Recovery

In the waiting room of the hospital, Sophie anxiously turns the wedding band on her ring finger as she waits for the result of her fiancé's surgery.

It's been three and a half hours since Alexander was brought in for surgery and it's now nearing one am in the morning. Some of the Imperial Guards and the nurses who were on duty at the hospital tried to tell her to go to sleep and rest, but Sophie couldn't due to the anxiety that kept making its way into her bones.

Her mind had been racing with worry since but inwardly, she tried to calm herself by reminiscing about the best moment of her life when the two of them spent time together when they were at Hofburg Palace, the time that they made love to one another, and his proposal earlier.

Minutes later, one of the doctors exited the surgery room, removing the mask on his face, and dumping it down on the trashcan. He then came over to Sophie and asked if he could talk to her privately for a moment. She nodded at him with a confused expression plastered onto her face as she followed him into the small room next to the reception area. Once the door was closed behind them, he looked up at Sophie through tired eyes before sighing.

Seeing that facial reaction on the doctor's face, Sophie can't help but feel worried. The look on the doctor's face implies bad news that she wouldn't know if she can bear or not.

He took a breath before finally speaking.

"His Majesty is fine, Your Majesty. We've removed all the bullet fragments, the surgery is a success," the doctor declared.

Sophie immediately felt relief wash over her like a wave upon hearing the news. She felt relieved knowing that her husband is going to be okay.

The two of them exited the room. Sophie thanked the lord almighty who didn't abandon her fiancé.

She doesn't have to think much longer until she hears the door open. As she turns around, she sees Alexander lying on the hospital gurney being reeled by nurses.

Sophie felt relief once more.

As she walks closer, she sees an IV drip attached to Alexander's arm.

"You may now rest, Your Majesty, ma'am," the doctor said.

Sophie nodded.

Now that her concerns were addressed by the reassurance of the doctors, she can now sleep.

...

In the morning, Sophie entered the post-operation room, where Alexander lies with his eyes shut.

She walked over to his bed.

"Hey, Alex," Sophie said softly as she took his hand. "Honey…"

The "Honey" part was just made up by Sophie. Normally, they only addressed each other by their names, but things changed. Sophie wanted to call him that.

As she gently runs her finger below his knuckles and strokes his cheek, Alexander's eyes flutter open.

"Hey," Sophie flashed an angelic smile as soon as she saw Alexander waking up.

Alexander smiled back groggily but shut his eyes again, seemingly exhausted, and returned back to sleep.

Sophie found it cute but she didn't press any further. She let her fiancé have a rest as she sat on the chair and waited for him to recover.

Three hours later, Alexander woke up.

"Good morning!" Sophie said

cheerfully, hoping to brighten Alexander's mood. Alex looks at Sophie with a tired but warm expression.

"... Morning..." He mumbled as he rubbed his eyes from fatigue.

"I'm so glad that you're okay now," Sophie said, her voice sounding happy and excited. "How are you feeling?"

"I think I'll be fine...what did the doctors say?"

"They removed all the bullet fragments, and they say there is no permanent damage,"

Alexander stared at Sophie, dumbfounded at the result. With a gunshot like his, it's a miracle that there was no permanent damage.

"Good," he said. "Last night, I kept hearing voices out in the hall."

"They were just people coming by to see how you were."

"I see..." Alexander sighed. "How's the country reacting?"

"Honey, you don't need to worry about that now."

"Honey?" Alex raised his eyebrow, amusedly.

Sophie blushed, realizing what she had just called him.

"Oh my God! Alex! I didn't mean to - um - I apologize!" Sophie stuttered, her cheeks burning hot red.

"What I meant was to call you that-"

"No, It's okay."

She was stopped by Alexander's words.

"Eh?"

"I said it's okay, I find it cute really...Honey," Alexander teased, making Sophie blush even more.

"Hmph!" Sophie huffed with her hand crossed before she turned away from Alexander. "Don't make fun of me!"

Sophie heard Alexander chuckle lightly. Well, all in all, she's glad that Alexander is safe now.

...

Two days later, it was New Year's eve. A date when the citizens of the Ruthenia Empire were supposed to be celebrating. But all of them were anxious about the condition of their future emperor.

They haven't received news about him since the day of the assassination attempt. The citizens nearby the hospital gathered, placing roses in front of the hospital gate while the others were praying with all of their hearts for his well-being. The atmosphere was sad for the majority of the citizens who were waiting for the news regarding Alexander's well-being. They didn't want this to happen to their beloved prince. Even though everyone knew that his father and grandfather oppressed them, Alexander was different.

Alexander gave them hope to carry on and a future to look forward to. No matter how hard things get for them, Alexander always has their backs. He is strong, competent, and strong enough to bring something to the people of the Ruthenia Empire despite some stories about him in the past.

It was proven repeatedly in his actions. Alexander gave them what they've been longing for that his predecessor failed to bring. So if Alexander were to die here, the effect on their morale would be catastrophic.

But moments later, the people gazed up as they noticed a figure on the second floor of the hospital's window.

"Hey look! The Emperor is alive!"

"Over here, Your Majesty!"

"Over here!"

They pointed at the window with excitement, waving the flowers and small flags of the Ruthenia Empire in jubilation.

What they'd just seen right now is their Emperor, who was dressed in a bathrobe, and with the future Queen of the Ruthenia Empire at his side.

Alexander waved his hand, signaling to them that he is alive.

…

Ten minutes later, in Alexander's hospital room. Sergei shook his hand, celebrating his recovery. Christina leaped onto him, hugging him tightly.

"I'm glad you're okay now brother!"

Alexander chuckled. "Thank you for taking care of the country while I'm gone,"

"Well, nothing much happened anyway,...except that I had to close the bank," Christina said, still in her embrace.

"Is that so?" Alexander let out a forced chuckle. "You can let go of me now, Christina."

Christina slowly releases her brother from her grasp before taking a step back.

"So what's going to happen now?" Alexander's eyes flickered to Sergei.

"Well, sir, since you're okay now, you may now resume your duty as commander in chief of the Ruthenia Empire."

"Very well, you may now open the bank of our people, Sergei, inform the Minister of Finance," Alexander issued his first order.

"Yes Your Majesty," Sergei acknowledged.

"By the way, Christina, is there something I would like to know about?"

Christina twiddled her fingers together nervously and avoided eye contact with her older brother.

Alexander furrowed his brows in suspicion.

"Christina? You did something?" Alexander said, slightly glaring at his sister.

Christina gulped. "...Uhm...I visited the one who did this to you...brother."

"What?!" Alexander exclaimed in shock, staring at his sister in disbelief.

"Look, brother! I wasn't hurt in any war or was in danger..." Christina stammered, trying to reason with him. "I swear!"

"Have you no idea how dangerous it is for you to go out and meet the suspect?" Alexander scolded her lightly.

Christina lowered her head. "I'm sorry, dear brother."

Alexander smiled and patted her on the head. His sudden action made Christina look up at her elder brother in surprise. When she saw his expression soften a little at the sight of her, she couldn't help but feel touched. "Brother~"

"So, did you find something?"

Christina shook her head. "No. We've been trying to interrogate him since but he won't break. But we know that he is a member of a Black Hand, the one who killed our parents," Christina informed, the mood around the room immediately dropped.

"A black hand member huh?" Alexander hummed. "Well, it's a good thing that we have him in our hands. I'll be the one to interrogate him but I have something that I need to address first..." Alexander said firmly.

"What is it...brother?"

"It's time for me to get myself back together and focus first on the problem before my personal ambition," Alexander declared and continued. "I'll be making huge changes in my ministries."