Seeing the tears from his eyes, she couldn't hold herself anymore, as she rushed to his side, sinking to his height she wrapped him tightly into her embrace as she began bawling.
She had not really shed any tears since the news, but now she could not stop herself.
His tiny body in her arms, she held him dearly.
They remained that way. Mother and Son, sharing a moment without words, just their emotions out in the open— except-
She was now bawling even more than he was. His body didn't quiver, nor did he whimper. His eyes just kept at it. But her quivering made it seem like he was too.
The moon's light remained strong as the night breeze kept waffling, The Queen wasn't sure how much time had swirled but she noticed he wasn't moving in her arms.
His hands also seemed to dance slightly with the breeze, his breathing was steady and calm and his heart's rhythm couldn't be missed beating that closely to hers.
She tried pulling him out of her embrace to examine him but noticed his neck was locked onto her shoulders — he had fallen asleep.
Like a chef carrying the most delicate of eggs, slowly and without notice she softly got to her feet with him still planted on her shoulders as she moved to his bed.
With experience of hers putting him unto his bed came easy — but not without her motherly technique.
Inhales and exhales, his breathing was calm and steady, after covering him with the thick sheets she decided to watch her Prince from the sides, as her heavy heart began melting with each of his breaths.
In a different chamber, one not far from the Prince's, someone in full body bandages, wrapped up like a mummy was being attended to by the physician in the room.
Lady Liah and her maids surrounded the bed bringing in everything the physician kept asking for — yes, the water now, the warm one now, mix that, measure that, cut that, hold there, hold here.
His instructions kept flying through the room. They had turned to assistant physicians themselves, maybe a certification after wouldn't be asking too much.
Despite the body being wrapped, the bandage on the face kept being changed every few moments.
"Seems we can't wrap his face till his bleeding stops. Bring my blue pouch" He instructed
As his blue pouch got into his hands, he took out a green vial and scooped out its content— a muddy green smashed herbs— into the hot smearing water that had just reached its boiling point, that he had asked for.
It sizzled like water in hot oil. After the smoke fizzled it turned blue and cold.
The Physician nodded his head in satisfaction as he applied the now blue cold content on the face of the wrapped individual.
After applying it, the blood from his eyes ceased from sipping out, and it was safe to have the face wrapped properly.
He dipped the new bandages in the colored content before applying.
With that his treatment was complete.
He heaved a sigh of relief.
"Would he be okay now? Seeing the royal physician sigh in relief Liah thought to ask.
"He would" he said as he stroke his beard with his other hand at his back
"And when would he wake up"
"Probably by morning, by then the effects of the treatment would have taken complete effect, so there should be nothing to worry about"
Liah nodded and inclined her head in acknowledgement.
"Hmm" He nodded in a sigh as he gently began to pack his things.
He packed on, unaware, while a figure stepped into the room with the quiet ease of someone accustomed to being obeyed before being heard. The figure remained at the doorway, observing. A few of the others straightened at the sight of her, but he didn't catch on until the shift in their attention pulled his head up.
He gasped as he bowed deeply "Your Highness."
The Queen smiled "Physician Otoma, it must have been hard for you leaving your residence at this time"
"I am just doing my duty Your Highness. It's my pleasure" He said with a shy smile as he bent his head lower.
She chuckled "Who takes pleasure leaving their bed at the middle of the night?"
"Being in the service of the crown is the pleasure, Your Highness"
She waved her hand, her face still with her smile "The crown is thankful for your service then."
"So tell me. Why did the young Ecnes collapse bleeding?"
He raised his head as he turned to the 'mummied' individual
"Overexertion. His body shows signs of strain. His eyes specifically seemed to have been overstretched, causing some ruptures resulting in the excessive bleeding"
"Hmm. What could he have possibly tried to see?" She asked on a light note
He smiled at the joke "He also has torn leg muscles. His body probably tried to protect itself from whatever pressure, causing him to collapse"
Her eyes squinted, taking a more serious look "That much pressure?"
He nodded "Enough to cause his entire body to go sore"
"It's hard to tell what he tried to engage in, since the report is unclear. But we have seen a similar case before —not with the eyes— but the body, the patient tried lifting more than his body should handle and entire body muscle were torn because of that, leaving him bedridden for weeks. Similar symptoms"
The Queen looked over the bed where Elmah was wrapped up, she kept her gaze on him a little before taking them back to Otoma, she nodded in comprehension, before inquiring on a different matter.
"And how is your master?" She asked
He gave a quick smile before inclining his head in a respectful bow "The Head Physician is doing well, Your Highness"
"That's good to hear"
"I'll still be coming to check up on his condition and continue treatment for speedy recovery" he said referring to the wrapped mummy.
The Queen gave a slight nod in acknowledgement
Seeing as the queen had no more questions for him, he opted
"Is there any more thing Your Highness would need me to clarify?"
"That would be all Physician Otoma, the King is thankful for your services"
"I'm thankful for being in the service of the King. I will take my leave now"
"I'll have someone see you off"
He bowed again "This servant is grateful" being assisted by one of the maids he was free of his luggage, except one.
Getting to the door, he halted in his steps, then turned to the back of the Queen, and bowed again
"My condolences your Highness"
Without turning back she nodded.
He exited the room and got on his way.
With the Physician gone Liah approached the Queen
"Your Highness. The Prince?"
The Queen turned to her, her gentle smile still on, and her voice still tender
"He's asleep" She said in an almost whisper.
Liah heaved a sigh of relief, that was good news, she was really worried.
The Queen turned to her "So no one knows what Elmah was trying to keep up with? was it over training? Or from the earlier spar with Ajab?" She was worried seeing him in such a wrapped up state. She had to make sure he was okay, for the trouble she had to go through to have him here, he had to be okay.
Taking her mind back to the incident then, she couldn't help but sigh as she looked at him, his body was slightly heaving, showing he was breathing.
"He was fine from the spar, he only collapsed when he got to the hall way. Although he already had dark lines before that particular incident, but he seemed fine till after. The only other explanation would be from His Highness's movement"
"Hmm" The Queen nodded "That says a lot"