Aurora Mendoza's Bedchamber

I ran to the bedchamber of the Queen's sister, hoping to find her there.
I had to speak with her.
I knew she had an affair with the King, but I was sure she also loved her sister as I did.
I had to tell her what I knew and find a solution as soon as possible.
I felt my heart beating very fast and, perhaps, I knocked too strong to her door: "Lady Mendoza? Are you there? Please, it is very important!"

I was surprised of her reaction: perhaps my face looked more pale than usual.
In any case, she was right: I almost forgot that there were spies everywhere in the castle.
I let her pull me inside and tried to control my breath.
I shaked my head and looked at her worried: "It's about your sister. She MUST came back to court immediately. I fear her place at Court is in danger." I said quickly "I can't write to her. Somebody will surely read my letters... The King wants to legitimate his bastard son. It is imperative to her to give him a rightful heir or she will risks.." I stopped a moment "Well... you surely heard what is happening in England with the Queen Katherine and she's a daughter of Spain too... Please, Aurora: we must help her. I love her as a mother. I care of her"

I looked at her with a shocked expression.
I made a step back and shaked my head.
I felt like I received a knife in my back.

"I'm... I'm sorry. Clearly, I made a mistake. I thought you loved your sister like I do, but I was wrong... I won't bother you anymore. I think that I shall leave now. Have a good day, my lady."

I felt my heart beating fast. What was happening to everybody?
Without my brother at court, I had to solve the problem alone. I was strong enough to do it.
Probably, I had a good opinion on the wrong people.
I turned and made my way to the door.

Inge entered in the room, followed by Ambassador Mendoza who was bringing Aurora in his arms

"Quick..make her lie on bed..slowly. Please, stay with her, Ambassador. I'm going in my room to take some herbal remedy. I'll be back in a while.."

And with these words she rushed out of the room

Inigo lied his cousin on bed. Once Inge left, he didn't know what to do, at the moment. But even if a bit confused, he took Aurora's hand

I'm here, dear cousin. Inge will be back with medicine..or an antidote. Stay calm and don't make efforts..

He hoped she could open her eyes, wondering who harmed his dear cousin. He wanted to find out it

Inge came back in the room after few minutes. She brought some herbal medicine that she used at her village. She didn't know if they could help Aurora, but she had to try. She looked at Ambassador Mendoza to see if she opened her eyes during her short absence. But Senor Mendoza was silent and he shook his head. So she sat on bed and hold softly Aurora's cheek in her hand

"Your Grace..can you hear me? You will be fine, don't worry.."

She was wondering if someone in court really poisoned her

Inge noticed that she squeezed Ambassador Mendoza's hand. This meant that she was not completely unconscious. But she was unable to talk. Maybe a symptom of poisoning. She took immediately the little bottle that she brought from her room and looked at her cousin

"Ambassador Mendoza, please help me to raise her head from pillow and keep strongly her shoulders. She needs to drink this.."

Inigo looked hopefully at his cousin as she squeezed his hand. He looked at lady Inge and just obeyed. He grabbed Aurora's shoulders gently making her raise her head from pillow. He looked calm but his hands were trembling

Hope your medicine works, lady Inge. I never saw her in such condition..Oh Aurora! Please open your eyes..

Helped by Inigo, Inge brought the little bottle until Aurora's lips and made her drink slowly the medicine in it. It was a strong antidote made with herbal compounds. Then she laid her head against the pillow again very slowly

"The antidote will enter into her blood circulation in few minutes. Now we can just wait and pray for her. Ambassador, open the window, please. She needs fresh air.."

She said while removing Aurora's shoes in order to make her feel more comfortable

Inigo walked towards window and opened it as lady Inge said. He turned towards his cousin worriedly

Aurora..my sweet cousin. You're a strong woman. Please fight and don't give up..

He said coming back to her and holding her hand

Inge took Aurora's wrist to feel her heatbeat. It was slow and weak but her cheeks were less pale. She touched her cheek rubbing it softly

"Your Grace..lady Aurora..that's me, Inge. Can you hear me? Don't worry, Ambassador. She will be fine soon.."

She said never leaving her eyes from Aurora. Her secret dream was to study medicine to become a nurse. But no one knew that, yet

Inge opened her mouth by surprise when she saw Aurora having finally a reaction. She opened her eyes but she still looked scared and confused. Inge hugged her to make her feel her warmth

"Aurora..oh thank God! Stay calm..it's everything alright. You're safe. Take a deep breath and don't make efforts.."

She smiled looking at Mendoza

Inigo rushed immediately at her bed once Aurora opened her eyes

Aurora..dear cousin! How do you feel? Do you recognize me?

He asked worriedly but also relieved, since he seriously feared for her life

Inge listened her story and after she finished talking she caressed Aurora's hairs

"I'm sorry for your loss, my lady. But now you don't have to think at such sad things. Thank God you're safe. And you'll feel even much better. When I found you..you were unconscious. But I gave you a powerful untidote and your cousin and I never left your side.."

She poured her a glass of water and she gave it to her

"But there is something I need to know, Your Grace. Are those herbs you drank still here in your room? I would like having a look at them.."

Inigo took her cousin's hand in his

My dear Aurora..you're not a burden. You know how much I care for you. I was so worried about you. And if someone did this to you, he or she will pay, cousin. I promise..