I watched the silver sunlight make its way through the window and onto the floor. I was sitting on a stool that was a step or two away from the window. I rested my heavy head on my hand and thought about yesterday. I was still so confused, I didn't know what was going on, to be honest, I don't think anyone knew what was happening. The only thing that I did know, was that whatever was going on wasn't good. I could hear my fathers voice echo from the hall outside. It startled me a little, which caused me to almost jump out of my seat. A few moments later William entered the room, his eyes were wide and his skin was a pasty white. He motioned for me to stand and follow him, and so I did. He lead me down the hall to an open door where my father and two Arab men sat at a table. Fathers face was solemnly buried in his hands, and I knew that what was to come next would not be good.
"Take a seat," William said kindly.
I pulled out a chair and nervously sat down, I kept my gaze focused on the floor.
"We have reason to believe that you have leprosy, young prince," one of the men said in a quiet tone. I looked up from the floor in disbelief. Could it be? It can't be true. I've never even around anyone with leprosy, how could I have it? All these thoughts raced through my mind but the only word I could speak was a pitiful, "what..?"
William reached for my hand to reassure me that everything would be okay. But how could thing's possibly be okay?
"We will have to assign you a personal doctor to treat your wounds and watch your condition," said William. I looked at him and then once again back to the floor.
"We're very sorry, my lord," one man said to my father, who was still sitting with his face in his hands.
The men stood up and made their way towards the door before disappearing into the hall. The room stood still, no one moved, and no one spoke. The three of us sat there in silence, contemplating what to do next. I looked to my father, and then to my teacher before breaking the silence.
"What will become of me?" I asked.
My father finally took his face from his hands. He looked at me and I could tell that he had been crying. His tan face was red, and his deep brown eyes were puffy and tired. His nose was pink and his lips quivered with sadness.
"I'm not sure, Baldwin, I'm not sure.." he said, his voice trailing off.
I looked to my tutor who bit his lip and turned his eyes towards the floor. Another wave of silence passed over the room and all that was left to do was sit.
A few long and awkward moments passed before a knock came from the door. I turned around to see who it was. My step mother: Maria entered the room with a upset look on her face. She wore a yellow dress with a sheer white veil and a matching yellow headpiece. Her dark hair was put into two braids and tucked into her veil. She quietly came into the room and took a seat next to my father. She looked at me and gave a warm smile, I smiled back. I loved my step mother, she was really the only mother I had at court. My real mother had been sent away and my father and hers marriage was annulled. My mothers family was not very powerful, but once she married my father that was no longer the case. My fathers counsel thought it wise for her to be sent away, as they feared her taking power through my father and granting her family more wealth and land. I rarely saw my mother, we only got to meet twice a year on Easter and Christmas. That was the only time she was allowed back at court. My step mother tried to comfort my father by placing her hand on his back. She gently stroked his hair as he wept. I noticed that William was crying as well. Before long, my step mother joined in, and cried with them. I do not know why I was able to keep my composure, but I somehow managed to not get emotional. Of course I was very upset, but being young I didn't know just how severe my condition was. I knew it was bad, but not extreme. I carefully stood up and sadly shuffled towards the hall. I kept my head down as I walked, I kept thinking of what was to come of myself and those around me. Would they too fall ill? Would I be sent away? But there was one thought that I could not shake, it followed me around like a dark storm cloud, hovering over my head and slowly driving me insane.
'How much longer did I have to live?'
YOU ARE READING
Chronically King
Non-FictionA young prince, the heir to his father's throne, is diagnosed with a horrific disease. When his father dies unexpectedly he is to lead his new kingdom while battling through his sickness.
