A Queen's Weakness

Chapter 45

The morning started like any other. The palace buzzed with its usual energy, and the scent of freshly brewed tea filled the halls. But inside the queen's chambers, something was wrong.

Ping sat up in bed, her head spinning. A deep exhaustion weighed down her limbs, and a strange warmth crawled over her skin. She reached for the cup of tea Mei had left on her bedside table, but her hands trembled, making it difficult to hold.

"My lady?" Mei entered the room, her expression shifting to concern the moment she saw Ping.

Ping forced a weak smile. "I'm fine."

Mei frowned. "You don't look fine. You're pale, and your hands…" She moved closer, pressing the back of her hand to Ping's forehead. Her eyes widened. "You're burning up!"

Ping tried to shake her head, but the dizziness overwhelmed her. Her vision blurred, and before she knew it, she was collapsing. Mei caught her just in time, panic evident in her voice.

"Someone call the royal physician!"

The news spread quickly through the palace. By the time the physician arrived, Ling was already in the room. He sat beside Ping's bed, his usual cold expression replaced with deep concern.

The physician examined her carefully before stepping back with a troubled look.

"She has a high fever, and her pulse is weak. This isn't an ordinary illness, Your Majesty."

Ling's eyes darkened. "Then what is it?"

The physician hesitated. "It could be exhaustion… or something deeper. The queen has been under a great deal of stress. If she doesn't rest, this could worsen."

Ling glanced down at Ping, who lay unconscious, her face flushed with heat. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her damp forehead.

"Fix it," he ordered.

The physician bowed. "I will do everything I can."

Mei wiped her teary eyes. "She barely ate these past few days… Maybe that's why she's so weak."

Ling clenched his jaw. He should have noticed. He had been so caught up in war preparations and politics that he had neglected her. Guilt settled heavily in his chest.

He turned to Mei. "Stay with her. Let me know if anything changes."

Mei nodded, and Ling left the room with a stormy expression. He wouldn't let anything happen to Ping. No matter what it took, he would find a way to make her well again.