Chapter 9

Jan paced the room, waiting for their parents and grandmother to return. Naomi had not woken up yet, but Dr. Chula made it clear that it was usual for the Princess to be still unconscious. Hugo couldn't take the sobs coming from his little sister and crawled into bed, hoping that it will calm her down. While Charon quietly sat in the corner, praying to their gods that Naomi will wake up soon. Did the gods not know how the Palace fell apart when their only Princess got ill? They need Naomi, and more than ever now.

"Are we just going to sit here all day?" asked one of the knights. Before any princes could respond, Naomi cried out in her sleep, almost knocking Hugo out of bed. She sobbed harder than before and swung her arms and legs in panic.

"Big brothers, help me. I'll be a good girl," Naomi cried harder. It was evident that Naomi was having a terrible night terror, but she asked them for help. Dr. Chula ran into the room and quickly gave Naomi medicine to help calm her down, but it did not stop her from asking for her brothers.

"It is probably best that your highnesses lay down and hug her. She needs you," Dr. Chula explained. The three boys nodded and looked at the crying girl in the bed, gods that broke their hearts. Hugo quickly reclaimed his spot and waited for his other brothers to join him. Jan followed suit and sat right beside his little sister, which helped Naomi's crying but not entirely. Jan and Hugo looked at Charon, who was still in the corner, and pointed to a spot on the bed. Charon wiped his tears and took an empty area next to Naomi, and just like magic, she stopped crying. Naomi snuggled closer to the warmth and smiled, unknown to her that the princes were providing it. Dr. Chula nodded at the sleeping Princess and turned to the boys.

"She will wake up in a day or two. Her body is exhausted, but she will be fine," she explained.

*BAMB* *BAMB* *BAMB*

The loud noise echoed down the hallway outside but stopped at Naomi's door. Irene quickly busted through the door and ran to her children lying on the bed. Tears were running down her face as she promptly enveloped them in a hug, including Naomi.

"Mother, are you okay?" Charon asked. Irene nodded her head as she kissed all of them on the cheek with a smile on her face.

"Where are Father and Grandmother?" Jan muttered. Irene instantly stilled before gulping. The boys knew that something serious has happened but whether or not it pertained to Naomi's situation.

"We found Naomi's birth mother. She has been stripped of her maternal rights and will be severely punished until our baby girl wakes up," Irene finally spoke. They knew better than to push their mother about details, so they stayed silent. The room was filled with love and worry as they all dog-piled on Naomi's bed, just waiting for their Princess to wake up.

"The doctor explained that Naomi will wake up in a day or two," Irene huffed in relief.

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(MEANWHILE IN THE DUNGEONS)(WARNING BLOOD AND ABUSE)

A heavy smell of blood and magic flooded the cold dark room. Marie was tied up with her back facing the open air. Bloody gashes littered her back, and skin was tearing off onto the floor as the crack of a whip rang out. She cried out in pain, but the whip continued with the assault on her back.

A small knock interrupted the session; it was revealed to be Aidric and Xenia. They watched Marie start to panic once again as the two walked towards her. The fear in her eyes made Aidric growl in anger.

"How dare you act scared? Naomi was frightened, but you didn't stop. You beat and starved her until she submitted to you," he growled. Marie continued to cry and scream; even the whipping had stopped, but that was for now. They had many plans for her, but right now, Naomi needed them.

"Stop for now. Marie needs to be alive and in the right mind for what is to come," Xenia explained. Marie's sobs of fear and pain turned to relief. The two left the dungeon, afraid of what they would do if they stayed to listen to Marie's pathetic noises.

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(TWO DAYS LATER AND IN NAOMI'S ROOM)

Sunlight flooded the room, but it did not brighten up anyone's mood. The group was too focused on Naomi waking up. Dr. Chula kept reassuring them that Naomi will wake up and be okay. But time kept going by slowly, which kept everyone on edge.

"She is waking up!" Lily cried out. Irene was the first to run to Naomi's side as the little girl opened her eyes, and the rest followed. Naomi sat up groggily, unaware of the people surrounding her bed. She felt well-rested even though the night terrors infested her mind all night.

"Your highness, you're okay. We were so worried," Lily spoke. Naomi slowly turned to her maid and smiled. Lily must have had a nightmare and decided to wake her up. Naomi's vision refocused; she realized it wasn't just Lily there but the whole Imperial family. They all had looks of worry on their face, but it did not end there. There was a new person in Naomi's room. The unfamiliar woman had graying black hair with black eyes to match.

"What happened?" Naomi finally asked. Irene gulped, and Naomi close. The mother did not want to tell the three-day sleep she was in, but it had to be done.

"You had a fever caused by night terrors," Naomi stiffened. Were they upset? Are they going to send her back to Marie? Naomi felt the tears swell up in her eyes, but Irene quickly hugged her.

"We know what she did to you. That woman will never see or hurt you again," the unfamiliar woman explained.

"You are officially my daughter," Irene smiled. Naomi felt so overwhelmed that she passed out.

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I am sorry about the cliffhanger! And about there being fluff... Marie had it coming. Please subscribe, like, leave a review, and comment! I hope you guys enjoy it.