Aeris’s POV

The warm sun bathed the royal garden in a golden glow, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of blooming flowers. I sat comfortably on the grass, surrounded by the maid’s children, their laughter filling the air as they played around me. My personal guard stood nearby, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings, while my personal maid, Elise, remained close to assist me whenever I needed help standing or walking.

I wasn’t particularly doing anything—just admiring the peaceful view. After all the chaos that had unfolded recently, moments like this felt rare, and I wanted to cherish them.

Just as I was beginning to relax completely, Elise approached me with a warm smile, carrying a tray. “My lady, I’ve brought your favorite dessert.”

My eyes immediately lit up, and I reached for it without hesitation. “Oh! You’re the best, Elise!”

The dessert looked as delicious as always—soft, rich, and beautifully presented. But the moment I brought it close to my face and inhaled the scent, an unbearable wave of nausea hit me. My stomach twisted, and I recoiled, my expression twisting in disgust.

Elise blinked in surprise. “My lady? Is something wrong?”

I swallowed down the uneasy feeling and quickly handed the dessert to the children, forcing a small smile. “I… I think I’m not in the mood for sweets today. You all can have it instead.”

The children beamed with joy, eagerly taking the dessert and devouring it without a second thought. Watching their excitement made me feel a little better, but I was still confused.

This was my favorite dessert. I had always loved it. So why did the smell make me feel so nauseous all of a sudden?

Before I could dwell on it further, a sudden dizziness hit me. My vision blurred slightly, and I reached out instinctively, grabbing Elise’s arm for support.

“My lady!” Elise gasped, immediately steadying me. “Are you alright?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to shake off the spinning sensation. “I… I don’t know. I just feel a little lightheaded.”

As soon as I tried to sit up straighter, another wave of nausea surged through me. The smell of flowers, the faint scent of food from the palace kitchens, even the fresh air—it all felt unbearable. My stomach churned violently, and for a moment, I thought I might actually vomit.

Elise quickly handed me a cloth and a cup of water. “You look pale, my lady. Maybe we should return inside.”

I took a slow sip of the water, hoping it would help, but my body still felt unnaturally weak. My limbs felt heavier than usual, and even keeping my eyes open was starting to feel like a struggle.

What was happening to me?

I wasn’t sick. I hadn’t eaten anything strange. But something was wrong.

Something was definitely changing within me.

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A week had passed, yet nothing had changed.

Every morning, I woke up feeling nauseous. The scent of my favorite foods made my stomach churn. Even the fresh garden air, something I had always found calming, now felt suffocating. Dizziness would strike at random times, and I felt unusually weak despite getting enough rest.

It was frustrating.

I wasn’t sick. There was no fever, no pain—just this constant uneasiness that refused to leave me.

At first, I brushed it off, thinking it would pass with time. But when even simple movements made me feel exhausted, Zephirion finally had enough.

That evening, as I sat in our chamber, trying to shake off another wave of dizziness, he suddenly walked in, his piercing red eyes watching me closely.

“You’re not hiding something from me, are you?” His deep voice held a serious tone, but there was also concern in it.

I frowned at him. “Why would I hide anything from you?”

He exhaled through his nose, then crossed his arms. “Because I’ve been watching you. You barely eat, you look pale, and you’re constantly tired. If you were sick, I would’ve noticed. But this…” He narrowed his eyes. “This is different.”

I didn’t respond. Because, honestly, I didn’t know what to say.

I wasn’t hiding anything. I was just as confused as he was.

Seeing my silence, Zephirion sighed, then turned toward the door. “I called the royal physician. He’ll check on you.”

My eyes widened slightly. “You called a physician? Zephirion, I told you, I’m not sick—”

“And I don’t believe you,” he interrupted, his gaze unwavering. “So unless you can tell me exactly why you’ve been acting this way, we’re doing this my way.”

I bit my lip, knowing there was no point in arguing. When Zephirion made a decision, it was impossible to change his mind.

Within minutes, the chamber doors opened again, and an elderly man in fine robes entered. His long gray beard and calm demeanor made him look wise, and I recognized him as the castle’s head physician. He bowed respectfully.

“You called for me, Your Majesty?”

Zephirion gestured toward me. “Check her.”

The physician turned to me with a gentle smile. “With your permission, my lady?”

I hesitated for a moment but then sighed. “Fine.”

As the physician approached, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling growing inside me. Something told me that whatever he was about to say…

It would change everything.

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Outside the Chamber –

The moment the physician stepped inside, Zephirion found himself pacing in front of the door.

Valerian and Caelum leaned casually against the wall, watching him with amusement.

“You look like a worried husband,” Caelum teased, smirking.

Zephirion shot him a glare. “Shut up.”

Valerian chuckled. “He’s just saying what we’re all thinking. We’ve never seen you like this before.”

Zephirion huffed, running a hand through his hair. He wasn’t in the mood for their teasing. Not now.

Something was wrong with Aeris. He felt it.

And for the first time in a long time, he felt utterly powerless.