The Curvy Rogue

Chapter 7

**LORRY SPRINGSTONE / KELLY THOMPSON’S POINT OF VIEW**

At these words, the child’s face, so like Jason’s, shifts between his father and me. A spark of hope glimmers in his eyes, mingled with the weariness of long illness. A lump forms in my throat, torn between the urge to embrace this fragile boy and the need to maintain my professional facade.

“That’s right,” I say softly, squeezing his small hand. “We’ll work together to make you strong again. Can you be my brave assistant?”

A faint smile brushes his lips, and he nods weakly.

“I’ll try, Doctor,” he replies.

I begin my examination, fully aware of Jason’s intense gaze tracking my every move.

“This child could be my son, Eden,” I think suddenly, my heart pounding, “though he’s painfully thin, his skin pale and slightly yellowed.”

At that moment, Tina, the head housekeeper who had been silently watching, approaches the bed and gently places a hand on the child’s forehead. “He has a slight fever again, Your Majesty,” she murmurs to Jason.

I nod, having noticed the subtle warmth myself.

“I’ll need to run tests to determine the cause of his illness,” I explain, striving to keep my voice steady.

“But first, I’d like to ask a few questions about his symptoms and medical history, if that’s alright?” I ask the Alpha King.

Jason nods eagerly before responding verbally: “Of course, Doctor. Anything you need.”

As I begin my questions, I can’t help but marvel at the strange situation I’m in. Here I am, pretending to be a stranger, gathering information about the health—possibly—of my own child from the man who was once my husband. The irony is almost unbearable, but I must press on. There’s no turning back from here.

“When did the symptoms start?” I ask, my pen poised over my notebook.

Jason frowns, searching his memory. “It’s been… almost three years now,” he says slowly.

“It started not long after his mother…” He pauses, a flicker of pain crossing his face.

“…after she left us,” he finishes.

My heart skips a beat at those words, but I force myself to remain calm outwardly. “I see,” I say, jotting notes. “And what were the first symptoms?”

“At first, it was just fatigue,” Jason explains, his eyes fixed on the child. “He played less, took more naps. We thought it was a phase, but then…”

“The fevers started,” Tina interjects softly.

“And the young prince began losing weight,” she adds.

I nod, my mind racing. The timeline aligns perfectly with my departure. Could my absence have triggered this mysterious illness? The thought hits me with a wave of guilt, but I push it aside. I must focus on the present, on helping this child—whether he’s my son or not.

“Has he been tested for genetic conditions?” I ask, keeping my voice firm.

Jason shakes his head. “The royal physicians ran every test they could. Nothing conclusive came back.”

I frown, tapping my pen against the notebook.

“And his diet? Any allergies or sensitivities?” I inquire.

“We’ve tried everything: special diets, herbal remedies, even the clan’s traditional healers. Nothing seems to make a difference,” Tina says, her voice tinged with frustration.

As they speak, I notice the child’s eyelids growing heavy. His grip on my hand loosens as he slips back into sleep.

“I think that’s enough questions for now,” I say gently, tucking the blanket carefully around the sleeping child.

“I’d like to review his medical records and conduct some tests of my own. With your permission, Your Majesty, I’d like to set up a temporary laboratory here in the palace,” I request.

Jason responds positively: “Of course, Doctor. Anything you need. I’ll have the staff prepare a room immediately.”

As he turns to give instructions to Tina, I take a moment to truly observe him. The worry lines on his face, the dark circles under his eyes—they speak of years of sleepless nights and constant anxiety. This man is not the cold, distant husband I left behind.

“Your Majesty,” I say hesitantly, “if I may… what happened to the child’s mother?”

A flash of pain crosses Jason’s face.

“She… she left us. Not long after Eden’s birth,” he replies with hesitation.