Sarina's POV:
6 months of recuperating after getting my eyes fixed should have been a normal thing for someone like me.
But I was wrong.
I had been so depressed for the last 2 months after hearing the cause of Henry's death that I refused to eat most of the time to keep my strength.
Somehow deep inside, I was the last thing that killed him even though he did say he was dying; I just could not accept that he was gone.
I chose to punish myself for failing to save another loved one.
But my stubborn and tactless cousin would not hear of it. At first, she let me wallow in my self-pity but after seeing my weight drop so fast, she lost her patience and scolded me one day.
"Henry will not come back! He is gone and you know why? Because he wanted to save you and what are you doing with that chance he gave you? You are not like this cousin! I know the old you knows that Henry chose to save you because you are worth saving! Please.....don't do this." she said. "Please don't think you don't deserve to live because lots of people need you. I need you."
That impassioned speech somehow triggered something in me and it had me feeling guilty for worrying my cousin who had been like a sister to me.
I never heard my cousin broke down sobbing so loudly in front of my bed before when I agreed to eat again, I must have really worried the poor girl.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seymone proved to be the strong pillar I needed to fight my depression as I tried to recover.
After painfully accepting the fact that there was nothing I could have done to prevent Henry from dying; I decided to live so that he will continue to exist through me.
I then started gaining back my old weight and felt my patient gown fitting my curves again. She even took a commemorative photo when I reached my normal weight as a celebration.
It was a slow healing process but my cousin was always with me and It made me love her more than ever.
Three months passed by when the doctors decided that my eyes have been recovering enough so they removed the bandages little by little until I felt the cloth bindings slip from my face.
Cool air greeted my eyes as I slowly opened them and squinted a bit since the light was still too much after months of being in the dark.
A collection of shocked gasps greeted me, even Seymone's face was one of shock. Then even her jaw dropped.
W-what is going on? Are my eyes crossed? Is it a complication?
My cousin was the first one to speak.
"It's.....grey!" her voice shook as she gave me a mirror.
My eyes were still not used to the light even though the doctors had a few lights dimmed for my comfort.
What I saw in the mirror made my heart jump.
Henry's eye color. That unnerving yet strikingly beautiful silver grey with blue flecks had replaced my brown eyes.
Tears suddenly pooled in my eyes as I stared at something so familiar yet foreign.
I felt happy even as the doctors were running around double checking my charts and vital sign sheets after seeing my new eye color. I even heard one say that it might be a hormonal problem or a rare complication.
I did not care, Henry gave me these eyes and I will cherish them forever.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following days after I revealed my new eyes, the doctors ran numerous tests to make sure there were no complications or side effects because usually, corneas do not make eyes change their color.
But all the tests I got back were normal and this had several medical specialists scratching their heads at how did this phenomenon happen.
After my eyes were given a clean bill of health, I thought I can recuperate in the hospital in peace.
Wrong.
Somehow news has gotten out about my strange eyes and I was being hounded by the media about it.
I had refused interviews but somehow whenever I open my wardroom door, a reporter would appear out of nowhere, barge in my room, staring rudely at my eyes, and then harass me.
Even Sey's valiant efforts were useless when it comes to the tenacity of nosy reporters, even she was at her limit that she was close to threatening the media.
It has gotten so bad that my cousin had to resort to calling Luis Valentine for help, although at first, she was reluctant; I and my cousin really needed some privacy and protection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I have taken the liberty of moving you to a safer and more exclusive ward where no one will bother you Miss Sarina." the lawyer held his cellphone to his ear as he spoke to me.
I managed to nod and was confused at how respectful he is to me when we requested his help, I was thinking that he might not like us that much because my cousin had chased him out that last time we met.
As he made more calls. Seymone came back from another room looking excited.
"It's like a hotel suite room on this floor! I just came from the guest room to unpack my clothes and it was spacier than my room and there was even a separate bathtub in the bathroom. We even have a mini-kitchen with real pots and pans!" she was flushed with excitement then pointed at the wall in front of me. "And look at that HUGE flat-screen TV and these lovely flower bouquets on the tables!"
I smiled as my cousin settled on a black velvet couch and started turning on the TV to watch her favorite show.
This room is a far cry from the last hospital room we were in. It seems fit for royalty and my heart sank at how much it costs.
Although I agreed to take charity from Henry's money, the trouble with the media escalated to the point where I had to be moved here to recover in peace.
But I still feel ill at ease and guilty at wasting money. Miserly of me I know.
When the lawyer returned, I managed to get a good look at him as he instructed two men in black suits and earphones waiting by the door.
Now that I look at him closely, he was very handsome with a lean, strong build. Striking apple green eyes were hidden by chic black glasses and his dark red hair was clipped close to his skull in the back but styled with some longer hair strands in the front, framing a strong jaw profile.
Why do Illyrian men seem to have very striking eyes and an otherwordly aura about them? I am getting the same vibe from him as I do with Henry.
"Excuse me Mr. Valentine?" I called out to him.
He came to me almost immediately, executed a half bow, and looked at me.
"I am not sure we can afford this. I know Henry did leave instructions that I may use his funds for my recovery but this is all too much. N-not that I am being ungrateful for your help but what will Henry's family think?"
Luis nodded and cleared his throat
"Henry has ordered me to use his assets to make sure you get the best of care. I assure you that this suite is nothing compared to making sure you are recovered. No expense spared or the old man might just haunt me for failing to care for you."
"I see." I smiled gently. " That sly old fox really knows me too well."
Luis stared at me for a while and I saw a flash of kindness in them.
"Miss Sarina...." he began, somewhat hesitant. " I am sorry for distressing you just after your operation months ago. It was heartless and cruel but I have also saddened my employer's death and I was not thinking right."
He seemed nervous as he waited for me to reply.
"I forgive you. I miss him too." I said as I smoothed my blanket.
Somehow me and Luis became friends that day.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another month passed and a routine was established as I continued my recovery period in the new suite.
Seymone chose to stay with me and would just leave the hospital suite when she had classes. Most of the time she was with me and we would play games, watch movies, or order pizza.
The media's attention to me was still visible because Seymone nearly got trapped by them one time when she went to our apartment to get a change of clothes.
I was curious at why the media still seems keen on getting a scoop on me.
Was there no other news to cover somewhere that they had to settle for her?
Just then one of the security guards opened the door and Luis came in, he was wearing a striped grey polo sleeve short and black trousers, his navy jacket was draped over his arm.
"Good afternoon Miss Sarina." he looked at my cousin. "Miss Seymone"
My cousin just nodded. She still harbored a reserved attitude with Luis but she was never rude since I had forgiven him.
She just left me to go to the guestroom since it seems like we needed privacy.
The air around Luis was tense these days and I seem to feel it so acutely that my skin tingled.
"We need to discuss something very important. It regards Henry and I have obtained permission from your doctor that you are recovering well enough to receive such news."
Well enough? Is that why he was tense these days. He was hiding something from me?
As I processed what he said, the lawyer sat down on a velvet chair and faced me. He took his briefcase and opened it, leafing a few documents with his long fingers before he pulled out a few documents and handed it to me.
I saw a familiar script the moment I read one document, It was a will left by Henry and several business and real estate documents that indicate a transfer of ownership. They all have one thing in common.
Her name was written in every document.
Holy hell!
"Miss Sarina. Please keep an open mind with what I am about to tell you." he began in gentle tones.
I numbly nodded and tried to work my brain into listening to his every word.
"Henry has no heirs and originally you were not eligible either but he performed a special adoption process acknowledged by the Illyrian Government which is called the "Inheritance". You inherited Henry's "eyes" therefore that makes you a "valid" heiress. The Medical consent copies and records of both your operations have already been handled by me and are now recognized by the Illyrian Embassy. You are now a rich woman with a substantial bank book, stock shares, several business interests, and a few modest houses in France, Italy and Japan."
Somehow, a person should be ecstatic or crying with joy at receiving such an inheritance.
I on the other hand just sat still pale as a ghost and my eyes were wide as saucers.
It had gotten so quiet that I felt Luis touch my hand and I was momentarily startled.
"Miss Sarina. There is more."
"Mo-more? I just found out that Henry gave me money, houses and stock shares. What else could he have given me that will top this?" I asked, my voice high pitched with panic.
"You are now the 2nd Duchess of Ladon. Henry was the current Duke and now you are his heir to his title as well."
Those last words caused my jaw to drop like heavy lead.
I suddenly felt anxiety cross my face as I processed the explosive news and I felt my stomach churn. I covered my mouth and left Luis to race to the bathroom.
All the surprise and overwhelming news made me throw up the last thing I ate: pepperoni and mushroom pizza.
As I retched into the toilet bowl, something clicked into place.
If Henry made me his heir and if that news made the headlines, that would certainly be one hell of a scoop!
Now I know the reason why the paparazzi were still dogging me despite my refusals.
Because somehow they knew I was now a duchess.
A @#$!?! duchess!!