Chapter 78

Since speaking the truth, both have become more friendly than before. Diona still felt guilty about all the actions she had taken against her sister and her family. But a sudden golden glow around Juan made them stand up on their feet.
“What is happening?” Diona asked aloud.
“I do not know,”
Heather was quite skeptical about moving towards Juan, as her feet were still on the ground. She was entirely lost in a reverie; however, the same was not the case with Diona.
Even though she was startled at the sight in front of him, she rushed towards Juan and held his cheeks, even in his glowing state.
“Diona,” He murmured in his unconscious state. He was slowly trying to open his eyes, but it was quite a struggle.
“Juan, oh, my lord. Please try to open up." Happy tears were flowing. She knew that Juan could open his eyes at any moment. It was a big improvement and the first improvement she saw in him after a month.
“I…” Juan struggled, but he finally awoke.
She could see that he was in a weak state, and she wanted nothing but to aid him.
"Heather." She softly called out her sister’s name.
“I am here.” Heather was instantly beside her, keeping her thoughts aside. She took Juan's hand immediately and rubbed her fingers through it.
After a few more seconds, she turned to Diona and said, “I will prepare a bath for him. The solution to that would do the trick.”
Diona nodded in return.
After a long hour of bathing, Juan was looking fresh and more energetic. He was sitting on the bed with his back on the headrest. Heather wanted to interrupt and talk to Juan, but she could not. The sight in front of her made her stop in her tracks.
Diona was sitting beside him, her head on his shoulder. They both looked at peace.
“You are allowed to come inside,” Juan said with a small smile on his face, breaking her out of her thought.
Heather gave a hesitant smile and sat in front of him. “How are you feeling?”
“Like all the energy has sucked out of me. But I owe a big thank you for saving my life. Especially after how my family has treated you.” Juan said.
He felt guilty about how his folks had made Heather’s life miserable and also felt responsible for his parents' torment towards her.
“More than me, it was Diona's determination that made you well. She did not leave your side unless we had to manipulate her to do so.”
“I am rather surprised. I had lost all hope..." Juan suddenly went quiet. He was unaware of how Heather knew.
As he was gaining consciousness, Diona was the only one in his mind. If it were not for his weakened state, he would have shamelessly embraced her in his arms. However, he was also surprised at Diona’s open affection for him when he saw her after waking up.
Even when he was resting on the bed after a long bath, he was rather stunned to see her not leaving his side for a single moment. There was lots to be said and explained, but he could not confront her.
Fear of losing her after everything was still fresh in his mind, and secondly, she looked beyond exhausted. He wanted her to rest and feel well before anything else.
Not many words were spoken, and there was a silent understanding between them. Although it took great courage for her to sit beside him, Juan gently grabbed her hand and had her beside him within a few seconds.
The peace was finally surrounding them, and Diona could not help but lay her head on his shoulder, relief for Juan’s life.
Heather, however, let out an encouraging smile at Juan’s words. “I am aware, Juan. Rest assured, Diona returns your feeling.”
“Nothing brings me more joy than this,” Juan said, looking at Diona with affection, which brought tears to her eyes. Even after everything that had happened and what she had put Juan through for her own selfish reasons, he still accepts her.
She had a lot of explaining to do, and she would. It is no longer fair to keep him in the dark. And once everything is revealed, and he wishes for her not to be with him, then she will respect his wish.
However, his silence was bothering her. There were unsaid words, and Juan's discomfort was becoming apparent.
“What is wrong?” Diona asked in worry.
“I... I do not know how to explain, but something has happened. I do feel exhausted, but at the same time, I could feel new energy on the tips of my fingers. It is rather uncanny.” Juan said it with a thoughtful expression, looking for the correct words to explain his emotions.
“You were surrounded by a golden glow just before you woke up,” Heather stated, referring to what she and her cousin had witnessed.
Her words caught his attention, though. “Golden glow? Can you elaborate?”
“Yes, golden glow. Diona and I were having a conversation, but then there was a sudden golden glow surrounding you. It was rather astonishing. It was unlike anything I have witnessed in my entire life.”
“That cannot be possible,” Juan said, with a slight frown on his face. “It does not make any sense.”
“What do you mean?” Heather asked, confused by Juan's words.
“How long was I unconscious?” Juan asked them, trying to piece all the puzzles together.
“A little longer than a month,” Heather answered.
“Was there any improvement in my condition during that time? I do not remember anything other than blacking out while saving Diona and waking up to her face.” Juan said.
He was quite certain about what Heather’s response would be, but he wanted a verbal confirmation.
“No. It was rather bad. Nothing was working on you. To be completely honest, I feared for your life the entire time. It is rather a miracle that you are awake and alive with us at this very moment.” Heather answered truthfully.
All the while, Diona asked her about his well-being, but she did not have the courage to speak the truth like she always had with her patients and their guardians. Her cousin was different.
“Why did you not tell me?” Diona gasped. She could not believe that Heather had hidden it from her.
"Because I did not want you to lose any hope. I did attempt to tell you about the slim chance of him waking up as each moment passed, but I could not. It was rather difficult for me to accept the fact, so I held onto the string of hope of him waking up.” Heather responded, feeling a bit guilty for hiding the truth from her.
Before Diona could respond, Juan intervened. “Everything makes sense now.”
“What do you mean?” Heather asked as Diona looked curiously at Juan.
“Heather, a golden glow around oneself is something that I have only heard in stories. It happens when the king or future willingly surrenders his powers to the younger one, which has never happened in the history of Warsavor.”
“You are telling that, Alexander…”
“Yes. Alexander surrendered his kingship. That is the reason I woke up. Because of his sacrifice, true intention, and willingness to give his throne and pass his powers to me, I was given access to the locked powers of the king, which boosted my well-being.” Juan stated, trying to process his brother’s ultimate sacrifice.
Even though he was not presently with his elder brother, he could imagine the thoughts that passed through him when he made the decision.
“Why would he do that?” Heather asked, trying to understand Juan’s words.
“Is it not obvious? He loves you.” Juan said it with a smile on his face.
“Juan…”
“Heather, the only reason he was marrying Diona was because our mother had threatened him without your life. His hands were tied. Under normal circumstances, he would have run to save you, but mother and father are more powerful than him, and she would have kept her words and ended you. So, the ultimate solution was to marry her, gain those powers, file for annulment, get back to you, and give you your rightful place beside him.”
Heather looked away, trying to process his words, and hid her tears.
“I am assuming that my folks do not know about my whereabouts," Juan asked, trying to divert the topic. He knew that she needed time.
It was Diona who responded. “No. It was too much of a risk to inform your folks or anyone about you.”
Juan gave an understanding nod. However, now that he was feeling well and curiosity was at its peak with lots of unanswered questions, he asked the first and foremost question that came to his mind.
“What I do not understand is your sudden change in relationship."
Diona and Heather gave each other a glance, contemplating the words to speak aloud. Juan did not miss their gaze and asked them, “Why do not you tell me what I have missed?"