Execution [Book 2 of The English Lion]

V. Isabelle

It would be around midnight, when Benedict woke up, sensing something's wrong with Alex. So, Benedict got onto the bed, cautious about where he put his paws before nudging me awake. I slowly woke up and looked at him. When Benedict sensed I'm awake, he somehow guided my hand to Alex. Worried that something's wrong, I touched Alex's skin and realised it was burning. I immediately - but slowly - got out of the hospital bed and Alex's embrace in order to quietly walk out of the hospital room to get a doctor.

When I returned with the doctor, I could hear Alex's coughs and strained breathing. He was awake, looking around for me, calling my name, as his coughs were getting more violent. I was gone for a few minutes, and came back to this? I immediately became extremely scared as the lights were immediately turned on. I stood there in the corner of the room, as Alex's dogs were awake, and made their way over to me, comforting me. The doctors wheel Alex out of the room after Benedict jumps off.

A doctor walked over, and I looked at him.

"Oui?" I said, looking extremely worried.

"Nous allons donner à Son Altesse Royale des tests pour être sûr, mais il semble qu'il souffre de ce qui ressemble à une infection de la chirurgie. Nous lui donnerons des antibiotiques pour l'infection et quelque chose pour la fièvre. Le roi George VI est-il toujours à Paris? [We would be giving His Royal Highness some tests just to be sure, but it looks like he is suffering from what looks like an infection from the surgery. We will be giving him antibiotics for the infection and something for the fever. Is King George VI still in Paris?]" The doctor replied.

"Oui, il l'est toujours, [Yes, he still is,]" I stated, voice slightly trembling.

"Veuillez alors l'informer de la situation, [Then please inform of him of the situation.]" The doctor told me before he bowed and left to where Alex would be. I immediately went to a nearby phone in the room, and immediately dial Grandfather's direct line. It would be another few minutes that I would be able to hear Grandfather's voice on the other end.

"Bonjour, c'est le roi François qui parle. Qui est-ce? [Hello, this is King Francois speaking. Who is this?]" Grandfather said, sleepily.

"C'est moi, grand-père. Je suis désolé de t'avoir réveillé en ce moment, mais Alex ne va pas bien. Les médecins ont déclaré qu'Alex pourrait souffrir d'une infection de la chirurgie, ainsi que de fièvre. Mais ils vont faire des tests pour confirmer. Pouvez-vous parler au père d'Alex pour moi, s'il vous plaît? [It's me, Grandfather. I'm sorry for waking you up at this time, but Alex is not well. The doctors said Alex might be suffering from an infection from the surgery, as well as a fever. But they are going to do some tests to confirm. Can you tell Alex's father for me, please?]" I said hurriedly.

"Bien sûr, Isabelle. George et moi serions à l'hôpital tout de suite, [Of course, Isabelle. George and I would be at the hospital right away,]" Grandfather told me, sounding worried.

"Alright, I'll see you later then," I said before hanging up. I would be hanging around in the lobby with Alex's dogs. I was almost in tears until a familiar voice called out my name. I turned to see Father, Mother, Grandfather, and my future father in law. I stood up, did a quick curtsy before I was embraced in a hug with Mother. She tried to comfort me as I let tears stream down my face.

Father and King George would make their way to the reception to get any updates on Alex. Grandfather looked at me.

"Isabelle, he knew what he was doing when he took that bullet for you," He stated and I looked at him.

"That he did," King George stuttered, as he made his way here.

"They have him up in the ICU, and they'll be monitoring him there," Father said, "It's best that we need to head home. All of us do need some rest, especially you, Isabelle."

I nodded. We made our way outside as Alex's dogs followed.

The next day, I would still be in my room when Colette walked in. She closed the door behind her before looking at me, with a worried expression.

"I heard what happened to Alexander," Colette said, as she surveyed the room, "I'm sorry."

"He'll be fine," She continued.

"I know... The fact that he would risk his life for me..." I muttered.

"Isabelle. Alexander will continue to risk his life for your sake, and Britain's sake. The two things that he cares the most are you and Britain," Colette told me and I looked at her, quizzically.

"Really?"

Colette nodded.

"He'll be fine," I muttered, repeating what Colette stated a while ago.

Later that day, I received a phone call from the hospital, saying that Alexander is now stable, but he requested to see only me, as well as staying at the hospital for another night in case the infection and fever came back.

I went to the hospital, and for the rest of the day, I would be in Alex's arms, as we would be talking a lot of things. The next day, Alex got to leave the hospital as there were no more signs of infection or fever.

It was Alex's birthday, and everyone gave him all kinds of presents. My gift was a handmade locket with both of our portraits in it. On the 20th, Alex and I travelled to London with Hugo, Antony and his father for Elizabeth's birthday the next day. It was agreed between Alex and me that we don't need to talk about this whole ordeal. It was another few days before we would celebrate Hugo's birthday.

April seems to be extremely busy, but Alex and I have spent many occasions alone. I do really enjoy privacy when we're alone.