Chapter 301 Truth 1
Quickly rushing to the room, Daneel was shocked to see that Eloise's body which had been motionless all these days was suddenly moving, and her expression had also changed to that of pain from peace.
"Is anything wrong?", he asked Sister Xuan, who was standing beside the bed and watching closely.
"No. Some pain is normal when one wakes up from such a long period of hibernation. The sensation of getting back control of one's senses also sends a shock to the brain that is perceived as pain."
Hearing this, Daneel nodded and tried to contact Eloise in his mind through the oath stone. Getting no answer, he assumed that she was probably occupied with taking back control of her body.
Even back on Earth, he had heard of cases where coma patients felt intense pain when waking up due to the fact that the body had been motionless for such a long time, causing the blood flow to lessen.
Solemnly, the three of them waited and watched Eloise as the pain in her face increased bit by bit.
At the same time, there was also a change in her body that left them feeling amazed.
Since the first time that he had seen her in this state, Daneel had always thought that there was some kind of glow under her skin which was very faint.
Now, that glow had just intensified before disappearing entirely.
In its wake, it had changed Eloise's skin into a spotless state, as if she had just been born. Also, a natural glowing effect had been added to it, causing one to feel awe just by looking at this phenomenon and wondering whether this was even possible in a human.
As for her face, her features hadn't changed that much, but there was just this additional aura to her that made those watching feel attracted.
Of course, this only lasted for a second because all those in the room were quite powerful.
Before, Eloise might have paled to Sister Xuan in the matter of beauty because of the latter's perfectly proportional face and perfect skin. Eloise, on the other hand, had been just a normal human, albeit a beautiful one with some flaws such as her pale skin.
Growing in power did change one's appearance, but Daneel had never thought that it would be this drastic.
Actually, this was a case of growth in potential rather than power, so Daneel realized that the metrics must be different.
Finally, with the fluttering of her eyes, Eloise's expression relaxed as she opened them and curiously looked around.
Blinking continuously, she softly said "Daneel!" before suddenly closing her mouth after realizing that she was in the presence of other people.
Of course, none of them had missed the call.
"I'm right here, Eloise. How do you feel?"
Saying this, Daneel bent forward slightly and came into her vision.
Seeing him, she broke into a wide smile before looking at the others and moving her hands in an attempt to get up.
"Be careful. You haven't moved an inch in weeks, so the first thing you should do is probably go to the bathroom."
It seemed as if Sister Xuan's words had made her realize something, as Eloise hurriedly nodded and quickly got up before stumbling for a bit and almost falling to the floor.
Instinctively, Daneel bent forward and caught her by her hand and shoulder.
As a silence ensued in the room, he raised her up before letting go and pointing in one direction, saying, "The ladies' room is that way."
Turning away from everyone in an attempt to hide the blush on her face, Eloise quickly reached her destination and closed the door behind her.
"The energy burns through the wastes of the body when it's active, but one survivor said that he felt an urgent need to relieve himself after it disappeared."
Saying this line, Sister Xuan looked at Molan and gestured at the door.
"We will take our leave now. Tell her that she will feel different for quite a long period of time, but she should get used to it because it is due to the fact that her mind and body have reached a much higher potential. She should also start training as soon as possible, as there might be some remnant energy in her body which will be triggered in the training process."
Nodding at the King, both women exited through the door and closed it behind them.
Daneel hadn't said anything, because his mind was in a slightly panicked state because of the conversation he would soon have with Eloise.
All through his life, he had never spoken about his true feelings to any woman and that too in matters concerning the heart.
In fact, Daneel had never even considered that he might have to take a decision on it so soon. After all, the only thing that had been on his mind for the longest time was the looming threat of the Church which always pushed him to work hard and ensure the safety of as many lives as possible.
While he tried to order his thoughts, he heard the door opening.
Stepping out of the ladies' room, Eloise blushed again as she saw that she was alone in the room with the King.
"King Daneel -", she started to speak, but she was interrupted by Daneel raising a hand.
"I've told you many times when we conversed using our minds, Eloise. Call me Daneel. "
After looking into his eyes for a few moments, Eloise finally opened her mouth and said, "Da-Daneel, thank you for taking so much time out and talking to me…"
"You do not need to thank me, Eloise. I enjoyed it as much as you did. Besides, you got into this trouble because of me. I was the one who gave permission for those guests to enter the Palace."
"N-no! It isn't your fault! It's just that… When I heard Kellor say that you had given permission for two unknown women to reside in the Palace and had also asked him to take special care of them, I… I assumed something else. I got into a staring match with that woman, and I ignored the signs from my body which were telling me that I was being harmed. I just… Couldn't bear it."
Looking down adorably, Eloise said these words and laid out the true reason behind the mishap.
Finally finding out the truth, Daneel was quite surprised, but one thing the puzzled him was regarding why Sister Xuan hadn't broken away from the staring contest herself.
Deciding to ask her later, he said, "Eloise, about that-"
Yet, he stopped speaking because she had just raised a hand just like him.
"No. Please don't tell me anything. I only told you about my true feelings because I thought it was the end. I do not want you to give me an answer regarding them, and I can actually… Tell what you want to say. I cannot change my feelings, and even if you do not feel anything of that sort for me, then all I wish is to stay by your side and help you to achieve your dreams, because they have become mine. Can I please at least have this?"
Indeed, from Daneel's expression of hesitation and the emotions in his eyes, Eloise had been able to guess his answer.
Not wanting him to see her cry, she quickly went to the balcony before letting the tears flow.
As she heard footsteps approaching behind her, she had no idea what to do.
Yet, suddenly feeling a strong hand envelop hers, she looked up with shock to see the King looking at her with an expression of determination on his face.
"Eloise. I do love you. I love you as the brave woman who came to my chambers and did not hesitate to offer up her body in order to save those who were innocent. I love you as the mastermind behind the Network of Angaria without whom such success would not have been possible. And now, after talking to you for so long, I love you very, very much as an incredible and kind human being who I'm truly grateful to know. But, I'm sorry, because I do not love you in the way you want."
Her tears pausing, Eloise was enchanted by the sincere emotions in the King's eyes.
Indeed, there was love, but it was a love of admiration.
"Eloise, I do not want to make you stay by my side with the hanging promise that those feelings might develop one day. They might, or they might not. My entire focus right now is on the people of Angaria, and although I would really like you to stay with me, I understand if you would want to leave. I know you said you wanted to stay, but make your decision while keeping in mind that I cannot promise you anything. If you do stay, I want you to know that you will be family. But if this is goodbye, I cannot thank you enough for everything you've done, and I will forever be in your debt."
Finally letting out everything in his heart, Daneel sighed deeply while waiting for Eloise to answer.
He really did have no romantic intentions towards her, and this had become clear after the conversation with his parents.
Yet, without answering, Eloise did something which shocked him.
In a flash, she ran forward and hugged him before starting to sob on his shoulders.