It didn't matter what I felt because there was a castle full of visitors that we were due to entertain. So I marched back into the castle and went to join our guests for breakfast.
I expected Aidan to say something but he kept his attention on the guests. I just smiled and went along with it until I finally excused myself.
"Are you feeling better today Your Majesty?" Louise asked.
"I was, I'm beginning to feel a little unwell again." I said and took a seat outside of the library.
"S-shall I get the physician?" Louise asked.
"No, I don't want to alarm anyone while we have guests. It isn't serious. Please just get me a glass of water. I'll rest in the library for a moment."
"L-let me help you to the couch." Louise helped me up, over to the couch, and lay down. "W-what should I tell His Majesty should he ask?"
"He won't."
"O-okay. I'll bring you some water immediately."
When I started to feel better I rejoined the group for lunch. Everyone had assumed that I left to attend to royal duties, Aidan too, so I went with it.
"You know how it is. A Queen's duties are never finished." I laughed and then shifted my focus to trying to eat more.
"Is that all you're going to eat Your Majesty?" One of the guests asked.
"Oh, I actually ate before hand because I was starving and now I can't seem to eat any more." I say and laugh. I was lying of course but I didn't want to alarm anyone that I wasn't feeling well. I was trying to make it through the entire meal but it didn't seem like I'd be able to.
"I'm sorry gentlemen if you'll excuse me I've forgotten something important." It was a terrible excuse but I stood up and was excused none the less. I rushed out of the room as inconspicuously as I could.
"Y-Your Majesty?" Louise asked when she saw me crouch down in the hallway. "I really think we should get the physician now."
"No!" I shouted. "Just...water please."
"Let's at least take you upstairs."
"I can't." I say and tears stream down my face.
"They will understand Your Majesty."
"They will think I'm weak. I can't leave in the middle of the first important event at the castle."
"Then I'll make you some tea to calm your stomach. That should help you get through the day." Louise helped me up and took me to the couch in the library. After I had some more water and tea I was able to rejoin the group for the festivities.
"Sorry about that gentlemen. I had some last minute details for the signing tomorrow that I just needed to take care of." I said with a smile.
"Not to worry, your husband was happily entertaining us in your absence." King Ruth said and patted Aidan on the back rather hard. I saw Aidan's face and it didn't look like he was "happy" to be entertaining at all. The King and many of the other guests had already dipped into the wine and were starting to get rowdy - and it wasn't even dinner time. It was going to be a long night.
When I had finally finished as much of my dinner as I could I handed off my plate to Louise to take away.
"More tea Your Majesty?" She whispered to me.
"No thank you." I whispered back. "Gentlemen," I said and stood up, "I must beg your pardon but I am going to call it an evening."
"Already?" Some of them whined.
"Well, a women needs her beauty rest. I trust you won't drink so much you cannot find your rooms at the end of the night?" I asked.
"If we do the lovely maids here will be our guides." One of the guests said.
"Yes, well I wish you all a pleasant evening." I left the room and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Here Your Majesty." Louise said and handed me a glass of water.
"You are too good to me." I say and start drinking the water.
"W-will you see the physician tomorrow if this persists?" Louise asked nervously.
"If it is still a problem after the signing then I will see him." I said and a look of relief emerged on her face. "Oh, His Majesty is headed this way."
"Oh, I need to go then." I said and handed her the glass of water.
"Keep drinking it." She said and pushed it back to me. "Y-Your Majesty." She curtseyed at Aidan and then left.
"Is that it then?" Aidan said as he faced me in the hallway.
"W-what?" I asked.
"I don't tell you one insignificant thing and you avoid me all day?" He asked, clearly annoyed.
"I haven't been avoiding you."
"You can barely be in the same room as me."
"T-that's not true!"
"You left as soon as you finished eating each time today."
"That...that's not what you think."
"What else am I supposed to think then?" He asked.
"I just haven't been feeling well."
"If you aren't feeling well then you should see the physician."
"I-I can't."
"Because you're not really sick." He said then walked away in a huff.
"Ai-Aidan." I go in the door way to face him but he keeps walking away. I want to chase after him but I don't have the energy. I feel as if I could fall to the floor at any moment. So I finish my water and go up to my room to turn in for the night.