Maya let out the breath she didn't know she was holding. With a racing heart, she spent the next few minutes, trying to revive him, using the herbs she had gathered. Luckily, she knew a few things to do. Spending her younger days watching her mother as she treated people in the local hospital where she worked after she was kicked out of the palace had taught her how to treat wounds.
And this person had a lot of them, although most of it had stopped bleeding. She tore his clothes and gasped, her face white with horror when we saw the stab wound in his stomach. She checked his pulse again, her heart racing. It was so slow and still so faint. Her mind reeled, her hands shaking. She took deep breaths to calm herself, pressing her lips together in determination.
Maya scooped water out of the river and poured it into his mouth, forcing him to drink. Then placed him in a comfortable position, giving him air. He coughed a bit, blood and water trickling out of his mouth, his breathing shallow. She checked his pulse again. It was much stronger now. A wave of relief washed over her but it wasn't over just yet.
Sweat beading her forehead, she focused her attention on the stab wound in his stomach. She cleaned it up, grinding a couple of herbs together and placing it on the area. Relief filled her when she saw him twitch. She tore out of her clothes, wrapping it around the wounds to prevent it from bleeding. She glanced at his face and saw it wasn't so ghastly anymore. That should be good news.
Although he was responding, there was still a long way to go before he was out of danger. She cleaned up, dragging him to a safer place before breaking into a run, all the way back to her villa. She was out of breath by the time she arrived at the villa. She hurried to the kitchen where she knew nanny Naomi would be.
"Nanny Naomi!" She called out, breathless, her eyes searching frantically for the older woman. Naomi peeked up at the mention, pausing with the vegetables she was washing.
"What is it, my princess?" She asked, before her eyes caught sight of the stained and torn dressing. Alarmed, she hurried to her, her eyes searching her. " What happened? Why are you so dirty? Is that.... Blood?!" She asked in horror, all the color draining from her face.
"Come quick, nanny. I found someone lying unconscious by the river side and he's in so much danger!" She called out as she ran towards her nanny.
Nanny Naomi tried to process what she just said. When she did, she glanced at her, partly relieved. " So, you're not hurt? There's someone by the riverside!?"
" No, it's not my blood Nanny, but we need to help this person. I did my best but it might not be enough!!"
Naomi paused for a while, hesitating. Then she sprang up, diving into action. "Is there anything we would need, my princess?"
"Yes! We need a carriage and a doctor."
" Let's go bring in the person first and then I'll call on the doctor. " Nanny Naomi said as she hurried out of the room, Maya following closely behind her. They went to the stables where the stable keeper gave them the only carriage available. They immediately mounted in, hurrying to the riverside.
They arrived quickly and luckily, the stranger was still alive. With bated breaths, they carried him into the carriage and brought him to the mansion. Naomi immediately rushed out with the carriage to call a doctor. Maya paced around worriedly as she waited for the doctor to arrive.
It was only minutes but it felt like hours when the doctor finally walked into the room where the stranger was laid. She immediately relayed everything that had occurred to him. The doctor listened patiently before sending her out of the room, to begin treatment. Maya refused at first but gave in at the doctor's insistence, promising to let Nanny Naomi stay behind. Only then did she leave the room.
She waited outside, wondering and hoping they might be able to save his life. It was past lunch time but hunger had fled away as she stood there worried. What seemed like hours later, the doctor finally walked out the room with Nanny Naomi behind him.
She stared at him, nervousness filling her to the brim. He glanced at her with an indescribable look on his face. Unable to bear the strange tension any longer, Maya spoke up.
"How is he doctor? Is he still alive?" She couldn't help but ask. The doctor sighed and it only filled Maya with dread, her heart pounding.
"He's fine. He's out of danger for now. We can only hope he improves." He said. Relief was like a wave, whipping through her. She couldn't help the smile that grew on her face. The doctor also had one too. "You did a good job Maya. If you hadn't treated him the moment you saw him, he would've died. Your proactiveness is what saved his life more than anything. It looks like he was washed here by the river."
The praise had Maya glowing, a flush staining her cheeks."Thank you so much." She whispered, her voice quiet. Naomi was smiling proudly behind the doctor.
. "Can I see him now?" She asked.
" Yes. But he's still asleep, I'm afraid. He'll probably be unconscious for the next few days. Please let him wake up by himself."
Maya nodded vigorously. There wasn't anybody to disturb him anyway. " I left some medicines and balms to treat his wounds. Make sure to change his bandages from time to time. Feed him too although he might not be conscious. It's to help build his strength."
"Noted." Maya replied affirmatively. She glanced at Nanny Naomi and she gave a nod of approval.
" By the way, do you know who he is?" The doctor asked and she paused, thinking of what to say.
"Not yet. I plan to ask that once he wakes up." She replied, hoping he took it at face value.
The doctor nodded, I'll be taking my leave now. Call me if anything happens."
"We will do just that. Thank you so much, doctor." Maya said, bowing her head.
" You're welcome." He replied. Nanny Naomi offered to walk him out of the mansion and Maya walked into the room, going to see him.
He laid there on the bed, all bandaged up and covered with the duvet. Sweat beadied his forehead and it looked like he had difficulty breathing but his color was a lot better now. Maya walked up to him, staring at his face. Even in this state, he still managed looked so breathtaking, his dark curly hair scattered across his forehead, and sharpened features. Maya pushed it back gently, reveling at the touch. She didn't know how long she stood there, just staring at his face.
"Please, be alright." She whispered, her voice soft. She heard footsteps approaching and she pulled away, straightening herself. It soon opened and and Nanny Naomi entered.
" The doctor has departed, my princess." She announced, bowing her head a little. " What do we do now?"
Maya gaze moved from the stranger to her nanny. Moments like this, Nanny Naomi usually waited for her decisions. To prove her stance as a princess. She took in a deep breath, adjusting her posture.
"Do not tell the Royal palace yet. See if you can find any information of a missing person in the village instead." She said, her voice cool and authoritative. She glanced at the stranger then. "Then, we wait for him to wake up."
Nanny Naomi nodded, bowing again. " As you wish, my princess."
Back at the palace and the entire kingdom, the news going round was about the death of the prince of Madonia. It went like this, ' The prince couldn't arrive to the palace because he was involved in a ghastly carriage accident. Everyone, including the prince died.' it left everyone in a state a mourning for loosing a royalty so close to their borders. But in the villa where Maya and her nanny lived, they were pretty oblivious about what was going on. Instead, they were busy trying to treat their injured stranger so he recover his full strength. Maya and Nanny Naomi took turns feeding him, applying balms to his wounds and changing his bandages. His breathing was a lot steadier now and he looked more relaxed than when he first arrived. They also cleaned out the room he stayed in as it had been unused for years, opening the windows during the day so fresh air could come in and closing it at night. During those days, Maya had enough time to admire his looks and physique. She
Dexter's heart pounded in his chest as he ran through the forest, tripping over tree roots and getting his clothes slashed by sharp tree branches. Dexter didn't know how long he'd been running but he knew one thing, his chasers wouldn't stop until they've killed him. Every time he stumbled and fell to the ground, he picked himself and continued running. He couldn't afford to rest for his chasers weren't far behind. Something whizzed past him, slamming into the tree in front of him. He saw it was arrow and ducked his head, the moon overhead illuminating his path but also making it possible for his chasers to see him. An agonizing pain tore through him and he bit the inside of his lips to stop himself from screaming out loud but a muffled groan still escaped his lips. He slowed down, gripping his abdomen, the telltale wetness reminding of what he already knew. He'd begun to bleed out. He needed to stop running or dizziness would find him first before his chasers did. T
Stranger, this unfamiliar woman called him. She was different from the one he saw yesterday. Or was that an angel? He didn't know, his brain was too foggy for him to think. "Where am I?" He asked but his voice came out as a croak. Looking around, he tried to figure it out himself. "Safe. " The lady responded. He glanced at her, a brow raised. He tried to sit up but his inactive and sore muscles protested, causing him to groan. " Easy, you're not that strong to be moving around." The woman said but he paid her no heed. Eventually he managed to get himself to the position he liked. He stared at his body. He'd been treated. Thoroughly. Someone had saved his life and provided him treatment. He glanced the older woman. " Did you save my life?" He asked, his expression changed. Slowly, the woman shook her head. " I didn't but I can introduce you to the person who did. She's been waiting for you to wake up." Naomi replied, unable to hide the glint in h
"I apologise for changing the topic so suddenly." Dexter said, looking apologetic. " I had wanted to thank you for saving my life." To that, Maya let out a small smile. "You don't need to worry about that. I'm glad you told about this before we went ahead to tell my family about your survival. It would not have ended well." She said. "Indeed, it wouldn't have." Dexter seconded. " Thank you once again, Princess Maya." He said, bowing his head. It was the first time someone other than Nanny Naomi had addressed her by her title without it being laced with ridicule and disgust. Maya realised that she liked it. Liked it a lot. A warm feeling began fluttering in her chest but she did her best to keep it away from her face. "Get your rest, Prince Dexter. I'll have the doctor check up on you. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call on us." She said. " I'll be taking my leave now." She added before walking out of the room, with Nanny Naomi following closely behi
"What do you mean, he'll be coming to Gegoria?" She dropped the brush she was holding,walking closer to Naomi, her eyes filled with worry and fear. " Why do you think he is coming Nanny? Do you think he'll come here?" " I have no idea, my Princess. But according to the rumors I heard he just wants to visit the last place his brother set foot, to pay his respects." Naomi replied, her voice much calmer but filled with worry as well. Maya scoffed, rolling her eyes. " We both know it's just more than visiting, Nanny. " Naomi shuddered, her thoughts the same. " We need to tell Dexter. " Maya announced, walking back to the dressing mirror, sitting back down." Naomi took it as her cue and began helping Maya with her hair and unbuttoned pins. By the time she was through, Maya looked like the Royal she was expected to be. She took in a deep breath and when she glanced at herself in the mirror again, there was the usual princess look back on her face. Pursed lips, rais
Just like they had feared and predicted, an unfamiliar carriage pulled up at the gate of the villa a few days. Maya was in Dexter's room, discussing with him with Nanny Naomi came with the news. Maya looked at her nanny, a surprised look on her face. Dexter mirrored the same expression. Almost immediately, Maya got on her feet, her expression turning serious. " We expected this already, so there's nothing to be worried about." She turned to the windows, closing the curtains. Darkness settled into the room. " We don't know who that it is and we are also not expecting anyone. It would only make sense to hide Prince Dexter now." " Yes, my Princess." Naomi answered. Maya's hands dropped to her side as she sucked in a deep breath." Take him to the place we mentioned, no one will be able to find him there. I will welcome the guests myself." She announced. Naomi's head snapped up. " No, my Princess..." She began saying... Maya turned to her, her gaze filled wi
Maya walked down the large hallway, holding a lamp on her right hands. There should be candles filling up the hallways to bring light to them but since they wasn't any use of them, none was lit. At the very end of the hallway was a door that was hidden behind a large portrait. She glanced around the hallway first before pushing the portrait away, revealing the door. With a creak, she pushed the door open and a flight of stairs came into view. The stairs led down to the basement. Holding the lamp firmly in her hands, Maya took in a deep breath and began walking down the steps, the only source of light coming from the lamp. She soon arrived at one of the doors and knocked on it. Receiving a reply, she pushed the door and walked in. Dexter was sitting at the edge of the bed, his face filled with worry. He relaxed visibly when he saw her. " I'm sorry, I hope you're not too uncomfortable? I had my Nanny clean this place in preparation for this but i
In the week that followed, it was not until they heard the crown prince had gone back to Madonia did they finally get the chance to breath again. If he left without causing trouble, then his people should have left with him. He couldn't possibly be looking for Dexter now. During those moments however, Maya and Dexter had gotten even closer. As close as they could get. Dexter health was also improving rapidly and now he could walk around almost without any aide. As much as it made Maya happy to see him get better, a part of her was saddened at the fact that he would eventually leave. Having him around has brightened her usual boring, monotone life. And it's all about to change. The second week rolled by and Maya began noticing some changes in Dexter's mood. His health almost fully recovered, he began to worry a lot. During those times, Maya didn't know how to help him with it and she didn't bother asking because she knew why he did. She'd asked her Nanny for help