In Sickness And In Health (Yandere M. Genius x F. Reader x Yandere M. Prince)

Chapter 15: Heir Apparent

"Please," Presley begged, on his hands and knees in order to convey his desperation, "If you could just go downstairs...Well, don't you think it would be fun?"

It was the coral-haired man's firm belief that, if the orange-haired male could just have some fun, he could get a little better. They said that happiness did wonders to one's health, and, when all kinds of medicine had failed, what harm was there? Mica had told him of the gathering that was to take place that evening, urging him to try his hand at encouraging the boy to attend. And though the man had been trying to convince the boy to go, he hadn't even received a look from him. He shook with pain.

"You could just go for a moment. Just to pick out a jewel. Wouldn't that be nice? You could choose one to - "

The man paused, remembering the threat of death looming over the younger male. He had two months. There was no chance of him being married. No one wanted to surrender themselves to that fate. Even if it had been countless generations since the last time it had happened, no one wanted to risk being killed the moment their royal spouse died. The same could have been said of Presley, the man just as fearful of his own fate when the orange-haired male finally died. It was in his best interest to make sure the boy lived, even for just a day more out of hope.

But the boy had no hope. He hadn't had any for a while. Even if he would smile genially at anyone he passed, he would still feel the mark of death engrained on his flesh. There was no changing that. He would die, and that fact had never left him since the day he had first been told. How young was he again? The first time itself must have been when he was still an infant, but he couldn't remember how old he was when he first understood what it meant.

"Please, your highness," the knight begged, "I only ask for five minutes."

It was not out of the desire to be seen by his subjects. The boy only stood up out of bed and got dressed to appease one out of the two people who had always shown him unconditional love. He felt weak and dizzy, wobbling on his own feet as he tried to walk, even when being supported by Presley. Still, he put up with the pain. Although, even after years of hurt and suffering, the pain didn't numb or become so commonplace that he couldn't feel it anymore. If he had to say, it had just gotten worse year after year.

"You're doing great."

The boy's knight spared no effort trying to make him feel special. He complimented him over and over again as they walked, trying to encourage him to keep going. It was exhausting, but he felt the sincere affection in the man's words, so he tried to live up to his expectations. Presley might have been the only one that ever had expectations for him. Everyone else just gave him looks of sympathy before muttering how tragic he was.

It had been a while since the orange-haired male had walked so far, and even longer since he had worn anything aside from pajamas. Yet, despite that, he had made it, peeking around the corner of the top balcony to see the party. He didn't know what party it was until his great-uncle started to address the crowd. The prince loved his great-uncle, so his heart dropped when he said he had three great-nephews.

That on its own probably wouldn't have hurt so much, but then the man introduced Celith Viro. The prince paused, beginning to shake but not out of physical hurt or illness. He watched as the boy was pushed forward in front of everyone. They began to compliment him and shower him with adoration. It was a completely different feeling, he thought. And when the mention of his father was brought up, once more did the boy get his hopes up, and once more was he left utterly disappointed.

"Incredible," Presley shimmered, looking at the strained royal with excitement, "A new Oracle! Your father has officially named him the new Oracle! Isn't it incredible, your highness?"