"Helia?" Elysia's voice, calm and soft, pierced through the veil of the dream.
Helia blinked, slowly regaining her senses. She was no longer lying in that bed. The darkness and the pain had given way to the soothing song of birds.
She was in her garden, comfortably seated on a wooden chair, facing a small table where a teapot, two finely decorated porcelain cups, and an assortment of delicate pastries rested upon matching plates. The fragrance of blooming flowers brought her back to reality, though her heart still pounded violently.
She drew in a deep breath, still shaken by the dream she had just endured—or rather, by the memory of last night's dream. It was the third time that week she had dreamed of such scenes.
"Helia, are you listening to me?" her friend repeated, a hint of concern in her voice.
One delicate hand rested over hers, her expression filled with gentle solicitude.
She shook her head, snapping out of her thoughts.
"Yes… Yes, I'm listening."
"You were daydreaming," Elysia said softly as she lifted her teacup. "Is everything all right?"
She tilted her head slightly to the side. With her calm and gentle smile, she looked like an angel descended to earth, almost unreal in the afternoon light.
A shiver ran down Helia's spine, but the unease gnawing at her gradually faded, overwhelmed by the soothing presence of her friend.
"I… yes, I'm fine," she replied with a faint smile, pushing the dream from her mind. "I was just thinking about a bad dream. Nothing serious."
Elysia took another sip of her tea before setting the cup down gracefully.
"Well then," she began lightly, "have you heard about the banquet that Count Dante is hosting in a few days?"
"Yes, my father mentioned it. But I haven't picked out a dress yet…"
"Don't tell me you were actually considering going?" She exclaimed, sudden concern flashing across her face. "Honestly, you shouldn't bother. I've heard it's going to be dreadfully boring."
Helia blinked, surprised by the statement.
"Really? But I thought it was supposed to be an important event."
Elysia gently shrugged, her smile still serene, though her green eyes took on an almost amused glint.
"Oh, you know how the Count is… He loves giving long, pointless speeches. And honestly, the food at his banquets is always disappointing."
She wrinkled her nose with an exaggeratedly disgusted expression.
Helia hesitated, her fingers idly playing with the handle of her tea cup. The banquet hadn't particularly excited her, but she had never considered skipping it since her father had presented it as an important evening. Yet, her friend's words planted doubts in her mind that she didn't quite know how to handle.
Elysia raised her eyebrows slightly, her expression full of sympathy.
"I'm telling you this as a friend. None of the young ladies in our circle plan to attend. I wouldn't want you to end up stuck there, listening to endless speeches." She let out a dramatic sigh. "For my part," she continued with a regretful look, "I have to go. My parents accepted the invitation, and you know how they are… But you, you're lucky to have such an understanding father. He won't force you to attend something so… tedious."
Helia stared at her friend for a moment, her thoughts intensifying. Something about her speech unsettled her, as if behind the reassuring words and perfect demeanor, another motive was hidden.
"Well," she finally answered, trying to sound assured, "I think I'll go anyway. After all, if it's as bad as you say, at least I'll be there to keep you company."
Elysia pursed her lips slightly, her smile seeming to falter for a brief moment before returning with gentle warmth. She delicately placed her hand on Helia's.
"You're too kind. But honestly, you shouldn't put yourself through this. Trust me, you'd be better off staying here, resting, or working on something useful." She pulled a sympathetic grimace.
"I wouldn't want you to end up trapped in an unpleasant situation because of me."
Her words slid into Helia's mind like velvet, and before she could truly think, she heard her own voice murmur.
"You must be right… there's no point in going, then."
"A wise decision," Elysia replied with a broad smile, but her sentence was interrupted by the arrival of her maid, who stepped forward discreetly and respectfully.
"Miss, I'm sorry to interrupt, but it is time for you to return home, you need to get ready for dinner. Your parents have insisted that you be on time," the maid announced, her head slightly bowed.
The beautiful blond woman, visibly annoyed by the interruption, brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear with a weary gesture.
"Oh! That dinner with my father's business partners… I had completely forgotten it was today."
Touched by her friend's exasperation, Helia offered her a sympathetic smile.
"I sincerely sympathize. Best of luck, then."
Elysia turned to her maid, her tone firm.
"Very well, give us a few more moments."
The maid stepped away, disappearing among the garden's verdant pathways, leaving the two ladies alone under the gentle afternoon sun.
Rising to her feet, Elysia turned to her with a sincere smile.
"Thank you for this afternoon, the tea was delightful. Let's meet again soon."
"With pleasure, whenever you'd like." Helia replied, her heart lifting at the thought of their next meeting.
She watched as Elysia gracefully walked away through the flower-lined pathways of the garden, the hem of her emerald dress floating lightly in the breeze.
She still admired her, her natural elegance, the unwavering confidence she exuded, her effortless ability to charm those around her.
Since childhood, Elysia had always been the queen of their little world. Helia, on the other hand, had often struggled to blend into high society. She had never truly managed to fit in, but with Elysia by her side, it had never seemed to matter.
Yet, her recent dreams still troubled her. They felt so real, like echoes of another life.
But they were just dreams, she reminded herself once again. Nothing worth taking seriously.
After all, Elysia was her best friend.
The only friend she had ever had.