"Guards!" I urgently called out for the personal royal soldiers and guards of my chambers, after I was sure my father was in no state to resist.
"Kingslayer! He escaped to the gardens! Storm the barracks, and close the gates! Bring a fucking medic to treat the king!" I screamed at them, holding the half-dead body to the ground.
The Doctor didn't make it in time, obviously. He had no choice but to pronounce the king dead and move to treat my wound instead. There was confusion everywhere. Guards in each other's way, maids trying to wash the blood off the floors and furniture.
Doctor cut the thread, smeared the wound with ointment, and tied it off with a bandage.
"The guards at the gate reported that someone had hurried out of town before midnight. I sent a troop of horsemen after him," Christian ran in the door to report to me.
Perfect.
I let out a chain of swears and pulled clean trousers over my bandaged thigh. There is no space to waste time.
"My lord, you shouldn't strain your leg, the wound will open and..." The Doctor began as I started for the door, surrounded by guards. I ignored him and stormed out of my rooms.
"Where is Marco? Wake him up. Get him to start planning the royal funeral and coronation. Call a council..." Determined to take immediate action, I pushed through the pain and instructed the preparations for my next action.
It all happened so fast that I had a brief respite in my chambers only the next afternoon. I took a doctor with me, who cared for my wound, and took his leave with a bow.
Valleria sat with a book by the window, seemingly unbothered by my arrival. The maids had cleaned up the shards and the blood, there was a new carpet in the middle of the room, the window was already repaired and the chair back in its place.
I laid on the bed, completely drained, unable to find sleep despite my exhaustion. My thigh pulse with an unrelenting ache, causing sharp discomfort. I tried my best to remain motionless, disregarding the pain, but it persisted, refusing to let me find any rest.
Sensing my distress, she approached and sat beside me, her presence calmed my mind a bit as I got something else to focus on.
"You need to drink. It's just water with honey and lime juice," she said, handing me a glass. I was surprised by her concern; we had been avoiding each other for weeks. I took a sip, and handed it back, grateful for her care. Leaning closer, she touched my forehead. Her hands were comforting and warm.
"Are you feeling cold? Should I call the doctor?" she asked, feeling my cold fingers, holding them a bit longer than necessary. I shook my head, closing my eyes, desperately seeking for the pain to go away. There is nothing he can do now.
The chill seemed to seep into my bones as I pulled the blanket tighter. Without hesitation, she sent the maids out of the room and placed her own blanket over me before returning to the edge of the bed.