Maybe he was coming down with a cold.
Once back on the yacht, he told Elise he was going to take a quick shower then go to bed and hope he felt better in the morning. At least they didn’t have any official engagements for three days. He could rest on the yacht and then again at his mum’s house and the resort.
It wasn’t just the motion of the yacht that kept him tossing and turning. He’d managed to eat most of the meal they’d been served at dinner with the VIPs, but he didn’t think he’d be able to keep it all down.
After about twenty minutes, he went and found a bin to set next to the bed.
He finally dozed off without needing to use the bin, though he slept fitfully.
When Frederick woke in the middle of the night, he realized Elise hadn’t come to bed with him. The urge to go find her almost compelled him to get up, but ultimately, he decided he needed the sleep more than he needed to locate his wife.
By the time he woke to the sun beginning to stream through the windows, Frederick felt better. Not back to normal, not completely, but enough to text Elise and ask where she was.
A minute later, she walked out of her bathroom area. “Good morning.” She kissed his cheek. “Are you feeling better?”
He nodded as she sat on the edge of the bed. “Much better. I don’t think I want much to eat until I know my stomach has settled, but I could handle something light.”
Elise reached for the phone on the side table and called the steward. After sharing the request, she hung up then turned back to him.
She rested the back of her hand against his forehead. “I have no idea what you’re supposed to feel like.” Her grin made him smile too. “I just know this is how my mum always checked to see if we had a fever.”
“Do I feel warm?” He pushed up until he was seated against the wall behind the bed.
“Maybe a little bit? You’re not burning up.” She went around to the other side of the bed and sat criss-cross facing him on her side. “Do you know when we’re supposed to reach your mum’s?”
“Before lunch, but I’m not sure exactly when.” He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. “The sooner the better. I don’t get seasick, but with my stomach the way it is, I’d rather be on solid ground.”
A knock sounded on the glass doors behind them.
“Come,” Frederick called.
The steward himself brought the breakfast in. “Good morning, Your Majesties. How are you feeling this morning?”
Frederick knew the question was directed at him. “Somewhat better, but not fully myself just yet.”
The steward bowed. “Chef sent some tea that he hopes will help settle your stomach.”
“Thank you, and thank him for me.” Frederick would make certain to thank him personally later.
“I will, sir.” The steward bowed again. “Please call when you need something.”
“Thank you,” Elise chimed in. “We appreciate it.” Once the steward left, Elise turned back to Frederick. “Do you want to eat here or over at the table?”
Getting up to walk over to the table seemed like too much work. “I think right here is fine.”
A worried look crossed her face. Frederick waited for her to say something but she chose not to. Instead, she swiveled and swung her legs over the end of the bed.
She helped him get situated a little better, then handed him a tray table. The steam from the tea curled upward as he took the cup from her. He cradled it, relishing the warmth in the palms of his hands.
“Thank you.”
She went back to her seat on the other side of the bed, her own table sitting on the bed next to her.
As they ate, Elise carried the conversation, talking about her experiences the day before. She seemed to be quite excited about a project she wanted to get involved with, but Frederick couldn’t focus quite well enough to understand what exactly it would entail.
The phone on the table beside him buzzed quietly. He reached over and answered. After listening for a moment, he thanked the captain and hung up. “We’ll be docking in about an hour,” he told Elise. “Mum will be waiting for us at the house.”
She nodded, but her mouth was full so she didn’t speak.
