Look at all My Tears

It hadn't even been a fortnight since the coronation when the headaches began. They were mild at first, and when she was busy enough - which was the case most of the time - Alina didn’t even take note of the pain in her head. But soon, the pain grew so much that it became impossible to ignore it, and the headaches started to torment her and wake her up. The pain was like hot daggers, and made her cry the first time. She didn't think much of it though. She did finally go to see a healer who couldn't find anything but told her that it might very well be caused by psychological distress, and Alina gladly accepted that explanation. It was plausible after all, considering her duties as queen and leader of the Second Army and the bloody war with Fjerda.Alina used merzost to revive Mal and has to pay a high price.