Thoughts and concerns worked through his mind, while he waited for Maria. The King knew. That alone was terrifying and a relief, in some twisted fashion. The fact that he was not killed on sight and that Maria would be spared relieved him beyond words. Yet, the thought of his child thinking of Ivor as its….<br/><br/>A foul taste worked its way up to his mouth and it took all that he had not to vomit. Mostly due to the fact that he knew it would hurt. When the door opened and it was her, a smile came to his face even as he tried to again force himself into a sitting position. It felt like the bed clung to him this time and there was hardly any progress made when she spoke and sat beside him.<br/><br/>“Better, now that I see you…” voice a scant whisper but the smile was still there on his lips. “All I needed was you…it was all that kept me in this world…” honestly and without hesitation he spoke. A hand weakly reached for her’s which he held with as much strength that he could muster. “I hope I did not worry you too much?” A try at humor though he doubted that Maria would appreciate it. From where he laid on the bed he could tell sleep did not come easy for her these past few days and she was fighting to hold in a sob. Ever his brave Princess…determined to drown rather than show any weakness. It was what made him love her even when he could not stand to be around her. Funny how the world worked out the way that it did.