Princess Vivianne & Juniper the Guard

Chapter 15: Malneirophrenia (1)

WARNING: INJURY AND BLOOD :D

The path between the garden where the banquet was being held, and the infirmary was a winding stone trail that cut through a small forest. 

The forest was filled with tall, thick trees that rustled in the wind, their leaves creating a soft whispering sound. The air was filled with the scent of wildflowers and fresh greenery, and the sound of water flowing could be heard in the distance. 

The path was lit dimly with lanterns and the moonlight, but the tall pine trees dominated with their heavy shadow draped over whoever was walking beneath them.

As the path wound deeper into the forest, it gradually became more rugged, with uneven cobblestones and occasional roots that made walking in the darkness difficult. Eventually, it led to a small clearing where the infirmary stood.

The infirmary was a simple stone building with a thatched roof and a small garden. It is the furthest from the fortress and main buildings and, thus, the most remote of all the locations in the court. So whoever was healing inside wouldn't be disturbed by the knight's horses or the working staff.

As the princess and Juno approached the infirmary, they could see a small light glowing in one of the windows. It indicated that the royal head physician was inside, waiting to tend to injuries with their entire staff. Whenever somebody important was present, everyone was required to work full-time.

"Let's head inside and get you checked," Juno said, breaking the heavy silence they were walking under. Vivianne thought deeply, mostly wondering why she had problems controlling her emotions lately. Nothing in her routine had changed, and the food testers had all tasted her food before she consumed it. 

The infirmary had a spacious room with high ceilings and large windows that allowed natural light to filter in during the day. The walls were lined with shelves full of glass jars and bottles containing various medicinal herbs and potions. 

One of the nurses had patted Juno down, raising her eyebrow at the throwing blades in his utility belt. At Vivianne's death stare, she ignored it and allowed them in with a wave.

There were several beds with white linen sheets neatly arranged, each with a small table beside it that held a pitcher of water and a glass. The room was quiet except for the occasional sound of someone coughing or a nurse quietly attending to a patient. 

Several screens were set up to provide privacy for patients who required it. The air smelled of antiseptic and herbs, which gave the room a calming and healing aura, except it was worsening Vivianne's already pounding headache. 

The attending physician ushered the princess into a luxurious private room, where they were soon joined by multiple nurses, assistants, and physicians, ready to examine her body. Vivianne sat on the comfortable bed, allowing them to feel her pulse.

"Weak pulse," Doctor Rune that had examined her the other day, said, his thick eyebrows furrowing in concern. To him, it appeared that the princess was declining by the minute. Her skin was sickly pale, clammy with sweat, and easily bruised, as merely holding her wrist left a mark of red. 

"My eye, there's this intolerable pain in my eye," Vivianne gritted out through clenched teeth as she clutched the left side of her head. The lights from the hallway had been the last nail in the coffin. Her breaths were shallow and weak. 

With a nod, the nurses and assistants scattered out of the room. Juno turned his back towards the pitch-black window to give them privacy. The inspection was silent, except for the physicians humming and scribbling. 

"First off, let's treat your migraine with a hydroelectric bath, Princess." the physician said, calling for the nurses to carry Vivianne to the bathtub. Using electricity on the vasomotor nerves would cause the temperature to decrease in the tissue and constrict blood vessels in the face and body.