Chapter 7 - Long live the King

Respectful of my wishes, she sat down beside me, offering me a warm soup, which I eagerly drank directly from the bowl. Setting up a stool, pail, soap, and sponge, she guided me to the bath where I cleansed myself with a sense of frustration, driving away any servants who attempted to assist me. Angrily scrubbing every inch of my body, I forcefully tossed the sponge back into the pail, feeling a mixture of frustration coursing through me.

Damn it... Again? I stared down at my painfully swollen dick. 

Visiting one of the ladies from the court was not an option anymore. I ran out of those who were willing to spend a brief encounter in the darkish corner years ago when my reputation made it almost impossible to touch a woman. None of them wanted to leave my bedroom half-dead.

I closed my eyes and grabbed it in both hands. 

Valleria's naked body appeared in my mind like a beloved image burned into my memory. Her legs, hips, waist, and breasts. Her smile - so sincere and genuine. And on top of that all, the feeling of the warmth of her body leaning against mine as she tried to soothe my fever.

I wanted her so much, but instead, I let out a low moan as I began to do it on my own. The sensation was intense, and I could feel myself nearing the brink much sooner than I would think. With a quiet grunt, I arched my back and squirted onto the floor in a large explosion.

After initial relief, I felt a wave of horror washing over me as I realized how much had come out. I scrambled to clean up the mess with a damp cloth, wringing it out into a nearby bucket. I changed into fresh clothes and left the room, hoping that no one would notice the mess I left behind.

Christian stood patiently in the dimly lit hallway, his posture reflecting formality and deference. 

I have never in my life met a man more loyal to the crown than this one. If he realizes that the killer was no one but me, he will surely try to avenge the king's death with his own sword.

As he bowed slightly, I sensed the weight of his words before they escaped his lips. 

"The king is dead, long live the king," he proclaimed, his right hand solemnly placed over his heart. I simply nodded, accepting his words. 

"Tell me he has been caught," I demanded quietly, looking into his eyes. Christian hesitated before shaking his head, his gaze directed towards the floor. 

The urgency in my voice rose as I explained: "Our allies cannot discover that he evades punishment. Gather two inmates condemned to death from the dungeons and prepare their execution before the royal funeral. I will personally deliver their sentence," Determined, I turned away and proceeded forward, Christian trailing behind me like a shadow.

As we approached the main room, his inquisitive voice broke through the tense silence and forced me to stop once again:

"I will do as you command. Marco has set the royal funeral for Sunday and the coronation will take place two weeks later. In the cathedral," He lowered his voice, "Your majesty, what happened, that day?" He then asked quietly.

Killing my father was just one of many sins I added to the pile. But lying to one of my loyal subordinates weighed heavily on me.

"He has come to claim Valleria, you know that already. I was - quite busy, I only noticed when he was already behind father, with dagger in hand. And before I could come to help, he leaped through the window with the chair, and disappeared in the darkness. I thought I made it in time, but as he turned around, I noticed his neck was already cut through," I explained and entered the room.

"And what about her?" He asked again quietly, glancing in her direction.

Valleria was standing by the bed helping the maid change the dumped sheets, despite the girl's protests and pleas. 

"She's mine. I'll keep her," I said quietly without any room left to deconstruct my decision.