The night Jael left was hard for Mauve, but it wasn’t as hard as sunrise, when it was ti to sleep. She tossed and turned in bed, but no position felt comfortable. She knew that while he was away, she would be nothing but miserable.
Mauve did her best not to miss him too terribly—if not for her sake, at least for the baby’s, as her mood was likely to affect her health, especially her sleeping schedule. But it was difficult.
By the third night, Ferguson could tell sothing was wrong during his usual check-up. He sat on the chair with a brooding look as he studied her.
"You’re not sleeping, my princess," he finally said. "We can’t afford that, not at this stage when you could be due any mont."
Mauve sniffed and rubbed her nose. "I know, but it’s just so hard to sleep these days. I toss and turn, and no position feels comfortable."
"Do you need more blankets?" Mill offered, her face filled with concern. "Or perhaps a different bed?"
Mauve shook her head. "I think a different bed would likely make things worse. I’m pretty used to this one."
Mill sighed and looked at Ferguson. She was at a loss for what to do, and she was worried. She had noticed Mauve was awake before she entered the room for the past two nights, but she hadn’t thought much of it.
"Would you like to inform the Primus?" Ferguson asked in a serious tone.
"No, no. I don’t want to bother him. It’s just taking a little while to adjust to his absence. Perhaps I should take your advice—I’d like so more blankets. It might just be a little too cold for ."
Mill didn’t buy this, and by the glance the physician exchanged with her, neither did he. However, disbelief did not provide solutions, and that was what they needed.
"I shall prepare a special tea. It should assist you in falling asleep, but I would prefer not to rely on it too much for the sake of the baby."
Mauve’s eyes widened. "Is it harmful?"
"No, Princess. I wouldn’t dare give you sothing dangerous, but this should be taken in moderation."
"Very well, Ferguson."
Ferguson studied her for a mont before the older man stood. "Mill, would you co with ? I would like to make the tea right now."
"But it isn’t dawn yet," Mauve protested.
"We can’t afford to wait. The faster you can get so sleep, the better."
Mauve thought about arguing but decided against it. She also wanted to sleep as soon as she could. "Very well."
Mill nodded before following the physician out of the room. As soon as they were out of earshot, Ferguson began to speak.
"The pregnancy is likely taking a toll on her, and the Primus’s absence at such a delicate ti is sure to affect her gravely, even if she pretends otherwise. Keep an eye on her, but if the situation does not change, I would advise sending for the Primus. If a few days of his absence can put her in this state, I worry about a few weeks, or worse, months."
"Thank you, Ferguson. I will be sure to keep an eye on her and do what is necessary if this does not improve."
Ferguson nodded as he kept walking. "I will be counting on you."
When Mill returned to the room, she was holding a tray with fancy ceramics: a teapot with an intricate design lined in gold, and two teacups with the sa pattern.
Mauve thought it was a little elaborate for Mill to bring two cups, but she didn’t ask any questions.
Mill carefully placed the tray on the nearby table and poured a generous amount into one cup. She didn’t hand it to Mauve imdiately—and it was easy to see why.
"Ferguson asked that you drink just two cups."
Mauve didn’t think there was anything "just" about drinking two cups, but at least her question about why Mill had brought two cups was imdiately answered. While waiting for the first cup to cool, Mill poured the second.
After so ti, Mill handed Mauve the first cup. She smiled tightly and accepted it. At least it wasn’t plain herbs; she could handle it. She took a sip and had to do everything in her power not to spit it out. It might look like tea, but it was most certainly dicinal herbs.
"Can I take it with honey?" she asked in all seriousness.
Mill paused, looking at her with a dumbfounded expression, then laughed hard at the question. "I am sorry, My Lady, but you will have to drink it without honey."
Mauve sighed. They could have at least warned her—that way she wouldn’t have tasted it first. She brought the cup to her lips, shut her eyes, threw back her head, and emptied the cup. Mill was quick to hand her the second one, and she did the sa.
Mauve could not deny the effectiveness of the tea. As soon as she was done drinking, her eyes already felt heavy. Mill laid her on her back and stacked pillows around her to make her comfortable, and before she was done, Mauve was already fast asleep.
Mauve slept for a long ti—from midnight until afternoon. When she woke, Mill looked worried, but Mauve felt very refreshed and absolutely famished, as though she hadn’t eaten in five days.
Mill was quick to bring her sothing to eat, and Mauve ate as though if she didn’t, she might never eat again. After she was done, Ferguson ca to check on her and advised that it would be best for her to try to fall asleep on her own.
Soti after lunch, a ssenger arrived with a letter for her from Jael, and Mauve nearly burst into tears as she received it. She struggled to open it, and Mill had to co to her rescue.
The letter began with Jael telling Mauve how much he missed her and how he couldn’t wait to hold her again. Sleeping wasn’t the sa without her, and he wanted nothing more than for her to be in his arms.
He wrote that he didn’t want her to worry, but they had been attacked the night before. This wasn’t unusual, as the stronghouse drew attention in the Nolands, and since they arrived, there was no reason to leave, as Palers ca to them.
However, the night before had been intense: about five Palers had stord the stronghouse, and two had co from underground.
The battle lasted most of the night. Louis was severely injured, and three mages were also hurt, but the healers were able to treat most of their injuries. Louis took enough blood and should be back in battle in a few days. He refused to leave, even though others said it would be best if he did.
Jael ended the letter telling her he missed her again and that she shouldn’t worry about him. He asked her to take care of herself and the baby. His last words were: I love you.
Mauve told Mill about Louis’ injury, and she didn’t take it well. She did her best not to show too much emotion, but Mauve could tell. Mill also seed very bothered that Louis refused to co back to the castle, even to rest.
When dusk ca, Mauve slept with the letter beside her.
Ti flew by, and soon enough, a full month had passed since Jael left. They sent letters back and forth, and he offered to co back to see her briefly, but Mauve declined, knowing she wouldn’t be able to let him go if he did.
He made sure to keep her updated, and by the end of the first month, Jael was convinced they had dealt with the majority of Palers, but they had to keep at it for so ti longer, as they were now actively hunting Palers instead of waiting for them to co.
After reading each letter, Mauve would pile them on the bed. They were starting to cluster, but Mauve didn’t clear them out—she would pretend he was with her when she slept.
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