It had only been a few short months since the funeral. There was a new silence in the palace. The entire country was still recovering from the loss of their King. Ramonda resumed her position as sovereign. She had played that role when T'Challa's sickness started getting worse.
Ramonda slowly entered the lab. She didn't enter here often. She only entered when she came to drag Shuri out by her ear. Today was one of those occasions. "Mother," Shuri said. Ramonda could tell she had been crying.
Ramonda approached her daughter. "Is there anything you need?" Shuri asked.
"I need my daughter to stop hiding in her lab," Ramonda explained. "When was the last time you slept? Or ate?"
"I had a protein bar before you came," Shuri said.
"A real meal," Ramonda corrected. "Please, take the night off. Take a walk with me."
Shuri held onto her desk. She was trying to keep herself from falling. Her eyes closed, and her body went limp. Ramonda rushed behind her, stopping her head from slapping against the marble floor. Ramonda cradled Shuri's head in her lap.
"Shuri," Ramonda screamed. She tried to shake her daughter awake. Shuri's eyes didn't open. Memories flooded Ramonda's mind. T'Challa's head in her lap. They were alone when he collapsed the first time. That's when they found out he was dying. He begged her to keep it a secret.
"It appears she collapsed out of exhaustion," the doctor said. Ramonda had carried her to the private medical center in the palace. "I recommend rest."
"Have you got the test results?" Ramonda asked. She had insisted they test Shuri for the same disease T'Challa had. Ramonda didn't know if it was genetic. She didn't remember anyone from her or T'Chaka's family perishing from the disease before their son. Ramonda didn't want to rule anything out too early.
"It came back negative," the doctor said. As if on cue, Shuri stirred awake. How did I get here?
Ramonda was quick to rush over to her daughter. "What happened?" Shuri asked.
"You fainted," Ramonda said. "Why didn't you tell me you were tired?"
"I didn't want you to worry," Shuri responded.
"You need to take care of yourself," Ramonda explained. "I can't bare if-"
Ramonda felt tears welling up behind her eyes. Shuri went to hold her mother's hand. "Just be careful," Ramonda said. "The doctor told me you collapsed due to exhaustion. Don't go to the lab for the next few days."
"I have a project due in a few days," Shuri protested.
"And there's a reason you're not the only scientist Wakanda has," Ramonda argued. "If you don't rest for yourself, please at least try for me."
"Fine," Shuri sighed. She paused for a few moments. Her stomach started to cramp. "Can I have something to eat? Living off protein bars for several days isn't sustainable."