A Royal Obligation
Chapter 148: She’ll Pull Through

Chapter 148: She’ll Pull Through

The halls of the Zephyros palace had grown unnervingly quiet since the queen collapsed. What was once a place filled with bustling servants, regal gatherings, and lively royal banter now felt heavy with uncertainty and tension.

Weeks had passed, and the queen had yet to awaken. Despite the constant care of the best physicians in the kingdom, no one had been able to determine what was wrong with her. Each failed diagnosis only deepened the cloud of anxiety hanging over the palace.

The king had barely left her side since it happened. He could often be found seated by her bed, holding her hand, his usually composed face worn with worry and exhaustion. His eyes rarely left her still form, and though he had trusted Kaelix to take over his royal duties temporarily, it was clear the weight of his wife’s condition was slowly crushing him.

Kaelix had stepped in as acting ruler, but the burden of leadership had never felt heavier, especially knowing his mother lay in a state of unconsciousness with no clear path to recovery.

Eirik, too, had taken on his share of responsibility, standing in for the queen’s duties. Though he was new to many of the palace customs, the pressure to maintain the royal household without her presence had forced him to adapt quickly. He moved with grace through his daily tasks, ensuring that everything ran smoothly, even while his heart ached seeing his husband so distraught.

Kaelix sat at the long council table, his fingers drumming against the dark wood as he listened to his advisors argue over the best course of action to address the ongoing drought in the southern provinces.

Normally, his mother would have handled such matters of the people’s well-being, her wisdom and calm demeanor a perfect counterbalance to his father’s more direct approach. Now, the burden was on him, and the absence of her steady influence made everything feel heavier.

"Prince Kaelix," one of the advisors addressed him, jolting him from his thoughts. "What is your decision on the emergency rations proposal?"

Kaelix blinked, trying to refocus. "We’ll approve the distribution of the stored grain immediately," he said, his voice steady despite the inner turmoil. "The people can’t wait any longer, and we can’t risk losing their trust during this time."

There was a murmur of approval, but Kaelix barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere, back in the queen’s chambers, where he felt he should be, with his mother.

The discussions dragged on, but Kaelix handled each matter with precision, though his heart wasn’t fully in it.

Every decision felt weighty, and he found himself yearning for the quiet reassurance his mother always provided when she was well.

In the meantime, Eirik had assumed the queen’s role in managing the palace itself. He supervised the household staff, attended to visiting nobles, and oversaw events that had to continue in the palace despite the queen’s absence. His day was filled with endless meetings and constant coordination, yet he made sure to check in with Kaelix whenever their schedules allowed.

One afternoon, as Eirik was overseeing the arrangements for a diplomatic banquet, he caught a moment to slip away and visit the queen’s chambers. He stepped quietly inside, his heart sinking at the sight of the king sitting by her bedside, as he had every day since she collapsed.

"Your Majesty," Eirik greeted softly.

The king glanced up, his eyes tired and red-rimmed. "Eirik," he replied, his voice hoarse. "Any news?"

Eirik shook his head, hating that he had to deliver the same answer yet again. "The physicians are still trying, but... nothing yet."

The king let out a long, weary sigh, and for a moment, Eirik didn’t know what else to say. What could anyone say in the face of such uncertainty?

"I’ll sit with her for a while, if you’d like," Eirik offered gently. "Perhaps you could rest."

The king hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave her side, but eventually, he nodded. "Just for a moment," he said. "I’ll be nearby."

As the king left the room, Eirik took a seat beside the queen, reaching out to hold her hand. Her skin was cool to the touch, her breathing steady but shallow. He didn’t know what to say or do, only that he wished, for Kaelix’s sake, that she would open her eyes again.

Kaelix and Eirik made it a habit to visit the queen together whenever they had a free moment, but their visits had become increasingly heavy with silence.

Each time they entered her chambers, the hope that she might stir, that her eyes would flutter open, felt more distant. And each time they left, the weight of her condition bore down on Kaelix even harder.

At night, Kaelix found it nearly impossible to sleep. He would lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, the image of his mother’s still form haunting him. Eirik, sensing his restlessness, would often stay awake with him, his fingers brushing soothingly through Kaelix’s hair, trying to offer some measure of comfort.

"She’ll wake up," Eirik whispered one night as he watched Kaelix’s furrowed brow, the tension never fully leaving his face. "She’s strong, Kaelix."

Kaelix didn’t reply, his jaw clenched tight as he stared into the darkness. He was afraid, afraid of what might happen if she didn’t wake up.

Afraid of how he would cope without her guidance. Afraid of what that would do to his father, who seemed to be losing a part of himself each day she remained unconscious.

"You need to rest," Eirik murmured, shifting so that he could lay Kaelix’s head in his lap. "You’re not going to be any help to her if you burn yourself out."

Kaelix sighed, closing his eyes as Eirik’s fingers gently stroked his hair. "I don’t know how to do this without her," Kaelix admitted in a rare moment of vulnerability. "She was always the one who knew what to do. I feel like I’m just... pretending."

"You’re doing more than pretending," Eirik reassured him. "You’re doing everything you can, and you’re doing it well. Your mother would be proud."

Kaelix didn’t answer, but Eirik could feel the tension in his body slowly ebb as exhaustion took over. Soon, Kaelix’s breathing deepened, signaling that he had finally fallen asleep. Eirik stayed up for a while longer, watching over him, hoping that he could at least bring Kaelix some peace in these sleepless nights.

The queen’s condition had an effect on everyone in the palace. The servants moved about their duties with a quiet solemnity, their usual chatter and light-hearted gossip replaced with hushed whispers of concern.

The guards seemed more alert, their stoic expressions betraying a shared sense of uunease

Even the nobles who visited the palace for official business did so with a subdued air, their voices lowered as they inquired about the queen’s health.

The days felt long and heavy, the uncertainty dragging everyone into a state of quiet distress. Without the queen’s steady presence, the palace felt incomplete, like a vital piece of its heart was missing.

Weeks passed, and still, there was no change. One evening, Kaelix and Eirik visited the queen’s chambers again, the scene almost identical to every other visit. The king was seated by her bedside, holding her hand, his eyes distant and weary.

The royal physicians moved about the room, speaking quietly amongst themselves, but Eirik could tell from their expressions that they were just as baffled as before. No one had answers, only more questions.

"Any progress?" Kaelix asked, his voice strained as he approached the bed.

One of the physicians shook his head apologetically. "We’re doing everything we can, Your Highness, but there’s still no clear diagnosis."

Kaelix swallowed hard, his hand tightening into a fist. Eirik could see the frustration and helplessness in his expression, and he placed a comforting hand on his husband’s shoulder.

"We’ll figure this out," Eirik said quietly. "She’ll pull through."

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