Chapter 2
"What's going on?" Rapunzel asked as she closed the door to Doctor Caldwell's office. Her mother, Eugene, and Doctor Lebowitz were settled into chairs near the Royal Physician's desk.
"I'm afraid we're no closer to nailing down what ails your father but we seem to have a bigger problem," Caldwell offered her a seat and she immediately took it.
"That sounds ominous," Eugene said.
"It should be. There is a guard who is displaying the same symptoms as the King," Lebowitz told them.
"But how is that possible?" The Queen asked.
"Apparently the illness manifests sometime after the person has been infected. The worst of it is, is we don't know how many people the King came in contact with before the illness manifested itself," the Royal Physician said.
"In other words…" Rapunzel trailed off.
"We could all be infected," Lebowitz said.
"Good God," the Queen shook her head.
"That means everyone we've come in contact with could be infected," Rapunzel gasped.
"Yes and what's worse, they've possibly given it to relatives and those relatives could travel outside the capital. We need to lock this place down," Caldwell said.
"We'll get out an announcement to seal the main gate and to have all physicians report to you," the Queen told them.
"No, that could unnecessarily infect those that are not infected. We need to do something else," Lebowitz shook his head.
"What do you suggest?" Eugene spoke up.
"First, I suggest we get some leeches. Next, we'll take a sample from the King. Once we identify what is in his blood stream we could then test everyone here for the virus. At that point we can make a better determination," Caldwell put the idea out there to see what his colleague would say.
"Absolutely. Meantime, I believe we should close the main gates into the city. Tell people that no one can leave due to some sort of threat but do not tell them anything that will create mass hysteria. When this gets out, and it will, we don't need people agitated," Lebowitz nodded.
"I can say due to weather concerns we're afraid of flooding," the Queen suggested.
"Brilliant! That way when nothing happens you can claim it to be better to have been safe than sorry," Caldwell nodded.
"I'll put it into motion," the Queen stood up and headed out to find her speech writers while Rapunzel turned to Caldwell.
"Can we talk?" She asked.
"Of course. What is it Princess?" He wanted to know.
"In private," she jerked her head to one of the exam rooms and he nodded.
"Gunter, would you take Prince Consort Fitzherbert to begin the leeching?" Caldwell wondered.
"Yes, we need to get started. Hope you have a strong stomach your Highness," Lebowitz smiled.
"I think I can manage. Do we have to wear a mask or something?" Eugene asked sure his bride was talking to the doctor about her powers and sure Doctor Lebowitz didn't know anything about them. The two left the room and quickly Rapunzel pulled Caldwell into the exam room.
"If you're thinking about your powers forget it. Until this proves to be closed to fatal or even fatal, we can't risk it," he shook his head concerned this was what she was going to ask him.
"It's not about that Doctor," the brunette told him.
"Do you not feel well?" He was immediately concerned.
"Well something is wrong because I missed something that should have come last week," the way she phrased it the doctor said down.
"Any cramping or pain of any kind? Bloating? Pimples breaking out?" He asked.
"No and that has me concerned," Rapunzel confessed.
"Give it another week. If nothing happens then you and I will have to break the news to Eugene," Caldwell said.
"What news? Is it something horrible?" The brunette's naiveté was showing. Obviously her mother hadn't discussed what happens, the doctor thought to himself.
"No, it will be wonderful. It could mean you're going to have a baby," he told her. To this Rapunzel went weak at the knees and collapsed on the floor.
To Be Continued…