The crackling fire was the only thing breaking the silence in the room. It was a little monotonous, but Minnie was glad for it. Without it, she would have probably gone crazy with worry already.

Mickey wasn't showing any signs of improvement. Granted, it had barely been an hour since she applied the ointment and it was probably going to take much longer, but Minnie was finding it harder and harder to remind herself that, and especially with Daisy no longer here to do it. On the pretense of getting something they needed, she'd gone back to the inn to let Gerald know they'd gotten in and Goofy had gone with her, just to make sure she got back in without any problems.

Only Oswald was left, making for an even tenser atmosphere. Minnie glanced at the rabbit, who was sitting in silence nearby. His expression was unreadable, as usual.

A quiet moan quickly returned her attention to the Mickey. She leaned over the bed and felt his forehead, then bit her lip. His fever was high, and it was worrying her almost more than the gash.

"How long 've ya known him?"

Minnie started at the sudden question and turned. Oswald was looking at her, his expression still neutral but slightly curious now.

"About four weeks." She hesitated, her mind wandering. Her time with Mickey made her feel as if they'd known each other for years, yet it seemed so short when she thought about it. Her attention returned when Oswald sighed.

"Four weeks," he muttered. "Guy was sneaking off for four weeks, n' I didn't have any idea about it."

Minnie wasn't surprised at the bitterness in his tone, but this time she heard something else behind it: hurt. She glanced at him, suddenly feeling sorry for him.

"He likes to be out of all the politics sometimes. Maybe he just… thought people might not understand."

To her surprise, Oswald gave her a strange look.

"People like me, ya mean?"

Before Minnie could answer, he let out a dry chuckle and glanced at the window.

"Hmph, I guess ya wouldn't know. I'm no blueblood. Lived on the street as a kid."

Minnie stared at him, too startled to reply for a moment. She thought about it, then her eyes widened a little in realization.

"Then… you're a ward?"

The rabbit glanced at her again.

"Guess that's what you'd call it."

His eyes grew distant as he looked away again.

"I never knew anything but fendin' for myself, never trustin' anyone… especially bluebloods. Then this one day, I was runnin' out of a store after I tried t' grab some food n' ended up runnin' into the king. Thought I was headed for jail, but…"

He trailed off, then looked at Mickey and his expression softened even more.

"Never thought I'd call a place like this home either. Mick, his parents… they're all th' family I've ever had."

Minnie gazed at him, speechless. A lump of sympathy rose in her throat; that meant he'd lost the only father he'd ever known, and was now afraid he might lose someone else.

"I'm sorry," she murmured.

Oswald looked up at her with slight surprise, as if he'd forgotten she was there. He looked at her for a moment, then she thought she saw the hint of a smile.

"Thanks."

A soft knock suddenly came at the door, then it opened and a guard stepped in.

"Her Majesty, Queen Lillian," he murmured, his face solemn.

Startled, Minnie quickly stood from the chair beside Mickey's bed and sank into a deep curtsy.

"Please, no need for that."

Minnie looked up, and her throat tightened again. The queen was dressed all in black, which was to be expected, but the real sign of mourning was in her face. Yet the weary smile she gave Minnie held genuine warmth.

"You must be the young lady who offered your help. You have my sincere thanks."

Minnie felt a slight heat in her cheeks and lowered her eyes.

"I-I don't deserve it just yet, your Majesty. I can't promise that…"

A gentle hand rested on her cheek.

"I know, dear. But I am still very grateful for your kindness."

Minnie looked up again as the queen turned toward the bed. Her smile faded into a look of weary grief as she sank into the chair beside it. Oswald slowly walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder, murmuring something Minnie couldn't hear. She swallowed and took a step back toward the door.

"I… I suppose I should let…"

Lillian shook her head.

"No… no, it's all right. Don't let me get in the way."

For a while Minnie just stood, unsure of what to do. Finally, with reluctance, she moved to the table across the room and began fiddling with the medical supplies on it, making herself look busy. Every so often the queen's hushed voice came from behind her, but she couldn't make out the words.

Suddenly a quiet knock came on the door, and the guard outside opened it.

"Excuse me, your Majesty?" he asked softly. "I'm sorry to intrude, but one of the ambassadors is here."

Oswald sighed with irritation.

"I'll get it."

With a last soothing pat to Lillian's shoulder, he walked out. When the door closed, the queen let out a sigh and turned back to Mickey. As if pulled by something, Minnie walked over. She stood quietly near the chair, gazing at Mickey. In her mind, she pleaded for him to wake up, say something, even just open his eyes.

"They seem to forget that a queen can be a mother too."

Minnie blinked and looked at Lillian, surprised. She didn't seem to notice, keeping her eyes on her son as she stroked his head.

"When he was born, it was over three weeks early. The doctors were concerned."

She hesitated, then a sad smile tugged at her face.

"But his father… he told me, 'strength isn't size, Lillian. Strength is heart.' And he was right."

Minnie found herself nodding in agreement as she watched her friend.

"He was," she murmured. There was movement in the corner of her eye and she turned her head to see the queen looking at her with curiosity.

"You almost seem to know him." Minnie felt her face heat, her heart start to pound. She quickly looked down and slid past the chair to the side of the bed.

"Um, p-please excuse me, your Majesty… I should check his wound…"

As she lifted the covers to check the bandages, she could still feel Lillian's eyes on her back.

"If I may ask," she said suddenly. "Might I know your name, dear?"

Minnie felt her heart skip a beat. Swallowing to wet her throat, she opened her mouth to reply.

"Mm…"

Her heart almost stopped. She looked at Mickey, and everything else seemed to fade into the background as his eyes quivered, then slowly opened a little. Minnie's vision grew blurred with tears as she placed a hand on his, unable to look away from those hazy, beautiful blue eyes as they focused on her.

"Mickey?" she whispered. Tears dripped from her eyes as a faint smile appeared on his face.

"M-… Minnie…"

Minnie squeezed his hand, smiling through her tears. A gasp behind her suddenly brought her back to her senses. Her face burning, she reluctantly let go of Mickey's hand and backed away.

"Y-Your Majesty…"

Lillian didn't seem to notice as she sat on the side of the bed, tears trickling down her face. Mickey blinked and smiled again.

"Mom…"

The queen reached out and placed a trembling hand on his cheek, smiling through her tears as she tried to speak. Minnie felt a smile tug at her own face as she watched, then she heard the door open. Turning, she saw Oswald standing frozen in the doorway. Behind him, the guard also stood staring for a moment before snapping back to attention and closing the door.

"He's awake?" Oswald whispered, looking at Minnie. Once she nodded, he raced to the bed. Lillian looked at him with a tearful smile and placed her other hand on his shoulder as he leaned forward.

"Mick?"

Minnie couldn't see Mickey, but she heard his murmured reply. It took extreme effort, but she made herself keep standing at a respectable distance… even though deep down, she had a feeling that she'd already given herself away. But even this thought couldn't dampen the joy she felt inside.

He's awake… he's awake…

That one thought was all it took to lift every worry.