Tick tock tick tock tick tock...
Hearing the sound of a clock, opening up her eyes, blurred vision, feeling uncomfortable and thirsty,Merry looked at the ceiling.
"Lady! How are you feeling now?"
"Do you need anything?!" Frederick started on when he saw Merry gaining consciousness, standing near the bed while the doctor checked on her hand's nerve.
"W-Water." Merry asked for water with low tone ,stuttering as her throat felt like it was burning.
The doctor helped her sitting up,while Frederick gave her a glass of water, holding on it for her.
Suddenly, before taking a sip of water, Merry wailed.
"W-Wait! Robert! R-Robert! sir Frederick.. He w-was bleeding badly,p-please help him.H-He must be in pain pleas-"
Frederick was startled.
"My lady, Don't worry. Robert is fine...and the doctor is with him." Frederick told her with composer and a comforting tone.
"Is h-he really okay?"Merry asked still feeling concerned.
" Yes, doctor told that he will get back to senses after some hours." Frederick calmly assured her.
Taking a gulp , trying to speak out with her dried throat.
"S-Sir F-Frederick...W-Where is M-Max?" Merry asked.
"Commander has just gone to see Robert's condition.He will be here shortly."
Frederick could see how badly she was affected by all these incidents.
Frederick stood there with a tensed expression,watching her panicking for others before her own self ,made him pity her.
Frederick Looked at her abraded skin of her side face,still blood could be seen after dressing.The sight gave him chills.
"Get some rest lady Merry." The doctor helped her to take some water and laid her back gently.
In addition,Merry was given some sleeping pills for her to fall asleep.
After some time, her eyes felt heavy , forcing her to sleep.
************
"Her pulse rate is quite unstable too.. I've given the Lady some medicine which will take some time to work.Due to her poor constitution and health,she requires a good amount of rest for now." Doctor instructed before leaving the room.
"Frederick. " Deep voice echoed in the bed chamber.
"Yes, commander."
"Do what I ordered you before dawn..no matter what it takes.." Max stated coldly, standing near the bed's edge, looking at his wife's condition with a glint in his eyes .
His voice was filled with untold acrimony.Eyes covered with scratching anguish.
Frederick paused for a moment, he grew anxious as he looked at Max expression.He never had seen such a look on Max's face.Noticing Max clenched fist, droplets of blood dripped onto the floor(his hand got wounded during hitting Kenin).. Frederick couldn't gather up his courage to ask him to treat his hand. The silence was dangerous and terrifying.
"I want them to pay for what they have done."
"I will complete this work even before it Commander,leave it to me." Frederick assured.
'I know...asking any question will only fuel his anger.'Witnessing Merry and Robert suffering must not be easy for him.'
***************
Frowning her eyes as the a burning sensation of her injuries seized her.Then she sensed a warm touch, an arm, lightly wrapped around her waist.When she looked up, Max was near her, holding onto her gently ,while her head rested on his upper arm.
Feeling her movement, his eyes snap opened.
"M-Merry!" Max sounded lost soul dying to come back to life.
"How are you..feeling? Does it hurt alot?" Max asked being all concerned.
Gently caressing her forehead and carefully removing the hair from her wound.
"..M--" Merry tried to call his name, but realisation striked her. Her stuttering had gotten even more worse.She didn't want to concern him any further.
She just nodded with a slight assuring smile.
But, her attempt was of no use,he sensed her every single discomfort.Max gulped a fire which he doesn't want to show her.
"Please.... forgive me princess."Max looked into her eyes , asking for forgiveness.He could not longer keep this feeling of guilt.Seeing her trembling and in pain,was enough to make him feel lifeless this very moment.
"N-No!..it w-wasn't your f-fault why are you apologizing..."Merry tried her best to speak while holding his face with both her hands and looking directly into his eyes.
.
"T-Thank you....th-thank you f-for saving me Max." Merry started to cry like a child
Breaking into tears,Max didn't know how to comfort her.He pulled her into an embrace. Petting her carefully and kissing repeatedly her crown with gentleness.
"I'm extremely sorry for being late my princess.... I'm really sorry."
Shaking her head in denial.Merry held him with even more strength. Sniveling and accepting his warmth to calm herself down.
Max clenched his jaw and strengthened his hold on her.