Between 2 Hearts – Episode 8

      The next day, Diva stormed through the palace, her anger simmering just below the surface. She had just seen Alex and Naomi playing together in the garden, along with Mia, the cook’s daughter.

Furious, Diva wondered who had allowed them into the palace grounds. She quickly made her way to her mother’s room, determined to inform her of what she had seen.

“Mom, can you believe that girl is here?” Diva asked, her voice trembling with anger.

Queen Lala looked up from the book she was reading, a hint of amusement in her eyes.  “Who, dear?”

 “I’m talking about that security man’s daughter. She’s in the garden playing with Alex, along with the cook’s daughter.”

 “I know about that, because I allowed it.”She chuckled, a sly smile spreading across her face.

 “You did what? Why?”

 “Because it’s the only way to change your brother’s mind about going to the state.”

 “By allowing that girl into the palace?.”

 “Yes, dear. It’s only for the meantime.”

 “I don’t understand, Mother.”She shook her head, still not understanding.

Queen Lala patted the bed beside her. “Come here, let me tell you my plan.”

Diva moved to sit next to her mother on the bed.

  “You should know your brother well enough,” Queen Lala said, a sly glint in her eye. “You know what he hates the most.”

Diva’s brow furrowed in thought as she tried to understand her mother’s implication.

   Some minutes later, she made her way to the garden, where Alex, Naomi, and Mia were playing together.

“Hey,” Diva said firmly, her voice commanding attention.

The group turned to her.

 “What are you doing here, Diva? Are you here to make trouble? If you are, I’ll tell Mom, because she allowed Naomi and Mia to come here.” Alex said.

 “I know all that, Mom told me. I’m not here to make trouble, but to play with you guys.”

Naomi and Mia exchanged skeptical glances, unsure of Diva’s sudden change of heart.

“Why?” Alex asked, his eyes still wary.

 “What’s wrong? Can’t I be friends with them?” She turned to Naomi and Mia, her voice filled with sincerity. “I’m sorry for the way I treated you two in the past. Can we be friends?”

Naomi and Mia looked at each other before nodding in unison.

  “Um, yes, sure,” Naomi said.

Mia smiled warmly. “You’re welcome to join us.”

“Thank you, you two are so kind.” She sat down on the carpet grass next to them.

  “It’s good you finally know they’re not what you think.” Alex said.

Diva smiled at her brother. “Yes, I know now.”

As they all smiled at each other, Queen Lala watched from her balcony, a satisfied smirk curving her lips.

★

★

★

   Days flew by, followed by weeks, and everything was going smoothly for the four friends. They played around the palace, studied together,  even in school, Naomi sat together  with them at lunch, making the other students envious of her closeness to the prince and princess.

When they returned from school, Alex and Diva would beg their parents to let Naomi and Mia join them at the dining table for lunch, which they agreed to.

One noon, during free period, Naomi waited for Alex on the school roof, sipping milk from a can her father had prepared for her.

“Sorry, I kept you waiting,” Alex said, entering the roof alone.

 “Where’s your guard?” She asked.

Alex sat down beside her. “He is coming, I asked him to get us some snacks.”

Naomi nodded, taking another sip of her milk. Alex’s eyes landed on the can.

“What are you drinking?” Before she could respond, he took the can from her and drank from it. “It’s milk?” he asked, handing the can back to her.

 “Yes, my father prepared it for me”.She nodded, taking another sip.But as she looked at Alex, she noticed he was looking uncomfortable.

“Are you okay?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

Alex coughed, feeling an itching sensation in his throat. “I don’t think so.”

“What’s wrong?”.her eyes widened in panic as Alex fell to the floor, struggling to breathe. “Alex!” she screamed, trying to figure out what was wrong with him.

The guard burst onto the roof, holding a small shopping bag. He immediately dropped the bag and rushed to Alex’s side.

“What happened to him?” he asked, his voice firm and commanding.

Naomi shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “I…I don’t know.”

“Your Highness!” he exclaimed.Then he scooped up Alex and rushed away, with Naomi following close behind. 

They rushed to the car, with students staring from the windows, wondering what was going on.

Diva saw the guard carrying Alex and Naomi following behind, and she ran out of class to see what was wrong. There was no time to explain as she followed them to the car, and they drove off.

   ★Hospital★

  Everyone was present in the hospital room, their faces etched with worry. The guard had already called the king and queen, informing them of the emergency. Naomi sat on the floor, sobbing quietly, with Diva seated on the chair sobbing also.

Queen Lala and King Luke looked worried, their eyes fixed on the doctor as he emerged from the examination room.

“Please, how is my son?” Queen Lala asked, her voice trembling with anxiety.

 “Calm down, everyone. He’s going to be fine.”The doctor smiled reassuringly.

“What happened to him?” King Luke asked.

 “Well, it’s because of his allergies. He drank something that he’s allergic to.”The doctor explained.

 “Alex is allergic to milk.”Diva’s eyes widened in realization.

 “It’s my fault.”Naomi’  spoke from behind them. They turned to her, surprised. 

“Why did you say that? Did Alex drink some milk?” King Luke asked.

Naomi nodded, tears streaming down her face. “It was mine. He drank mine.”

“You shouldn’t have given him milk. He has an allergic reaction to it.” Diva said.

 “I’m sorry. I didn’t know about that.”Naomi’s eyes welled up with tears.

“It’s okay. Let’s not shift blame. I guess she didn’t know Alex is allergic to milk.” King Luke said, calmly.

Queen Lala’s eyes were fixed on the doctor. “Doctor, can we see him now?”

The doctor nodded, leading them to the room where Alex was resting.

°°°°°°°°°°°

   Later that evening, at home, Mr. Daniels was trying to put his daughter to sleep, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling of guilt over what had happened.

“It’s okay, he’s fine and back home now”. He reassured her, gently stroking her hair.

“But I’m worried.”

 “You don’t have to be. You’ll see him tomorrow. Just don’t think about it.”He smiled softly.

 “Can I ask you something?”She sniffed.

“Sure, what is it?”

Naomi’s eyes looked up at him curiously. “What’s allergies?”

 “An allergy is an overreaction of the body’s immune system to something that is usually harmless, like pollen, food, or pet dander.”He explained,

 “Does it kill?”

 “Not really. And in most cases, Alex’s allergy isn’t life-threatening, so it’s nothing to worry about.”

She sniffled again, feeling a bit better.

   ★To

         Be

           Continue★