|When Two Worlds Collide - Book III

~Wedding vows~

"Have you spoken with your mother today?"

"I did earlier. She tried to hide it, but I can tell she's sad that I'm leaving."

"Understandable. You are the only one she has, it's tough being away from the people you love."

"I will return though. I won't be gone forever."

"Even so, she won't stop worrying until you return safe and sound."

"When did you becomes the parenting expert?"

"Call it women intuition." Miriam shrugged while giving him a smile.

A footman approached them with a tray with two glasses of wine on it and they took one each – as their previous glasses were empty. They raised their glasses in a toast and then took a sip of the crispy wine. They both thought it tasted different but concluded that it must be a different wine than the one they just had.

The longer the time went by, the more tired Miriam felt. She didn't know if it was all the dances she had danced or if she just drank a little too much wine, all she knew was that she wanted to go back to her chamber and sleep.

"I think I will retire to my chamber. I feel quite tired, and we have a busy day ahead of us."

"I walk you. I'm feeling quite tired myself."

They staggered out of the ballroom with heavy legs, unaware that they were being followed. The duchess's plan had started well, and she was absolutely certain that it would go smoothly, as long as Miriam and Theo ended up in the same bed and in a compromised position. She would tell the king and he would found them and that would be the end of the saga of Caspian and Miriam. The Duchess had ordered her friends to follow Miriam and Theo, and when they saw them enter the bedchamber they would report to her.

A little while later, the duchess's friends reentered the ballroom to find the duchess, who conveniently stood near the king. They approached her and one of the girls whispered to her what they had seen.

"Oh my, are you sure?" The duchess asked in a faked chock.

"It is true. We all saw it."

"I better tell the king." She gave them a hidden smile before she turned and walked towards Caspian – who was in a conversation with the duke and lord Drinian.

"Pardon me for interrupting, but I have some disturbing news. It's about the queen."

"What is it?" Caspian asked with a concern voice. It had been a while since he last saw Miriam, but he had been too occupied all evening to notice if she was all right.

"You better follow with me, your highness." The duchess turned around and Caspian followed her out of the ballroom. Lord Drinian and the duke walked behind them, also worried about what might have happened.

Once they reached Miriam's chamber, the duchess opened the door to reveal Miriam and Theo in bed but to her great surprise and disappointment, Miriam was alone. Caspian and lord Drinian rushed over to her when she didn't react to them entering and found she was unconscious.

"Miriam?" Caspian tried to wake her up, but she didn't respond. He checked for a pulse and listened for her breathing, which was normal. Nothing strange about the situation except her unconsciousness. Something must have happened, but what?

"Would you like me to inform the crew, your grace?" Lord Drinian asked.

"No, I don't want to worry them. I'll stay with her tonight and we'll prepare for the journey tomorrow while she rests."

"As you wish. Unless there's something else you need. I will retreat to the others."

"Thank you, lord Drinian."