Sophie POV
I looked at Queen Mother Isolde. I looked at the young prince. My heart raced against my ribs. Daemon began to jerk. His limbs struck the silk sheets. His body stiffened. I felt a cold sweat on my neck.
What could be wrong? I asked myself. Alaric took the same antidote. He stood properly. He looked strong.
What is wrong with the Young Prince? Was I wrong all along? I felt the weight of the silver dagger in my mind.
I rushed to the royal doctor. I grabbed his sleeve.
"Wh... what is wrong with him?" I asked. My voice shook.
"The boy is jerking because the antidote is too strong for his system." The doctor said. He wiped his forehead.
"Is it because he has not been eating anything?" I asked.
"His stomach is empty. His blood is thin."
"It could be." The doctor replied.
"His body cannot hold the power of the antidote. It is fighting itself."
"I need to make something for him to regain his strength." I said.
"He needs fuel to survive the cure."
I turned to leave the room. I needed the heat of the kitchen. I needed to be in the right frame of mind.
"Where is she going?" Isolde asked. Her voice was a sharp blade.
"Is she trying to run away after she has killed my son?"
Alaric stepped forward. He looked at Isolde with anger.
"What is wrong with you, woman?" Alaric responded.
"Did you not hear her say she would make something for him to regain his strength?"
"The same food that put him in this situation?" Isolde challenged. She pointed a finger at me.
"Quiet, Isolde." The Grand Queen Mother said. Her voice was like stone. It stopped the room.
"She found what the problem was in two days. We could not do that. If she wanted to run, she would not come here in the first place. I know your son is ill. Do not let that cloud your sense of reasoning."
The Grand Queen Mother looked at me. She nodded once.
"Please go and make the meal for him." Alaric said. He looked at me with trust.
I walked out of her quarters. I headed for the royal kitchen. I moved with speed. I did not think about the insults from Isolde. I did not think about anything else. I just wanted the Young Prince to be fine.
I reached the kitchen. The heat greeted me.
"Prep the ingredients!" I shouted to the other chefs.
"I need oats. I need dried fruits. I need clean water."
I wanted to make an oat blend. I would grind the oats with fruits. This helps a patient regain energy fast.
We need something not too strong. It must digest easily. It must circulate in his body immediately.
We worked with precision. We ground the oats into a fine flour. We smashed the dried dates. We added a hint of honey. We stirred the mixture over a low flame.
In 30 minutes, I was done. I dished the warm meal into a wooden bowl.
I headed back to the quarters of Queen Mother Isolde. I held the bowl steady. I entered the room. Alaric looked up.
"Oh, she is here." Alaric said. He looked relieved.
"Bring the food this way."
I walked toward the bed. The royal taster stepped forward. He reached for a spoon. Isolde stepped in his way.
"No." Isolde yelled.
"I will not give my son that thing. I do not even know what it is."
"Isolde, let her explain the dish if that is what you want." Grand Queen Mother interrupted her.
"I ground oats and fruits." I told her.
"He cannot eat hard food. He cannot chew fresh fruits yet. I ground dry fruits and oats to restore his strength. It is liquid enough to swallow."
The royal doctor nodded.
"Indeed, that is what he needs right now." He said.
"What if she poisoned it?" Isolde asked.
Alaric stepped toward her. He looked like he would explode.
"We are trying to help you and you just keep saying rubbish." Alaric roared.
"Why would she find the solution only to poison him again? Besides, the royal taster tests the food before it is given to Prince Daemon."
"Then let her taste it herself." Isolde said. She looked at me with suspicion.
Alaric took the spoon from my hand.
"I will taste it since you now believe we are plotting to kill your son." Alaric said.
"I will die instead."
"Alaric, drop the spoon!" Grand Queen Mother shouted. Her eyes were wide.
"It is a taboo for the Alpha King to taste the food first. Allow the royal tasters do their job."
Alaric refused. He was stubborn. He scooped the oat mixture. He took it into his mouth. He swallowed. He closed his eyes.
"Hmmmmmm." Alaric let out the sound in amusement.
"Why have you not made this for me, Sophie?"
Isolde looked at him for a minute. She saw he did not drop dead. She saw he enjoyed the taste. The room was silent.
"Feed the boy immediately." Grand Queen Mother commanded.
Isolde took the bowl. Her hands were trembling.
She scooped the oat blend. She took it to the mouth of Prince Daemon. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was a mother in pain. She gave him one spoon. Then two. By the fifth spoon, Daemon stirred. His eyes fluttered.
"Mother." Daemon said. His voice was a whisper.
Isolde grabbed him. She pulled him to her chest. Her face lit up. The dark clouds in the room vanished. The boy was back.
I looked at everyone in their excitement. Alaric was watching his brother. The doctor was checking the pulse. The Grand Queen Mother was watching me.
I felt the weight of the week on my shoulders. I was tired for the day. My bones ached. I needed to return to my quarters and rest.
I survived another day at the Blackwood kingdom. I knew there were more trials to come.
I knew the person who added the squirrel droppings was still out there. But for now, the prince was breathing.
