"Neri?" She heard a voice call to her faintly. She tried to wake up but couldn't.

"She's burning up! Fetch the doctor!" All the voices faded away again as darkness embraced her.

Akana quickly carried Nerissa to her room.

"What happened!?" the doctor said as he rushed in.

"She fell asleep in the carriage. I attempted to wake her up, but when I touched her skin, it was very hot."

The doctor walked past her and examined the child. He slowly stood up and sighed loudly.
"This child..." He looked at Neri with sadness in his eyes.

Akana felt her heart pause. Panic engulfed her body. Joel ran up to help her stay steady.
"What? Say it."

"This child must have gone through so much. She just needs rest and plenty of nutrition. She had many sleepless nights and was also starved for about a month and a half."
He paused, his expression darkening. "And... there’s something else."

Akana tensed again. "What is it?"

The doctor hesitated, then said gently, "Her mind shows signs of trauma. It’s possible she’s experiencing partial memory loss. Likely due to repeated psychological and physical distress. Hence why she didn't immediately recognize you. Fortunately, her memory will return in time."

Akana clenched her fists. "Next time, say it directly before scaring me like that."

The doctor swiftly ran out of the room before she could find something to throw at him.

"Joel, bring me the maid who started this mess." He bowed and walked out of the room.

"Mom?" She turned to see her son peeking into the room. "Nathan, darling, what brings you here?"

"Is it her?"

"Would you like to come and see for yourself?"

The boy walked slowly to his sister's bed. "Wow, you're right, Mom. She really looks like an angel. How did you find her?" He looked up at her with curiosity.

She smiled. "Let's leave your questions for another time. Mommy has something to do. Take care of your sister for me."

Nathan turned back to his sister. She looked like a little angel.

Suddenly, she began to whimper. Was she having a nightmare?

He climbed onto the bed and took his sister's hand. "It's okay, baby Neri. You're safe now. Your big brother is here to protect you." It seemed to work—she was now sleeping soundly again.

"I'm glad you're back, Neri." He hugged her and drifted off to sleep beside her.

***

Akana walked into the waiting room.

"Your grace! I was wrong. I always wanted a child. Seeing you still had four other children, I—"

She began to sob. "After I found out I couldn't have children... I just wanted a daughter."

Akana looked down at the woman with disgust. This act wouldn’t last long, but she’d allow her to finish her performance.

"Please continue."

The maid bit her lip. "I lived four years with the princess. They were the best days of my life. I treated her as my own. One day, I came home after buying food, and the door was broken... I ran inside and yelled for the princess, but she was nowhere to be found."

She broke down in tears again. "It's good to know the young lady is safe."

"Joel, the witness."

The maid looked up in terror as the witness walked in.

"It's an honor to meet you, Duchess Rue. I'm glad I can be of use to you."

He knelt and took her hand.

"You may rise. Start speaking."

"This woman is my former wife. She was very abusive towards our children, so I divorced her and left with them. Later, I found out she had another daughter. About a month ago, I passed by her house out of curiosity. I saw her slap the child and call her 'useless.' She saw me watching and told me if I told others what I saw, she would attempt to take the children into her custody."

He fell to his knees. "Your Grace, I beg for your understanding. The emperor will give her my children because she is a woman—"

She interrupted, "Don't worry. I understand. I assure you, your children will stay with you."

Joel escorted the man out.

"As for you, I'll make you pay for kidnapping and selling my daughter."

The maid turned pale. "H-how did—"

She bent down, looking into the maid's eyes. "You must be wondering, 'How did she find out?' In this world, anything can be obtained for the right price."

She tucked the maid's hair behind her ear. "Would you like to know what 'price' those slave traders received?"

The woman shook her head as she trembled in fear.

Joel came walking in. "Grand Duke Raphael and Lord Alen have arrived."

As she stood up, she saw relief flash through the maid's eyes.

"This is far from over." Joel dragged the woman back to the underground prison.

She walked towards Nerissa's room. Her heart warmed at the sight—Nathan slept while holding his sister's hand.

"How are you faring, love?" Her husband embraced her.

"You're back." She turned to face him, returning his embrace.

"It's a good thing you were able to find the maid. I heard Alen also entered with you." She looked around.

"He already came to see her. He ran straight here. He went to ask the doctor what Neri's condition is."

"Have you sent word to Keir?"

"Yes, he's about two days away. It'll take him a while to arrive."

Joel walked in. "Your Grace, the maid has spoken. She never once took care of the young lady. It seemed she was raised by someone else. She sold Lady Nerissa a month ago after she returned home one day, asking for some food."

She remembered the man's words from earlier. "She must have become afraid of being caught. Her ex-husband happened to see Nerissa a month ago as well. She must have panicked and sold her off."

"Mommy? I think baby Neri is having a bad dream." Nathan had woken up. He was now sitting next to Nerissa, still holding her hand.

She walked toward the bed. Tears slipped silently from Neri's eyes. She touched her soft cheeks gently.

"Her temperature is rising."