Chapter 22

Chapter 0022

I

Forcing my voice level, I asked, “Why wasn’t I previously informed that Elva was suffering from a

terminal illness?”

The pitying one pushed his glasses up his nose with his index finger. “Perhaps we were optimistic before. But she has since taken a turn for the worst. We aren’t fortunetellers, ma’am.”

That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “So you won’t treat her? At all?”

The pitying one shrugged. “What’s the point?” He placed his hand on my shoulder, and it took everything within me not to shove him away. “Giving up now is for the best. You’ll see that soon enough.”

“I will never agree with that,” I said. “Elva is worth saving. At least try. Please. I’m begging you.

The doctor with the pitying look shook his head. He called to his colleague. “We’re done here.” a

“No…” My legs went weak.

As one doctor walked straight out the door, the other, the one with the blank expression stopped at my

side.

In a whisper that no one else could hear, she told me, “Perhaps leaving the palace would be better for

her.”

I looked at her in confusion, but she offered no further explanation. She left the room without glancing

back

Was she insinuating that someone here might have done something to Elva? Or was she saying that no one here would help her because of who she was?

I collapsed. I would have likely banged my knees on the floor if my maid hadn’t caught me and helped.

me down.

What was I going to do? I couldn’t let Elva die! Even if she was sick enough… even if it was fated… didn’t

she deserve some treatment?

The poor girl was in pain!

Miss Piper said the second maid from Elva’s bedside,

Aluson I pushed myself back to my feet and scrambled to Elva’s side: Her little hand was reaching out

in both of mine

“It’s okay, honey. Mommy’s here now. It’s going to be okay.”

She seemed soothed by my presence, enough to fall asleep.

I glanced at the second maid, who was diligent in holding that compress and watching Elva. Confident she would alert me if something else occurred, I stepped back from the bed to consult with the doctors.

As I came toward them, they stopped their hushed words to each other and looked at me. One wore a blank expression. The other had a pitying look.

“Why does Elva have a fever?” I asked. “What’s her new treatment plan?”

The doctors glanced at each other, then back at me.

“There is no treatment plan,” the blank one said.

I must have misheard. “Excuse me?”

The pitying doctor also had a tiny condescending smile. I hated him more than anyone else in the world

at that moment.

“Her condition is severe,” he said. “We hope you will see reason, and give up on wanting to treat the girl.”

“See reason?” My temper flared hot. “You are talking about a person – a child – not some wounded

animal that needs put down.”

“We should save our resources for those with hope of survival,” the doctor with the blank look said. I

viciously hated her as well.

I didn’t understand. Were their resources so scarce they would refuse to help a child? Why hadn’t that been mentioned earlier? Julian had made it seem like they would take care of Elva, since she was a guest.

But now, here they were, saying she didn’t deserve a chance to live?

Why didn’t you tell me this before?” I asked. My voice was rising with my panic. “Elva has been

valuated already, and no one said a thing about her having a terminal illness!”

Ma’am. There’s no need to shout,” said the pitying one. “We can hear just fine.”

Blank expression crossed her arms.

attempted a deep breath, but it came out shaking. I wanted to scream at them, but I had dealt with

before shouting wouldn’t work. For Elva’s sake, I had to submit to whatever they asked

I

Chapter 0022

Forcing my voice level, I asked, “Why wasn’t I previously informed that Elva was suffering from a

terminal illness?”

20 The pitying one pushed his glasses up his nose with his index finger. “Perhaps we were optimistic

before. But she has since taken a turn for the worst. We aren’t fortunetellers, ma’am.”

That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “So you won’t treat her? At all?”

The pitying one shrugged. “What’s the point?” He placed his hand on my shoulder, and it took everything

within me not to shove him away. “Giving up now is for the best. You’ll see that soon enough.”

“I will never agree with that,” I said. “Elva is worth saving. At least try. Please. I’m begging you.”

The doctor with the pitying look shook his head. He called to his colleague. “We’re done here.”

“No…” My legs went weak.

As one doctor walked straight out the door, the other, the one with the blank expression stopped at my

side.

In a whisper that no one else could hear, she told me, “Perhaps leaving the palace would be better for

her.”

I looked at her in confusion, but she offered no further explanation. She left the room without glancing

back

Was she insinuating that someone here might have done something to Elva? Or was she saying that no

one here would help her because of who she was?

I collapsed. I would have likely banged my knees on the floor if my maid hadn’t caught me and helped

me down.

What was I going to do? I couldn’t let Elva die! Even if she was sick enough… even if it was fated… didn’t

she deserve some treatment?

The poor girl was in pain!

“Miss Piper,” said the second maid from Elva’s bedside,

I myself back to my feet and scrambled to Elva’s side. Her little hand was reaching out

“It hurts…”

“I know, honey. I’m sorry. But it will be okay soon.” It was a lie, but how could I let her believe that none of these monsters would actually help her?

“Promise?” She peeked at me through her lashes. Her eyes were damp with tears.

Had she heard me yelling? My heart sunk in agony.

This poor child. My poor baby.

I had to something. There had to be someone in this huge palace who would help Elva. If I had to force

someone to help her, I would.

“I promise,” I said, determined now.

My misery could wait for if I failed. I was a mom with a mission now.

I k*ssed her small hand and placed it back on the bed. When her eyes closed, I stepped back from her

bedside.

I asked both maids to stay with her. “Guard her like she’s your own.”

They both agreed.

Then I ran from the room. I spotted a few guards in the hallway.

“Please!” I said, approaching them. “We need more doctors. Different ones.”

The guards frowned. They shifted uncomfortably. “We’re sorry, miss. But the royal doctors have already

seen your daughter. We’ve been instructed to honor their judgement.”

“But they’re wrong! Can’t you see that?”

The guards looked away from me. “We’re sorry.”

No help here, I realized. I pressed on, asking every guard and servant I came across, but each reply was

e same, with varying levels of sympathy.

Nd one would stand against the doctor’s decision.

Wildly, I thought of turning to Susie, or even to. Nicholas, He’d shown kindness to Elva before. Surely he

wouldn’t turn her away so cruelly now.

Perhaps leaving the palace would be better for her.

Maybe no one here was safe.

I had to get back to Elval

I swiveled on my heel, and returned to my hallway. Just as I rounded the corner, I saw a figure disappear around another one, further down the hall.

Was that Lena?

It didn’t matter. Elva was the most important person in the world to me right now.

I pushed through the doors to my bedroom. “Elva!”

But the bed was empty.

Elva was gone.