A Princess Named Harry

Chapter 38

Incidentally, Harry had to take a break from her vigorous training schedule due to getting a high fever.

"You're so hot, Princess," Paula said, sadly.

She was the first person to discover Harry's ill state. She quickly notified Caroline of it, despite Harry's protests not to.

"Harry," called her mother softly. She sat on the edge of her bed. She ran as fast as she could to Harry when she fell ill.

When Paula returned with a cool, wet rag, Caroline held her hand out for it.

"Oh, Harry," she cried as she put it on her forehead.

Harry looked up at her worried mother and smiled. "I'm okay," she huffed.

Caroline frowned at her and replied, "You have a very high fever. How can you say you're okay?"

Harry's smile faltered, but it was only for a second. She responded cheerfully, "Hehe . . . this brings back memories, doesn't it?"

Caroline silently listened to her overly cheerful daughter continue.

"Mother is like a doctor, and I'm like her patient." Harry chuckled, "It brings back memories!"

For a moment, there was silence. Caroline didn't know what to do with her daughter. Her cheerfulness and optimism were great qualities to have, but they were also very destructive.

Caroline smiled back and replied a little solemnly, "Yeah, it does."

Whenever Harry or Caroline got sick, the healthy one would play doctor to the sick one. Harry giggled, "How am I, doctor?"

Caroline remained stiff and answered, "Harry, you've been pushing yourself too hard lately." Her lips quivered. "Don't you know that you don't have to work so hard to the point of getting sick? Why-why do you always do this?"

After seeing how much she made her mother worry, Harry quit fooling around and became serious. She took ahold of her mother's hand and apologized to her.

Caroline sighed; she didn't want Harry to apologize, especially if she wouldn't fix her habit anyway. All she wanted was for Harry to feel some remorse for the people who worry about her.

She sighed, "I know that, but about that schedule-"

"Yeah, it will get easier eventually," Harry answered.

"It better," Caroline grumbled. "Because if it doesn't-"

"Yes!" Harry cheerfully responded. "It will!"

Suddenly, Paula came in bringing along all of Harry's favorite foods. "Look what I brought!" she cheered.

"Wow, Paula!" gasped Harry.

"You went all out!" laughed Caroline.

Paula grinned and nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty, that I have."

"Nothing less for my daughter."

Caroline patted Harry's head, causing her to quickly sit up. The rag on her forehead fell onto her lap. She looked down at it and gently placed it on the pillow next to her. "What all do you have?" she asked softly.

Paula began to name off each of the foods she brought. Each one made Harry feel very happy and hungry.

"Those are all of my most favorite foods!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, I know," Paula replied as she glanced over at Caroline, who added, "But before that, you need to take your medicine."

She took a cup from Paula and handed it to Harry. She quickly drank it all in one go. "It's bitter," she said, lowering the cup. Caroline took the cup from Harry and exchanged it for a delicious platter of food.

"Of course, it's bitter; it's medicine."

"But this medicine works very quickly, Princess! You'll feel better in no time!"

Harry nodded and looked down at the tray filled with delicious-looking food in her lap.

"I can't wait to eat this yummy food!"

"Don't eat too quickly," warned her mother.

"Okay."

Paula laughed, "Such a kind and obedient daughter you have, My Queen."

Harry smiled at Paula and was going to respond when she noticed Kahil standing at her door. "Your Highness," she called.

Everyone's attention was on him.

"My father wants to know how Harry's doing," he spoke emotionlessly. "He's too busy with work to come by himself, so he sent me instead."

"Ah," replied Caroline. She got up and fixed her dress. "I'll just go tell him myself." She looked between Kahil and Harry. "Besides, I think you two have some things to talk about in private."

She glanced over at Paula, who nodded and took her leave. Caroline caressed Harry's cheek. "Your fever is reducing, but you should still be careful."

Harry closed her eyes and sighed. She gave her a small reassuring smile and replied, "I know, Mother."

"And be sure to eat, but not too much."

"Okay."

Caroline left the room, and Kahil stepped in her place. "You are sick," he said doubtfully.

Harry ate a grape before answering, "It's just a fever, and it's going down." Kahil looked at her with an unconvinced expression to which she added, "But I feel fine!"

"There's no way you do."

"Uh-huh," Harry replied with a little less confidence.

Kahil changed the subject, "Well, anyway, we'll be taking a break from training, but just for a couple of days."

Harry looked down and clenched her fists. She took a deep breath before looking up at him with a cheerful smile and demeanor. "Okay!" she replied in the happiest voice.

Kahil stayed with her for a little while before returning to his work.

Time passed slowly for Harry. The only thing she could do was sit in her bed all day. She wanted to desperately listen to her mother, but she was bored. It didn't help that her fever went down with every passing hour.

It was soon dark, and Harry's fever was completely gone. Since it was gone, she decided on her own that she was completely healthy again and thus, decided that she could go out to train.

Harry stealthily snuck down the halls and passed the guards.

She decided not to go to the training grounds but rather stay in front of the palace.

Once she trained to her heart's content, she successfully snuck back into her room. She quickly fell asleep so that she could wake up early to sneak out to train again the next morning, but what she did not know was that she would get caught and by the crown prince no less.