"Or was it?" He asked me. All I could bring myself to say or think was "How did you know about that?"
He stepped back and paced a little while I watched him with disbelief, fear and even horror. He knew. How did he know?
"How do I know that you poisoned me all through?" He asked me. Then he walked back to where I stood, transfixed and held my chin lightly. "It's quite simple. I am not called the Dark Lord for no reason. What I want to know though, is why you would want me dead, Frieda."
"You killed my father, and you were going to kill me too, if I failed to cure you." I told him, my voice reducing to a whisper.
He pursed his lips again. "I guess that's true. But that doesn't mean you'll get away with it though."
And my heart sank to the depths.
"Do you know the consequences of trying to hurt the king, let alone poisoning him." He asked bringing his face closer to mine.
I laughed nervously. "Execution?"
He threw his head back with a laugh. "No, Darling. That is a very naive answer." Then his eyes darkened. "No one gets away with treason that easily. I'll make sure you don't die, but live the rest of your days wishing you did. I'm sure you know what I'm capable of."
I gulped again, chills running down my spine.
He stood up straight. "So, I could call the attention of my military commander downstairs letting him know about your offense. You'll get arrested of course and thrown into the dungeon where you'll be starved for weeks.
"Then, I'll bring you out in your near death state and revive you only to throw you back there again. In my spare time, I'll entertain my self by chopping off your fingers and stabbing your toes one after the other, day by day until..."
"No please don't." I cried out holding on to his robe unknowingly. I had already broken into a cold sweat hearing all the things he was saying.
"But that's the punishment for your crime Frieda. Either that or you marry me and I brush that whole thing under the carpet like it never happened. It would be a secret between us two."
Again, I looked back up at him in disbelief. "What?"
He nodded. "Yes. I see you're surprised and confused at why I'm being so generous."
I just stared back at him speechlessly.
"I'm only being this kind to you because, I don't have much time left. Your nightshade has really done a number on me and honestly, I don't have much time left. I'd rather spend my last days doing good."
Yes. The nightshade. Even if I married him now, I wouldn't be his wife for long because he would die very soon.
"So, what happens when I marry you?" I ventured with a little boldness. There might be a light at the end of this tunnel after all.
"If you marry me, you'll get crowned as queen immediately and that you shall be after I die, which is in approximately seven days."
My eyes widened in surprise. How did he know about that?
He continued. "If I die, the kingdom remains in your hands to do with it however you will. You can choose to relinquish your right to the throne and go back to Mirideth. Or you can rule the whole of Kerva, if you so desire."
That seemed too good to be true. It couldn't entirely be true. There had to be a catch.
"I don't get it." I started carefully.
His head tilted in question. "What don't you get?"
"This whole arrangement, what do you get from it? What's the point of marrying me if you are going to die in the next seven days?"
He stopped pacing as his face morphed slowly from the usual placid smile to something else, a lost and faraway look. An empty one.
"What I get? Company. It is quite lonely ruling the kingdom all by myself. And besides, it would be nice to get married before I die. I hear people say it is quite the experience." He said the last part with a lighter note.
My brows drew together in apprehension. That couldn't be it. There had to be something he wasn't telling me.
"As the king of Kerva, I know you don't have to go through this kind of means to get company. From what I heard, you already have company, a lot..." I trailed off, not wanting to finish my sentence in case it became offensive.
He looked confused and pointed to himself. "I have company? Surely you don't mean the butler or the elite staff."
I shook my head but I didn't clarify. Somethings were best left unsaid.
"Okay well, in the next seven days I get to be your wife, what is expected of me? Surely you don't expect me to produce an heir by then."
Mr Kellan let out a laugh at the sound of that. I wondered what I had asked that was so funny.
"Now, who's so eager to become my wife? I haven't even thought of this, but if you want to carry my child, I can arrange for that. My strength is waning and I fear I might disappoint you."
All I felt at his words were horror and disbelief. Why would I even want to carry his child? I'd produce tiny version of himself when all I want to do is get rid of him.
"No. I am not interested in carrying an heir. Certainly not yours."
He shook his head like he was speaking with a naughty little child. "Now now, Frieda. If we're going to be husband and wife for the next seven days, we shouldn't despise each other so much. I look forward to having a happy marriage in my last days."
I scoffed. Look who wanted a happy marriage. Someone who was responsible for a lot of unhappiness in the kingdom of Kerva. It was truly ironic.
"So, Frieda. Do you agree or not? Torture or marriage. Choose wisely." The king came to a halt in front of me once again, burning me with his piercing gaze.
I was pretty sure this was going to be a torturous marriage. But it was okay, just for seven days and afterwards, I'd be free to do what I liked. Just a little bit longer Papa. Revenge.
"Marriage." I said calmly, steeling myself for whatever turn things took.
The king smiled enigmatically. "Perfect! I knew you'd make the right choice."
More like I was digging a hole I couldn't come out from.
He walked back and took his seat at the stool behind the piano.
"Now I'd advise you to head to bed right now and get some sleep while you can. Our wedding ceremony comes first thing in the morning."