Echoes of The Crown

Chapter 05

Rays of sunlight peaked through the windows and lands upon the flawless skin of the sleeping Princess.
Marzia slowly stirred in her sheets and covered her eyes with the back of her palms as the rays tickle her eyes. Pink plump lips pouting in annoyance.

Sleep had refused to comfort her as anxiety and nervousness had kept her company all night. She had paced to and fro in her room and tossed and turned on her bed all night long, frowning, pondering and questioning everything and anything to understand what the strange letter meant.

Who would want to hurt her? Who would dare to threaten her? Most of all, what do they mean by, '' missed your death once"? Does that mean whatever had happened with the wolves, has something to do with the letter she uncovered? Though she ideally feels furious by the thought that she had made herself some nemesis to another, she can’t help but feel frightened as to what fate might come upon her if such incident like the wolves were to occur again..all planned and schemed out by a person whose identity remains anonymous to her.

Marzia groaned as she squinted her eyes to adjust to the morning lights of her room. She pulled off her sheets and sat up, taking deep breaths.
She needed answers and she needed them fast, because clearly, someone wants her dead and she has no intentions of ever letting them succeed.

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"Do you think it's getting worse?"

The doctor pulls out the needle and presses on a gauze and secures the wound, hoping the medicine works. He sighs at the question and looks at the pale looking figure on the bed, unable to answer him. The doctor looks away "We just don't know how to help you 'Your Majesty'. I'm so sorry". The doctor's eyes filled with grief as he looks at the once Majestic, strong and powerful person known in the entire kingdom, now lying down looking pale, weak and as fragile as a thin glass.

The king suddenly coughs heavy and hard holding his chest and covering his mouth. The doctor quickly helps him by soothing his back up and down. Once the king calms down, both the doctor and the King were shocked to see blood all over the king's palm that was over his mouth.
The king chuckles humorlessly throwing his head back on the pillows and breathes heavily. "Well, clearly your efforts in trying to save me doesn't seem too fruitful my dear friend" the king smiles lifelessly. "Oh dear Bilal.. Please do not lose hope, your highness",the doctor looks at the king and his heart grieves at the state his friend lies.
The Willpower that shown in the king's eyes slowly diminishing with every passing day. It pains Doctor Fahad, to see the king, his best friend at such state, and it is even more painful to know that he failed as a doctor, trying to find a cure to permanently, if not temporarily heal the king.

The doors of the King's chamber opens and a figure walks in, none other than the princess, a soft smile across her face. The king looks at his daughter with adoration for she looks so beautiful, just like her mother. "Good morning my dear father" she says as she bends down to give a warm but gentle hug to her loving father. The king embraces his daughter and kisses her temple, "Good morning my love", he smiled.

"How are you feeling father?" Marzia asks, still in the embrace of her loving father; finding warmth, comfort, and peace in the midst of her worried and anxious heart. The king quickly glances at his doctor with stern eyes, warning him to not say a single word. "Ah! You know me my love, as strong and healthy as ever" he says smiling lovingly at his beautiful daughter.
Marzia looks up at her father and smiles, though the smile doesn't reach her eyes for she knows her father looks more thin and weak than he was days before. She wonders if she should share with the King about what happened the previous day and about the anonymous letter. But decides against it, as she knows he doesn't have enough strength in him to worry more than he already does.

The king caresses his daughter's hair and cups her cheeks, eyes glinting with love. Though Marzia is brave, strong and smart, she's too pure and innocent for the vile, poisonous and cunningness of the people around her, and the king fears, when his daughter needs him the most, he might not be there to hold her and support her. Thus, he needs to act now. He needs to make sure that his daughter is in safe hands.
With people who can protect her and guide her, when he will not be around to do them for her. For he knows that his time is running out fast, but is it faster than the threatened princess’?