Footsteps echoed through the dark hallway as a family of four hurried towards the patient's room. They were panicking as they arrived at the Royal Palace, anxious to see the well-being of their last family member. However, they stopped right before entering the room as two Royals waited for their arrival.
"Blessings and Glory to the King and Prince of Athelis." The Royal Family's guests greeted in unison as they bowed and curtsied respectfully to the rulers of their kingdom.
"Please be at ease." His Majesty, King Kelvion Vargaux Ascania, smiled. "Royal Physician Garrison is currently inside, examining Lady Elaine's condition."
"Are we to wait outside to hear his diagnosis, Your Majesty?" Duchess Gustova asked with worry.
"It is not a requirement, but I wished not to disturb his concentration." King Kelvion answered, then added a statement. "Of course, we are all allowed inside the room."
"Then, if it is not a bother...." Duke Gustova hinted that his whole family wished to enter the room immediately. The Prince nodded at the Duke's wishes and ordered the maids waiting outside the room to open the door. The maids did as they were told, waiting for all of Lady Elaine's guests to enter the room before closing the door again.
The Royal Physician stood up when he heard the door's creaking, bowing his head immediately to greet the Royals and nobles who just entered his patient's room. "Greetings, Duke and Duchess, young master and young lord of the Gustova Dukedom." He skipped the King and Prince as he greeted them before treating the lady.
"Has she woken up from her slumber?" The King walked towards the Royal Physician.
"We had no such luck, Your Majesty." Garrison shook his head, his green eyes reflecting his disappointment as well. "Lady Elaine has not been digesting any food ever since her accident. Due to her loss of strength, she would become unconscious after opening her eyes. Furthermore, she's been sleeping in a bed for two weeks, so her leg muscles must be weak. Therefore, Lady Elaine has to be careful when taking walks as she could fall at any moment."
"The lady's head injury should also not be causing her any trouble. We've been applying ointment to reduce the pain, but I am not sure whether it will leave a scar." Garrison added.
"Is that all?" Prince Lucas questioned.
"Yes, Your Royal Highness." Garrison tucked his patient in her blanket once more. "I will give a prescription to the maids for Lady Elaine to regain her energy after waking up. As for her legs, the lady should take walks often with someone by her side so that her muscles will strengthen and to ensure she doesn't fall."
"You may leave, Garrison." King Kelvion said, satisfied with his explanation. The King also gestured for all the servants present in the room to leave at once.
"Blessings and Glory to the Kingdom of Athelis." Garrison packed his things and bowed. "I will excuse myself, Duke and Duchess." He also said his goodbyes to the young masters of the Gustova Dukedom.
There was only silence in the room as soon as the King told the necessary people to leave. "Don't be so stiff. You have come to check on your daughter and sister, have you not?" His Majesty chuckled.
"Then, excuse us, Your Majesty." The Gustova Family rushed towards Elaine's bedside. The Duchess wiped her daughter's sweat with a handkerchief, her hands trembling. The gesture ignited a reaction from Lady Elaine, causing her to frown slightly as her sleep was disturbed. She grunted silently at the unwelcomed interruption before her eyes opened groggily.
The Gustova Family was speechless at the dumbfounded expression of Lady Elaine. The patient repeatedly blinked as she saw four people shadowing her body. It was personally overwhelming her--especially when she didn't know the identity of those faces.
"E-Elaine." The only woman that hovered above her of the four people teared up. She suddenly yanked the girl up from her bed and embraced her into a tight hug. The men present in the room were smiling at the touching reunion of mother and daughter.
However, the silence of the daughter brought confusion to them all. With her brows twitching slightly, Duchess Gustova let go of her tense daughter to see her face. Her heart was racing, and she could feel her stomach churning—in the wrong way.
"Elaine?" Duke Gustova stepped closer with a frown. It was odd that none of them was receiving any reaction from the patient. Moreover, her clear blue eyes were showing emotions that were neither relief nor affection. Instead, it only showed a sense of confusion and even fear.
"Mother." The oldest son of the Gustova Dukedom held onto his mother's shoulders. "Our little sister must be tired and is still half-asleep. Perhaps Mother should rest and greet her again tomorrow where she feels refreshed?"
"Mother must also be cold in such thin clothing." The second eldest took his blazer off and draped it over his mother's shoulders. "Please warm yourself up, Mother."
"...Yes." Duchess Gustova nodded slowly, answering after a long pause. "You're right, my sons." But, unfortunately, she did not understand and currently had no intentions of accepting the situation.
Elaine Louise Gustova remained silent, only staring in wonder and curiosity at the people surrounding her.
"I shall accompany my wife, Your Majesty." Duke Gustova held his staggering wife in his arms as they exited the room while worriedly glancing back at his daughter. "Blessings and Glory to the Kingdom of Athelis."
The King and Prince were shocked and couldn't respond appropriately except for nodding at the married couple's farewell.
"Um..." Her hoarse voice surprised the remaining men in the room. The lady clenched onto her blanket as she lowered her head. "Am I whom you call 'Elaine'?"
Lady Elaine answered the men's ridiculous assumptions the moment she uttered those words. Their lips parted at the reality of the situation.
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