Beyond the Veil

Chapter 2

Days have past since I became a royal knight to the princess Daffodils. I learned a lot about her to be honest and it's an exploit. Like everyone else, I always thought she was a quiet but caring person, which she is, but she's more than meet the eyes.

She doesn't like formality, prefering that everyone call her by her name than "princess", she felt closer of her people that way, no boundaries, no royal names... Truth to be told, I also enjoy talking to her freely. I discovered that she actually liked wearing some comfy clothes more than her royal dresses and is quite clumsy, breaking pots and pretty much everything she touches. Tho, now, I tend to be even more careful around her, preventing anything bad happening.

I was tasked by the princess to keep an eye on the queen as well, I would go and cheek if she felt good enough so the princess could see her. The queen was really good to me, sometimes inviting me to talk to her for a brief time, we would talk about the people, how her daughters were doing and so on.

That day as well, I was walking towards the queen's room, salutating the guards before knocking, hearing the queen's voice.

"Come in."

I walked inside the room smiling before bowing.

"Good morning Your Majesty. How are you doing today?"

"Good morning Kcalb, I'm doing good. My maids just brought me that nice tea made with some fresh mint and spices, care to join?"

I chuckled, shaking my head.

"I believe that it should be with your daughters, without offense of course."

"Then, bring them so we can all share it." She replied with a warm smile.

"Princess- Queen Camelia is out in town, I don't think she'll be able to come over Your Majesty..."

"Is that so...?" She sighed saddly. "It's been so long that I saw her... I wish she would see me more often."

I stayed quiet, looking at the queen sighing once again as she shook her head, brushing away a little strand behind her ear.

"In any case, you can say to Dally she can come over."

I nodded before leaving the room, going to the princess, knocking lightly on the door before entering as I saw the silouhette of Daffodils still lying in bed, asleep. I tiptoes my way towards her before lightly shaking her. Seeing no reactions, I took a step back before yelling.

"WAKE UP PRINCESS!"

She squeaked, waking up in panick as her cover flip onto her head. Groaning, she removed it, her messy hair going all over the place as her eyes tried to stayed open but were still half open.

"Please..." She started with a low morning voice. "Don't do that again... I'll punish you...!"

"It's already the 20th time I'm doing it Daffodils." I replied laughing. "Come on, your mother is waiting for you."

"Alright, alright... Go ahead..."

"Don't fall asleep."

"I'm not..."

"Don't fall asleep." I repeated.

"I'm nooooot...!"

I chuckled before leaving her, getting her some space. I passed by the throne room when the queen entered, smiling to me. I bowed my upper torso but as I was going to leave, she suddenly called me.

"Kcalb ? Can I talk to you, please ?"

"S-Sure!"

I quickly hopped towards her, standing still as she sat down in her big golden chair.

"How is my sister doing? Are you taking good care of her?" She asked.

"Princess Daffodils is doing great Your Majesty! I'm watching over her, rest assure!"

"That's good... You're doing a great job. I'm glad I choose you." She smiled. "How is my mother? I heard you were tasked to see how she was."

"She's getting better. If things keep going that way, she'll be able to go back on the throne soon."

"That's a good thing... I didn't know that being a queen was so tirying."

She chuckled as I smiled.

"May I ask how was your tour?" I asked.

"Well, everyone is still pretty worried about my mother's condition but in general everything is good, the kingdom is still in good shape and our political bond isn't weakening."

I nodded.

"I still god some work to do." She said as her servant brought her some papers. "You can go."

"Understood... Oh! I almost forgot! If you ever have some free time, the queen would like to spend some time with you."

"Really? I'll remember it. Thank you Kcalb."

She smiled softly as I leave her side, bowing once again before going back to the queen's room but as I approached it, I suddenly heard a scream. I ran to the room as the guards burst inside ready to protect the queen. But when I got in, my eyes went wide. The queen was laying in her bed, trying to breath as she holds her throat, she maid next to her panicking as she tried weakly to help her.

"Call a doctor!" She yelled desperatly.

I quickly ran out of the room, passing by Daffodils as she looked at me with worried eyes.

"Get a doctor!" I yelled. "The queen is in danger!"

The princess turned pale before holding her dress up, running quickly to the roayl medic before bringing him to the queen's side. I pull out Daffodils, leaving the doctor doing his job as the queen Camelia quickly came to our side, panting and sweating.

"I came as soon as I heard the news...!" She said out of breath.

"Camelia..." Daffodils said pale.

"Are you okay?" Asked the queen hugging her sister.

"I'm fine... But mother..."

"She... She'll be fine... I promise you..."

I looked at them, waiting nervously as the doctor finished his job. After what looked like days, the doctor finally came out, taking the two sisters away to talk to them privately. Standing in front of the door, I quietly pushed it to take a look inside the bedroom. The queen was lying in her bed, her eyes closed, sweat covering her pale skin as she breath heavily. The windows were opened letting the wind blow softly inside the room letting the big white sheets flying over the queen but nothing was out of the ordinary.

"Stange..."

I suddenly heard a soft cry as I turned around seeing the queen holding her little sister close to her. I knew it was bad news but it wasn't my role to intervine, so silently I looked at the queen once again, biting my lower lips, hoping and praying.