Dahlia couldn't sleep well last night; her entire body was aching. As Sullivan had insisted, she hadn't slept in their—no, his—bedroom. Lacking the strength to get out of bed, she pulled the blanket tighter around herself while shivering in cold.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Nylie stepped inside. "Good morning, Princess Dahlia. You didn't wake up, so I thought I'd check on you," Nylie said, halting at the foot of the bed.
Concern etched across her face, she asked, "Your Highness, are you alright?"
"I feel cold, Nylie. My body... it's aching," Dahlia replied weakly. Her voice was barely above a whisper, and her face was pale. Her lips were dry and cracked which were the clear signs of her illness.
Nylie rushed to Dahlia's side and placed her hand on Dahlia's forehead. "Your Highness, you're burning up. You have a fever," she said, her expression tense with worry.
"That's why my body aches," Dahlia whispered, her voice strained. "I don't think I can get out of bed today. Please bring me another blanket, Nylie."
"Of course, but Your Highness, you should freshen up first. Then I'll bring you some hot soup, so you can take your medicine," Nylie suggested gently. "Come, I'll help you to the washroom."
"Later, Nylie," Dahlia replied, struggling to get the words out. "I just want to sleep for a while."
Nylie looked at her with concern but nodded. "Alright, Princess. I'll get you that blanket and let you rest,," she said, hurrying to fetch the extra blanket, all the while casting worried glances back at Dahlia.
Soon, Nylie returned with an extra blanket and gently covered Dahlia with it. "Just call me if you need anything. I'll be right outside. Should I call the royal physician?" she asked again, her voice filled with concern.
"No, I told you I just want to sleep for a while. My eyes hurt too," Dahlia responded as she felt the warmth of the additional blanket cocooning her.
Nylie hesitated but complied, leaving the room quietly. She closed the door softly behind her, a look of worry still etched on her face. She paused for a moment, considering her next move. Nylie decided she should at least inform Sullivan about Dahlia's condition.
When Nylie reached Sullivan's room, she found it empty. "Sigh. He doesn't even care for Princess Dahlia," she murmured under her breath with a frustrated tone.
Turning around, she spotted Sullivan, who had the official robes in his hands. "What do you need? I don't see your mistress," he stated, walking past Nylie.
"Your Highness, Princess Dahlia is sick. She is shivering in fever. Her body is as cold as ice," Nylie informed him.
Sullivan's feet halted to hear that, but he showed his nonchalant behavior. "Leave," he instructed Nylie in his cold voice and headed to the dressing room.
Nylie furrowed her brows together, realizing Sullivan didn't care a bit for Dahlia. He didn't even bother to know her condition. But as a servant, she couldn't either confront the prince.
Nylie turned around and left.
~~~~~
"Did His Majesty hear how Sullivan treating the daughter of the Duke!? I'm worried but if the Duke complainants to His Majesty, then what will he say to him? Dahlia tried to falsely accuse me for the harassment too," Queen Verlina said while enjoying the morning tea with the King.
"What did he do now?" King Iramo asked, inhaling the aroma of the tea before taking a sip.
"Last day Sullivan threw out Dahlia off his room. She, in turn, asked Commander Harris to break the door. These two are not taking the palace rules seriously. If His Majesty allows, then may I take an action against it?" Verlina inquired. All she wanted was to punish Dahlia and Sullivan, who humiliated her.
"The inner palace matters are handled by the Queen. She need not to ask me about it," King Iramo asserted and enjoyed the tea.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Queen Verlina said with a polite smile. "Your sons believe that Sullivan shouldn't be given such a prestigious rank. I know His Majesty gave his word, but what if Sullivan creates trouble for us in the future?" she suggested cautiously, her voice tinged with concern.
"Why does the Queen think that way?" asked King Iramo, lowering his cup onto the saucer and fixing her with a steady gaze.
"His Majesty made a mistake with a courtesan. How can I be content knowing my husband brought the son of his lover into our home?" Queen Verlina's voice trembled slightly, recalling about the past. "Not only did you bring him here, but you also granted him a rank that could affect the future positions of my sons. How am I supposed to be happy about that?"
King Iramo leaned back in his chair, his expression turned serious. "That won't happen, Verlina. I made a promise to you when I brought Sullivan to the palace. He will not threaten the positions of our sons," he stated firmly. King Iramo handed the saucer to the servant and stood up. "I leave first," he said and walked out of the room.
While walking through the corridor, King Iramo's eyes fell upon Sullivan, who was in the courtyard dressed in his official uniform. Iramo's steps slowed to a halt as he watched Sullivan, standing alone.
"Your Majesty, shall I ask–" someone began tentatively, but King Iramo's stern interruption cut off any further inquiry. He strode ahead purposefully with an unreadable expression.
Meanwhile, Sullivan observed his father's departure with a slight tilt of his head, a wry smile touching his lips briefly before he turned towards the royal infirmary within the palace.
As he entered, the attendants immediately straightened and bowed respectfully, their demeanor shifting noticeably upon seeing him in his official uniform.
It was a stark contrast to the days when his presence might have been met with indifference rather than deference.
"My wife is unwell. Is the royal physician available?" Sullivan inquired urgently, his voice carrying a weight of concern.
"The Royal Physician has not arrived yet, Your Highness," one of the attendants responded promptly, recognizing the urgency in Sullivan's tone.
"Please inform him immediately. Princess Dahlia is suffering from a high fever," Sullivan instructed firmly, his thoughts already turning to Dahlia's well-being.
"Of course, Your Highness," the attendant acknowledged with a deep bow.
With a nod of acknowledgment, Sullivan turned and left the infirmary, his mind now focused on his first mission after getting this rank.