The King quickly entered the royal infirmary. The sight before him froze his heart. The Queen lay pale and still on the bed. The royal physician bent over her, murmuring instructions to two other physicians at his side. Nurses hurried here and there, carrying bowls of water, cloths, and strange powders.
Near the bed stood Princess Nyella with tears running down her cheeks. Beside her stood Aeron, who was quiet, but the King barely looked at him. His heart and mind were fixed only on his beloved wife.
"What has happened to the Queen? How did she come to be like this? Who did this to her?" the King demanded, his voice breaking with anger and fear.
The chief physician stood slowly, wiping his hands. His face looked worried. "Your Majesty, I have treated many sicknesses and many poisons in my years of service. But this…" He hesitated. "This is unlike anything I have ever seen. Yet we are doing all that can be done to save her. Rest assured, she is in our care."
