The Doctor Visits Again

The creak of the door reverberated through the room, jolting me from the depths of sleep as my eyes flew open. Instinctively, I clutched the covers tightly around me, seeking solace in their familiar warmth. Even in the darkness, Jacob's voice cut through the air.


"Katherine, did somebody take advantage of you?"


His words, laden with a mixture of apprehension and protectiveness. My heart skipping a beat at the intensity of his inquiry.


"No, Jacob, you just startled me," I reassured him, the tremor in my voice betraying the lingering unease that lingered in the air like a specter of doubt.


His gaze bore into mine, searching for any hint of distress amidst the shadows that danced across my face.


"Did you rest well, Katherine?"


His concern, enveloped me like a comforting embrace, urging me to confide in the depths of his unwavering care. I couldn’t conceal the truth from him, not when his concern was so genuine, so deeply rooted in the bond that bound us together.


“I did not rest well, Jacob," I confessed, the weight of exhaustion heavy upon my shoulders, a burden too great to bear alone.


His brow furrowed, his concern deepening with each passing moment as he absorbed the gravity of my words.


"How long was I asleep for?" I questioned, the pang of guilt tainting the edges of my voice as I grappled with the knowledge of time lost amidst the tumult of my dreams.

"Just a few hours, Katherine," he replied, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves, a reassurance that, despite the chaos that surrounded us, a measure of peace could still be found within the confines of his watchful gaze.


As if on cue, a soft knock echoed through the room, the sound breaking the tension that hung in the air like a heavy mist. Jacob's eyes flickered towards the door, a spark of relief igniting within their depths as he welcomed the arrival of the doctor with open arms.


"The doctor is here to see you," he announced, his voice filled with a palpable sense of anticipation as he sprang to his feet.


With a sense of purpose, he swung open the door.


“Thank you for gracing us with your presence, doctor,” he greeted with a touch of urgency.

“If you don’t mind, I would appreciate a moment alone with the queen.”


With a nod of understanding, Jacob graciously acquiesced, his warmth radiating as he left the room, his departure a silent promise of unwavering support from the shadows beyond. Alone with the doctor, I found myself enveloped in a cocoon of empathy as he addressed me with gentle concern.


"Katherine, it's truly wonderful to see you again," he began, his voice a soothing melody in the silence of the room.

"I've heard about Jake, and I can't express how sorry I am for your loss."


Touched by his sincerity, I offered a grateful nod, the weight of grief and gratitude intertwining in the depths of my soul.


"Thank you, doctor," I murmured, my voice a fragile echo in the hushed atmosphere. "I appreciate your kind words."


With a steadying breath, the doctor broached the delicate subject at hand, his tone gentle yet resolute.


"Now, Katherine, I understand this may be uncomfortable, but for the safety of your baby, I must conduct an examination," he explained, his eyes brimming with compassion.

"Please, if you could undress for me."


Nodding in understanding, I rose from my seat, a sense of urgency propelling me towards the closet. With practiced efficiency, I wrapped a robe around myself, its fabric a shield against the vulnerability that threatened to engulf me.

Returning to the bedside, I complied with the doctor's instructions, his professional demeanor a source of solace amidst the turmoil that churned within me. While the examination progressed, I braced myself for the verdict, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and hope.


"It seems that the baby is perfectly fine, unharmed," the doctor declared, his words a balm to my worried soul, the weight of relief lifting the burden from my weary shoulders.


His concern lingered, his gaze lingering on the bruise that marred my skin, a silent testament to the trials I had endured.


"Does that bruise hurt?" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine concern.


For a moment, I hesitated, the truth weighing heavy upon my tongue.


"A little bit, doctor," I admitted, the confession a whisper in the stillness of the room.


His scrutiny intensified, his eyes probing for the hidden truths that lay beneath the surface.


"Did Jacob hit you?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.


Summoning the courage within, I revealed the horrifying truth that had festered within me.


"No, doctor," I confessed, the words heavy with the weight of betrayal.

"I was abducted, and he struck me."


The doctor's expression hardened, his resolve solidifying in the face of injustice.


"I will be back in two months to check on you and the baby," he assured me, his dedication unwavering in the face of adversity.


His words were a lifeline, offering hope amidst the darkness that threatened to consume me.


"If you need me sooner, I will be here," he added, his commitment a beacon of light in the stormy sea of uncertainty.

With a heart full of gratitude, I whispered, "Thank you, doctor," my voice a prayer of thanks for the ally I had found in the midst of chaos.


Armed with newfound courage and resolve, I made my way to Jacob's study, ready to confront the demons that lurked within.

I approached Jacob's study, and the sound of Vivian's anguished voice echoed through the corridor, her tears a haunting melody that tugged at my heartstrings. Though the words were indistinct, the raw emotion in her voice spoke volumes, stirring a turbulence of empathy and concern within me.

Before I could even raise my hand to knock, the door began to creak open, my heart leaping into my throat as panic surged through my veins. In a desperate bid to avoid detection, I darted into the nearby library, only to collide with one of the guards stationed nearby.

A stifled gasp escaped my lips as I recoiled from the unexpected collision, my pulse racing as I struggled to compose myself in the wake of my sudden fright.


“My lady, I didn't mean to frighten you," the guard's voice was filled with genuine remorse, his concern etched upon his features as he offered an apologetic glance.

"It's my fault, I wasn't watching where I was going," I replied with a forced smile, attempting to alleviate the tension that lingered in the air.


Recognition dawned upon me as I realized that this guard was one of Jake's friends, his presence a bittersweet reminder of the life that had been tragically cut short.


"Your Majesty, how may I be of service?" he inquired, his voice a reverent whisper that carried a sense of duty and respect.



A gentle smile graced my lips as I returned his gaze, a wave of familiarity washing over me in his presence.


"Please, call me Katherine," I insisted softly, the formality of my title feeling out of place in the intimacy of the moment.

"Katherine, do you need to sit down?" he offered, his concern evident in every word as he gestured towards a nearby chair with a subtle inclination of his head.


My nod was subtle yet filled with gratitude as I sank into the offered seat, a sense of relief flooding through me at the prospect of a moment's respite from the chaos that surrounded me.


"Would you like to be alone, my lady?" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine concern as he stood poised to depart, his unwavering loyalty a beacon of solace in the storm.

"No, please stay," I implored, the vulnerability in my voice betraying the storm of emotions that churned within me.

"You make me feel safe."


The guard's expression softened, a silent understanding passing between us as he settled into a nearby chair, his steadfast presence a comforting anchor amidst the uncertainty that loomed on the horizon.

Curiosity gnawed at me, urging me to break the heavy silence that enveloped us like a shroud. Without hesitation, I blurted out the question that weighed upon my mind, eager for any shred of insight into his relationship with Jake.


"How well did you know Jake?" I asked, the words tumbling from my lips in a rush of uncertainty and longing.


For a moment, the guard's expression faltered, his gaze flickering with a mixture of discomfort and contemplation as he grappled with my inquiry. It was clear that this question touched upon a tender wound, one that he hesitated to reopen in the presence of his queen.

With a resigned sigh, he met my gaze with a solemn determination, his words measured yet tinged with a hint of sorrow as he began to recount the memories of a friendship lost to the passage of time.


"I knew Jake since we were boys," he replied, a wistful note of nostalgia coloring his words as he reminisced about their shared past.


A genuine smile graced his features, a testament to the fond memories they had woven together in the tapestry of their friendship.


"I am sorry for your loss, my lady," he added, his words a sincere offering of condolence.

"Thank you," I replied softly, the weight of grief heavy upon my heart as I acknowledged the depth of his sympathy.


The guard's expression softened, a hint of solemnity lingering in his gaze as he spoke of Jake's final wishes.


"Jake entrusted me with the care of his sister Esmerelda if anything were to happen to him," he revealed, the weight of responsibility evident in his tone.


My curiosity sparked by his revelation, tinged with a growing concern for Esmerelda’s well-being, I ventured to inquire further.


"Have you seen her since Jake's death?" I questioned, the urgency in my voice belying the depth of my concern.


A flicker of sadness passed over the guard's features, his gaze momentarily clouded by the memories of a life lost.


"She actually asks about you, Your Majesty," he confessed, his words a poignant reminder of the ties that bound us together in the wake of tragedy.


Determination surged within me, fueled by a newfound sense of purpose.

"I must go see her," I declared, resolve steeling my voice as I made a silent vow to honor Jake's memory.

"I want to make sure that Jacob keeps his promise to take care of her."


With a sudden sense of urgency, the guard reached into his pocket, retrieving a simple diamond ring with a quiet reverence. He placed the ring in my hand. It felt like a solemn hush fell over the room, the weight of its significance settling like a heavy shroud around us.

My fingers closed around the ring instinctively, cradling it against my chest as tears welled in my eyes. Memories flooded my mind, transporting me back to a night long ago when Jake had whispered promises of a future yet to unfold.


"One day this ring will be yours," he had murmured, his words a tender vow etched upon my heart.

“It belonged to my grandmother.”


In that moment, as the echoes of his voice reverberated through the chambers of my soul, I knew that this simple token held within it the essence of a love that transcended time and space. Though Jake may no longer walk among us, his spirit lived on in the echoes of his memory, guiding me forward on a path paved with the promise of redemption and renewal.


A single tear escaped and rolled down my cheek, a bittersweet reminder of the love and trust we shared. The door began to open. I swiftly concealed the ring in my pocket and wiped away the evidence of my emotions. Jacob sauntered into the room, his eyes immediately locked onto mine.


“There you are, my darling,” he exclaimed, his voice dripping with affection.


The guard, sensing his presence, snapped to attention, ready to fulfill his duty. Jacob, with a mere flick of his hand, dismissed him without a second thought. My heart skipped a beat as I braced myself.