Startled awake was putting it mildly. From a dead sleep, Maria was roused, mind immediately jumping to the worst scenario, that they'd been found out, that her world was about to come crashing down and both she and Brad would have to face the consequences. Denial began to well up in her throat, prepared to bubble over at any moment, but her fears were unfounded. It was Simprina, coming to wake her up in the middle of the night.<br/><br/>"There's news, Highness. You must come with me at once," was the only explanation she was given, helped to get her robes on, shoes slipped on, before starting out to the room.<br/><br/>It was all she could do not to run. Now, she was wide awake, her heart hammering a mile a minute as she hastened down every corridor and the flights of stairs to where the rest of the family was gathered. Simprina, though she wanted to stay beside her, backed away the moment she was with the rest of the royals, knowing that even in a time such as this, she had her place and it was at the back. Thankfully, the king didn't want to drag this out any more than she did, demanding answers from the man the moment he could speak.<br/><br/>...And that's when her worst fears were realized. Her world really was crashing down around her as the air left her lungs in a flurry, head going light.<br/><br/>Brad was injured.<br/><br/>More than that, Brad was fighting for his life, and they didn't think he would make it. She could tell. "Grave" wasn't thrown around lightly, nor was the idea that moving him too fast would make it worse.<br/><br/>Everything else around her was echoing in her head, heard but not comprehended.<span style="font-style: italic">Brad's been...</span>Her mind couldn't even finish the sentence as she struggled to combat the realization that there was a very real chance he wouldn't make it to see her again. That their child would grow up only knowing Ivor as its father. That she'd never know his touch again, or hear his voice say her name. That their last time together was spent exchanging a kind smile and a wave before he left.<br/><br/>That his plan to learn Ivor's weaknesses had backfired and cost him the one thing she'd made him promise not to lose.<br/><br/>The Queen's arms around her were felt, but even her words fell on deaf ears as her skin paled, her breathing rapid and scant, her heart's beat erratic and hurried. Her view of the world was growing darker, blurred. Simprina could see what was happening and hastened forward with a chair. "Highness, Princess, please stay with us," she tried to coax as soothingly as possible, a hand at her back as her knees gave out. Had it not been for the chair, she'd have hit the floor, but the Queen anticipated it just as her lady-in-waiting had, and she was eased back as softly as possible.<br/><br/>To one of the other servants lingering in the back of the room, who'd also been awakened by the commotion. "I need cold water and a compress, immediately," the woman instructed, her tone conveying the imperative nature of the situation. "I do believe her highness has been struck profoundly by the news of such a close encounter with her husband. And to know that her friend is in such dire straights...her delicate condition has left her prone. Before I can get her back to her room, I need to get her heart rate down. She must calm down."<br/><br/>Once the brief synopsis was given, she turned her attention wholly onto Maria. "Think of your child, Princess...you must slow your heart...you must have faith that all that can be done will be done... Your husband will be back soon as soon as he is able, as will Bradach. You must try to relax..."<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>How long had it been? Since the news that Brad had been injured so gravely, she'd hardly eaten, hardly slept. Her time was spent seeking updates on the pair and when they were expected to arrive, but little was known. The soldiers and surgeon had gone out and met them, but resources weren't spent on keeping a man running back and forth to let the family know the progress of his condition. No, it wasn't until what felt like an eternity (a few days) later that they had word they were inbound.<br/><br/>As the castle readied for their arrival, Maria stood by the doors, waiting for sight of them. Simprina remained dutifully at her side, ready just in case another spell took hold and caused her to fall, but keeping her mind full of positivity. "I'm sure that all will be well. Bradach did a great thing by saving the Prince. He has the kingdom's gratitude and resources to get better."<br/><br/>But did he?<br/><br/>When they'd arrived, she hardly caught a glimpse of him, everyone ushering her away from the sight as the surgeon continued through with him on a bed to another wing of the castle. Even Ivor seemed affected by the events that had unfolded, his usual demeanor gone in the wake of concern and something else she couldn't quite pinpoint. But he wasn't her main concern. As much as she played the dutiful wife, she wanted updates.<br/><br/>"The moment I hear anything, I'll let you know," Simprina assured her. "For now, you must rest. You've waited for them both to be home and now that they are, you need to rest. You're no good to either of them in a weakened state."<br/><br/>But that update wasn't coming fast enough. The next one she got came two days later when they were told that he was stable. Still unconscious, but stable. He was to be under constant care until such time as he could keep his heartrate steady on his own, until his condition became steadier, healthier.<br/><br/>Now, all she could do was wait. Pray to their god that he'd come out on the other side alright, that he'd survive. If she lost him, what else did she have left?