Edited by: Kuro and Lille
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It took Grey a week to recover. It was a painful week, but not enough to say it was the most painful thing he had ever gone through. Even so, Dean cared for him like he was the most fragile person. It was quite heartwarming to see.
During his recovery, Grey handed Dean all of the documents that were in Queen Meredith's and Consort Ceanna's underground room. They were going to bring all that and the other information that Dean could gather straight to the King.
The King was about to die and his other sons were in charge of running the kingdom. Grey wanted to see King Maverick's reaction to the document that stated how his wives were poisoning him.
After resting for a few more days, Grey and Dean went to the main castle together. They had already requested an audience with King Maverick beforehand.
It was the first time Grey had visited the King. In the world plot, Ameer killed the King first before killing the other members of the Royal family. The only blood relative he left alive was Noah. Grey changed this, so it took some time for him to visit King Maverick.
Grey and Dean were wearing matching outfits. When they arrived at the castle together, everyone was shocked. Did the two team up?! When did this happen??? Many thoughts rolled into people's minds, however, they all knew that one had to know when to keep their mouth shut to survive in the castle or the nobility.
Grey was wearing an outfit that was similar to what Dean was wearing when they first met. It was white with gold decorations instead. Dean wore a similar outfit, but it was light grey with green decorations.
With Grey's light blond hair, it looked like it glistened in the sunlight and gave him an ethereal feeling. Next to the cold Prime Minister, Grey seemed like he was bathed in warmth.
The two's contrasting appearances caught everyone's attention. When they saw that they were guided to the King's chambers, everyone couldn't help but gossip.
What was going on? Was the Prime Minister taking sides? Wasn't his family always neutral? What was going on?! Everyone wanted to know.
The person who was escorting Grey and Dean was an old chamberlain named Bernard. No one knew his last name though. He had short white hair that was slicked back so perfectly, there wasn't a single strand of hair sticking out. He also wore an old-fashioned butler outfit with a tailcoat. It wasn't popular anymore but he looked good in it.
He had been accompanying King Maverick since he was a Prince. He mostly attended to King Maverick, but he had a lot more say than even the Queen and Consort Ceanna.
Chamberlain Bernard smiled and politely bowed. "Your Highness Prince Ameer, and Prime Minister Glemont, it's quite rare to see you both together."
It wasn't just rare, it was simply unheard of with Ameer being on the battlefield most of the year and Dean being in the capital all year round.
"We just happened to meet each other recently." Grey gave a bow back. "Since we both have something to say to His Majesty, we decided to get an audience together."
His words didn't hide any intent and were straightforward. The chamberlain smiled and didn't say anything more to Grey.
It didn't take very long for them to get to the third floor where King Maverick lived. There weren't a lot of servants, only some cleaning the halls and other rooms. King Maverick's room was at the end of the hallway.
Chamberlain Bernard knocked on the door. "Your Majesty, I have brought His Highness, Prince Ameer, and Prime Minister Glemont."
"Let them inside." The voice was extremely hoarse and deep. His voice was permanently damaged, and even medicine couldn't save his throat.
When Grey and Dean entered the room, it was dreary. The curtains were closed, so the room was dark. The windows were not open so it was slightly humid. It felt like the air was stagnant, wondering when King Maverick had fresh air. The bed was to the mid-right, away from the window. There was a white canopy over the bed. It was opened at the side, so they could see King Maverick lying in bed.
King Maverick, who once had blond hair and blue eyes, looked like a skeleton with a skin covering. His skin was wrinkled and his hair was gray and thin. He looked like he would die if a gust of wind came through the window.
"Prince Ameer, Prime Minister… come inside. I apologize for not being able to get up." A series of coughs resounded through the room. Talking strained his throat, but he knew he had to do the bare minimum.
"No need to apologize, Father," Prince Ameer said in an extremely dry tone of voice.
King Maverick didn't say anything about his rudeness. He knew that he had no right to say anything. It was enough to be called "father" just this once.
Grey and Dean entered the room. The chamberlain closed the door and waited outside.
"Now that everyone else is gone, what do you want?" King Maverick slightly moved his head so that he could see Grey and Dean.
When he saw Grey, he saw a bit of himself, but he mostly saw the love of his life, Fiona Blythe. Fiona was a beautiful woman with long, light pink hair and red eyes. She reminded him of a little rabbit, scared of everything and everyone. But in front of him, she was sweet and kind. She didn't like to fight, but she was stubborn. Her views of life were shaped by her many years of living in the countryside. She was a breath of fresh air to him.
In the end, he could not protect the love of his life. Back then, he felt that his crown was more important, but as he laid on this bed he realized he was stupid. How could the crown be more important when he was lying on this bed dying? He couldn't even have his love by his side. He knew he was unworthy, but he wanted to see her one last time.
"Looking at you all grown up—" He coughed a couple of times before continuing, "You look just like your mother."
Grey didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say to the man who not only turned his back on Ameer's mother but did nothing to protect him.
Dean interjected himself into the conversation. He didn't want King Maverick to continue looking at Grey with those ambiguous eyes. "Your Majesty, we came here to show you something."
Grey pulled out two contracts between Queen Meredith and Consort Ceanna. The first one was about poisoning Consort Fiona during her pregnancy and the second one was about poisoning King Maverick.
"Hold it for me." King Maverick stated while looking at Dean.
"Of course, Your Majesty." Dean held it close to King Maverick's face, just enough for him to read them.
King Maverick didn't say a word as he read through each contract. They were simple. Queen Meredith would get the poison while Consort Ceanna would administer it. If they said anything about it, the two would be punished by the magic contract. The punishment was their death.
Seeing the magic coming off the contracts, King Maverick knew these contracts were legit.
He closed his eyes, signifying that he was done looking at them. He didn't say anything for a really long time.
Dean took the magic contracts away and held on to them. The two stood by the bed in silence, waiting for King Maverick to say something.
After what felt like 30 minutes, King Maverick finally spoke up, "The irony. I did nothing to help Fiona even though I loved her so much. Now, I'm being killed by the same people who want the throne I tried so hard to protect. This is my retribution."
He tried to laugh, but every time he laughed, a cough came with it. Even so, he felt like the biggest joke of the century. His eyes had become bloodshot red from his laughing and coughing fits, but he still pushed through. He was laughing at himself, his situation, and his whole life...
When King Maverick finally calmed down, he took some deep breaths and slowly grabbed onto Grey's pants. "Ameer… Has your curse been cured?"
"It has, Your Majesty."
"Good... Call Chamberlain Bernard to the room. I want to write down my will."
"Understood, Father." Grey gently grabbed King Maverick's hand and held on to it. He didn't know what else to do. "Dean, if you could…"
"Of course," Dean replied.
He stepped away from the bed and went to the door. He lightly knocked on the door.
The chamberlain opened the door at the sound of the knock.
"His Majesty would like to see you, Chamberlain."
"Of course, please excuse me." Chamberlain Bernard entered the room. He gave a light bow and then made his way to the bed.
The chamberlain was older than King Maverick, so he had a head full of white hair, but he looked younger than the sick King. His brown eyes were still energetic as his life purpose was to take care of King Maverick.
"Your Majesty, your servant is here."
"My old friend, take out the official paper to write down my will. I want you to be the one to write it and let the officials know of my last words."
The Chamberlain was shocked, but he knew what he had to do. "Of course, Your Majesty!"
He quickly left to go to the King's study that was across the room. He opened a drawer in the desk and grabbed a large piece of paper. It was already enchanted with magic. He also brought a special pen and a small table to write on.
Chamberlain Bernard came back to the room and sat down on a stool near the bed. It was the one he always sat on when he talked with the King.
King Maverick struggled to sit up. Grey and Dean helped him sit up.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Let them all know. The one who will inherit this throne will be my third son, Prince Ameer Lux. He will be the Crown Prince until his coronation. As for Queen Meredith and Consort Ceanna, abolish my marriage with them and charge them for their crimes!"
King Maverick was so exhausted, but he knew he could not die until he uttered his last words.
"If Prince Lawrence or Prince Tobias dare to inherit the throne, allow Prime Minister Dean to usurp the throne. On my dying breath, they must not be able to inherit my kingdom!"
After that, King Maverick slumped to the side, exhausted. He passed out, but he was still alive.
After Chamberlain Bernard quickly wrote down the will in more official terms, he stood up and helped King Maverick back into a more comfortable lying position.
"Your Majesty, this servant will respect your wishes and see through to them even if he dies!"
The will already had King Maverick's signature on it. It seemed he was ready to write his will down. Also, the magic on the paper made it so that it only recognized King Maverick and Chamberlain Bernard.
Once the will was completed, it could not be changed or destroyed.
"Crown Prince Ameer, Prime Minister Dean, as our witnesses today, we must leave this room and fulfill His Majesty's wishes."
"Understood, Chamberlain." Grey and Dean replied at the same time.
"Good, let us leave King Maverick to rest. I will call all the officials and members of the Royal family to the throne room. You two wait there."
At the Chamberlain's orders, Grey and Dean left the room with the Chamberlain and went to the throne room. On their way there, Grey took out a pre-written letter and called for his hawk. He tied the letter to its foot.
He gave his orders, "Give this letter to Noah." Then he handed him a treat.
The little hawk happily ate the treat and quickly flew out the window. It was fast and small, so it was hard to see.
"This is just the beginning."