Please Be Fine, Xavier.

We reached the room, and the delicious aroma of food hit my nostrils—but I'd already lost my appetite.

I sat down, picked up the fork, and began poking at the food, lost in my thoughts. Amara noticed and called my name.

" My Lady? My Lady?" She even shook me gently when I didn't respond.

I blinked. "Y-yes?"

" Are you okay? You seem lost in thought."

I hesitated, debating whether to speak or not. Then I sighed.

" I don't know how I'm feeling right now. I'm mad at Xavier…" I began, and she gave me her full attention. "He's been ignoring me for days. I finally tried to talk to him, and I ended up yelling at him… now I feel terrible."

She gave a small nod. "I know how you feel."

I looked up, surprised. " You do?"

" Not because I've been in a relationship," she said with a smile. "But because I understand what it's like to be hurt."

I let out a weak laugh.

" Don't be so hard on yourself," she continued gently. "And... don't be so hard on His Majesty either."

I arched my brow. Really?

" I mean it," she said. "He's been through a lot."

" That's not an excuse for shutting me out." I said, harsher than I'd intended.

" Maybe he's not pushing you away to be cruel… maybe he's scared." She continued, hesitant. " Maybe He's scared Of hurting you. Of letting you in."

Her words gave me pause.

" Sounds like trust issues," she added quietly, eyes distant. "Just give him a little time. He's a good person... even if he doesn't show it right now."

I didn't answer, but her words lingered.

She tapped my shoulders. " Cheer up okay, things will look up." I smiled, she did have a way with words…

" Now," she smiled, "eat. Your food's getting cold."

I mumbled something under my breath and took a bite of the mashed potatoes. Maybe she was right. Maybe I should give him some time—even if he was being a jerk.

I was about to take another bite when the door flung open.

A maid rushed in, breathless. "His Highness—"

Xavier.

My chest clenched. "What happened?!"

"He collapsed… in the garden."

I didn't wait. My body moved on its own.

I bolted out of the room, panic surging through my veins. My feet pounded against the marble floor as I sprinted through the hallways, almost tripping down the stairs.

When I reached the garden, I froze.

There he was—face down on the damp grass.

" Xavier!!" I screamed, running toward him.

I dropped to my knees beside him and reached for him but when I touched him, I retracted immediately.

He was so cold. His skin was pale, his once pink lips now a bright shade of blue. Was he dying?

No. No. Xavier.

I tapped his cheeks gently, wishing he would wake up—

Wishing I would see those beautiful blue eyes of his but he didn't. He didn't open them.

I tried to carry him but he was too heavy, I couldn't lift him.

" Somebody help! Please—anyone!"

No one came.

The palace was strangely quiet. Guards were likely on patrol far from the garden, the maid probably busy with the chores, the Princes probably they were busy with their duties… or maybe they just didn't care.

How could they despise him that much?

My heart clenched. My pity for him multiplied.

I tried again. I threw his heavy arm over my shoulders, knees buckling under his weight—but I refused to give up.

I nearly crumpled unto the moisture of the grass beneath me when Amara arrived, Magnus close behind. He rushed toward me, worry etched in every line of his face.

"Here—let me," he offered, and this time, I let go.

Magnus threw Xavier on his back with a groan, his body trembling, he knees buckled but he held himself up and slowly made his way into the palace. I followed behind, my heart heavy with guilt.

This was all my fault.

He'd wanted to talk this morning… and I shut him out.

Who knows what he's been battling all this time?

And there I was—throwing tantrums like a child.

Why couldn't I be understanding? Why couldn't I listen to him?

Soon, we reached his chambers and immediately, I took off his shirt leaving him in just his trousers while Amara went to run the warm bath for him.

At this point, he was already freezing and fear was an understatement for how I felt right now.

I reached for his wrist, checking his pulse; praying he wasn't dead, cause if he was… I'm not sure I would be able to take It.

But thankfully. He was still there.

Faint, Low. But still. He was there.

Magnus helped me carry him to the bath and then left to go call the healer. I watched as he laid there, cold. Quiet and almost lifeless. Although his colour was slowly returning but he was still unconscious.

I walked to him, his hands dangled at the edge of the bathtub, his jet black hair, pouring over his shoulders, his beautiful long lashes which held water droplets, his lips, pressed in a thin line. He looked so…weak. And I hated it, so much.

I'd never seen him this way. Even the day he got whipped and imprisoned, he didn't look this way—

But today…Today was different.

Something had happened and I didn't know what.

I reached for his cheek and caressed them gently as though holding into him too hard would hurt him. " I-I'm sorry."

I didn't know why I apologized, I didn't know why I felt so guilty. Maybe because I was rude to him or maybe because I didn't listen to him when he needed me.

But, I wanted to make it up to him. I needed to be a good wife to him— even though I didn't love him, I could be a good friend to him.

My thoughts were interrupted when Amara walked into the bathroom. " The healer is here."

I nodded and peeled myself from him as Magus and I carried him out of the bath. Amara ran to the racks and pulled out his robe, I helped him wear it to cover him from the cold.

Then we took him to the bed and covered him up with a blanket. A lady who I assumed was the healer stepped forward and walked to him.

She checked his temperature, his body and some other things which I didn't understand and my breath hitched. He was going to be alright, he was going to be okay, he's fine.

Those were the words I used to console my troubled heart.

She finished the checkup and turned to me with an unreadable look on her face. " He'll be fine." I exhaled sharply, clutching my chest. " He's just going through some stress and he needs rest. So you guys should just let him be. At least till he recovers." I nodded, thanking the gods.

She carried her bags. "Also, I'll come back in two days to check up on him. Hopefully, he's better then."

I thanked her and Amara and Magnus walked her out leaving just me and Xavier. I walked to his side and sat beside him, my eyes fixed on him.

His hair scattered all over his cheekbones, the steady rhythm of his chest, his hands slightly clenched. He looked peaceful, I'd never see him this way before.

Slowly, I reached for a strand and brushed the tendril away from his face. " Please be fine, Xavier." I muttered, caressing his forehead.