Chapter 283

After I received my shot, Liam instructed me to follow him to the training room.

My mind was clouded with a strange fog, a feeling of disorientation that I couldn't shake.

The injection Dr. Mills had administered left me feeling off-kilter, like I was moving through molasses.

I couldn't help but feel like something was incredibly wrong. Whatever Dr. Mills had injected me with had started to weaken my entire body.

Fear ran through me as I thought about what it could mean.

Had I been foolish to allow the King to inject me with something? I knew I shouldn't trust him after he had already poisoned me once... but surely he wouldn't do something like that again.

I didn't understand what the King gained to achieve by harming me.

Liam led me into the room and I was shocked to see Prince Alex there waiting for us. Where was the King? I thought I was supposed to be training with him today since Prince Alex was busy.

Just as the thought came into my head, it disappeared due to a wave of dizziness I felt.

"Finally!" Alex said with an easy grin on his face. "I've been waiting for you for quite some time now."

"I'm sorry, didn't you hear—"

"I should be going now!" Liam said, cutting me off.

Alex barely registered that Liam was here. "Yes, yes, Liam. Go now, off to do whatever it is that you do."

Liam shot Alex a playful glare. "Watch it, Your Highness. Just because I'm leaving doesn't mean you get to slack off on your training."

Alex rolled his eyes with exaggerated exasperation. "Oh, please. I could train with my eyes closed and still outshine everyone."

Liam shook his head. "Overconfident as always, Prince Charming."

"Hey, someone's got to keep up the royal charm around here," Alex quipped back, flashing a smirk. "Bye now, Liam."

I could barely manage a smile through their bickering, my head spinning with confusion and dizziness.

As Liam exited the room, leaving Alex and me alone, I struggled to maintain my composure. The effects of Dr. Mills's injection were becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

"So, where's Lover Boy?" Prince Alexander asked, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of my boyfriend. "I thought he'd be here with you."

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat. Lucas.

The mere thought of him sent a pang of guilt coursing through me, knowing that he was likely knee-deep in his newfound responsibilities.

"He's pretty busy at the moment," I replied weakly.

"I didn't think he could ever be too busy for you," Alex said.

I managed a weak chuckle, trying to play off the unease that gripped me. "Well, you know how it is. Duty calls."

Alex raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting from playful banter to genuine concern. "Did something happen? You seem... off."

"Lucas's father is in the hospital," I explained. "He's had to take over the business in his absence. It's been... a lot for us to adjust to."

Alex's expression softened, a flicker of sympathy crossing his features. "I'm sorry to hear that, Shana. That's a heavy burden for him to bear."

I nodded, grateful for his understanding. "Yeah, it's been tough. But we'll get through it."

Just then, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and I staggered, reaching out for support.

Alex caught me before I fell, concern etched on his face.

"Whoa, easy there," he said, steadying me. "Are you alright?"

"I... I don't know," I admitted, feeling the room spin around me. "I think something's wrong."

"Have you eaten something today?" he asked. "Maybe you need some water. Are you feeling dehydrated?"

I tried to force a smile, but it felt more like I was making a mean face. "I'm fine. I'm just not feeling my best today."

Alex's brow furrowed with concern, but he didn't press further, instead launching into his usual banter as if trying to distract me from my discomfort.

"Alright, let's get you seated," Alex said gently, guiding me to a nearby bench. "Maybe some fresh air will help."

I nodded weakly, allowing him to lead me to the bench and take a seat beside me. As I closed my eyes, trying to steady my spinning head, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.

"Shana, look at me," Alex's voice cut through the haze of my thoughts, bringing me back to the present. "You don't look good. Should I call for help?"

"No, no, I'll be fine," I insisted, though even to my own ears, my words sounded feeble.

"Shana," Alex's tone was firm, yet gentle. "It's better to be safe than sorry. Let me go get the doctor."

At the mention of Dr. Mills, my heart rate started to pick up again.

"No!" I shouted, slightly coming out of my fog.

Alex looked startled by my sudden outburst, frowning at me. "He can help you more than I can—"

I grabbed Alex's arm, panic bubbling up within me. "No, Alex, please!"

"Okay, Shana, okay. I won't go get the doctor. Maybe you just need a minute to collect yourself... but maybe he could just check to make sure everything is fine."

"I can't... I can't see him again."

Alex's brows furrowed in concern as he looked at me, his expression softening with understanding. "See him again? What are you talking about?"

My head was pounding, and I felt like I was losing control. The fear of facing Dr. Mills again, combined with whatever he had injected me with, made my skin crawl.

"I can't," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "Something's wrong, I know it. I need to get out of here."

"Get out of the palace? Where do you want to go?"

But I couldn't answer Alex as a sharp pain struck my temple. I threw a hand up to my face to hold it.

"What is it?" Alex questioned, trying to come closer to me. "What are you feeling? Shana, you're scaring me."

The pain intensified, sending waves of agony coursing through my skull. My vision blurred, and I stumbled backward, clutching my head as if it might explode at any moment.

"I don't know..." I managed to gasp out between clenched teeth. "Something's wrong... I can't..."

Alex's eyes widened with alarm as he watched me struggle, his concern palpable in the air between us. He reached out a hand, as if to steady me, but I recoiled, unable to bear any contact in my state of distress.

"Shana, we need to get you help," he urged, his voice tinged with urgency.

But the pain was too overwhelming, clouding my thoughts and leaving me unable to form a coherent response. All I could do was grip my head tighter, trying to ward off the relentless assault on my senses.

His brow furrowed with worry. "You don't look fine at all. Don't worry. We can take a break from training today and—"

But before he could finish his sentence, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and my vision blurred.

Everything seemed to spin out of control, and then darkness enveloped me as I collapsed to the ground, unconscious.