CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

53.

I had a cold cloth pressed against my forehead. I had a hard time breathing in.

"She's regaining conscience.", Bastien said.
"Mama.", Timothys worried voice in the background.
"Move aside boy.", my father said, pushing Bastien aside.
"Are you alright my dear?", he asked.

"What happened?"
"You collapsed. I caught you before your head hit the floor.", Bastien said.

"My throat is dry."

Delilah helped me jug down a glass of water.

"Probably exhaustion."
"Bastien, I am sorry."
"What is she sorry for? Boy open your mouth and speak!", my father urged.

"I thought she was flirting with another man. I ran away from her and she was following me before she collapsed.", he explained.
"Why do you run away from her? She could've hit her head, could've collapsed with your son in her arms. Could you look in the mirror again?", my father asked, making Bastien feel guilty.

"Father, stop. It is all my fault. He's not at fault. It was all mine."
"No. Stop saying that. I should've supported you instead of yelled at you."
"It's alright. I made the mistake."

"What mistake?", Delilah asked.
"I'm a bit weary", I said, wanting everyone to leave.

I was left by myself and slowly tried sitting up. I was feeling a bit dizzy, lightheaded. The bright light from the window was too much for my sensitive eyes. I untied the corset and finally felt my lungs spreading out and filling with fresh air. It was rather cold outside and the window had been opened.

Probably an attempt to make me regain my conscience. I was tightly wrapped in my soft blanket, trying to keep the cold away from me. I untied my hair, letting the soft waves of my hair fall around my shoulders. I was very tired and I believe the reason for my collapse was me not drinking enough and the tight corset.

There was no way it could've been something else. Bastien had ordered a doctor to take care of me. They said he was the best physician Paris had to offer.

"Madame, I am sorry for startling you, but his majesty has requested me to take a look and inspect you.", he said.
"I believe it was the tight corset."
"It might be the cause. But that doesn't exclude anything else. Please lay down flat on your back.", he ordered.

He examined me only for him to realize that it was indeed the combination of dehydration and the tight corset. He prescribed me rest and lots of water. I'd be forbidden to wear anything tight for the next to weeks.

Another doctor had inspected me last night. He said there was nothing wrong with me. I could be a much better doctor than him. But I was a woman and I couldn't. I wasn't even allowed to study.

The doctor left and I turned to my side. I was worried. I had worn many corsets and I always drank the same amount but something like that never happened. I worried for my son. He would be all alone with his father. I didn't doubt that Bastien would be a good father and caretaker. I knew he could be. But he'd miss me. And maybe one day he would forget me.