The Tale of the Lotus Heart novel Chapter 24

The next day, First Prince Atlas took the troops to the battle site to continue fighting and covertly assessing the situation to see if my plan would have any effect. I was instructed to stay behind with the sick and wounded in the camp grounds. I drank my water to really just pass the time before going to attend to the wounded. With my energy and cultivation levels, healing them was easy, but after the 20th soldier, I needed to sit and take a break. I'd been at it for hours with the most severely wounded to help out the physicians. I went back to my tent and laid down to rest. I found myself curled up on my side as sleep called my name. First Prince noticed what even I couldn't, and he was right. I wasn't an energetic as I was at the beginning and my stamina was very low. I hated feeling so weak and lethargic. I closed my eyes briefly before hearing my tent flap open. I sat up and looked to the entrance to see the one person I'd been trying to avoid. I knew he would be worried and upset seeing me on the battlefield once he knew.

"Aivi," Yong said as he rushed to my side. He looked me over briefly before placing his hand on my cheek.

"I can't believe you've been here the whole time. Why didn't you tell me you were helping my First Brother battle the demons?" He asked. I smiled lightly before pulling him into a hug.

"I knew you'd worry and rush here to try and protect me," I admitted. "How did you know I was here?" I asked as I pulled out of the hug. Yong sat next to me on the bed as he held my hand in his gently.

"My First Brother sent me a letter along with the one he sent to our Royal Father. He told me that you were here and I needed to come urgently. What happened? We're you hurt?" He asked. I shook my head before my eyes and hand went to my stomach.

"No, but First Prince Atlas noticed something wrong with me. I wasn't my usual self these last few weeks, and it kept getting worse, so he scanned me using internal energy," I explained. Yong waited patiently as he caressed my hand. I took a deep breath and prepared to tell him the news when Tase walked in. I looked up and smiled at seeing his face. I stood and met him halfway before he wrapped me in a hug.

"Aivi, thank goodness you're okay," Tase said in relief.

"You got a letter from the First Prince too?" I asked, half knowing  the answer already. Tase nodded as he pulled away.

"Sit down, let me scan you," Tase said still slightly worried.

"What did my First Brother find?" Yong asked impatiently as I sat back down. I closed my eyes as Tase sent his energy in to scan my body. I felt his energy hesitate at my stomach before he withdrew.