Snippet: Sleepless

For the past three nights, sleep had evaded the Queen, which did not bode well for the servants, or anyone else for that matter, as she was more ill-tempered than what most had grown accustomed to.

The Royal Healer was called for after a week had gone by and the Queen still had not slept a full night. Upon examining her, the Healer concluded that she was in perfect physical health, and could find no explanation as to why she wasn't sleeping.

Nevertheless, the Queen seemed deeply troubled by something; but the Healer did not dare to question her as to what it was.

Instead, he made her a Calming Draught and returned with a small vial of it the next day

"Drink this before bed, my Lady," he said, handing it over to her "and you will sleep peacefully through the night.

"You are sure this will work?" the Queen asked.

"I am quite certain," the Healer replied with a reassuring smile. "Tomorrow morning when you awake, you will feel well-rested."
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When the Queen summoned the Healer back once again the following day, he believed she had done so to thank him; but he had barely set foot into the Great Hall before she flew out of her seat to in a fit of rage, screaming at him.

"Fool! You said it would work and it did not! How dare you lie to me!"

The Healer flinched when she stood up and advanced towards him, raising her hand as if to strike him. Cowering in fear, he dropped quickly to his hands and knees before she could do just that.

"Forgive me, Your Grace, my most excellent Queen. I did not know, and if I had, I would have given you something else, I swear! I beg your mercy, Highness, and a second chance."

The Queen sneered at him with disgust at his pathetic groveling. "I will spare you," she said, and turning on her heel, stalked back to her throne, where she sat once more.

The Healer rose to his feet cautiously, and bowed lowly. "I will go now and make you a stronger draught, Your Majesty and bring it to you the moment it is finished."

"See that you do, Healer, or else you will suffer the consequences." The Queen narrowed her eyes at him.

The Healer nodded nervously and with another fleeting bow, he fled from the room.
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The Healer returned hours later, with a vial smaller than the first he had brought.

"This is a Sleeping Draught; it is simple, but most effective, and is sure to allow you a peaceful night of rest, my Queen."

Though the Healer did not dare mention it, he had made the same potion for the King's first wife. While carrying their first child, there were complications that caused her great pain to the point where she was bedridden, and the King had pleaded with the Healer to help his wife in whatever way he could, for he could not bear to lose her or their child. Out of the many remedies the Healer tried, the Sleeping Draught was the only thing that had ever relieved the pain enough to where she could be comfortable.

The Queen took the vial from the Healer and dismissed him with a simple wave of her hand; he left, praying that the potion would work as well for her as it had for the King's wife.