MAYA, my love.

CHAPTER 20

Her vision blurred, and her ears began to ring. She collapsed onto the floor, the large file falling in front of her with a resounding thud, scattering papers across the room.

John, taken aback, swiftly rose and approached her. The noise of the file hitting the ground had disoriented him. Had she struck her head? He hurried to her side to assist her but was again astonished to see blood staining the papers in front of her. Blood was flowing from her nose.

"Doctor! Doctor!" he called urgently, but she remained unresponsive, her gaze fixed vacantly on the floor. Her disorientation rendered her unable to hear him. John, growing increasingly anxious, picked her up and carried her to a nearby sofa. Kneeling before her, he addressed her with concern.

"Miss Mey, can you hear me?" he inquired, his voice laced with worry. "Jerald, where are you? I need you here immediately!" John called for Jerald loudly. Mey, roused by his urgent tone, gasped for breath, struggling to breathe. She raised her hands to her face, astonished to see the blood. Observing her distress, John offered her his handkerchief.

"Here, please use this. I will seek assistance immediately." As he prepared to leave, Mey, clutching the handkerchief to her nose, rose abruptly, her desire to leave evident.

"No, no, Your Highness, please do not trouble yourself on my account. I will manage on my own. It is merely a nosebleed; I experience them frequently. It is of no consequence," she said as she bent to gather the scattered papers. Her urgency to resolve the situation was palpable. John observed her in desbelief however, as she continued to collect the papers, he lifted her once more and placed her gently on the couch.

"Miss, I must express my concern, though we are not well-acquainted, that you are quite an exhausting individual. You frequently suffer from nosebleeds? Huh. So is that normal now? As a medical professional yourself, you should be aware that this is not to be taken lightly. Furthermore, the manner in which you collapsed could have led to serious injury," John said as if he was scolding her.

"But—"

"No objections. Remain here while I arrange for medical assistance," he insisted, his authority clear. He then exited to find Jerald and instructed him to bring a physician. Upon returning, he approached Mey once more.

"Forgive the intrusion," he said gently, touching her forehead with a practiced hand. She flinched also making him a bit hesitant but he continued. "As I suspected, Miss, you are also running a fever. Is it not your duty to ensure your own well-being?"

Mey remained silent, her eyes still spinning. Her complexion was pallid, and her dark circles had intensified, giving her a frail and ill appearance. John's irritation grew as he observed her. She was a relentless individual, driven by her own goals and resistant to guidance. Although he scarcely knew her, he was aware of her tireless work ethic, which left her on the brink of collapse, and her resolve to investigate the epidemic in Sereath alone. Was she recklessly endangering her health, or was her unwavering dedication to her country a form of self-sacrifice? Whatever the case, it aggravated John further. His frustration stemmed not from hatred, but from a profound sense of responsibility and unease. As the prince, he was accountable to those like her for their dedication and sacrifices. Yet, he wished that those like her would be more self-preserving, alleviating his sense of guilt. In some respects, he found her admirable, which made his discomfort with her even more acute. The complexity of his feelings was difficult to untangle.

Noticing her attempt to avert her gaze, John remembered her crying alone that night. She seemed uncomfortable with his presence, and he understood and remembered her reluctance to show vulnerability. Consequently, he stepped away and began gathering the scattered papers. As Mey stood up to assist, he interjected.

"Sit back down. It is an order," he commanded with a touch of firmness. Unable to protest, she sat back down hesitantly.

Soon, another physician arrived. The remainder of the afternoon was spent with the doctor attending to Mey. Despite her protests, Mey was instructed to rest in her quarters. A formal notice was issued, barring her from the royal hospital for the next two days and reducing her night shifts. She was also prohibited from entering the prince's office to contest the decision and forbidden from leaving her quarters during this period.

Elizabeth, upon learning of the situation, reacted strongly. Mey faced repeated reprimands and frequent visits from Elizabeth. Confined to her bed, she was initially restless but quickly succumbed to a deep slumber as soon as she lay down. The following days were a blur. She had not experienced such restful sleep in some time, and the softness of the bed was a forgotten luxury. Her body, too weak to process her surroundings, focused solely on recuperation.