Weeks blurred into a cycle of terror and tenderness. Chang Hao's private chambers became a fortress against the outside world, but not against Bella's own internal demons. He watched helplessly as she clawed at her own stitches during nightmares, her silent screams echoing in the quiet room.
"Physician Tanaka, increase her calming tinctures," Chang Hao commanded one evening after pulling a shard of broken ceramic from Bella's trembling fingers. "And double the guards outside this door. No one enters without my express permission."
Tanaka nodded solemnly, brushing Bella's sweat-dampened hair away from her forehead. "Your Majesty, her body is healing physically, but her mind... it's shattered. The grief is consuming her from within."
Chang Hao sank onto the edge of his own bed, running both hands through his hair in frustration. "Then what do we do? How do we reach her when she won't even speak?"Chang Hao looked up sharply at Physician Tanaka's formal tone, his expression shifting from despair to wary curiosity. "Speak plainly, Physician. I have no patience for diplomacy right now."
Tanaka set down his medical case and approached the emperor's bed cautiously. "What she needs is not more tinctures or guards. What she needs is hope."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Your Majesty, your concubines are gossiping openly about her condition. The palace rumors are tearing her apart even when she's alone in this room."
Chang Hao's jaw tightened dangerously. "What are they saying?"
"Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness," Tanaka continued, his voice steady despite the risk of offending the most powerful man in Japan. "They are saying she is cursed. That your favoritism toward her has brought misfortune upon the entire palace."
He paused, letting the words hang in the air. "Some of the concubines are openly praying to their own gods for her death, claiming she has bewitched you with some dark magic."
Chang Hao's hands clenched into fists on his silk sheets. "And what does Empress Mei have to say about these rumors? Is she encouraging this?"
"She has remained publicly silent, Your Majesty," Tanaka admitted reluctantly. "But her ladies-in-waiting have been overheard discussing how convenient it would be if Bella were to simply fade away quietly."
The emperor rose from his bed in one fluid motion, his usual regal composure returning with deadly intent. "Enough. This ends tonight."
Chang Hao listened intently to Physician Tanaka's proposal, his initial anger cooling into thoughtful consideration. The idea of channeling Bella's creativity as a form of therapy resonated deeply with him - he remembered how passionately she used to sketch the palace gardens and compose poems and short stories before her spirits were crushed by constant abuse.
"A writing and drawing therapy," he repeated slowly, testing the words. "It is worth trying. Anything is better than watching her destroy herself piece by piece."
He paced the room for a moment before turning back to Tanaka with renewed purpose. "Arrange everything immediately. Find paper and brushes from her old rooms - she preferred ink on brown paper."
"Writing classes," he repeated thoughtfully, pacing the length of the room. "It's a sound approach. Her hands have always been more eloquent than her voice."
He stopped by Bella's bedside, watching the way her breathing had steadied during Tanaka's suggestion. "And you believe this could help with her speech as well? That regaining control over language through writing might transfer to speaking?"
Tanaka nodded confidently. "Your Majesty, the mouth and hand are closely connected. If we can help her form words on paper, it may eventually translate back to spoken language. It's worth trying."
Chang Hao's resolve solidified
Stopping beside Bella's bed, he looked down at her sleeping form, noting the slight relaxation in her features from the calming tincture Tanaka had administered earlier.
Chang Hao's resolve solidified as he watched Bella's peaceful breathing. "Very well, Physician Tanaka. You have my full support on this course of treatment."
He turned back to the doctor with a newfound sense of purpose. "Tomorrow morning, I want you to begin her writing and drawing sessions. Bring in a skilled tutor who can work gently with her condition."
His voice grew firmer as he considered the logistics. "And arrange for the guards to escort her to a private study room when she's ready. No one else will be allowed in during her lessons."
Tanaka bowed respectfully. "An excellent plan, Your Majesty. I will personally oversee the initial sessions to ensure she feels comfortable and safe."
Chang Hao moved to sit on the edge of Bella's bed, his movements careful not to disturb her. He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch tender despite the exhaustion etched on his features.