There was no medical explanation for why consciousness refused to return.
The physician glanced once more toward the bed before quietly checking her pulse again, more from habit than necessity.
Still steady.
Still normal.
Exactly as it had been every hour since the treatment ended.
One of the younger physicians approached carefully, lowering his voice as though afraid Liora might somehow hear despite remaining unconscious.
"Perhaps the mind needs longer."
The senior physician nodded absentmindedly.
"Perhaps."
Yet the uncertainty remained.
Outside, darkness had settled completely over Lioreth. The palace windows reflected only the glow of lamps burning inside the corridors, while beyond the walls the capital slowly disappeared beneath the quiet of night.
