I woke up to what seemed to me to be someone standing over my bed, watching me intently. Rising up on my elbows, I looked around the room carefully, but saw no one. I didn't notice any suspicious objects or any changes either. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I rubbed my temples with my fingers, glanced out the window, and was unpleasantly surprised to find that it was already dark. I'd never fallen asleep during the day before; the poison spreading through my body must be stealing a lot of my strength and vitality. Something must be done about it, because if this continues, everyone will notice that the king is sick. That's when all coups usually happen. I'd hate to be slaughtered in my sleep in my own bed.
There was a knock at the door, and I quickly grabbed a book on battle tactics from the bedside table to pretend I was engrossed in its contents. I couldn't let rumors of my illness spread throughout the palace.
– Come in! – I commanded.
Andrada appeared at the door a few seconds later, and I felt relieved. She was holding a tray with a small jar of some unknown liquid and a tiny silver casket. She must have found a way to slow the effects of the poison, as promised. Andrada came over to me and sat down on the edge of the bed, placing the tray on her lap.
– My king, I have prepared some herbal pills that will keep you on your feet for as long as possible during the day, and this decoction of snake skin will slow the effects of the poison. Perhaps we'll gain a week or more," she said in an even tone, but I noticed that her eyes were full of sadness and glistened brightly, as if she had recently shed a few tears.
– Thank you, I am indebted to you. – Before, I had always seen a "stone" lady, but now in front of me sat a completely different Andrada, and this circumstance extremely surprised me. – Has something happened? Did someone hurt you?
– It's fine, Your Majesty, don't worry. – Noticing my gaze, Andrada smiled indulgently as if trying to deceive my suspicions. – It was just a flake in my eye while I was preparing the potion.
– If you say so. You don't have to explain yourself to me," I mumbled, and looked away so as not to make her uncomfortable.
– Allow me. – Wrapping her fingers around my chin, Andrada lifted my face and took one of the pills with her other hand and pushed it gently into my mouth, barely touching my lips with her fingers.
– I can take my own medicine, Andrada," I said calmly, but I felt discontent in my heart: she was shoving the pill into me as if I were a cripple with no strength to lift my arms.
– I know. I am only looking out for you, my king," Andrada replied in the same calm tone.
We stared at each other, and I could have sworn she was embarrassed for a moment. A few months ago I would have possessed this girl without a second thought, but now other women were indifferent to me. I saw no one but my spouse. Her skin. Her hair. She was my opium that I had not desired but had been forced to take and now I could no longer refuse. I'm drawn to Sylvia, and only to her.
– Thank you for your help, Andrada," I said, and leaned my head back against the tall, soft pillows. I was embarrassed, and I wished the sorceress would leave me, but I valued her too highly to dismiss her as some kind of delinquent servant.
– You're welcome, my king. I am only doing my duty. – Andrada's face became "stone" again. The old Andrada was with me now, and I must admit that I liked her much better.
