“Read the one about the two princesses, but use our names. I have always wanted to be a princess,” Aniella wheezes.

“Let me find it first.” The older girl stands up from the chair stationed next to the bed and walks over to a pile of books. She fingers each book’s bindings and pauses on one. She lifts the books resting on top of the desired book and picks it up. She rushes back to the rickety seat and exposes the word-filled papers within. Looking up from the clothed papers, her small voice speaks out, “Which princess do you want to be this time?”

“The little one, like always because you will take care of me, just like you do in real life.”

“Are you ready for the story? Will you be able to sleep if I read it?”

“Of course I will. This is my favorite story, after all.”

The older girl recites from the book, “Once upon a time, there were two sisters named Aniella and Darya. They were princesses and loved their kingdom very much. One day, Aniella wanted to explore the neighboring forest. Aniella beseeched her father, the king, to let her go three times, but each time, he said no. Aniella went to her older sister, Darya, and beseeched her three times. The first two times, Darya said no, but the third she said yes…”

Aniella coughs violently. “Maybe you should try to get some rest without a story today,” Darya says resentfully.

Aniella replies with drowsiness, “Okay Darya. I love you.” Darya tucks the quilt under Aniella’s cheek and kisses her forehead.

“I love you, too.” Aniella’s eyelids drift into slumber. Darya tiptoes out of the room to another where a man is slouched over another bed with a woman lying silently in it. Darya barely taps his shoulder and his puffy and raw eyes explain everything to her. She breaks down crying, the man’s strong frame takes her into his arms, and they cry together.

My own heart starts to break, even though I do not know why the two are crying. After an hour of watching them cry, Darya gets up and wipes away her tears. As calmly as she can, she states, “Father, I will tell Aniella.”

“My brave little Darya, you will make a fine leader someday. If only we were of nobility; Catríona would be blessed you with as her queen, and I would be the proudest father of all.”

Darya nods and walks out of the room. She pauses to collect herself before she enters the room where sleeping Aniella lies. Swallowing all her tears, Darya enters the room and starts shaking Aniella to awake her. Pausing, she looks and then shakes more vigorously. Pausing again, she looks and her sleeping sister does not move. Her consumed tears spring out again. She moans, “Aniella, you have to wake up. You cannot leave me. You cannot…”

The room, engulfed in darkness, frightens me. My head raises and my eyes frantically move to all the corners of the room. I see Penelope sleeping restlessly on her bed and Rasha asleep at my side. I try to talk, but no sound comes from my throat. I try again to speak and I am somewhat successful. My hoarse voice fills the room, “Rasha, Rasha…”

Rasha’s head pops up and blinks at me. She quickly goes to the light the lamp on the dresser and brings it to my bed. “Lia, honey, are you awake?”

I nod my head lethargically. Rasha sets the lamp at the foot of the bed and hugs me. “Thank the sun and the moon you woke up. The doctor was uncertain when you would wake up. He said it could take hours, days, weeks, months…”

“I am awake now, but what happened to me?”

“You and Penelope were at the market, fetching some ingredients for me. Then Penelope told me you two met a farmer’s daughter named Asta Lakiya, or just Asta, I believe. You agreed to bring her some water in exchange for a heart-shaped locket for me. After you came back from getting the water, you collapsed. Penelope carried you all the way home and Asta helped. They brought you in here. Then Queen Darya got word and came in here with the physician. He examined you and was inconclusive as to what caused you to collapse. It does not matter what caused your collapse as long as you are well now.” She hugs me tightly.

“I had some dreams about Queen Darya.”

“What were they about?” Rasha asks worriedly.

“When she got married, when she had a baby, and when her mother and sister died. You were in the dream when she had the baby. She used to be breathtaking. What happened to her?”

“Why is the sky blue? Why do birds fly and fish swim? Why must two gorgeous girls be kept locked up as servants in a castle? Who knows the answers to these questions?” She smiles and then continues, “You need some rest. Tomorrow you should be feeling better. Penelope will be so happy to hear that you are awake.” She dims the lamp and walks to her own bed.

I whisper in return, “Good night, Rasha.”