Chapter 81: The Meaning of ’My Woman’
Anna’s first two days at sea were a torment. The relentless rocking of the ship made her stomach churn, and she spent every minute heaving in dizziness or retching into a bucket.
To make matters worse, she was plagued by a series of vivid nightmares that left her shaking and sobbing in her sleep.
Kyren never left her side, holding her close and murmuring soothing words whenever she woke up in a panic. Despite his efforts, her cries and screams echoed through the ship each night, a piercing reminder of her agony.
The grand duke, clearly anxious about the trauma symptoms, ordered the rest of the entourage to keep their distance from them.
The couple remained confined to their small quarters, the door shut tight against the crew’s prying eyes. Only the healer and his assistant were allowed to enter the cabin, where they worked tirelessly to alleviate Anna’s symptoms.
On the morning of the third day, Kyren finally emerged with a drawn face on the deck. Ayden and Rafe, who had been keeping a watchful eye on the princess, approached him immediately.
"How is the lady today, Commander?" Ayden asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
The grand duke glanced at the vast sea as the heavy thoughts lingered in his mind. Then, he returned his sight to the healer.
"She’s holding on," he said. His voice was low, and his wariness was palpable. "It’s been a rough passage for her."
The commander’s intense face was clearly visible. He had been having less proper rest, spending his nights pacing the cramped cabin and his days hovering over his wife, checking her condition every now and then. His once-impeccable outfit was wrinkled and creased, and a hollow look had replaced his usually vibrant demeanour.
"Is the seasickness still on?" asked Rafe.