It was a long evening. I went to sleep late because I hoped I would see Arius. I didn’t though. The next morning I saw Tabia, I asked her to tell Arius I said ‘hi’. She begged me to come with her to his room, but I said no, he might be really tired.
Saia and I helped out some slaves until the noon. Then we went and ate our lunch at the slave quarters, soon Saia left to meet an old slave who she promised to help. I ended up wandering around and soon found myself walking towards the castle garden. Then, I was immediately proud of myself for my perfect timing.
Arius walked out of the western exit right when I walked into the garden. I smiled and then I opened my mouth to call him but then thought I would surprise him. I began walk towards him quickly and then stopped. He put both his arms on the wall and looked at the floor.
I stood there, confused and then I felt my heart stop when I saw him smash his fist into the hard wall.
My eyes widened and I began to run towards him and he turned around and walked towards the fountain.
“Arius!” I called as I ran up to him.
He turned around quickly and he smiled.
I slowed down as I caught up to him and looked at his eyes… he looked dead tired. “What’s wrong?” I asked him. I looked down and pulled up his right hand, which was bleeding and then I looked up at him.
He smiled at me, put his hand on my cheek and then he began to tremble.
“Arius?” I called as I began to panic. I put my hands on his face and he closed his eyes tightly. “Arius!” I repeated. “What is it?”
Then he fell forward, onto me. I tried to hold him up but he was too heavy, so I slowly sat down and put his head in my lap. “Arius!” I called again. Did he… die?
I felt tears roll down my cheek. I looked up, no one was there. I began to wonder why no one was ever in the garden and then I panicked.
He wasn’t breathing properly and his skin felt cold. “Arius! Can you hear me?” I called again. “Someone! Help!” I cried. “Arius! Open your eyes!” I screamed and screamed but he didn’t respond. I began to cry harder. “Someone help!” I screamed.
“Alexandra?” I heard Tabia yell. I turned around.
“Tabia!” I screamed. “Tabia! Look, he was okay and then he just collapsed, his skin is cold and he isn’t breathing properly and he—”
“Shut up and go Alexandra!” Tabia yelled, pulling Arius away from me.
“What? But Tabia—” I cried.
“Go! If they see you here they will say it’s your fault!”
“No Tabia!” I yelled.
“Go” Tabia yelled back as she pushed me away.
I quickly got up and ran. I saw people gather around and I heard Tabia yell, “Move! He needs some air!”
I ran and ran all the way into my room. I slammed the door shut and it looked like it was about to break. I leaned against it and then slid down. I began to cry again. “How come he’s always there to help me but I can’t be there to help him?” I cried to myself.
I was so scared. What could have happened? I thought as I remembered his skin was cold and he wasn’t breathing properly. “What if he dies? What if he is dead?” I put my hands on my head and began to hit it. I couldn’t think like that! I can’t, and I won’t!
I got up and began pacing. “Happy thoughts!” I said as I tried to smile but it was no use. I fell down on my bed and my heart began to feel heavy. I wanted to be with him, by his side while he was ill. Then I decided that was exactly what I was going to do. I turned around and marched out of my room. I have to find a way to be with him. I thought. I was determined and at that moment, I wanted nothing more than to be with him.
I marched through the hallways and then bumped into someone. “Alexandra!” I heard Tabia yell. “What do you think you are doing, going out of your room? Are you insane?” She yelled.
“Tabia! Why are you being so mean all of a sudden?” I yelled back.
She stared at me for a moment and then let out a sigh. “Oh, I’m so sorry Alexandra! After seeing the king hurt poor Akhen, and Arius attempt to kill his own father, and then Arius on the floor looking half dead—” I stopped breathing while she spoke. “—and not to mention the fact that the king will never forgive Arius!” Tabia put her hand on her head. “Plus, I’m the one who has to look after Arius.” She began to shake her head.
“Tabia? Is Arius okay?” I asked her.
“Yes he’s fine, he’s just had a tough day, I think he just passed out.” She said, waving her hand.
“You think?” I asked, beginning to worry again.
“Well, I was going to check on him right now, actually, the guards returned him to his room and I just went to get Dr. Kamuza.”
“Oh Tabia! Please take me with you.” I begged.
“But Alexandra, I can’t! If the king—” She looked at me, and then hit her hand with her fist, as if she had just thought of something clever. “I’ve got it!” She said. She grabbed me in her arms. “Sorry for being so mean, Alexandra.” She said.
“It’s alright.” I replied. Then she took my hand and began pulling me.
We walked up to the Princes’ chamber and saw and old man along with Dr. Tumini and Subira. “What took you so long?” The old man asked.
“Forgive me father, Subira was begging me to take her with me and you know she is ill.” Dr. Tumini said.
“Yes, please forgive him father-in-law. He was only trying to help bring me along.” Subira said bowing.
The old man sighed. “Well, I guess you are right, Subira is like a mother to the boy and it’s only right to bring her along.” He patted Subira on the head and she smiled.
“Lord Kamuza? What’s the trouble?” Tabia asked, in a stern voice.
“Oh, Tabia. It’s nothing dear, I’m glad you are finally here.” He said.
When Subira noticed me she waved, “Ah! Alexandra dear, it’s a pleasure to see you again!” She said.
Lord Kamuza turned to me and raised an eyebrow. “A slave?” He asked Tabia.
Tabia nodded. “She is my personal maid.”
“You cannot bring a slave girl into the Princes’ chamber.” He said, a little angrily.
“But father-in-law, she is a very noble young lady; she helped to take care of me while I was very ill.” Subira said.
“Yes, she is a noble girl; she will cause no trouble at all.” Tabia said.
Lord Kamuza looked at Subira, “All right, I just don’t want this poor girl to lose her life to that king.” He said. “Now hurry along, the Prince doesn’t have all day.”
Tabia, Dr. Tumini, Subira and I walked into Arius’ room. Subira closed the door and Dr. Tumini made his way up to Arius’ bed. I sighed and stood near the door and Tabia grabbed my arm and tugged me over to Arius’ bed side.
“Oh! My poor Arius!” Subira said sadly.
I looked at him, his face was pale and his eyes were closed tightly, as if he were having a nightmare. He was sweating as well and breathing heavily.
“Hmm…” Dr. Tumini felt Arius’ forehead and then did a little check up. “I believe he fainted…” Dr. Tumini said.
“Why?” Subira asked.
“Lack of sleep, maybe even stress, and pain can also be a reason.” Dr. Tumini said still doing some checking.
Subira sat beside him, “The poor boy. He’s been going through so much, not to mention the nagging of that no good father of his!” She said scowling at the floor.
“Subira! You know better than to talk like that! He is the Pharaoh!” Dr. Tumini said.
“Oh! But, how could he—”
“Subira!” Dr. Tumini glared at her and Subira sighed.
“Please, do talk.” I heard a deep voice say. We all turned around at once and standing at the door was the Pharaoh. “Go ahead!” He insisted.
“My Pharaoh!” Dr. Tumini said, everyone bowed and so did I.
Subira looked away.
“Tabia, why are there so many people here? I thought I said just you and the Doctor.” He said calmly. “My poor son needs air.”
“Oh cut with the kindness!” Subira said, glaring at the king. I marveled at her braveness
“Lady Subira…” Tabia said.
“We all know how you really feel, you don’t need to lie!” Subira continued.
“Subira!” Dr. Tumini yelled. “That is enough.” He then turned to the king. “Please my Lord don’t listen to her, she is ill! Pardon her, please.” Dr. Tumini said
“She is pardoned; I do not have time for foolishness.” The Pharaoh said. “Hurry up and get him up again, he has a lot of work to finish… and studying as well.” He said.
Subira scowled and the king smiled at her, a little amused. “Tabia, I want you to look after the fool while he is like this.” He said as he turned around to leave.
Subira was about to say something but was cut off my Tabia. “My Pharaoh, I have some business elsewhere at the moment, I request that you allow my maid to tend to him during his weak hours.” She said.
I gasped as the king turned back around. “Who?” He asked.
“My maid.” Tabia said pointing to me.
He watched me rudely, with a strange smile on his face. “You?”
I nodded.
“You… from the banquet.” He said. “Slave, you remind me of someone…” He said, cocking his head.
I just looked at him.
“Are you in any way related to Sanaa?”
I took a deep breath. That was my mothers’ name. “No, my Pharaoh.” I lied. It was a sin, to lie to the pharaoh. But does that still apply to this bastard? I guess I would have to wait and see.
“Good. It would be insulting, to me, if you were.”
“My Pharaoh, have I gotten the permission to allow Alex… Chione to look after the Prince?”
He looked at Tabia. “As you wish.” He said as he turned around and left.
As soon as the king left, Tabia fell to the floor.
“Tabia?” I called, a little worried.
Tabia looked at the floor for a bit and then said, “that was the scariest thing I have ever done in my whole entire life!” Her eyes were wide and her face was covered in sweat.
I smiled, fell on my knees and then hugged her. “Thank you Tabia!” I said.
Tabia sat there for a second, sighed and then hugged me too. “Well, I guess I’m doing this for my baby brother.” She said. She smiled, “and my favourite maid!” She finished.
“Baby brother?” I asked as I giggled.
“Yep.” She laughed.
Tabia got up. “Well I better be off! I have a date with Khafirin!” She said jumping up and down.
Subira, Dr. Tumini and I looked at each other. “A date? While your ‘baby brother’ is here ill?” Dr. Tumini asked.
“Hey! I just told that guy that I have some business elsewhere! I have to at least pretend that I am somewhere far away, doing something extra important!” She said stomping her foot.
“And Lord Khafirin?” Subira asked, “He would never accept to go on a date while the Prince is ill!” She said.
Tabia laughed, “Oh Khafirin knows the whole situation!” She smiled.
“What?” I asked. “You told him?”
She raised her eyebrows and gasped, “How could I hide anything from my one true love!” She said dramatically.
“B-but Tabia! What if he…” I started.
“Oh, no! Khafirin is very trustworthy! It’ll be as if he doesn’t even know!” Tabia smiled. “Don’t worry Alexandra, it’s all under control.”
I nodded my head; I guess I had to trust Tabia.
After Tabia left I sat down on a chair. “Darling?” Dr. Tumini called.
Subira looked up. “Yes dear?” She replied.
“Just what exactly were you girls talking about, what are you hiding?” Dr. Tumini asked, looking straight at Subira.
Subira stared. “Umm, I… I’ll explain later dear, please treat Arius first!” She said. She then looked at me, “You don’t mind if I tell him, do you?” Subira asked.
I thought and then shook my head. “Not at all.”
Dr. Tumini nodded, “I better hear everything.” He said, smiling at Subira. “Anyway, because of the lack of sleep, I’m going to give him this medicine that will make him sleep longer.” Dr. Tumini said as he pulled out a jar from his bag of medication.
“Sleeping dust? I never knew that really existed.” I said, looking at the white powder inside the jar.
“Actually, it doesn’t. You mix this powder with water and then drink it.” He laughed.
“But, how will Arius drink it?” I asked.
“We’ll wait for him to wake up, and then give it to him then.” The doctor said.
“Well I guess that could work, but dear, you have other patients you must tend too. If you do that, you will have to stay by the Princes’ side.” Subira said. “How about we let Alexandra do it?” She finished.
“Me?” I gasped.
“Unfortunately, Subira is right. Do you mind staying by Arius’ side for today?” Dr. Tumini asked.
“Oh, not at all! I wouldn’t mind at all!” I said as I was filled with happiness.
“Thank you dear!” Dr. Tumini sighed, “I’m just so busy these days!” He picked up the jar of water and used a spoon to mix it with the powder. “Alexandra, just make sure he drinks this when he wakes up, okay?”
I nodded. “I will, promise.”
He smiled and then he and Subira left right after that, now it was only Arius and I. I pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat right next to him. He was still sweating so I got up and picked up a face cloth from one of the tables. I walked up to the door that I thought was the washroom and slowly opened it. I rushed inside and saw a bucket of fresh, clean water. I dropped the cloth into the water, pulled it back out, squeezed the water back into the bucket and then I rushed back to Arius.
I softly dabbed the damp cloth onto the face of Arius, he slightly moved but then seemed to go straight back into his uncomfortable sleep.
I sighed, and wondered if he was having a nightmare.
I wished that I could help him and I wanted to know what really happened between him and his father. He always seemed happy; I couldn’t believe that I never saw him in pain. I felt sad, and I really hated myself at that moment.
I sat there for hours and my back began to hurt, but I didn’t care. I looked outside and saw that it had gotten very dark. I got up and rushed to the washroom, this was the eighth time I had ran into the washroom to wet the cloth. I rushed back out and dabbed his face with the cloth, again. He hadn’t opened his eyes even once yet, and I began to get really worried.
I looked around and then got up off the chair. I put my knee on the side of his bed and put my head on his chest then I closed my eyes and stopped breathing. His heart was still beating but it was beating fast. I sat back on the chair and sighed in relief. Thank goodness! I thought. I put my arms on his bed and rested my head in them. But for some reason I still felt scared.
I shot myself back up when I saw his hand twitch. I looked at his face and saw him turn his head a bit, he then moved his eyebrows. I dabbed the cloth on his face again, hoping it would help wake him up, but it was no use. He went straight back into that uncomfortable sleep.
I sighed loudly as I felt my heart go heavy. I began to be filled by sadness as I looked at him. I dropped my head in my hands and felt the tears escape. I looked at him again and then lifted my arm up and touched his face. His skin wasn’t cold anymore; it was hot, very hot. I sighed again and slowly moved his hair off his face, and then dabbed it with the cloth again.