The palace was silent.
Too silent.
The kind of silence that carried a weight, heavy and foreboding, pressing against the hearts of everyone who walked its grand halls.
Something was wrong.
---
The King's Collapse
Magnus was the first to notice.
King Aldric sat at the war council table, listening as his advisors droned on about the ongoing tension between Eldoria and its neighboring kingdoms. His face was drawn, the deep lines on his forehead more pronounced than usual.
Magnus watched him carefully, calculating as always.
The king had not been himself lately. His once commanding voice now lacked its former strength, his posture slouched ever so slightly. And today, he seemed even worse.
Magnus leaned forward. "Your Majesty, perhaps we should—"
King Aldric's hand suddenly trembled. His fingers clutched at the goblet of wine beside him, but he barely had the strength to lift it.
The room stilled.
Then—
The king's breath hitched.
His eyes rolled back.
And before anyone could react, he slumped forward, his head hitting the table with a thud.
Gasps echoed through the chamber.
"Father!"
Eva was on her feet in an instant, rushing toward him.
Magnus stood quickly, feigning concern. The other advisors scrambled, shouting for the royal physicians.
The king's chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths. His skin had gone ashen.
Eva shook him gently. "Father? Father, wake up!"
But King Aldric did not stir.
---
The Palace in Panic
The news spread like wildfire.
"The king has collapsed!"
"His Majesty is gravely ill!"
Servants whispered behind doors. Nobles gathered in hushed circles. The guards stood tense, waiting for orders.
By midday, the entire kingdom knew.
And by nightfall, uncertainty loomed over Eldoria like a storm cloud.
---
Eva's Desperation
Eva paced outside her father's chambers, her fists clenched.
The physicians had been inside for hours.
No word. No update.
Her stomach twisted with dread.
This was her father. The man who had raised her, protected her—even when they didn't always see eye to eye. The thought of losing him made her sick.
"Princess."
She turned sharply.
Gareth stood beside her, his expression unreadable.
"They won't let me in," Eva muttered.
Gareth exhaled. "They're doing everything they can."
Eva pressed her hands to her temples. "This isn't happening. It can't be happening."
Gareth hesitated before placing a hand on her shoulder. "He's strong. He'll pull through."
Eva let out a shaky breath. "I don't know what I'd do if…"
She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Gareth gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"You'll never have to find out."
---
Magnus' Hidden Smile
Across the palace, Magnus stood by the window in his private chambers, swirling a goblet of wine in his hand.
A slow, satisfied smirk curled at his lips.
The king was dying.
His plan was unfolding perfectly.
With Aldric's health failing, chaos would follow. Uncertainty. Fear.
And fear was exactly what Magnus needed.
He would whisper doubts into the ears of the nobles. He would sow discord among the council. He would make them question whether a dying king could still rule.
And then—
He would take everything.
---
Lucian's Unfinished Battle
Deep in the forests, miles away from the palace, Lucian sat by the fire, sharpening his dagger.
He should have been focused on their next move.
On survival. On revenge.
But his mind was elsewhere.
On her.
Eva.
Had she made it back safely? Had Magnus punished her for helping him escape? Was she—
"Lucian."
Tobias' voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Lucian glanced up as Tobias crouched beside him. "We need to move soon. We can't stay here forever."
Lucian grunted in response, but Tobias wasn't fooled.
"You're worried about her," Tobias said.
Lucian scowled. "I'm worried about what Magnus will do to her for helping me."
Tobias smirked. "Right. That's why you haven't slept in two nights."
Lucian shot him a glare.
Tobias laughed, shaking his head. "Face it, Lucian. You're gone for her."
Lucian didn't respond.
Because deep down—
He knew Tobias was right.
---
A Daughter's Plea
Eva finally pushed past the guards.
She stormed into her father's chambers, ignoring the physicians' protests.
King Aldric lay in bed, his breathing weak.
He looked smaller somehow. Fragile.
Eva swallowed the lump in her throat and took his hand.
"Father," she whispered.
His eyes fluttered open. For a moment, there was only silence.
Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he murmured, "Eva."
Tears pricked at her eyes. "I'm here."
A weak smile ghosted his lips. "You always were… stubborn."
Eva let out a choked laugh. "Runs in the family."
A pause. Then—
"Eva," he said again, his grip tightening ever so slightly. "Listen to me."
Her heart pounded. "Don't talk like this. You're going to be fine."
But his eyes darkened.
"You must be careful," he rasped. "The people around you… Magnus…"
Eva stiffened.
"Don't trust him."
Her blood ran cold.
"I know," she whispered.
Aldric's eyelids drooped. His strength was fading.
Eva's throat tightened.
"Please," she begged. "Stay with me."
But the king only exhaled weakly—
And fell back into unconsciousness.
---
The Kingdom on Edge
The days passed.
The king remained bedridden.
The court buzzed with uncertainty.
Magnus watched. Waited.
And in the shadows—
Danger loomed.