still {on HOLD}

chapter eight

POV of :
Heiress Gabrielle Tiatram-Cealoth

With my uncle locked in the high tower and my husband off lost in the gardens, I was very bored. I played with my long blonde waved hair and watched from my chambers as the children of the palace played and ran along with each other. I was getting ready to run my pearl comb through my hair for the 1000th time that morning when a heavy knock on my wooden door startled me.
"Come in." I said shakily as I tried to catch my breath. I was slightly surprised to see my uncles guard, Benji, at my door. He was supposed to stay at my uncles side at all times during his recovery. No one in any of the kingdoms knew of his sickness except for Benji, the doctor, the medicine man, and I. "Benji, what in all of the hells are you doing here?" I lowered my voice but still seemed to yell at him somehow. I watched him as he cleared his throat, I could tell he was anxious about something.

"It's your uncle, he's just finished his visit with Doctor Momiss and he says that he doesn't think your uncle will recover any. And your uncle sends word for you to visit him immediately. Come, we must go now."
I barely have time to process Benji's words and before I know it I'm throwing on a light cloak and Benji is leading me to the tower where my uncle is.
Within a short time, Benji is pulling me through the crowd of people in the center of the city. The hood of my cloak is up, preventing people from recognizing who I was so they wouldn't ask anything regarding myself or my uncle. My mind must have been spinning out of control because I hadn't even noticed Benji had already begun to lead my up the stone steps at the tower my uncle has been kept in. We finally reached the top of the steps and came to the heavy wooden door that stood between my uncle and I. Despite its thickness, I could hear his coughs through the door. Benji opened it slowly and I cautiously stepped inside.
I looked over at my sickened uncle who was in pain. He gradually turned his head in my direction and his eyes got the slightest bit bigger as he noticed I was there.
"Prudy, you came." He said with a minimally energetic and happy sigh. All I could do was sypathize with him because I knew he was so exhausted.
"Yes, uncle, I came. Benji said you wanted to speak with me?" I said. My uncle gave a light cough.
"Yes, well, as you know, I'm not doing as well as expected. I'm going to die soon and I thank you for respecting my wishes and keeping this secret. But, it's my time and I need you to take over the kingdom for me. Can you do that?" He says, trying to stiffle a cough.

"Yes, uncle, I can."