Look for a shaman

The car entered through the gates of Whitlock's Castle, which stood tall and proud on a massive hill, overlooking Zenis, the capital city of the kingdom of Acassia. Its structure was breathtaking, displaying the elegance and grandeur befitting the majestic rulers of the kingdom. The castle was made of white stone and had seven conical towers that appeared to touch the sky. Although the exterior had an ancient look, the interior was a blend of contemporary and futuristic design with large chandeliers, modern furnishings, cutting-edge technology gadgets and elevators.

Eva stepped inside the castle, and as she made her way to her chamber, everyone bowed in respect. Standing outside her door was an older woman, her hands folded in front of her. The woman offered a polite bow to the princess before opening the door.

Elise was a gentle and kind-looking woman in her late fifties. She had served as a loyal servant to Queen Louisa and had been Princess Eva's nanny since her birth. She had dedicated her entire life to serving the royal family and cherished the little princess as if she were her child.

"Good evening, Your Highness. I hope you had a great day at work," Elise greeted with a warm smile.

"Good Evening, Elise. I had a great day. Thank you for asking. Is Dad home yet?" asked Eva, walking into the room.

"No, Your Highness. His Majesty has a meeting with some delegates and asked me to inform you that he will be late."

"Okay," Eva said taking off her coat.

"Do you want me to draw a hot water bath for you? You look exhausted," asked the woman with concern in her eyes.

"Yes, please," Eva responded with a small smile. She truly needed a rejuvenating bath as she was reeking with the smell of the disinfectant from the hospital.

Elise prepared the bath and placed a few bathing essentials at the side of the bathtub before closing the door behind her.

Eva was welcomed by an exquisite bathtub in the middle of a grand bathroom, boasting a luxurious design. A bath bomb was fizzing in the warm water, releasing its enchanting aroma while creating a delightful display of bubbles. It had the scents of Jasmine and lavender with hints of vanilla and honey. Hundreds of rose petals were also sprinkled on the water, adding to the fragrance.

She removed her blue scrubs before immersing herself in the bathtub. Humming a little song, she soaked herself in the warm water, feeling it gradually ease her tense muscles after a tiring day.

After coming out of the bath, Eva wore a simple white dress before she proceeded to the Queen's chamber where the guards opened and closed the doors as she entered it.

A beautiful woman was lying on the bed with a soft quilt covering her up to her chest. The thin, white curtains hanging from the bed's canopy swayed gently in the breeze, while the golden light reflecting through the windows highlighted her features. Her hair was neatly combed and parted in the middle. Her thick and long eyelashes curved over her cheeks, and not a single wrinkle marred her beautiful face, giving her the appearance of a sleeping beauty.

"Hey Mom, did you miss me?" Eva stood beside the bed and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on her mother's cheek. "I missed you so much. I saved a man from a critical situation today. It was a seven-hour surgery that wore me out. But I'm glad I saved a life. I wished you were there to see how wonderful your daughter has been--"

While she was narrating her day to her mother, a knock interrupted her.

"Come in," as soon as the words left Eva's mouth, Emily barged into the room dressed lavishly.

She wore a beige designer dress that had a deep V-neck. The dress, embellished with hundreds of shimmering swarovski crystals and diamonds, bared her back and fell to her mid-thighs in a graceful line, making her hourglass figure look alluring. She wore a pair of red stiletto heels that matched her red lipstick, giving her a seductive look.

"Hey Eva darling, How do I look?" she stretched her arms on either side and twirled around cutely to show off her dress.

"Extravagant," Eva deadpanned, but when she saw Emily pouting her lips, she replied with a chuckle, "I'm just kidding. You look gorgeous."

Emily's big brown eyes lit up at her friend's words and a bright grin made its way onto her face. She walked to the bedside and stood beside Eva.

"Eva, can I ask you something?" Emily tilted her head while staring at the sleeping Queen.

"Yeah. What is it?" Eva nodded to Emily, who whispered in a small voice, "I have always wondered why Her Majesty hasn't aged. It's been sixteen years since the accident, right? Yet, there isn't a single wrinkle on her face. She looks exactly as she did back then, it was as if time has frozen for her. Don't you find it strange?"

"That's the only thing I couldn't figure out either," Eva replied with a heavy sigh, "Everything from the tests indicates no abnormalities, but something is stopping her from waking up, and even I can't seem to place a finger on it."

"Do you believe in magic?" Emily asked with curiosity in her slightly widened eyes. "What if it's related to something like that? Why don't we look for a shaman?"

"What nonsense are you spewing? There's no such thing as magic. That's all rubbish" Eva's eyebrows furrowed as she replied in a solemn tone.

Her eyes pricked slightly, feeling helpless in the face of her mother's condition. It was the only case she couldn't find an answer to, no matter what she did or how hard she tried. She had become a doctor with the purpose of waking her mother up from her comatose state, and yet, despite her best efforts, she was still unable to do so. The frustration and sadness were overwhelming, and she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be able to help her mother regain consciousness.

When Emily saw the forlorn expression on Eva's face, she immediately wrapped her arms around her friend in a comforting embrace.

"Stop overthinking and don't you dare doubt yourself," she said in a soft, reassuring voice. "I believe in you, and I know that you will find a way to wake her up one day."

Eva nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as she closed her eyes and returned the hug. Emily had always been a source of strength and comfort for her, and at that moment, she was grateful to have such a supportive friend by her side.

"Okay, we're gonna be late. Come on, you need to change your dress. Let me doll you up," Emily clapped her hands in excitement, with her brown eyes sparkling. They then made their way to Eva's chamber. Picking a wine-red coloured gown from Eva's closet, Emily exclaimed, "This is perfect."

The material of the dress was so exquisite and delicate with fine straps tied at the shoulders. It was cinched at her waist, hugging her body and accentuating her figure, before cascading down in a graceful, flowing manner, reaching all the way to her ankles. The bright colour of the gown illuminated her creamy skin, making her look breathtaking.

Emily gasped as Eva walked out in the wine-red dress. "Damn, you look gorgeous. If I were a man, I would have fallen for you at first sight".

Emily tugged at her friend's hand, guiding her to sit in front of a grand golden antique mirror. With delicate care, she combed Eva's hair and styled it into an elegant low bun, before pulling a few strands of hair on either side of Eva's face, framing her features beautifully. She also chose a dainty necklace with a small heart-shaped diamond pendant for her friend.

"Waah...Why are you so pretty? I feel so jealous of that lucky bastard who's gonna steal your heart and take you away from me in the future," Emily let out a loud sigh dramatically before she blinked her brown eyes flirtatiously. She continued, " Or… Can I be your woman baby? ~ Let me be your woman…. Woman.. woman.. woman… I can be your woman… ~"

She started singing and swaying her hips in front of Eva.

"Enough with your flattery. We have to leave now," Eva let out a chuckle before she bonked her friend's head with her hand, making Emily yelp in pain.

"Jeez... you're no fun," Emily exclaimed, rubbing her head with her palm. She then took Eva's hand, and together they walked out of the castle. They entered a luxurious limousine and made their way to the Eden Club.