...A familiar face appears

Eyelids as heavy as lead, Annette fought against the blinding light flowing in from her bedroom window. Moving her body slightly, she felt the familiar soft covers of her bed, but her pillows felt different... they were comfy, but both firmer and warmer than she was used to. Annette's emerald eyes fluttered before getting a good look at what she was resting on. It was a man's lap. Looking up, she saw Victor smiling brightly at her.

"No.. Am I... dead?"

"Did... all that power kill me?"

She thought to herself, struggling to process the contrasting recent events.

Victor's fingers brushed the red hair from her curious eyes. Before softly caressing the side of her head with his thumb.

"Incredible. Even after racing around saving the village, you... still look just as pretty as when we first met."

"I hope you don't mind, I figured you earned yourself some sleep rather than answering questions all night."

Questions. There could be no better indication that she wasn't in Heaven. She struggled to think of how to explain what she saw... what she had to do... perhaps it would be best to pretend to forget to save herself the humiliation and shame. While Erena's words consoled her, she would always carry the haunting memories of last night with her.

Annette's eyes glistened as she smiled back at him. Her pale hand reached up to his cheek and spoke softly, still finding her voice.

"I'm so glad you're okay... your wounds looked deep... you should be resting... are you not in pain like this?"

Finding Annette's raised hand with his own, Victor held it tight before matching her soft tone with his own...

"You did a wonderful thing out there... The miracle you performed earlier didn't heal me - no offence taken - but the militia men at the square... something happened to them ...They can heal now too!"

Victor grinned and squeezed Annette's hand.

"I don't think they're lining up to be interim Princesses you'll be happy to hear... and they're nowhere near your level, but they were able to help close up my warrior wounds."

The farmhand chuckled...

"Everyone's really excited about it. They're saying they could even be Paladins in Erena's name."

Paladins? There were records of such in historic texts. Warriors who fought with the blessings and powers bestowed by deities. Erena must have empowered the men fighting in the square in order to give Farfield a better chance fending off such attacks in the future.

Victor turned his head and kissed her palm before closing it with his own.

"You get your head down for a bit longer. Rosie and I will get you something to eat."

"Oh and Annie... I won't forget what you both did for me... Thank you. Words aren't enough, but when you're back on your feet, I'll be sure to show you how grateful I am."

Lifting her head and replacing it with a pillow, Victor leant down and gave Annette a parting kiss on the forehead before walking to the door. With one last smile back at her, he left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

Despite the muddled thoughts in her head, sleep returned quickly to the smiling Priestess as she sank into the soft pillows.

As noon arrived in the town of Farfield, the beloved village healer awoke to the alluring smell of garlic and herb infused chicken soup with freshly baked bread flowing in from her kitchen...