Doctor Bartholomew just stared at me and cleared his throat.
Sighing, I said, “Very well. Arboria was founded as a result of the Oramatosis pandemic.” I hated talking about Oramatosis.
“And what was Oramatosis?”
Peter leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
I wish I could take a nap right now.
Doctor Bartholomew cleared his throat again.
Leaning back in my own chair, I sighed again and explained, “Oramatosis, more commonly referred to as the Daze, was unintentionally created and released by Doctor Jason Douglas, who synthesized a virus to carry genetic cargo discovered in archived human genome samples that was thought to expand the mind. Douglas thought it would allow the mind to retain more knowledge and see patterns and connections between data already known – so that one could maximize their ability to both ingest and synthesize data. He also thought it would not be communicable. The expansion of the mind was something he desired only for himself.
“Unfortunately, the genetic cargo carried by the virus was damaged in the process. Rather than provide a beneficial alteration to the genetic code, it became a self-replicating prion factory – producing mis-folded proteins that slowly consumed ones faculties whilst destroying their brain matter. It was released through Douglas, and his many interactions with other people, all over the world.”
All the scientific words rolled off my tongue like I knew what I meant, but I didn’t really, exactly know. All I knew was that the virus did something it wasn’t supposed to do and everyone from then on was rooted.
“With an unhealthy dose of arrogance, Doctor Douglas declared himself the savior, championing a foundation, bearing his own name, offering treatments and hope for cure. The cure would never come, at least not from him. It could never come from him. Doctor Douglas knew this, but he enjoyed concocting treatments funded by masses that were also desperate to be his personal test subjects. No one would know until much later that he was the selfish creator of Oramatosis. He was sick. He was a monster. Everyone knows the name Douglas. The Firs no longer bear his name.”
A few years ago, I had to do a presentation on the Oramatosis pandemic. It was supposed to be a manuscript speech, so I rehearsed it at least a thousand times. It was still memorized.
I continued. “The problem was that the Daze killed the portion of the brain that paralyzed a person as he slept. It killed the portion that upon awakening allowed him to realize it was all just a dream. It killed the piece that tempered the frightening, evil imagery that is borne out of the depths of fear, resulting in people living in an awakened nightmare.
“The subject would lose all grip on actual reality and only see and experience the nightmare. It wasn’t constant; it would happen at random times. Dreamers could be eating a bowl of cereal and be slapped out of reality to find themselves slouched behind a dumpster defending themselves from a starved mountain lion wandering the streets. There was never a warning. They might be pulled back to reality only to discover that they had actually wandered out of their house into the middle of the street, having crushed a helpless bird in their shaken bloodied hands. Shame followed the Dazed, their innocence stolen from them while they lived their fears.”
“Hold on. Is this the manuscript speech you wrote?” interrupted Doctor Bartholomew.
“Yes,” I answered, then continued without missing a beat.
“Eventually, the subject would be in a constant state of living nightmare. If the nightmares didn’t eventually drive the subject to some sort of suicide, the subject would eventually die of malnutrition, starvation, dehydration, heart attack, or some traumatic injury from a Dazed episode.
“By the time people realized that no part of the Douglas Foundation was actually working towards curing the disease, it was too late. Seeing people experience the Daze became commonplace and, eventually, the Daze had infected nearly everyone on the planet.”
“Very good. Now, tell me about the cure. Where did it come from?”
“A gentleman by the name of Doctor Joshua Davidson had an immunity to the Daze and a vaccine cure, Soteria, was developed from samples of his blood collected at the scene of his murder. Later, it was discovered Jason Douglas hired men to kill him.
“The vaccine cure was the first of its kind. For some time, scientists had been trying to find ways of creating such a thing for a variety of illnesses. Soteria opened the door for scientists to develop more vaccine cures for a variety of deadly diseases.
“My ancestor, Alexander Nicholls, was a reporter who received a tip regarding the creation of the vaccine cure and began investigating it. Every lead he followed led to more evidence and the investigation nearly cost his life at the end of it. By the time he found someone willing to take the risk – of becoming a target for Douglas – to mass produce the cure, some people were so far gone into the Daze, they didn’t notice it. Some people knew about it, but were skeptical, so they didn’t accept it. Some people that never took the Daze injection didn’t see a reason to take it. But there were some who took the injection and became cured or immune to the Daze.”
“What happened to the people who never had the Daze, but never accepted the vaccine cure?”
We were suddenly interrupted by Peter snoring loudly. Doctor Bartholomew walked over to him and smacked him upside the head. Peter jolted awake, rubbing the back of his head and glaring at Doctor Bartholomew.
“If you are going to insist on sitting in on Princess Miriam’s final class, I am going to insist you do not become a distraction.”
I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh and Peter smirked at me. I said to Peter, “I told you he would be cross if you did not listen.” He hadn’t really been sleeping; he was trying to get on Doctor Bartholomew’s nerves and succeeded.
“I am sorry, Doctor. I had a late night traveling and must have dozed off.”
Doctor Bartholomew gave Peter a dirty look, then repeated his question to me.
“Those who never had the Daze but never took the vaccine cure ended up dying from lung failure. Once people were whole again and realized that the dead bodies of the victims of the Daze were piling up, they figured out there wasn’t enough ground to bury all the dead; the bodies were burned in mass fires. The stench of burning human flesh disturbed those who were immune, but no one got sick from it. However, and for those who had not received the vaccine cure, the smoke from it was toxic and they died.”
“What happened to the governments?”
“Destroyed!” shouted Peter, making Doctor Bartholomew and I jump. We both gave him a dirty look and he chuckled to himself.
I answered, “They were crumbling and in disarray all over the world and in every country, there was either chaos or unity. The bureaucracies that had developed over centuries could no longer function. Institutional knowledge disappeared with every Dazed person that got locked out of reality. For North America, there was chaos. Everywhere you went, you would see cities burning to the ground – from mass sterilization fires that got out of control – and people wandering aimlessly. Some places fared better than others depending on climate and culture.”
“Now, how was Arboria formed?”
“Since the northwest of the United States was where everything was centralized – the Daze, the vaccine cure, and Alexander Nicholls’ investigation and declaration of the vaccine cure – we banded together. People in the northwest were used to a system of government that involved voting, so the people wanted a ballot concerning the future of our area. It was a difficult process, especially considering that everywhere had some level of chaos, so town hall meetings were done in every city and representatives were brought to Olympia, the capital of Washington State, to discuss and vote on what to do.
“The majority wanted a representative government, but also felt the need for leadership who could work beyond the bureaucracy to build and run the country as needed. For the most part, those who did not like the decisions made relocated to other parts of the continent. The fi
rst King was selected by election and nearly everyone voted for Alexander Nicholls. He had done so much more than tell everyone about the vaccine cure; he also made decisions and led the people in many different ways up to that point.”
I glance over at Peter, who was now staring at the blank wall behind Doctor Bartholomew as if it was actually an intricate, detailed work of art. I knew how he felt.
“He split the northwest into ten provinces and appointed new Nobility, Dukes and Duchesses, to each one. Every province voted for a representative, a Delegate, who would work with the Noble to make sure the people’s voices were being heard. Every Province Delegate and Duke or Duchess was a part of the Council, who would regularly meet with the King for the same reason and to prevent the King from having too much power.”
“Princess, you seem to have good knowledge of our history and how the kingdom is governed. I will let King Aaron know I have full confidence in you.”
I furrowed my brow in confusion. “That is all? We are done? What about all the other things you have taught me?”
He waved off the question as if it was ridiculous. “I already know you know all that. I knew you knew what we discussed today, as well, but wanted to run through it one more time with you.” I quickly interpreted all the “knows” and “knews” to decipher what he had said.
I rose and Peter followed my action. “Thank you, Doctor Bartholomew.”
I expected him to just dismiss me, but he, instead, gave me his single clap of approval and rounded his desk to give me a deep bow. “It has been an honor, Your Highness.”
Making eye contact with me, Peter shrugged and smiled before Doctor Bartholomew had brought himself back up to standing from his bow. I nodded once to him and left the tutoring room for the last time, thinking about the future ahead of me.
Chapter 15
Silently, Peter and I went to my rose maze from my tutoring session. When we got to the center, we sat on the sofa swing in the white gazebo. He sat first and I followed, leaning against him and allowing his arm to drape over my shoulders.
“Is everything alright, Rose?” He asked me.
“Hmm?” I had to shake myself out of my thoughts and concerns for my future. “Oh. Yes. Everything is fine, Peter.” I turned around and gave him a smiling kiss, letting it linger. In acceptance, he pulled me closer and deepened the kiss, then withdrew his lips and rested his forehead against mine.
“You’re not fine. I can tell it in your kiss. Plus, you are a terrible liar,” Peter whispered.
Sighing, I breathed back, “You caught me.” Separating our foreheads, I stayed close and looked him in the eyes. “I just don’t know how you’re going to react when I tell you what I think you should know.”
Relaxing his embrace, he furrowed his brow and said, “Whatever you need to tell me, you can do it without worry. I love you too much.”
I gasped and I am sure all the color left my face. “You love me?”
He laughed breathily. “Yes, Rose. I wasn’t going to tell you unless I won the King’s Test, but something tells me you should know now.”
“We have been together for five years and you have never said anything that serious to me.”
He shrugged. “Maybe it’s time that I do.”
I closed my eyes. “It complicates things, that’s for sure. It kind of makes me even more afraid to tell you.” Opening my eyes, I took a deep breath. “Remember this morning when I received the comm from Stephan?”
Peter quirked a brow and drawled, “Yes.”
Looking down and biting the corner of my bottom lip, I just came out with it. “He was calling to inform me that I’m the only woman he wants to marry. He didn’t say it, but between that and the other night in our interview and – kiss – it seems like he is in love with me.”
Peter took in a sharp breath. “How long?”
“I’m not sure, but it sounds like it has been for a long time.”
His embrace tightened again in frustration. “Why now?”
“Same as you. He said he couldn’t go into the King’s Test without telling me. He couldn’t keep silent about it with the possibility of us being married in a few months.”
“I’m going to kill him.”
“Peter – ”
He pressed a finger to my lips to prevent me from going any further. “Before you say he doesn’t know anything about us, you should know that he does.”
As he brought his hand back around my waist, my eyes widened. “You told him?!”
“Well, you told Ella.”
“I actually didn’t. She guessed only yesterday. But that doesn’t matter right now. Why would he do that when he knows how you feel about me? You’re friends. You didn’t know?”
“No. That’s why I am mad. I can’t believe he would betray me like this. He must have done it knowing he’d be late in arriving. Didn’t want me getting a head start.”
I laughed. “It’s a bit late for that.” Peter smiled, but didn’t calm himself. I placed my hand on his cheek and he tilted his head into it. “Peter, you have nothing to worry about as far as my affections.” I said it, but I wasn’t sure if it was totally true.
Then, he relaxed. “I know. I suppose I should be grateful that the most likely person to win the test will love you.”
I frowned. “Don’t say things like that. You have just as much chance as he does.”
He chuckled sardonically. “You and I both know that is not true.”
Before I could stop it, a tear unexpectedly fell from the corner of my eye and my lower lip pouted without intention. Peter wiped the tear with his thumb. “Please don’t cry, Rose,” he begged.
“I can’t help it. It’s not fair that there’s a possibility I can’t marry a man that I choose.” More tears began to fall and pretty soon they were falling like a torrential downpour in October. He brought my head to his chest with his hand and stroked my hair in comfort.
Placing his cheek on the top of my head, he said quietly, “Shh. It’s alright. We’ll just have to take advantage of the time we’re guaranteed together.”
I nodded. We spent the rest of the day together either in the rose maze or sitting out in a field or walking through the forest. As much as I hated to admit it, Peter was right. Chances are, Stephan would win and I would have to marry him. Also, it was quite possible this would be the last week we could pull away alone. When Stephan arrived the next week, we were sure he would find every way conceivable to keep us apart.
The trouble was, I didn’t know whether or not all that really bothered me.
Chapter 16
The next morning, Peter and I sat together at breakfast, but were silent. Food wasn’t something I felt up to at the time and I pushed my eggs around my plate with my fork.
“What do you think, Rose?” I shook myself out of my stupor when I realized Father was addressing me.
“I’m sorry.” I smiled. “I missed that. Could you repeat it?” Peter’s hand that was under the table moved to my knee as if acknowledging he knew what was running through my head, which he was only partially right about.
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes, of course. I am just a little tired.” It wasn’t completely a lie. When Peter dropped me off at my room the previous night, I changed without Marie and went straight to bed. All I could think of was the circumstance Peter and I had created by being in a relationship. I was also upset not only about Stephan’s confession and my own confusion, but his betrayal of Peter.
“Well, as I was saying, the Council was discussing the beginning of the King’s Test and thought it would be a good idea for you to give a speech through the royal channel of the holocomm.”
I nodded and shrugged. “I assumed that I would be doing that anyway. I have already begun composing it.”
“Excellent. Please excuse me. I am sorry to leave before you are finished, darling, but your mother and I have some business to attend to.” He held Mother’s hand to help her stand and moved around behind my cha
ir to kiss me on my cheek.
As they left, Peter leaned over and said, “I’m sorry, Rose.”
I glanced over at Ella, silently asking if she could leave. Politely, Ella excused herself to give us a little privacy.
“What are you sorry for? You’ve done nothing wrong.”
He shook his head. “I know. I’m just sorry for you because I’m somewhat experiencing what you’re going through. It’s so difficult for me. I can only imagine how you’re feeling.”
“How do you mean ‘somewhat’?” I asked him.
He stood and helped me up holding my hand. Giving it a little squeeze before letting go, he led me out of the Dining Hall and down the stairs to go to our swing in the rose maze.
Sitting down, he held both my hands as I stood in front of him. “You are having to deal with the possibility of not only losing me, but being forced to marry without love at all. There is a chance that I might fall in love again and will be able to marry for love when all is said and done.”
I frowned and took my hands slowly out of his. “You think you’ll get over me that fast?”
He took both hands back quickly. “No. No, no, no. Not at all. That is not what I am saying.” He let go and ran a hand through his short blond hair. “I don’t know how to say what I’m trying to say.”
I sat next to him and thought about what he had said. Shouldn’t I want him to eventually marry for love? Wouldn’t that be the loving thing to desire for him? Without looking at him, I held his hand sitting next to me on the swing and said, “I think I understand what you’re saying.”
He looked at me with those deep brown eyes that I loved so dearly, but I couldn’t look at them. “Rose, I love you. You’ll always have a place in my heart. There’s nothing I can do about it and I’m not sure I would want to even if I could. But we’ll both have to move on sooner or later.”
Turning to me, he gently tipped my face to him, forcing me to look into his gentle gaze. “If there was anyone I would want you to be with aside from me, it would be Stephan. Even if he wasn’t in love with you, I know he would take care of you. I want you to know, I won’t be offended if you fall in love with him after you’re married.”
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