Prince Marcus POV
"Rebekah!" I exclaimed as her eyes rolled back, her body suddenly making its descent to the ground. My heart skipped a beat as I attempted to catch her before she could collide with the tiled floor. Scarlet screams of protest, against being sent to the southern prison had fallen on deaf ears.
"You can't treat me like common trash. My father will have your heads for this! Release me at once!" she yelled as I caught Rebekah, holding her close to me as I sighed in relief. Her body was drenched in sweat as she groaned in pain. In a panic, I examined her body for any signs of an injury to explain her pain and sudden fainting. But could find none.
"Rebekah, are you alright." I lightly shook her as she remained still in my arms. Placing my hand under her knees I carried her to the couch in the room. Gently nudging her again, I received no other response than the sounds of her steady breathing.
Scarlet's screams had finally ceased. My guard came closer as I tried to calm my erratic heartbeat. Recalling the last time, she had fainted was due to the shock of Lizzy's death. This time I was unsure of the cause. Could it have been the stress of the week catching up to her? Or the conversation she heard pushing her over the edge both mentally and physically? I could not tell.
"Sir Samuel, inform the royal doctor that her services are needed immediately in Rebekah's chambers. And have a message sent to my father that I will be visiting shortly to discuss the matter he had entrusted me with." I said, gathering my thoughts as Samuel nodded in understanding. His uniformed frame left the room as I collected Rebekah into my arms once more. Making my way to her bedroom while the palace maids whispered amongst themselves with eyes trailing my every step.
I prayed that Rebekah was fine.
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"What was the cause of her sudden fainting?" I asked the doctor as she checked Rebekah's pulse. Her eyes scrunched up as she closely examined her body, checking for any abnormalities.
"Her majesty is fine. It seems she fainted due to extreme fatigue and exhaustion. Has she been under pressure as of late your highness?" she inquired.
"With the engagement ceremony upon us and the wedding following closely behind I would have to say the preparation process could be taking a toll on her since she has been constantly working for the past week," I informed her as I awkwardly scratched the back of my head, a little embarrassed that I was aware of Rebekah's schedule. With her sister's death, there was no telling if she was dedicated to the cause or simply looking for a distraction. Though I would I assume it was the latter.
"I see... then until the day of the ceremony I would suggest that she rests and not take on any stressful tasks. I will leave a few painkillers in case she has a headache. Other than that, there is nothing else I can prescribe to help her. A day's rest would be the best treatment." Doctor Lily paused. "And give my condolences to her majesty once she is awake." She finished. My body tensed at her words. The news of Lizzy's death should have been confidential. Apart from my family, the Northwest family, and those on the case no one should have known of her death. The others who knew were silenced. So, how did she know? Or was it just a coincidence?
"I beg your pardon."
"Forgive my bluntness your majesty but I'm not as oblivious as most would believe. I know the tradition for a family in mourning. It is obvious that there has been a recent death in her family." She pointed out with a sad, pitiful smile on her face. Tipping the frame of her glasses up as she locked her bag filled with medical supplies.
"I will see to it that she receives your message, Dr. Lily. Do have a pleasant day ahead of you." I said with a strained smile of my own as she left the room. Feeling foolish that I thought she had heard of Lizzy's death. Sighing in relief I pressed my fingertips against my temple to relieve the pain in my head. My eyes burned with the need to sleep after spending hours traveling back to the palace without a moment's rest.
Pulling a nearby chair closer I took a seat beside Rebekah's bed as I waited for her to open her eyes. The slight part of her lips and the slow rise of her chest were the only visible indication that she was fine. A complete contrast to her pale and frightened state earlier.
Lightly brushing away a few strands of stray hair from her face I heard someone entering the room unannounced. Drawing my attention away from the sleeping woman beside me.
"I hope Becca is fine. I knew I shouldn't have let her leave with those wicked witches." Someone grumbled as they came closer. "Since the night of that ball, a day hasn't gone by when Becca hasn't suffered because of others." They continued.
"I'm certain princess Rebekah is fine. There isn't anything to worry about." The voice of a second woman said. Turning around in my seat with knitted brows I waited for the intruders to reveal themselves as I thought of everything that has happened since the night of my untactful announcement. The surprise and confusion were shown in Rebekah's expression as she stood in the crowd. Her eyes round with shock as I said the words that would change her life. The rumors circulated through the mouths of gossipers and the sudden move to the palace. Her anger and refusal to meet me when I needed to explain my actions, were all justified as I sat here with guilt heavy on my chest, wishing I could have chosen a different path to fulfill my goals.
"You don-" The voice of the first woman stopped as the figure of Rebekah's maid, Linda, stood at the foot of the bed.
"I greet the light of our kingdom, his royal highness, Prince Marcus." She quickly bowed her head as she composed herself. A palace maid following behind her froze as she blanched.
"I greet-t his royal highness-s-s, prince Marcus." She nervously stuttered, clumsily bowing. Her hands shook in panic as she kept her eyes trained on the carpet floors. Her face flushed red in embarrassment.
"Forgive our rudeness, your highness, we were not aware that you would be staying in Lady Rebekah's room," Linda said. Gracefully fixing her hands in front of her.
"Be at ease Linda." I dismissively waved my hand.
"It is not uncommon for you to arrive unannounced." I lightly chuckled. "It would be unlike you if you were not worried over Rebekah's wellbeing," I said, the corner of my lips turned up. Her shoulders relaxed as her professional stance faded away.
"I suppose it would be." She gave a half-smile as she turned her gaze to Rebekah's resting frame underneath the thick duvet.
"Is she fine? Did Scarlet have anything to do with her current state?" Linda questioned as the maid behind- whose name I didn't know- shifted in her spot. Eyes focused on Linda as she placed the back of her hand on Rebekah's forehead.
"There is nothing to worry about. The doctor has checked her. She fainted due to exhaustion. Constantly working without proper rest has taken a toll on her. She will need to rest until the day of the ceremony to recover her energy." I repeated what the doctor had said to her as I rose from my seat. Stretching my muscles, I headed in the direction of the door.
"Take care of her while I'm gone. I will return in the evening once I have finished sorting the details of an urgent matter." I said before exiting the room, making my way to the kings quarter.
There was much to report to my father.
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"His royal highness, Prince Marcus has arrived your majesty." my father's assistant announced my arrival as I entered the King's quarter.
Bowing my head in respect to my father I greeted him. Rising I surveyed the tired and aging face of my father as he sat behind his big mahogany desk. The small line of wrinkles on his forehead and the frown on his lips made him seem older than he was. His slightly ruffled greying hair and suede royal attire did not match the aging man surrounded by piles of important documents. The struggles the role of a ruler held were a young man's game.
As I waited for him to acknowledge my presence the reality of the future had finally struck me. The role I trained for since birth would be here soon. A frightening yet exciting new world would be here. A chance to make a change throughout the land I loved. To better the lives of my people with the woman, I wanted by my side.
"Marcus have a seat, my son." Keeping his attention on the document in his hand he gave his assistant his instructions. "Maxwell, schedule a meeting with lord Johnson for after the ceremony to discuss the new shipment of materials to arrive from Aries."
"As you wish, your majesty." Sir Maxwell said before leaving. The door behind us closing as my father placed the piece of paper he was reading on his desk.
"I heard Rebekah isn't well." He started. "Does it have anything to do with the matter we discussed?" He asked with a raised brow. Bracing back in his large chair as he waited for my reply.
"I'm afraid the topic in question may have contributed to her sudden change in condition. According to the Royal doctor, it was due to extreme fatigue and stress which could have been brought on from forced involvement and the preparations for the wedding." I said, my hands folded on my lap, squeezing them together in anger.
"Is that so..." he drawled. "Then my suspicions that someone in the Northwest family is helping the rising rebels throughout the kingdom was correct?" He asked for confirmation.
"I'm afraid that is the case."
Pinching the bridge of his nose with a loud sigh, the bitter chuckle released had taken me by surprise. A mixture of sadness and disbelief flashed before his eyes for a moment. Wiping the expression from his face he asked, "And the evidence to prove it?"
Taking out the recorder I used earlier I played it for my father. His stoic expression was frightening as he listened to Scarlet's cold and uncaring words as Rebekah pleaded with them to not betray the royal family.
"Have you dealt with them accordingly?" He bluntly asked, going straight to the point. I could see his struggle to keep his emotions in check.
"Yes, father. Madam Rosalie and Lady Scarlet have been arrested and taken to the southern prison until the head of the Northwest household is to return and their punishment for joining the rebels and plotting against the crown is to be decided." he nodded.
"And what of the person they were in contact with? Have you found any leads into finding the mastermind behind their plans?" He inquired as I shook my head no.
"Their partner is yet to be found. However, I have hope that will find this mystery man once we have interrogated Madam Rosalie and Lady Scarlet." I said, my anger rising once more as I thought of the mother and daughter who treated Rebekah as a tool for their selfish plans.
"And the investigation into Lizzy Northwest's death? Has the head detective made any progress?"
"He-" I was cut off by the intrusion of a guard.
"Forgive my intrusion your majesties but I have received word that the princess is requesting his highness, Prince Marcus's presence immediately."