Chapter 194: Chapter Hundred And Ninety Four

Suzy had been in Carleton at the Carleton castle for five long days, almost a week, her anxiety growing with each passing hour. She had spent a considerable amount of time talking with Doctor Abernathy, seeking any reassurance about Ryan’s well-being. While the doctor had been cautiously optimistic, his words hadn’t fully eased her unease.

After receiving a letter from Davis stating that Ryan was fine but was far too busy with pressing matters to reply to her correspondence at the moment. A cold dread washed over Suzy. No matter how demanding his responsibilities, Ryan would always find a moment to send her a few lines, a brief reassurance of his love and care. Davis’s explanation felt hollow, a flimsy veil over something she couldn’t quite grasp but deeply feared. An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach, a knot of anxiety that refused to loosen.

The next morning, Suzy made a swift decision. She instructed Irene to pack light travel necessities. Accompanied by Noah and Irene, she boarded the carriage, her heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and a desperate need to see Ryan with her own eyes. The journey to Carleton felt longer than usual, each mile amplifying her growing fear.

As their carriage approached the familiar courtyard of the Carleton castle, Davis stood frozen in disbelief. He hadn’t expected her arrival, and the sight of her carriage sent a jolt of panic through him. Suzy descended from the carriage with Noah’s steadying hand, her expression tight and her eyes filled with a fierce determination.

Davis bowed deeply, offering a customary greeting. "Your Grace," he stammered, his voice betraying his shock.

Suzy, however, didn’t acknowledge his greeting. Her gaze was fixed, her voice sharp with urgency. "Where is my husband, Davis?" she demanded, her eyes searching his face for any flicker of truth.

Davis’s composure crumbled. He stammered, his words catching in his throat, unable to meet her direct gaze. "Your Grace... he’s... he’s resting..."

Suzy didn’t heed his hesitant words. Her heart pounding with a terrible premonition, she swept past him, her footsteps echoing on the stone floor as she made a beeline for Ryan’s room. "Ryan!" she called out, her voice filled with desperation, each syllable laced with fear. There was no response, only a heavy, unsettling silence.

She pushed open the door to his room and her breath caught in her throat. There, lying still and pale against the white linens, was Ryan. His face was ashen, his breathing shallow and barely perceptible. The vibrant life she knew seemed to have been drained from him, leaving behind a fragile, almost lifeless form.

Suzy fought back the wave of panic that threatened to engulf her. She forced herself to remain composed, to avoid the scene her fear threatened to create. Just then, Davis entered the room, his face etched with guilt and remorse.

"Your Grace," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I apologize. I lied to you. I couldn’t bring myself to tell you about His Grace’s health."

Suzy’s eyes, already brimming with unshed tears, turned to him, their depths filled with a raw pain. "What happened, Davis?" she asked, her voice low and trembling, each word heavy with dread. " Who did this?"

Davis, his head bowed in shame, recounted everything – the attack, the poisoned knife, the agonizing treatment, Ryan’s brush with death, and his current fragile state. As Davis spoke, the color drained further from Suzy’s face, her heart clenching with a terror she had never known before. The reality of Ryan’s near demise crashed down upon her, the carefully constructed facade of her composure finally crumbled and she let out an agonizing scream, tears streaming down her cheeks .

The morning sun cast long shadows across Ryan’s room marking the fifth day as Suzy sat vigil by his bedside, her gaze never leaving his pale face. A gentle knock interrupted the quiet tension. "Enter," she said softly, her voice so soft she wasn’t sure the person knocking heard her.

Doctor Abernathy came in, his expression grave but gentle. "Your Grace," he greeted with a respectful nod.

Suzy returned a curt nod, her eyes still fixed on Ryan. Abernathy moved to the bed and began his routine check-up, his touch light and professional as he examined Ryan’s pulse, his breathing, and the dressing on his wound.

"Any improvement?" Suzy asked, her voice filled with a desperate hope. " Is he going to wake up any time soon?"

Abernathy shook his head slowly, his gaze meeting hers with a look of profound concern. "No, Your Grace. Not yet."

A wave of disappointment washed over Suzy, her shoulders slumping slightly. She gently took Ryan’s hand, her fingers interlacing with his cold ones. She brought his hand to her lips, pressing a soft, tender kiss to his knuckles, a silent plea for him to return to her.

Abernathy cleared his throat softly. "Perhaps we could speak outside for a moment, Your Grace?" he suggested, his voice low.

Suzy nodded, her gaze lingering on Ryan’s face for a moment longer before she reluctantly stood up. As she reached the door, she spotted a young maid hurrying down the hallway. "Please," Suzy said, her voice quiet but firm, "bring a bowl of fresh water and a soft washcloth to His Grace’s room. I need to clean him."

The maid bowed her head and hurried away to fulfill the request. Suzy followed Abernathy out into the hallway, the heavy silence of the castle pressing in on them.

"Your Grace," Abernathy began, his voice grave, "His Grace is fighting. He is fighting very hard. But the poison was potent, and he lost a lot of blood. His body is weak. He..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully.

"He what, Doctor?" Suzy pressed, her heart pounding in her chest, a cold premonition gripping her. "If he doesn’t wake up soon, what will be his fate?" Her hand instinctively clutching at the fabric of her dress, her grip tightening on the fabric.

Doctor Abernathy spoke gently, his gaze filled with sadness. "Your Grace... if His Grace remains unconscious for much longer... his body will begin to shut down. He will... he will die of starvation."

Suzy’s eyes widened in horror, the doctor’s words hitting her like a physical blow. Her breath caught in her throat, and she stumbled backward, her grip on her skirt tightening until her knuckles turned white. "No," she whispered, her voice filled with a desperate denial, tears welling in her eyes. "No, that can’t happen. My Ryan... my Ryan won’t leave me." She swayed, her legs feeling weak and unsteady, threatening to give way beneath her.

Doctor Abernathy reached out quickly, his hands grasping her arms to steady her. Before he could say anything , a piercing scream echoed from Ryan’s room, followed by a cry of pure elation: "His Grace is awake!"

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read