Queen Victoria's eyes fluttered open and all she could see was utter darkness. Her head moved sideways and she spotted Lord Richard seated on a chair beside her with his eyes closed. But what was he doing here? Oh! Right. Now she remembered. The dizziness, the falling, and Lord Richard coming to her rescue before she kissed the cold floor. He had been her knight in shining armor when she was a damsel in distress. She had him to thank for that.
Her mind felt foggy when she moved again. She shook her head to clear her mind, but instead of clarity, she was greeted by a wave of weariness that seemed to emanate from the depths of her being. She tried to sit up on her bed but her limbs felt heavy, as if each limb carried an invisible burden. The simple act of moving seemed like an uphill climb, her muscles protesting against the effort.
