After reading, or trying to read those characters, the empress let me go to feed the emperor. She didn't want me near her husband but as Arashi had said to her, I was the only one who knew of his ways.
Which I didn't...
I entered the emperor's chamber and as directed, one of Arashi's men gave me another wrapper.
I was feeding the emperor his medicine when I noticed his purple nails were fading. I hoped it was a good sign.
I tried to see his tongue but it still was blue.
I sighed.
"Please be well and come back alive," I prayed for him and heard the large doors opening.
I tilted my head toward the door and saw the empress and Arashi's sister, Rei, were coming. I immediately sat straight. Why were they here?!
Of course, to see if the emperor was fine. But he wasn't.
He hadn't moved at all and still was in his deep slumber.
As they came near I bowed at them and the empress asked, her voice was strangely soft when asking about her husband, "Has he moved yet?"