Chapter 232
Rania collapses from overwhelming pain but manages to steady herself with the help of a concerned warrior, who respects her status by not touching her without permission. Despite her frailty, she pushes herself to visit Karin, the healer, who has just regained consciousness. Karin, frustrated by her own forced rest due to injury, reveals she has a limp, which deeply saddens Rania.
Overcome with guilt and sorrow over recent losses, particularly the deaths of Ares and Deryl, Rania breaks down in Karin’s arms. Karin comforts her, insisting that the fallen warriors died honorably protecting her and that Rania must not blame herself. Though Karin tries to instill hope by mentioning the king’s victory over the Barlukan kingdom and his imminent arrival, Rania remains numb, burdened by guilt over her choices and their consequences.
Karin reassures Rania that her decision to keep the baby, despite the risks, was the right one and praises her strength and resilience. The two women find solace in each other’s embrace, eventually falling asleep together from exhaustion. The next day, news arrives that Alpha Letto and his warriors have captured most enemy forces, and a burial is held for the wild wolf who died protecting Rania and her companions.
Rania visits the burial site to pay respects to the fallen, while preparations continue for the arrival of palace elders. Alpha Letto advises Rania to avoid their visit due to her weakened state, but Karin insists that Rania must show strength rather than vulnerability, especially with the king’s arrival only days away. Karin’s confidence offers a glimmer of hope amid the queen’s lingering pain.
Chapter 232
Rania’s legs gave way beneath her, and she leaned heavily against the cold stone wall to steady herself before collapsing to the ground. The pain surged through her like a violent storm breaking through a dam, overwhelming every fiber of her being. It was as if an uncontrollable flood of anguish had been unleashed inside her chest, crashing relentlessly.
“Are you alright, my queen?” The warrior’s voice was soft yet filled with concern as he stepped closer. Despite his worry, he refrained from reaching out—touching a monarch without permission was considered a grave offense.
Slowly, Rania lifted her head, her face drained of color, pale as if the life was being sucked from her. The sight deepened the warrior’s concern; her frailty was unmistakable.
‘Yes, I am fine,’ she mouthed silently, then nodded gently to ensure he understood, knowing some might struggle to read her lips.
Gathering what little strength she had left, Rania straightened her back and made her way toward Karin’s room. From what she had heard, the healer had regained consciousness. She hoped Karin wasn’t asleep when she arrived.
Thankfully, Karin was awake. She had just finished eating when she noticed Rania’s entrance.
“Oh, Rania!” Karin exclaimed, immediately rising from the bed to greet her. But as she moved, she stumbled slightly, revealing a limp that tightened Rania’s chest with unexpected pain.
“I wanted to come visit sooner,” Karin said, her voice tinged with frustration. “But the healer here insisted I stay in bed. Can you believe that? Me, a healer myself—I know my limits, what I can and cannot do.” She shook her head, half-laughing, half-grumbling about the irritation of being a patient and now understanding firsthand what it meant to be scolded by a healer.
Despite Karin’s chatter, Rania’s attention was drawn to the injured leg. It was impossible to ignore.
“It’s… okay,” Karin said softly, though a sadness lingered beneath her words. “I might walk a little funny for a while.” She gave a short, hollow laugh, devoid of any real humor. If anything, River—watching silently—could hear the sorrow woven into her voice.
Unable to hold back any longer, River wrapped her arms tightly around Karin, a silent apology in her embrace. The floodgates opened, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Her body crumpled to the floor, and Karin sat down beside her, understanding that the queen’s emotions were too powerful to bear alone.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” River whispered repeatedly, guilt gnawing at her from within, consuming her.
Karin’s own tears began to fall as well.
“No, it’s not your fault,” Karin reassured her gently. “We’re safe now. We’re alive. That’s what matters p>
It took a long time for Rania to calm her trembling form. Karin held her close, repeating that the deaths of Ares and Deryl were not her responsibility.
“It was their duty, their honor to die protecting you,” Karin said firmly. “They fulfilled their mission with valor. You mustn’t blame yourself—there is no greater honor for a warrior than to fall in service p>
River had heard these words countless times before whenever a warrior fell in battle, but none of it could erase the harsh truth—they were gone. Dead. And nothing could change that.
She clung to Karin a little tighter, lifting her head to wipe away the tears that still fell freely.
“It’s going to be alright,” Karin tried to offer some comfort. “I heard the king has defeated the Barlukan kingdom. He’s on his way here now. He’ll arrive soon, and everything will be fine p>
But Rania couldn’t feel the hope Karin tried to instill. A numbness had settled deep inside her chest, an emptiness she couldn’t fill no matter how hard she tried.
‘I should have taken the medicine sooner,’ she thought bitterly. ‘I shouldn’t have been so stubborn about keeping the baby. Because of me, you and Cam were put in danger… I was unconscious, and you both could have died p>
At first, Karin struggled to catch Rania’s words. The queen spoke so quickly, almost as if talking to herself, making it difficult to read her lips clearly.
Yet, as Rania repeated the same phrases, Karin finally understood the painful truth.
“No, Rania, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Karin said softly. “If you had taken the medicine, you might have survived, but the chances would have been almost zero. You would have been bedridden, unable to move for days because of how weak you were. It was heartbreaking, yes, but you made the right choice p>
“I’m amazed you managed to run so far in your condition,” Karin added, her voice full of admiration. “You gave everything you had. Please, don’t punish yourself. I can’t bear to see you like this.” She pressed a gentle kiss to Rania’s forehead and held her close.
Karin understood the depth of Rania’s pain—the loss of her baby and the crushing guilt over the fallen warriors. She didn’t want her friend to suffer any more than she already was.
“Please,” Karin whispered, “don’t blame yourself p>
They remained like that for a long time, wrapped in each other’s arms until exhaustion finally claimed them both, and they fell asleep side by side.
The following day brought news that Alpha Letto and his warriors had captured nearly all the enemy forces, though some had scattered and hidden deep within the forest.
They had also buried the wild wolf who had died protecting Rania and her companions.
Rania went to pay her respects at the burial site—not only for the wild wolf but also for Ares and Deryl.
By now, the palace was aware of the recent events, and a few elders were expected to visit the queen.
Alpha Letto advised Rania against accepting their visit, suggesting she could claim she was still too weak. But Karin disagreed.
“No, she can’t appear weaker than she already is,” Karin said firmly. “They don’t want a fragile queen. Rania needs to show her strength, especially now p>
“The king will arrive in a few days,” she added reassuringly. “Everything will be alright p>
The chapter closes on a poignant note, capturing Rania’s profound grief and the heavy burden of loss she carries. Her physical frailty mirrors the emotional storm within, yet the unwavering support from Karin offers a tender reminder that even in the darkest moments, compassion and understanding can bring solace. The intertwined themes of sacrifice, guilt, and resilience are woven deeply into the narrative, highlighting the cost of leadership and the personal toll of war.
Despite the shadows that linger over Rania, there is a quiet strength in her determination to honor those who have fallen and to face the challenges ahead. Karin’s gentle reassurances and the promise of the king’s arrival plant a seed of hope, suggesting that healing—both personal and political—is on the horizon. This chapter delicately balances sorrow with the faint glimmer of recovery, leaving the reader with a sense of heartfelt empathy and anticipation for what is to come.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into Rania’s fragile emotional state as she grapples with the weight of loss and guilt. The arrival of the king, fresh from his victory over the Barlukan kingdom, will undoubtedly stir the palace’s atmosphere, bringing new political tensions and expectations that Rania must face despite her vulnerability. Her interactions with the elders and the king may test her resolve and force her to confront the delicate balance between appearing strong and acknowledging her own pain.
Meanwhile, the lingering presence of scattered enemy forces hidden in the forest hints at unresolved dangers that could threaten the fragile peace. As Rania navigates these external threats and internal struggles, her relationships with those closest to her—especially Karin and the loyal warriors—will be pivotal. The coming days may reveal whether Rania can find the strength to turn her grief into determination, or if the shadows of loss will continue to weigh heavily on her heart.
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.