The Orphan And The Crown

34

"I sent my driver to get you. Be ready in five minutes." He said before hanging up.

"What happened?" Mum asked.

I stood unblinking, trying to process everything. "The King is dying. He is on his deathbed."

Gasps escaped their lips with looks of terror crossing their faces.

"I-it can't be," Kate said in a whisper but still audible.

Mum huffed and stood up to embrace me in a warm hug. "How tragic. I can't imagine what they are going through."

In less than half an hour I was at Wintermoor Castle, trudging to the King's chambers with the King's assistant Amy leading the way. My pulse was racing and I mentally prepared myself for what was to come. As we turned around the corner, we were faced with large doors leading to the King's room. There were several servants and guards guarding the room. The air crackled with tension and melancholy. Alessandro exited the chambers and his eyes met mine. My heart shattered at the sight of him. He looked disheveled with his hair messy, the sleeves of his pure white shirt rolled up and his eyes were red and puffy.

I hurriedly walking to him and leaned forward to embrace him in a tight hug. He squeezed me and his arms tightened around my waist.

"I'm here, my love." I whispered in his ear.

"H-he's dying." His voice broke. He pulled away and I met his glistening eyes.

I took his hand in mine, caressing it. "I know how tough this is but it will be alright." I gave him a sad smile.

He looked down, blinking away his tears before meeting my eyes again. "We have to go see him." He said and I nodded. We walked towards the chambers and the guards opened the doors.

My breath hitched in my throat when I saw the King sleeping in his bed, looking frail and pale. Alexandra sat next to him, gripping his hand in hers and tears were streaming down her cheeks. Rafael sat on a couch in the corner with his head in his hands. He looked up and smiled weakly when he saw me. We walked closer to the King's bed and Alexandra stood up to give me a motherly hug.

"I'm sorry." I whispered with tenderness. She nodded wiping her tears.

"Father." Alessandro cleared his throat. "Gia is here." He announced.

The King's eyes slowly fluttered opened. "Please come closer." His voice croaked out as he smiled weakly. He lifted his hand a bit with all his strength, motioning for me to sit next to him.

I held his hand in mine and he gave it a light squeeze. He was struggling to breathe and keep his eyes open. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this." He whispered.

A tear rolled down my cheek at how weak he looked. It broke my heart to see him like this. All the colour had drained from his face and his pink lips had turned white. I met his blue eyes that were slightly open.

"Please don't apologise your majesty." I replied. He coughed a bit and tried to catch his breath.

"I wanted to see you because I'm giving you and Alessandro my approval." He revealed. I blinked rapidly trying to process it. Alessandro stood next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. He looked down at me and gave me a slight smile.

"I gave Alessandro my blessing to marry you." He continued. "You are a good woman with a good heart. I know you will make my son happy and rule this nation by his side."

I couldn't stop the tears that streamed down my cheeks. I always imagined the King finally agreeing to our relationship but I never wanted it to be under such hard circumstances.