A Royal Obligation
Chapter 151: Not Nyrax Syndrome

Chapter 151: Not Nyrax Syndrome

Kaelix’s heart pounded in his chest as he scooped Eirik into his arms,lifting him with ease but with trembling hands.

He carried him as though Eirik were the most fragile thing in the world, cradling him close in a princess-style hold. He held Eirik close to his chest as if fearing he might slip away at any moment.

Eirik’s head lolled against his shoulder, his breathing shallow. Kaelix moved swiftly through the palace corridors, his muscles tense with panic, his eyes wide with desperation.

He could barely process the sight of Eirik collapsing moments earlier, the image burned into his mind, twisting his stomach with fear.

Every step felt heavy, as if the weight of the world had shifted onto his shoulders. His pulse thundered in his ears, but all he could focus on was the shallow rise and fall of Eirik’s chest, praying that it wouldn’t stop.

"Eirik, please stay with me," Kaelix muttered, his voice cracking as he moved faster. He held Eirik close, the scent of him, a mix of familiar spices and warmth, clinging to his clothes. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing him, not now, not ever.

Behind him, King Reagan followed, his face pale, his usual calm shattered by worry. His voice echoed through the halls as he barked orders at Sadiki and Drystan, Eirik and Kaelix’s personal guards. "Get the healers! Immediately!"

Sadiki and Drystan sprang into action, rushing ahead of them, their footsteps quick and urgent.

Kaelix, carrying Eirik, focused on getting to their chambers as fast as possible.

His mind raced with terrifying thoughts, had Eirik contracted the same illness as his mother, the dreaded Nyrax Syndrome?

The very thought made his heart sink. Eirik had been by the queen’s side constantly, offering support and comfort. Could he have exposed himself to the same fate?

The journey to their chambers felt endless, the weight of dread pressing on Kaelix with every step. When they finally reached the room, Kaelix hurried inside, careful but swift.

He lowered Eirik onto their bed with infinite tenderness, his fingers brushing against Eirik’s pale skin, he positioned Eirik’s head on the soft pillows, making sure he was comfortable even in his unconscious state.

Kaelix sat at Eirik’s side, his gaze never leaving his husband’s pale face. "Eirik..." His voice was a whisper, full of desperation and love. "Please, Eirik, wake up," his fingers brushed the back of Eirik’s hand, tracing the veins lightly, as if his touch alone could anchor Eirik to consciousness.

King Reagan stood behind him, his face tight with concern, one hand resting on Kaelix’s shoulder. "He’ll be alright, Kaelix," he said, but even his voice wavered with uncertainty. There was no way to know for sure until the healers arrived.

Kaelix couldn’t breathe. His heart clenched painfully as he stared down at Eirik’s still form. His husband looked so peaceful in his unconscious state, but that only made it worse. It reminded Kaelix of how his mother had looked in those early days, calm, unmoving, slipping further and further away.

A lump formed in Kaelix’s throat, and he ran his fingers through Eirik’s dark hair, pushing the strands away from his face. "You can’t do this to me, Eirik. Please don’t..."

The sound of hurried footsteps broke through the thick tension in the room as the healers rushed in, followed closely by Sadiki and Drystan. Kaelix immediately shifted to give them space, though he didn’t move far from Eirik’s side. His body was rigid with anxiety as the healers knelt beside the bed and began their examination.

"What happened?" the current healer in charge, a man named Meric asked, his voice low but urgent.

"He collapsed," Kaelix choked out. "We were seeing off my mother’s carriage... he just... collapsed." His voice broke as he spoke, the weight of his worry almost too much to bear.

Meric, exchanged a glance with his colleagues. He checked Eirik’s pulse, then moved his hands carefully over Eirik’s chest and abdomen, his face creased in concentration.

"Is it the Nyrax Syndrome?" Kaelix blurted out, his voice edged with panic. "Is he sick?"

"We’re not certain yet, Your Highness," Meric replied softly, his hands continuing their work. "We need to assess further, but his symptoms do not appear consistent with Nyrax Syndrome at this moment."

Kaelix’s heart clenched in his chest as he watched Meric work, fear still gnawing at him. Eirik lay so still, his face drained of its usual color. Kaelix’s fingers curled into fists, his body stiff as if he could barely hold himself together. King Reagan stood silently beside him, his brow furrowed, his gaze locked on the healers as they worked.

Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity as the healers murmured among themselves. Tension filled the room as everyone feared the worst, but Kaelix couldn’t take it anymore. His patience snapped.

"Tell me what’s wrong!" Kaelix demanded, his voice trembling. "Why did he collapse? What’s happening to him?"

Meric paused, looking up at Kaelix with something akin to cautious relief in his eyes. "Your Highness... It’s not Nyrax Syndrome."

Kaelix’s breath caught in his throat, a spark of hope flickering through him. "Then what is it? What’s wrong with him?"

Meric hesitated for a moment before speaking. His voice slow and measured. "The royal consort is not ill. He is... with child."

The room went deathly silent. Kaelix stared at the healer, his mind struggling to comprehend the words. "He’s... what?"

Meric nodded, his expression one of both awe and reassurance. "Prince Eirik is pregnant. That is why he collapsed. His body is reacting to the early stages of the pregnancy, and it’s not uncommon for someone to feel faint or weak during this time."

Kaelix blinked, his world spinning for a moment. Pregnant? Eirik... was pregnant? His heart, which had been beating frantically in his chest moments ago, now felt like it had stopped altogether. He glanced down at Eirik’s still form, disbelief and astonishment washing over him.

The king, who had been equally as worried, seemed frozen in place as the realization hit him too. "A grandchild?" he muttered, his voice low, as if he could hardly believe the words himself.

Kaelix, after a long moment of stunned silence, exhaled shakily. Tears welled in his eyes, not of fear this time, but of overwhelming relief and joy. He knelt beside Eirik, his hand trembling as he gently placed it on Eirik’s face.

He glanced up at the healer, his lips parting in disbelief. "He... we... are going to have a child?"

Meric gave a gentle smile. "Yes, Your HHighness"

Kaelix looked down at Eirik once again, his heart swelled with love and protectiveness as he stared down at Eirik, the gravity of the moment sinking in.

The fear that had consumed him moments ago was replaced with something warmer, something brighter. It wasn’t Nyrax Syndrome. It wasn’t the illness that had claimed his mother.

It was life.

King Reagan, still processing the revelation, stepped forward and placed a hand on Kaelix’s shoulder. "A child... you two are going to have a child," he repeated, his voice filled with rare emotion.

Kaelix nodded, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. "Yes... our child." He leaned down and kissed Eirik’s forehead, whispering softly, "You’re going to be alright, Eirik. You and our baby."

The king watched them, his stern demeanor softened by the moment. He gave Kaelix a nod, his own relief evident, though there was a trace of weariness in his eyes. "Thank the gods."