The Emperor's Throne

The Emperor's Throne Part 5

The two days proved to be even more excruciating than promised. The emperor's muffled screams echoed throughout his chamber's walls, reverberating in every corner. Every muscle in his body ached, and his head throbbed with unbearable pain. His stomach convulsed violently, his body wracked with unrelenting spasms. His sweat glands worked overtime, drenching the sheets beneath him. Despite all this torment, he refused to yield, fueled by his determination to save his kingdom from destruction.

Emralde was with him all through it. Assisting

On the third night, the worst of it subsided. His breathing gradually slowed, and his chest stopped heaving. Exhaustion washed over him like a tidal wave, and he drifted into a fitful sleep. The following morning, he awoke feeling lighter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. His eyes opened slowly, and he noticed the room was empty except for Emralde sitting quietly in the corner, her head resting on her arms.

As the days passed, Emperor Aegan grew stronger, and the color slowly returned to his previously pale face. His energy levels improved, and he was able to sit up without gasping for breath. Emralde watched over him diligently, ensuring he ate well and received proper rest. She helped him with his daily tasks, including dressing and bathing. As the days turned into weeks, the emperor regained some of his former strength.

On the day of the court meeting, Emralde assisted Aegan in donning his imperial robes. She fastened the brocade sash around his waist, adjusting it perfectly to accentuate his regal stature. He looked at her with a newfound appreciation, acknowledging her unwavering dedication. "Thank you," he muttered softly, his voice still hoarse from the ordeal. "Without you, I might not have made it."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Emralde's lips as she nodded subtly. "It was my duty, sir." She replied, hiding her happiness at his recovery. As they walked towards the court, she couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

Emperor Aegan showed up to his people at a gathering orchestrated by Sato. He showed the officials the ruler who was strong and healthy. As he sat on his throne, no one could tell that he was once the weak and frail emperor who was close to dying. The poison was successfully eradicated out of his system and he was a new man, he would grow stronger day by day until he comes to a full health.

As Aegan stood before his people, his presence commanded respect. The once frail and sickly emperor was now a symbol of strength and resilience. His speech was powerful, full of conviction and determination. His words resonated with the officials, inspiring them to work harder for their nation. Sato stood not far from him, beaming with pride at his master's recovery.

The emperor sat on his throne, his gaze scanned the room full of officials and courtiers. He held himself with confidence, exuding an aura of power that was unmistakable. The poison had been purged from his system, and he felt stronger than he had in months–years. He knew he owed it all to Emralde, who had been his constant source of support during his darkest hour.

The gathering continued well into the night, with Aegan making decisions and addressing concerns with authority. Despite his renewed strength, traces of bitterness still lingered, a constant reminder of the fragility of life. However, he pushed those feelings aside, focusing instead on restoring order within his kingdom.

Emralde watched him from afar, silently congratulating herself for a job well done. And since she had finished her job, the emperor no longer needed her. It was time to leave.

As the gathering disbanded, Emralde slipped away unnoticed. She had accomplished her task and fulfilled her duty. With her wages secured, she set out to start a new life, leaving behind the palace and its political intrigue. The memories of Emperor Aegan remained etched in her mind, a testament to her abilities as a healer. But she knew that it was time to move on, to forge her own path and create a future away from the tumultuous world of the emperor.

When Aegan finally returned to his chambers that night, he couldn't help but think about Emralde. She had come into his life like a whirlwind, bringing hope when he thought there was none left. As much as he hated to admit it, he was grateful for her assistance. Yet, her departure was inevitable. He knew she couldn't stay; she had done her job and earned her wages.

He sighed, sinking into his pillows.

The following days passed by in a blur of meetings and ceremonies. Aegan's health continued to improve, albeit slowly. He began to regain some of his old vigor, though his once-robust stature remained noticeably diminished. His appetite returned, and he started to eat small portions of cooked food again, grateful for the constant care provided by his new attendants.

The palace buzzed with speculation about the sudden turnaround in his condition. Rumors spread like wildfire, some claiming supernatural intervention while others attributed it to divine intervention. His people rejoiced, believing their emperor was truly invincible after all.

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It took several days for Sato's investigation about the mastermind of his emperor's longtime poisoning. One by one, he imprisoned the involved servants after torturous interrogations.
"Your majesty," he knocked twice before entering Emperor Aegan's office.

The emperor didn't look up from the document he was reading when his most trusted delegate entered. He continued to read the file while simultaneously listening to what Sato is reporting.

"It's your cousin Albert, your majesty." He said. Sato set down the reports of his investigation on the emperor's table. "Most of the servants in the castle were his people, he sneakily replaced the old ones with his spies and told them to add poison to your food and water. They were tasked to report your health decline and any activities concerning you, your highness." He paused. "I have replaced all of the servants with new ones that can be trusted." Sato finished.

Emperor Aegan scrunched the paper he was holding.

Aegan's eyes widened in shock as he turned to look at Sato. His cousin, Albert? It couldn't be true. The thought alone sent waves of anger coursing through his veins. "How could he?" he growled, slamming his fist on the table. "This is treasonous! How dare he betray me like this?" His voice trembled with rage.

Rising from his chair, he paced the room, his footsteps echoing loudly on the polished marble floor. His mind raced with revenge. "Find him, Sato. Find him and bring him to me alive. I want him to suffer for this," he vowed, his eyes burning with hatred.

Sato bowed respectfully. "Of course, your majesty. I will personally lead a contingent of soldiers to search for him immediately. It won't be long before we bring him to justice."

Sato hesitated before speaking. "About the healer, your majesty, the knight that you assigned to follow her reported that she was being followed by Albert's men..." He trailed. "Shall I...call her back?" Sato suggested.

Aegan stopped pacing and turned to face Sato, his face a mask of determination. "Yes, call her back," he commanded firmly. "I need her here. She is the only one who can restore my health, and without her, I might not survive."

His voice shook with urgency. "Make sure she's protected at all times. She must not fall into Albert's hands. If anything were to happen to her, I hold you personally responsible," Aegan warned, his eyes flashing dangerously.

Sato bowed again, understanding the seriousness of the situation. "I understand, your majesty. I'll make sure she's protected under my own supervision."