The Princess and Her Whipping Boy

The King's Request

Cronan's heart thudded in his chest at the girl's words. Surely he had hear wrong. The king was strong, not even in his fourtieth year yet. But the girl spoke again, her eyes wide and frightened.

"They say he will not see the sun rise of a new day. You must go to him, Silas."

Silas glanced at Cronan, his face losing its colour from the shock of the news. And their thoughts were in union. Rosalina. Turning, the three of them rushed to the king's room.

The king was sitting up in his bed, surrounded by the royal physician and all his assistants. His body was bent over as he vomited into a basin the assisstants held out for him. As Cronan and Silas approached, their footsteps slowing, their hearts leapt in their throats. The king was spewing black blood.

Rosalina sat by his side, surprisingly calm as she wiped his mouth and rubbed his back. But her face was a deathly white, betraying the shocked and fearful emotions within her.

King Warrick sank back into the pillows. His face was a ghastly palid colour and his hair was plastered to the sweat that dripped from his brow. He raised his gaze as Cronan and Silas entered, and a bitter smile played across his lips.

"I will not see you become my son through marriage" he spoke, his eyes fixed upon Silas. "But be strong and stand by my daughter. Aid her and protect her. That is all I ask." He turned to Rosalina. He stared at her for a long time in silence, as his gaze softened and he smiled fondly. "Rosie, my little flower. Take care and never forget all I strived to teach you. Your father is sorry, so, so sorry."

Rosalina sobbed, the tears finally falling. At this, the king wept silently, pulling his beloved daughter close and resting his head upon hers.

"Stay safe and live long, baby girl." He gently drew away and turned to look towards Cronan. "Everyone leave us. I will speak with Cronan alone."

Cronan started, as he felt everyone's gaze glance at him before staring back at the king. Then, confused and wondering, they all bowed and slowly departed to wait outside the room. Cronan watched them go, his heart growing heavy with dread. Why would the king send everyone away in his dying moment to speak with a mere slave? He looked up, his eyes wide and fearful as the king beckoned him to draw closer.

King Warrick smiled. "There is no need to fear me, Cronan. I am but a weak dying man. But listen close, for I fear I have much to say and very little time."
His face became sorrowful as he lay back. "I know what Rosalina truly is. I know there is a darkness in her heart, a dark shadow that creeps over her mind. I know of the lust of power and cruel desires in her heart. I have feared for her. I wished nothing more than to leave someone in my stead, someone who understood her, someone who would care for her no matter the monster inside. Someone with loyalty and love in their heart. I will not ask that you forgive me for what I put you through, Cronan. I cannot ask for that, for I know I have no right. I should not have used Rosalina's empathy against her. Instead, I should have made her face the consequences of her own actions and taught her responsibilty. But I could not bare to discipline her. The heavens know what pain she will go through in the years to come." He paused, as he reached out to take Cronan's trembling hands. "I wish to thank you for answering a dying man's prayer. I can go in peace, knowing I leave behind someone who can keep my daughter from losing her sanity. For I know my death will destroy her. So, I must beg you, Cronan. Rebuild her again. Let her lean on you and become strong again. I do not ask that you tie your life to her, far from it. Heal her, then guide her into Silas's arms, and leave without looking back.
I will not deny my child is a monster, but she is a monster I love with all my heart. I can not leave until I know her future shows a hope that mine did not. She must let the council respect her, and live."

Cronan nodded, his throat too thick with emotion to find the strength to speak. The king's grasp about his hands tightened.

"I know you love her, Cronan" he whispered, his voice growing weaker. "But it is not a true love when there is more hurt than happiness. Let Silas take her, for that is his fate, not yours. Go and live your life as your own."

His voice faded and his eyes slowly closed. Then with a gentle sign, his head slumped forward and his grip on Cronan's hands loosened. In a panic, Cronan sprang to his feet, screaming out for the physician. People flurried in about him, but the world seemed to sway and blur as Cronan slowly backed away. He knocked against the bedside table, causing the water in the wash bowl to splash over the sides. It stung his hands painfully, but he paid no need. He could hear Rosalina's anguished wails as she flung herself at her father's body and screamed at him to awake. Silas drew her away, holding her close in his arms as she struggled and tore at her hair.

Bowing his head, Cronan left them, fleeing to the stables where he could mourn alone.