After receiving Susie’s news, I needed a moment to catch my breath. I didn’t understand. The royal doctor had already examined Elva, as recently as the day before. How could she have a fever again? Wouldn’t the doctor have detected any anomalies before they fully formed?
Those questions would have to wait. For now, all I knew was my daughter was sick and I had to get to her.
I pushed away my soup bowl, and apologized to those around me. “I’m sorry. There’s an emergency. I have to go.”
Susie squeezed my arm, then returned to her chair.
As I hurried toward the exit, I glanced back at the table.
A bold girl had already slid herself into my abandoned seat. She must have said a joke, because the people around her laughed. Even Nicholas looked at her and gave a relaxed smile.
My heart jum
