The librarian, a kind man with slightly greying brown hair beckoned her over. Geneva had never quite caught his name, but the librarian had always been helpful in her years of study, finding books and resources filled with information and beautifully illustrated pictures. As she approached, the man seemed much happier than before.
“I’m so glad you’re here, my dear princess. Your mother has been here every day, and spent hours reading and sobbing. I’ve sent maids, servants, and even guards back to the corner table in an attempt to get her up and working on something more productive. Perhaps you would be able to help get here somewhere more restful?” He inquired, pleading voice matching his grey eyes.
“I will do my best. Her well-being matters very much to me. While I am with her, I would like you to find another book that is similar to the last one I borrowed. I finished it this morning, and it was quite intriguing.”
Geneva wandered off, leaving the librarian to scurry towards one of the bookshelves. The large shelves lined the walls, and all ten feet in height were covered in shelves. Various little tables and desks were spread around the large room, and as Geneva made her way through the labyrinth of books, she heard quiet sobs growing louder and louder. Following the noise, she found her mother hunched over a desk, tears dripping down into the book.
“Mother?” Her voice filled with concern as she approached, slowing down to give her mother a second.
“Geneva. Oh, my dear, it’s so good to see you.” Her mother turned slightly, grey eyes red and watery with tears. Her light skin was the palest Geneva had ever seen. Her mother’s skin had always been lighter hers, but the amount of white that had seeped into the paler skin was terrifying. Geneva reached out a hand to smooth back a few stray hairs that had flown up, defying gravity.
Cara’s hand clasped her own, and the young woman had to stop herself from gasping due to the icy touch.
“Mother, are you feeling well?” Geneva inquired, closing her hand around the queen’s to help give it some warmth.
“Yes, I’m fine, my dear.” Geneva frowned. It was unlike her mother to use contractions, seeing as she was the one who had carried the royal bloodline, and thus had been trained for years to speak as properly as possible. However, Geneva was not observant, and relied on her small amount of psychological training to deduce that something was wrong.
Naturally, it was with poor choice that she made the following decision.
“We can go to a bed so you can read your book more comfortably, hm?” Geneva hummed, keeping her hand with her mother in case she needed the support to stand up. As her mother began to rise, she did so shakily at first, then stronger and stronger until she was standing.
“There, much better. I can take your book, and we can leave.” Geneva let go of her mother’s hand, and almost instantly, Cara Ederny’s eyes fluttered shut and she collapsed to the ground, the carpet barely masking the loud thud that echoed around the room.
Geneva’s hands flew to her mouth in shock, and she froze for half a second before rushing through the library.
“Hello? Someone! Please!” Her voice sounded more panicked than she intended it to, but she desperately needed help.
Luckily for her, the librarian was not far away, and he came rushing around the corner. “Princess, what happened?”
“My mother fainted, she must be returned to her room to get some rest immediately. Call whoever you can.” Her voice had begun to calm down, though she was still in shock. She knew her mother’s condition wasn’t the best, but this was terrifying.
Numbly, she sat down in a chair, needing a moment of rest. She kneaded her temples with her fingers, trying to calm down. Geneva closed her eyes and relaxed for a just a few minutes, listening to the footsteps rushing in and out and the voices that floated around her. One voice stood out in the fog surrounding her mind.
“Princess. Princess?” A maid gently tapped her shoulder, and finally the princess opened her eyes. “You will have to inform your father, most of the help is attending to your mother or is ill.”
With that, Geneva rushed out of the room, hurrying down the stairs and not even bothering to knock before entering the throne room. The king, along with Captains Blakely and Atasan, were deep in discussion. Looking up, the king looked rather annoyed.
“Princess Geneva, you were not invited to attend this meeting. What business do you have, interrupting us?”
“Father, you must come with me. Mother-“ Not another word was necessary before the king was up and out of his seat, rushing down the hall. As an afterthought, he turned around, stopping for a second. “This meeting will reconvene in ten minutes. I have important matters to attend to.”
The duo hurried out of the room, climbing the stairs as quickly as possible and entering the first room on the left hand side of the second floor.
Servants milled around, some preparing medicines, a few removing the heavy layers of clothing, and a few dipping strips of cloth into cool water and gently patting the queen’s face and neck with the damp cloths.
The king sighed softly, looking down at his daughter. She could barely look at the figure lying before her, keeping her eyes trained on the ground.
“She will be fine. I promise.”
Geneva nodded, still not wanting to look at her mother.
“Look at me. Just for a minute.”
The girl turned, facing her father and staring into his brown eyes with her matching eyes that were beginning to fill with tears.
“My dear, I promise, she will be fine. It is terrifying, yes. But you know as well as I that she may not be the strongest. We will be strong. Not strong for her, strong with her. Let her take her time and recover. Believe me, this state is not one I would wish upon anyone, especially her. I love her, too.”
Geneva nodded once more, eyes falling back to her feet and the carpet, which was suddenly very interesting. Arms wrapped around her body, pulling her close to her father’s body. For once, Geneva didn’t mind the affection. It was comforting to be held by someone who cared. The duo stayed there for a minute, finally releasing the tight hold.
“I am afraid I have a meeting to attend to, Geneva. However, we can still dine together this evening once I have finished all royal duties.”
“And what of mother?”
“We will kept notified, should her condition change. She will remain here until she feels better.”
It was acceptable for the time being, and the pair left, Geneva leaving her father as she walked down the hallway towards the library once again.
The librarian had found a book she wanted in the time that had elapsed, and Geneva found her way back to her study, sitting down to relax, even if it was just for a minute.