Chapter 202: Diagnosis
I’m anxious beyond words, and Celia wasn’t helping with her silence. I could tell... feel it even, that something was really wrong.
For the past week or more, I have been dizzy, retching my guts out, and it was only a matter of time before I started coughing blood. I recognise these symptoms like the back of my hand.
My lingering ailment could be coming back.
"Tell me, Celia..." I broke the cold silence in a stiff tone. "Am I dying?"
Celia flickered her gaze to me. "What?"
"You feel something’s wrong, don’t you? Your expression says it all, don’t hide it."
"What—that—" she stuttered, before sighing heavily. "That is not what bothers me."
I frowned. "What is?"
What could be far worse than my sickness returning?
"W-When was the last time you had your courses?"
I blinked, wondering why she was asking such a blunt question.
"W-Well, I—" I froze.
Wait, when was the last time I bled?
"If you don’t remember, then we should ask your handmaids. They keep track."
I keep track more than ever because, unlike her, I didn’t have a handmaid growing up who’d cater to all my needs. I was my own person.
"Is everything alright?"
"Y-Yes, it’s just I keep track of it."
"You do?" she wondered in surprise.
Seems like this was new for her.
"Yes... If I remember correctly, I didn’t see it last month. It happened to me in the past, because of how weak my body was, I sometimes don’t have my courses."
"By the goddess," she murmured. "Is that why you asked me if you were dying? You think this has to do with your ailment?"
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "You sound familiar with it."
"When you first arrived in Valkanor a year ago, whispers flew."
I scoffed. "I should have known."
I was already a hot topic since the moment I set foot on this land. I wonder what they say about me now. I’m tempted to ask.
"Your majesty, I’m afraid this doesn’t have to do with your ailment."
"These are clear symptoms of it. Are you sure you’re reading my pulse right? Garrick had a hard time doing it."
She offered me a smile. "Well, Sir Garrick checks your pulse in a way you do a lycan. To read yours, I do it in reverse."
"Sorry, I don’t follow."
She giggled slightly. "Of course, I have been doing studies recently and broadening my research outside Lycans." She placed a finger beneath her chin and stared into space. "It’s quite fascinating to deviate from the norms. You inspired me to broaden my mind. Let’s say I broke the system, too."
Don’t tell me I’m responsible for the first human experiment!
I panicked, but I asked politely as I could. "Does this research involve an actual human body?"
She smiled, and for some reason, it gave me the chills. "It’s not research without one."
The color drained from my face. What monster have I created?
"I’m the experiment."
"Huh?"
"It’s simple, we Lycans are humans in a way whenever we maintain this form, so it helps with my work."
I’m relieved no actual human was involved, but I’m terrified of this lady’s ability to go that far for science.
"We should get you back to your chambers. I’d like permission to also diagnose properly to be sure."
~•~
Celia’s expression was getting me more worried. She had rubbed some kind of substance that felt like oil on my hand, and it had been over an hour since her fingers had delicately pressed into my wrist. Occasionally, they will move between pulses, and long stillness will follow.
Talia and Osha were present, all waiting in anticipation of what might be wrong.
I wanted to speak because I was getting impatient, but she had told me not to move, and no one should speak.
"Just as I thought..."
"What is Lady Celia? Tell me!"
"I was confused at first, and I didn’t want to give false news, so I had to double-check carefully."
I pressure her with my look to get on with it and not keep me in meaningless suspense.
"Something is growing inside of you."
"Growing?"
"Like what?" Osha asked, tilting her head.
"After an hour of waiting, all we get is growing?" Talia mumbled. "Doesn’t make sense."
"Oh, I know! Maybe she wants to pass gas!"
I smacked my hand on my face.
"No?"
Celia cleared her throat and slowly shifted her gaze, and I followed.
"Snow?" I asked, eyeing the fox curled up and fast asleep on my stomach.
"No. The growth is happening in your stomach."
Osha gasped. "A baby!"
My heart skipped a beat.
"That is what I thought at first, but..."
"But?" Talia urged, already twitching.
"I may be wrong. You said your courses didn’t show last month; from that timeframe to now, it’s already 5 weeks. There should be a heartbeat, but I don’t hear a thing."
"How can there be no heartbeat?" Talia asked worriedly.
"That is what I wanted to confirm."
"That can’t be!" Osha gasped.
"I’m certain something is indeed growing inside you, but with no heartbeat, I don’t know what to make of this."
I gulped, moving my gaze to my belly. Snow noticed my stare, and he looked at me.
I could hear my pulse throbbing in my ears, and everything spun, but I wasn’t going along with it.
"You need your rest, Your Majesty. Maybe as time passes, I can get a better diagnosis."
"You haven’t said anything," Talia said to me. "I’m sure you have something on your mind."
I couldn’t think or process anything right now; I just felt numb.
"Check my study for a book involving the Winter clan."
"Book?" Talia was confused by my reply because she didn’t expect me to say that.
"Quickly now, I need it."
"O-Of course..." she walked out, briefly throwing a look over her shoulder.
"Can the rest of you leave? I want to be alone."
"I don’t think that’s—"
"Please, Celia."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Osha gave me a worried expression before leaving, too.