Medicine | King Baldwin

49

Agnes moved restlessly around her chamber, her steps quick and uneven. Her brow was furrowed, and her hands clenched into fists as she gestured emphatically. Guy stood across from her, his expression hard as they exchanged heated words. Their argument had escalated, with Agnes's voice rising in anger as she vented her frustrations, her eyes flashing with a mixture of fury and desperation.

"She knows, do you understand?" Agnes hissed through clenched teeth, her voice sharp yet restrained as she tried to contain her fury. "I'm certain she knows, and it's only a matter of days before she tells the king this fabricated tale." Her eyes were wild with panic, her anger barely masking the fear beneath.

"Fabricated tale?" Guy scoffed arrogantly. "You devised the entire plan. There's hardly anything fabricated about it." He crossed his arms, watching her as she paced the room in agitation.

His words struck her like a blow, only fueling her frustration. She halted mid-step, glaring at him with venom in her eyes.

"You're just as much a part of this as I am." she spat. "If you want to avoid this all blowing up in our faces, kill the man who did it." Her tone was sharp. She could see the hesitation in Guy's eyes, but she refused to let him back down.

"How exactly do you expect me to do that? He's the king's prisoner!" He stepped forward, his frustration palpable. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he struggled to maintain his composure.

"Either you do it, or I swear by God, we'll be hanging by a noose at my son's hand." The woman's voice trembled, her eyes locked onto Guy's with a fierce intensity.

"That woman has entirely ensnared the king with her cunning. A vile sorceress." the man muttered. "She has bewitched his mind. We find ourselves perilously short on time, and now you demand that I carry out this impossible task while he remains under her thrall." Agnes, equally tense, fixed her gaze on him, her eyes burning with fear.

"Kill him before he starts talking." the woman said firmly, her voice brooking no argument. "Do it swiftly and silently. The longer we wait, the greater the risk of exposure." The finality in her tone left no room for hesitation or debate.

"I'll see what I can do." the man sighed. "And what about the girl?" he asked.

"We won't do anything.. at least for now. We can't afford to draw more attention to ourselves with any actions at this moment." she replied, his tone measured and pragmatic.

Guy nodded before he gave one last, uncertain glance at the woman before turning on his heel and leaving the chamber. The door shut behind him with a final thud, leaving the woman alone with her brewing fury and dark thoughts.

While Agnes and Guy were scheming in the background, the king and William were in Baldwin's chamber, deeply immersed in discussion. Baldwin adjusted the collar of his attire, smoothing out the fabric with practiced precision. William stood behind him, his hands clasped behind his back.

"I remember when you were just a little boy." he began. "You used to absolutely despise dressing up for formal occasions. It was always such a struggle to get you into those elaborate clothes." William's eyes softened with nostalgia as he reminisced about the past.

"I recall those days well." he admitted. "I always felt so confined in those stiff garments. It seemed like such an ordeal back then." Baldwin, who was carefully adjusting his collar, couldn't help but smile at the memory.

"Shall I summon the queen?" asked the older man.

"Yes." Baldwin replied, turning to face him. "Is the carriage ready?" he inquired, to which William nodded in affirmation.