed nice and that there was no reason to be worried about. She may be frail during that time, but she has always proven herself to be someone strong and not to let her emotions bother her. 

"Wait here." 

"Yes, my Lord." 

Lord Knightley went in first to check on the situation. There he saw his loving wife and daughter all laughing to themselves. He was curious as to what they could be talking about that his daughter was laughing so much that tears were almost visible in her eyes. 

Elizabeth was trying to catch her breath when she noticed the man standing in front of them. "Daddy." 

"Hmm, I brought him." 

"Oh, then you can bring him in." 

"Darling, to be frank you don't need to be examined now. You can just get some rest and we can have it some other time." 

Elizabeth shook her head as she rejected her mother's offer. "No, this is fine. I wish for you and everyone else to be able to rest tonight. I have worried you all and I am sure you all have not rested well." 

"How can you tell?"

"Both mother and father have aged a lot. It seems like you look like grandmother and grandfather." 

"How dare you." Lady Zhao frowned and glared at her daughter for comparing her to her mother-in-law. Despite her mother-in-law looks young for her age. She was still a grandmother and for her to be compared to her felt as if she is a grandmother too when she isn't. 

"Young Miss, good evening, I'm doctor Cross." 

"Doctor Cross, it's been a long time." 

The doctor was pleased to know that the Young Miss remembered him. This just means her memory was not distorted at all. 

"Would it be alright if I come closer to examine you?" 

"Of course, please." Elizabeth signals him to come close and do what he must do. 

Both parents stood by the receiving end of the bed as they watched the doctor examine their daughter. Seeing the smile on his face just proves that there is indeed nothing to worry about. 

"The Young Miss is perfectly fine. She may be weak at the moment, but once she recuperates we can then start her on rehabilitation in order for her to gain control of her own body." 

"See, so you all don't need to worry. I am fine."

"Young Miss, I know it's late already, but you must at least have something to eat. I know you aren't in the mood, but you can't go on with an empty stomach for a whole day." 

"I understand, then I'll have something to eat then, before I get some rest." 

"Very well then."

The doctor left the room as he continued to examine everything to Lord Knightley. 

"Would you like some chicken porridge?" 

"Please."