Two days passed.
Daphne had tried to go about her routines as if nothing had changed, but her body betrayed her.
Fatigue dragged at her limbs, her appetite all but gone. Most meals she left untouched, surviving only on bread and light broth.
Alaric noticed.
Of course, he noticed.
That evening, he returned from a long day at the training grounds, exhaustion clinging to him like a cloak.
But the moment he entered their chamber and saw her pale, listless frame pushing food around her plate, something in him snapped.
"Enough," he barked, his voice sharper than he intended. He turned immediately toward Alice. "Fetch a physician. Now."
Alice startled, dropping into a quick curtsy. "At once, general."
"No!" Daphne's voice cut through the air, firm despite her weakness.
She pushed back from the table. "Alice, leave us."
The maid hesitated, eyes darting between them.
Daphne managed a small smile, her voice gentler now. "Please. It's alright. Just leave us."
