The physician arrived promptly, his face set in a professional mask. He examined Zilayefa, his hands moving with precision as he checked her pulse, temperature, and breathing.
"She's suffered from severe hypothermia," he reported to the Duke. "But with proper care, she should recover."
The Duke nodded, his expression stoic. "See to it that she receives the best care possible," he instructed the physician. "I want her restored to full health."
The physician bowed. "As you wish, Your Grace. I'll ensure she receives the necessary treat
Over the next two days, the Duke visited Zilayefa whenever the physician was present. He stood by her bedside, his eyes scanning her face, but his expression remained impassive. The physician reported on her progress, and the Duke listened intently, his face a mask.
The maids tended to Zilayefa's needs, changing her linens, feeding her broth, and keeping her warm. Fire, the Duke's loyal companion, kept a silent vigil by Zilayefa's bedside, her eyes watchful.
As the hours ticked by, the Duke's presence became a regular occurrence in Zilayefa's chamber. Though he didn't speak to her, his silent visits seemed to be a promise that he would be there when she awoke.
The maids whispered among themselves, speculating about the Duke's interest in Zilayefa. But the Duke's face betrayed nothing, and they could only wonder at his motivations.
As the sun set on the second day, the Duke visited Zilayefa once more. He stood by her bedside, his eyes scanning her face, before turning to the physician.
"How much longer?" he asked, his voice firm.
The physician hesitated. "It's difficult to say, Your Grace. But I believe she'll awaken soon."
The Duke nodded, his expression unchanging. "I want to be informed the moment she awakens."
The physician bowed. "As you wish, Your Grace."
With that, the Duke turned and left, leaving Zilayefa to her rest. But his presence lingered, a reminder that he was watching over her, waiting for her to awaken.
Here's the continuation:
The third day Zilayefa slowly opened her eyes. She was greeted by the warm glow of candles and the gentle hum of servants moving about the room. She tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her, forcing her back onto the pillows.
The servants rushed to her side, helping her to settle back into bed. "Easy, miss," one of them whispered. "You've been ill. You need to rest."
Zilayefa nodded, her mind foggy. She tried to remember what had happened, but her memories were hazy. She recalled being in the mine, and then...nothing.
The physician arrived soon after, smiling warmly as he examined Zilayefa. "You're doing well," he said. "You'll need to rest for a few more days, but you're on the mend."
Zilayefa nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She was grateful to be alive.
Meanwhile, the Duke was informed of Zilayefa's awakening. He nodded curtly, his expression unreadable. "See that she's cared for," he instructed the servants. "Give her whatever she needs. But she's not to leave the chambers. Do you understand?"
The servants bowed, their faces solemn. "Yes, Your Grace. We understand."
For days, the Duke didn't visit Zilayefa. He left her care to the servants, who tended to her every need. But at night, when the castle was quiet, the Duke would sneak into Zilayefa's chambers. He'd sit beside her bed, listening to her gentle breathing, and hold her hand.
Zilayefa never knew he was there. She was always deep in sleep, thanks to the medication the physician had prescribed. But the Duke didn't care. He just needed to be near her, her breathing was like a music to him. And her small hands made him sleepy whenever he held them
As the nights passed, the Duke's visits became more frequent. He'd sit with Zilayefa listening to her breath, watching over her as she slept. And though he never spoke to her, he wanted her to wake up and sing for him.
One day as usual he went to his chamber to listen to her breathing and hold her hand, after a while he fell asleep, Zilayefa was no longer on medication, she woke up at night because she felt something heavy and warm on her hand, she found not freely move her hand, the chamber was well lit at the mines, she opened her eyes and saw that it was her Boss Duke Larry, she became tensed and surprised. She looked at him and he was sleeping soundly, she wondered why he was holding her hand, she knows that she was in his chamber, but why was he holding her hand?
She tried taking her hand slowly but he woke up because of her movements. "You are awake?" He asked, she was confused about his care for her and so she was short of words. "Good that you awake, move over" he pointed to the other side of the bed, Zilayefa was once again confused, was he asking her to move over so he can sleep on the same bed as her? "My lord?" She looked at him wondering what he meant by move over " Do I have to repeat myself, you've being sleeping on my bed for the past week, and I have being sleeping on this damn couch, move over so I can sleep peacefully" He said a little irritated that she was unwilling to move over. He wasn't going to hurt her, of a truth he has being having body cramps since he started sleeping on the couch and he needed to lay down properly.
" My lord, I..I.i" she stuttered
" I..I.. what? Move over or you can go sleep on the floor as you love the cold so much, now move over" He told her sternly, Zilayefa knew that her master was not playing, because he looked so serious, she is just recovering and he wants her to sleep on the floor, besides she fell into the pool by mistake. She tried to stand up but she fell back again onto the bed.
" Zilayefa don't test my patience, just move over, why! Do you think I am going to do something to you? " He looked into her big hazel eyes angrily " No my lord" she said. She slowly moved to the other side of the bed, Duke Larry climbed onto the bed and lay down, he closed his eyes and then said to her " it's good you can talk, hum a tone for me, I deserve a good night sleep after all you've put me through" with that he lay there motionless, she can only hear his heavy breathing, she wondered why she has sing when she is just recovering and what has he being through, she is sure that whatever he is going through was not her fault.
" Am waiting little girl" he said , she was startled as she was in deep thoughts " yes my Lord" she started to hum a tone and soon the Duke's breathing eased and he fell into a deep slumber.