You didn't realise that it was possible to feel so under the weather but as you awoke your head felt heavy and every ounce of your being ached terribly. It took you a moment to remember what was going on and recalled the illness that had led to you being on what was expected to be your death bed. As your eyes opened gently, you noticed your husband sat by your bedside, a concerned expression on his face, but a glimmer of hope hit his eyes as he noticed you were conscious.

"Y/N," he smiled, trying to seem happy but the pain he had been put through, thinking he would lose you was prominent regardless.

"Francis," you croaked. "I don't feel very good."

He nodded his head softly, brushing your hair from your brow. "I know my love, you will do for a while, but your fever has broken, and you are on your way back to health, it will just take a couple of days before you feel like yourself."

Even though you felt worse than you had ever felt before, you couldn't help but offer him a weak smile, not only to reassure him that you were okay but that you loved him dearly and were grateful to have him in your life, specifically when you needed him as you did currently.

"How long have you been here?" You whispered.

"Since the beginning," he stated.

"And how long was that?"

Francis hesitated, knowing you would berate him for spending his time at your bedside instead of caring for himself or doing anything else. You appreciated that he stuck by your side and wanted to make sure you were okay, but he certainly shouldn't do that instead of caring for himself.

"Two days. Nostradamus gave you a sleeping draught to allow your body to overcome the fever and get better, I couldn't bear to leave your side. He said there was a chance you may not wake, and I didn't know how to cope if you had never woken," he whispered. "I am just glad to have you back; I am truly uncertain what I would do without you."

You tried to narrow your eyes at him as a warning, but it probably looked far more stupid than you meant to.

"If you weren't so sweet and if I weren't in so much pain, I would berate you Francis," you warned. "However, I am grateful that your eyes are the first I get to see when I awake, and I appreciate that you care so much to stay by my side whilst I need you."

"I would never leave your side Y/N. Especially not when you are ill," he smiled softly.

Francis rose from his chair, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead, lingering, not wishing to lack contact with you for even a second before standing up straight.

"I am going to send one of the guards to retrieve Nostradamus so that he can check your health, I will only be a moment," he said gently. "I love you, my Queen."

"I love you too, my King."

~*~

Written by Charlotte.

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