Chapter 62
Chapter 62
ATASHA’S POV
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“Your Highness, three patients arrived in critical condition,” Grace reported. “Miss Petra stabilized them, and they are now healing. Eight others have minor injuries. Two miners remain inside the shaft, and the crews are shoring the collapse and digging toward them p>
I nodded and stayed at the intake table to observe. Petra set splints, released a crush compartment, and closed two deep lacerations without losing pace. Joren measured every dose, logged each vial in the ledger, and rotated fresh saline before anyone had to ask.
Annel turned beds quickly, set warm stones, replaced dressings, and kept families clear of the aisles so stretchers could pass. Thane managed intake at the door, checked airways, and kept dust masks on every face that crossed the threshold. Runners carried names and times to the slate, and bay leads echoed orders back to confirm them.
They had clearly handled scenes like this before. Protocol held, the flow stayed steady, and experience carried the ward through the rush. I took notes and let them work.
“It’s different,” I said.
“Indeed,” Grace replied. “The north is used to this p>
“Your Highness.” Annel bowed and stepped closer.
I met her eyes. Earlier I had been too eager to prove what I could do. It felt
pointless now. Why rush to prove anything on the first day?
“You did a good job,” I said.
Annel gave a small smile. “You might not know this, but everyone in this infirmary has worked at the palace before. We all have field time and training p>
“I didn’t think Cassian would hire anyone incompetent,” I said.
At his name, a few glances passed between them. The shift was small, but I saw it. I filed it away for later and stood.
“I was right,” I added. “Everyone here is very capable p>
I turned to Grace. “Log a reward for the ward. Hazard pay for today’s shift, hot meals sent to the Maff room, and an extra ration chit for each bay lead. Include the runners p>
“Yes, Your Highness.” She bowed and made a note. We stepped out of the infirmary and headed for the carriage.
11:18 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 62
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“Your Highness… may I ask something?” Grace said as the driver opened the door. “Why didn’t you intervene more? I expected you to take over p>
“I’m new,” I said as we climbed in. “If I start giving orders without knowing their flow, I’ll be guessing. Guessing gets people hurt p>
Grace settled opposite me. “You could have led, anyway. They would have followed p>
“I don’t need them to follow me blindly,” I said. “I need them to trust that I know when to step in and when to stay out of the way. Today, their process worked. My job was to watch it, measure it, and only cut in if it failed p>
She nodded slowly. “So you were testing the system p>
“I was learning it,” I said. Making a deal with Cassian meant that I will be staying
in the north for a very long time. I have to learn everything. “Let’s go to the mines p>
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“But your highness that is dangerous- they haven’t- “
“Lets go,” I interrupted as I looked outside the carriage.
Third Person POV
Annel sank onto the stool and rubbed the crease from her mask. “I expected her
to storm in and try to run the ward,” she said. “Something drastic p>
“You’re nervous about her,” Petra said, stacking clamps.
“Nervous? A wolfless girl from the south doesn’t scare me,” Annel snorted. She glanced at the door Atasha had used. “What does is that she’s still alive p>
Thane folded a stretcher. “You’re not the only one thinking it. Half the city had bets on whether she’d reach the manor p>
“It’s a rotten habit,” Annel said. “But after the last brides, people assumed this one wouldn’t make it through the rites p>
“She did,” Petra said, wiping her hands. “Then she came here, set the plan, then stepped back and let us work p>
Thane nodded, “Everyone heard her. Chain of command was clear. Orders were clean. No panic at the door. It felt like she’s seen this before p>
“I was half expecting her to freeze,” Annel admitted. “Do you think the rumors are true… that she’s an omega p>
11:19 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 62
“She has no wolf,” Thane said. “I don’t scent one p>
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“Then she was an omega in her own pack,” Annel said. “By rank, an omega doesn’t tell a room of beta-blood staff what to do. Most would not try. But she did p>
“Maybe she worked in an infirmary,” Petra said. “Her triage layout was practical. Four bays, clear categories, rotation by need. No fluff p>
Joren closed the dosing ledger and joined them. “She also asked for countersigns on every vial and for a name log at the door. That is not guesswork. Someone taught her to cover herself on paper p>
“Perhaps she had seen it in her pack?” Annel asked.
“That is a possibility too, but you cannot fake confidence, can you?” Joren asked.
This time, Annel nodded before she folded her arms. “And then she asked for a chair and tea. I thought she was posturing. It looked like she was giving herself distance p>
“Or keeping a view of the entire room,” Thane said. “From that spot she could see intake, bleeding, and fractures in one line. She seemed to know the processes well. That’s a bit surprising, isn’t it p>
To be honest, Thane expected her to act offended or use her authority over them. Most people who suddenly held the power would. After all, omega or not, she is still the Princess
consort.
Petra set a tray back on the shelf. “She did not interfere just to be seen. She stepped in when Thane called heavy bleed and then stepped back again. It does seem like she really knows what she’s doing p>
Annel glanced toward the doors. “People outside still have money on her not lasting the
season p>
“People outside are not running this ward,” Petra said. “Today she respected the work. That should count, right p>
Annel let out a breath. “Credit where it’s due. I was ready to pull her out of the way, I did not need to. But why do “she cleared her throat. “Do you think the lord fancies her p>
“The Lord is busy, Thane said. “The red moon is coming. Posts are doubling. Mendez is at the border”
“You think she’s alive because of that?” Annel asked, her eyes widened as she realized that perhaps, the princess consort had been spared because the lord is busy. But what would happen after the beast tide?
11:19 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 63
Chapter 63
ATASHA’S POV
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