Page 154 of Hawthorne

True. Why did he have to bank the hero in here?

I’d rather be dead than be the reason he dies.

“Mum,” Edgar tries, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards one of the chairs.

“You did this,” she growls as he drags her to the opposite end of the room. “You ruined us. Happy now?”

More than angering me, her words hurt me because they’re true.

I am the reason he is inside that operation room.

“I am letting you stay here because you are his mother!” my voice booms around the four walls, strong and assertive. I can’t bear to hear her anymore. “If you keep bothering me, I’ll have you removed.”

She scoffs, “As if–”

“Don’t try me,” I cut her off. “Don’t forgetyou’rebeneathmenow. I’ll have no problem getting you out of here.”

“You had all of this figured out, huh?” she taunts. “For such an obedient housekeeper, you sure filled in the shoes rather quickly!”

“Mother,” Edgar hisses, scolding her.

We’re glaring at each other, my eyes shooting the sharpest imaginary daggers my brain can muster.

The one thing that makes me look away is the sound of the double doors opening. Watching the same nurse who had been here before sends a jolt through my heart, and my body automatically rushes to her.

I feel two bodies hovering behind mine, but I ignore them as I focus on her words, “The surgery has been completed. The bullet has been taken out, and nothing critical has been affected. The Duke is stable but has lost quite a good amount of blood. He’ll be sedated for a while longer, and if all goes well for the next twenty-four hours, he’ll be able to receive visitors soon.”

“Twenty-four hours?” My voice is shaky as the adrenaline that has been keeping me up slowly starts to wear off.

“If the doctor says otherwise, maybe. If not, yes. Only after the next twenty-four hours.” The nurse smiles apologetically. “Maybe you could head home, rest and come back tomorrow?”

It’s around four in the morning by now. Not to mention, I won’t be able to sleep. No, I can’t leave.

“Maybe it’s good if we head home for a bit,” Edgar’s voice sounds. “We’re all tired, and we need the energy for when we see him.”

“No–”

“Mother, we are going!” His tone is strong and leaves no space for doubt.

Absentmindedly, I nod at him. Edgar gives me a knowing look before he starts to walk away, keeping her close to his side.

One of the security guys slowly approaches me with a bag in his hand. With a quick bow, he informs me, “Joshua sent some clothes, Your Majesty, so you can get changed.”

With a nod, I head to the bathroom and shed the layers of the gown, struggling only with the tight corset. My lungs expand in relief as soon as it loosens up, and I realise how much my body was already numb to the physical pain due to the long hours in a constricted space.

Inside the bag are a pair of black trousers and a white button-up, plain but still formal enough and most importantly…comfortable.

Once I am redressed, I head back to the waiting room. The last remnants of energy evade me with my bottom hitting one of the plastic chairs.

Limbo takes over, the state of grogginess keeping me in and out of consciousness for hours. No one else comes out, nor do the guards tell me to move or leave the hospital. We just stay, in silence, listening to the clock tick the seconds away.

It’s a long while after that a faraway voice brings me back, calling out for me.

“Your Majesty,” the soft female whisper-calls, and I open my eyes. “The Duke of Hawthorne is asking for you.”

47

Camilla of Severna

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