Chapter 169
I said as I gave the letter to the nearest council member. Slowly and slowly they passed it around, till the letter reached Lucian's eyes which were wide with disbelief.
"This is one of Rowan's most trusted guard. Tell them how you got the letter." I said as I nudged him.
I was lucky to have found him, after Rowan had left for battle, he had been posted at the far end of the castle gates as one of the first defenders. It was only when Miriam and I were planning on finding a reliable person to trust to hold as witness that I had remembered him.
He had no idea what had been happening in the castles and he was more than willing to help me. His word would be credible to the council members and Lucian alike.
"I've been stationed at the castle gates ever since the battle against Braam began. The later arrived late last night from the Alpha King's war chief and I was asked to deliver it directly to the Queen. I waited until this morning to deliver it because I was not allowed entry into the castle on account of it being too late."
The council murmured among themselves. After a tense pause, one elder spoke, "The letter looks genuine. We shall wait the three days. If Alpha King Rowan returns in the next three days, there will be no need to worry about who should take the throne."
Lucian's jaw tightened, but he nodded curtly. "Very well."
\-——————————-
Later, as I navigated the dim corridors back to the hidden chamber, Lucian cornered me. His voice was a low growl.
"Where is the brat? Hiding your weakling of a son won't save him."
I stood my ground. Weakling?! First you say I lied about him being my son, now you're calling him a weakling. How long will it take you to admit that he is the rightful heir?! You should abandon all hope that you would ever be King. It's too late."
His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing more, turning on his heel and disappearing into the shadows.
\-————————————-
Back in the chamber, Miriam met me with a grave expression.
"Your Majesty, the baby... he's burning up. His fever is getting worse."
Panic surged through me as I rushed to his side. His tiny body was flushed, his breaths shallow. I tried to channel my healing abilities, but they faltered.
I was too weak to heal myself, how could I heal him?!
"I wish I knew what to do, but I'm only an apprentice, but the royal physician, he would know what to do. We must see him," Miriam said urgently.
I nodded, tears streaming down my face. "Then I must risk seeing him this night, for my son's sake."
...............................
The castle halls were dark and quiet, lit only by the dim flicker of torches mounted on stone walls. I kept my hood low and clutched the edges of my cloak tightly, forcing myself to keep walking even though every step sent pain shooting through my abdomen. My stitches still ached, and my body was weak, but none of it mattered.
My son was burning up with fever, and the royal physician, the only one who could save him, was locked away in the dungeons.
I had to get to him.
My breath caught when I turned a corner and almost collided with one of the guards.
"Halt," he said sharply.
I froze, gripping the stone wall for balance.
"Where are you going?" he asked, eyes narrowing as he stepped closer and pulled back my hood. "Your Majesty?"
"I need to see the Royal physician," I said, trying to stay calm. "Please. My son, the Royal heir is ill. He might die if..."
"You're not allowed to be down here. Prince Lucian asked us to capture you if we ever saw you." His voice turned cold. "You're coming with me."
"No—please—" I tried to twist away, but I was too slow. He grabbed my arm firmly and started pulling me back the way I'd come.
I had no choice but to go with him, praying to the moon above that I'd find a way through this.
When he opened the heavy doors to Lucian's chambers, my former chambers turned his and shoved me inside, I nearly collapsed from exhaustion.
Lucian stood at the window, his back to me. He didn't turn around until the door shut behind me.
"Well, look who's decided to pay me a visit," he said, smiling like a snake. "You've been busy, haven't you, dear Queen?"
"My son has a fever," I said through clenched teeth. "I need the physician."
He turned fully then, walking toward me slowly. "That little thing is still alive? I'm surprised."
"I don't have time for this," I snapped. "Will you at least let me see the Royal physician?"
"Where is that weakling?" he asked, stopping just a few feet away. "Tell me, and maybe I'll consider it."
"No."
"Ariadne," he said, his voice darkening, "don't test my patience. You've done enough harm."
"Do you want your son to die? Is that it? I'm sure if he doesn't see the Royal physician he'll die."
I held my ground, lifting my chin despite the tremor in my legs. "If you release the royal physician and let me see him, I'll leave. I'll take my son and go. You can have your throne, your kingdom, everything. Just let me save my son. I don't want your silly throne anymore. I'm tired."
He studied me, that cold, calculating look in his eyes as if he were measuring the weight of my soul. The silence stretched for what felt like forever.
Finally, he spoke. "And you'll leave quietly? Never to come back again?"
"Yes. Without protest. I'll even leave this night if that's what it takes. Just let my son live."
"And you'll never return? With you or your son? Ever again?"
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