32. The Irish King (Part 2)

Vienna felt a headache. Her head was so painful. She heard voices but could not see. It felt soft beneath her. It was as though she was laying on a bed.

The voices became clearer "Vienna sweetie. Please wake up. I know you can pull through..." It was her mother's voice.

Vienna then felt a warm hand on her forehead. She wanted to open her eyes but she couldn't. She wanted to speak but she found it hard to move her lips. She felt tired. Her head was hurting. She fell into a deep sleep.

The next time she woke up Vienna wasn't wasn't sure how long had gone by. But she managed to open her eyes. She registered her surroundings quick. She was in her room. She turned to the side and her head hurt "Ow." She saw her mother who seemed asleep on a bed that was never there before. What had just happened? Why was her mother sleeping there? There were syringes on her desk and medical equipment. Who was the patient? Was it her? Why? Her head hurt badly but she seemed fine enough to sit up. She felt sweaty. She looked around. She saw a water bottle on the table next to her. Her throat felt dry. She drank the water and then started coughing.

Adele woke up and screamed as she saw her daughter awake. She jumped up "Sweetie."

Vienna found herself crushed in her mother's embrace who was sitting on the edge of the bed squeezing her hard. Her mother was crying "I am so sorry sweetie. I am so sorry we couldn't protect you like we should have. I am so sorry ...."

Vienna was shocked. She breathed. "Mum... what's  happened... I was at Vanessa's birthday party... why am I here?." She was confused. She could remember the party but nothing came to mind to tell her how she got there. The pain in her head was not so bad. It was better. Her mother's embrace was the cure.

Adele was crying as she was embracing her daughter "I am so sorry sweetie.,, you were in an accident."

Vienna gasped "How? Where?"

Adele pulled away slightly "You went to comfort Angelia who was upset. You offered to ride with her to her home... You got into her car and ... her driver was a stranger who Viggo has not hired. Angelia had hired her. Without telling Viggo. The driver drove away fast with everyone in thaw who had noticed he was trying to kidnap you and Angelia. Well, wanted to kidnap Angelia but you ended up in the car too... There was an accident... You hit your head... You have been unconscious for 8 hours now.."

Vienna gasped "8 hours."

Adele wept "Yes. I am so sorry sweetie. There was an accident and we pulled you out... You didn't suffer any harm because you were wearing your seatbelt . So don't worry sweetie. The X-rays were fine. Your father was ... so angry ... He nearly killed some of my employees at the hospital for not working fast enough ... Thank the lord you are fine. Your father was calmer after I explained what the X-rays showed ... I had to repeat it five times . I am so happy you are safe... Your father said he will never let anything happen to you and will punish the guilty..." Adele then continued crying but got up and picked up some medication.

Vienna whispered "Mum. Is Angelia ok? Did she get hurt in the accident?" She was dreading the question. Her mum was crying so hard so it meant something bad had happened.

Adele spoke between sobs as she handed her daughter a glass of water and a tablet "Swallow this sweetie. It will help."

Vienna complied and asked "Tell me Mum."

Adele whispered tearfully "She is fine ... but ..."

Vienna said "But what Mum?"

Adele cried harder "It's bad news sweetie... After we brought you home to treat you and Angelia , ... Tristan was not happy. He wants Angelia to suffer because it's her fault in his view that this accident has happened. She had hired that new driver without telling Viggo. She is held responsible. He wants her. If your father gives in, Angelia is taken... He will kill her. I know he will. Viggo is going crazy. Your father and Viggo are talking to Tristan and all the Irish mob families downstairs. Tristan wants Angelia alive and wants to hurt her... But your father wants to let her live and punish the ones connected to the driver and the driver who is being treated in hospital. He wasn't wearing his seat belt when the accident happened."

Vienna was taking the information horrified. Even she felt like crying now. Tears came down. She belonged to an Irish king. No one was allowed to endanger his queen. There were rules that she was aware of but didn't want to think about. She wept hard.

Adele's eyes widened "Sweetie calm down. I will bring your medication and food. We can find away. Your father always finds a way."

Vienna watched her mother getting her medication bag from the table "Mum... where is dad?"

Adele whispered "I will call your father to say you are awake after I give you some food and medication... He said when you awaken you must be taken care off as priority. He is busy holding Tristan off."

Vienna gasped "Mum... How bad is it?"

Adele said "Your father is trying to save our family from war. I don't want Tristan near you but he has a claim on you.., Tristan said he will declare war on us if Angelia is not handed to him but he won't do anything until you recover. He will wait until you recover and it will be war unless we give Angelia up. Viggo won't give up on her .... Your father doesn't like Tristan's demands. I do call Angelia family even if your father doesn't.... But Tristan has threatened our family. There is a war coming Sweetie. I can't do anything. Angelia is now at the Center of war. She is being guarded by us in this house. Tristan wants her dead. Viggo is offering to take her punishment which Tristan refuses. He threatened your brother." Adele cringed as she recalled "He threatened your brother right in front of my eyes for suggesting something so outrageous. He said that's an insult that your brother would suggest that to defend Angelia who caused you to get hurt. He vowed to punish Viggo for his lack of loyalty after he is done with Angelia. He will wait until you recover and will attack our home if we don't hand in Angelia...."

Vienna felt numb. This was unlike Tristan. He couldn't do this. He couldn't threaten her family. She was terrified. She felt cold. Chills ran down her spine as her mother gave her medication and hot soup that was brought to her room by her mother's request. She didn't even have appetite but her mother forced her to eat slowly.

This was just wrong. How had this happened? Flashbacks of the night came to her mind slowly. It was hazy. There was a party. Angelia was upset. She wanted to leave early ... she went with her. But she didn't remember that well what happened afterwards. She did remember getting into the car but the rest was unclear.

Vienna whispered "Mum... What is father going to do? Is he going to... go to ... war?" She swallowed hard as she wiped her face where her tears were dried.

Adele sighed "I don't know sweetie." She then paused as she glanced out of the window. "I should call your father to come up now. You seem stable." She then walked away to the door and asked the guards to get her husband.

Vienna watched as the door opened minutes later and her stone faced father with a cold look entered the room while her mother was standing in the corner like a statue way out of her father's way. Her father looked ready to kill. His gaze was only on her in the room. For once he didn't even glance at her mother even though whenever she was in the room he always addressed her first.

What Vienna felt next she hadn't felt before. Her father's embrace and the promise in his voice to never allow anyone to hurt her again. He made promise after promise... She didn't think she was ever going to school now with all these promises. Was her father going to let her out of the house? She didn't think so. She was going to be home schooled now until her safety was guaranteed. Her father vowed to find every single low life who had anything to do with that driver who had driven her and Angelia away.

Once her father was finished and pulled away he spoke without looking away from her "Adele. Does she need anything?"

Her mother replied quickly "She seems fine. She should sleep though."

Francesco turned to Adele "Sweetheart, is there anything you are hiding from me? Tell me sweetheart. Tell me if her condition is worse than what you say it is. You can tell me now."

Adele gulped at his stare. There was an unspoken threat that said if you play god with my daughters life you will be sorry. He had made it quite clear in the hospital. All threats he directed to them was directed to her too. She felt it... She shook her head "No. she will be fine. Francesco. I swear it ... I swear it on my mother's life."

Francesco relaxed slightly and smiled at her. "All right. Sweetheart can you next door please. Just for a little while. Tristan is coming up next and I don't wish him to threaten you or disrespect you. If he does I won't hold back ... even in front of our daughter... We can resolve your differences with him later. We can talk about the names you called him in front of his people when he arrived."

Until then Vienna hadn't had the courage to speak. But now she was too curious. She had been knowing his father enough to know when she was not allowed to speak. The look in her father's eyes said it all. Right now she had to keep quiet unless she wanted to see his wrath. Her father was angry. She could tell. He was tense. He wanted blood. It was obvious. Her mother even didn't dare protest and nodded as she left the room. Her father watched her mother leave and close the door. He then turned to her with a weak smile that was a contrast to his hardened eyes "Darling. Tristan wants to see you. Is there a reason for me to stop him from seeing you. He has said he won't leave without seeing you tonight. He just wants to check on you. I didn't give him permission unless you want to see him. He can camp outside our house or bring in his people to break our doors down but I will always be protecting you. Last night, mistakes happened. They won't happen again. I make sure your brother is never careless again. Your brother failed to keep control of his woman's actions last night. He was a last minute recruit your brother never saw or heard of. Angelia hid this from him. There will be consequences."

Vienna gasped " No. Dad please... Don't hurt anyone for me..."

Francesco leaned closer and kissed her forehead "Darling. I will never hurt you. I will never allow anyone who hurt you to get away with it. The guilty parties will be dealt with. Tristan has the right to be involved in the decisions..."

Vienna shook her head "Please. Don't let Tristan hurt Angelia. I am fine."

Francesco shook his head "You are sounding like your mother. I hope you don't address Tristan like she did too. She called him an Irish blood thirsty cold blooded criminal... right in front of his people. He did say that after you recover he will deal with the matter of lack of trust towards him to keep you safe. He said he will prove himself that he can protect you and it shouldn't matter if he is a monster to your mother."

Vienna felt that her father sounded almost amused. If the look in his eyes wasn't so deadly, she would have thought he was about to chuckle. It felt strange. She had been afraid her father before but not this much. She felt that the air around his father was not just one of authority but death too. Her father was taking in a caring tone about matters others than hurting people but his eyes said different.

Francesco asked his daughter "One last time Darling. Tell me. Do you want to see Tristan or you would like to sleep? I can dismiss him sweetie. I promise you. Papa will protect you this time round unlike last night when Angelia trusted a driver working for his only surviving cousin drive her away to him...."

Vienna was shocked "What? Her cousin?"

Francesco said "Yes Darling. That's why Viggo didn't think much of it when Angelia said she trusted the driver. I make sure I teach your brother to not trust anyone but his own judgement. The love of that girl caused all this trouble ..."

Vienna asked desperately with a pleading tone "What will you do? Mum says Tristan wants revenge. What do you want father?"

Francesco replied "I want protection for you and I want to make sure this mistake will never happen again. Tristan wants that too and ..."

Suddenly there was a commotion outside. Vienna heard shouting. It was Viggo "My father told you to remain down there. My sister needs peace."

Tristan's voice was heard "I have ran out of patience. I am here to see my queen and I won't leave without seeing her. A king needs to see his queen. Go tend to your woman. It's the last time you see her in one piece I promise you."

Francesco sighed and frowned as he walked to the door. He opened the door and then closed it soundly as he saw Viggo standing in Tristan's personal space "I won't let you touch her."

Tristan said "I won't touch her. I will kill her." He then walked past at Francesco "Sir. I only need to see her. Just give me one minute with her. I just have to see she is safe. Is one minute too much to ask? You can be present too. One minute is all I ask." Tristan wanted to stay the night but Francesco Rosario held the cards in his hands. He was not married to his daughter. He had the right to kick him out. Even the okane principles gave the right to Francesco to refuse him the right to see her unless they were married. If Francesco said no, he was going to retaliate later of course. He didn't appreciate anyone denying him a respectable and reasonable request.

Francesco said firmly "You can see her. Keep it short. She needs to rest. One hour maximum." He then walked past him without another glance. He was meant to give him a warning for ignoring his instruction to remain in the meeting room until he called him. But one look into Tristan's eyes told him the young man didn't deserve no reprimanding. He was sincere. He was respectful. He loved his godson like his own sons. He surprised himself with the thought. Tristan has handled the situation well. He hadn't even threatened his family at Francesco's Home. The threat was at Angelia who was not family. He had said he was going to war just to get Angelia. It was excessive and drastic. He didn't want his son to mourn the loss of a woman just because it made his godson joyous to do so. There was conflict of interest, one he was keen to resolve with the least damage to his family.

Tristan gave a silent glance to Viggo who pressed his lips stopping himself saying anything. He was in charge but he wasn't going to contradict his father. Tristan made his way quickly to Vienna's room. He was going to make the most of the hour.

Vienna heard more noises now from the inside as she was laying down in bed.

Her heart was beating fast as she heard his voice outside her room arguing with her mother "I need to see her Ms Rosario...." What was her mother thinking? Calling him names and now most likely standing in his way.

Her mother demanded "She needs to sleep. You can see her tomorrow."

Tristan said "Mrs Rosario. I respect you. But please don't question me. Please get out of my way. We have a lot to discuss later and I don't wish to argue with you."

It was Viggo who saved the day "Mother, he is allowed to go inside. Father granted it. You can speak to him. He made his way to the boxing room just now."

Vienna sighed in relief as she heard her mother's footsteps. She inhaled the air and the scent of his aftershave even filled the room before he even entered. She automatically got up from the bed. She felt the need to greet him. She was his queen and had to greet him with open arms. She wanted it. She had so much to think about but it came natural to her to show him she was fine and she wanted to calm him.

As Tristan opened the door and closed it slowly, he turned on the light. He found himself embraced by Vienna.

Vienna buried her face in his chest as she hugged him. She could hear his heart beat and felt him relax visibly.

Tristan took a deep breath and kissed her forehead "Thank the lord. You can walk... Are you alright? Are you in pain?"

Vienna slowly pulled away and looked up "I am fine. I just need you..."

Tristan didn't let her finish and attached his lips to hers. He then picked her up bridal style "Tsk, Tsk Vienna. Have you been breaking the rules? I told you not to run from me last night. I told you not to do anything without your brothers permission or mine. You ran to the car to accompany her when you were told specifically by your brother to wait. He wanted to arrange transport for you..." He then laid her down on the bed "But now I know to watch you closer. Viggo and I won't let you pull a stunt like that again."

Vienna pleaded "So you know it is all my fault. Why do you want to punish Angelia and Viggo. Punish me..."

Tristan's expression hardened as he started pacing the floor in front of her bed "I don't think you are the judge Vienna. Right now you only need to rest in bed. Didn't your mother tell you to rest?"

Vienna pleaded "Tristan please. Don't hurt others. It's my fault what happened."

Tristan punched the wall "Don't Vienna. You are at fault for trusting Angelia with your life. But Angelia put you in danger. She has to pay."

Vienna's eye lids felt heavy "Please Tristan. Don't hurt Angelia. My brother will get hurt. It's not right."

Tristan bent over her "Shh. Don't worry. I won't hurt anyone until you are recovered. You just rest and recover." He then watched as Vienna's eyes closed and she fell into a deep sleep. He looked at the table next to her and noticed the sleeping pills. Of course. Her mother had made her swallow one before him turning up. Why not? He made a note to get Adele Rosario one day for this. She didn't need no sleeping pill right after she woke up. She just wanted to make sure he didn't stay long enough. She could have the sleeping pill now instead. He had seen Vienna long enough. So he decided to leave as he planted a kiss on her forehead "Good night my queen. This king will be back tomorrow ... with a vengeance..."