The double doors burst open, crashing against the marble walls.
"Your Majesty!" The royal healer's trembling voice pierced through the tense silence of the room the moment the king arrived. He dropped to one knee, gasping. "Your Majesty, the prince is not responding to any of the treatments for the possible problem—his condition has worsened. He's… convulsing. We can't restrain him any longer."
For a moment, the entire room froze. The king's expression, hard as iron a heartbeat ago, faltered. His voice, calm but edged with dread, broke the silence.
"What did you say?"
The healer bowed his head lower. "He's calling for someone, Your Majesty. He keeps shouting the same name over and over—'Mia.'"
Queen Selene's gasp cut through the air like the crack of lightning. Her hand flew to her chest as she turned sharply toward her husband, her eyes wide and glistening. "Lucian…"
