A King's Love

6

"She left a few minutes ago."
"I thought you said an hour ago," he stated.
"Ye..yes, I meant to say an hour ago," he stuttered head bowed avoiding his gaze.

"Where is the guard assigned to her door?" He boomed.
"I had gone to the bathroom your highness," he explained looking frightened.
"You best get moving in search of her or do you need another bathroom break," he snapped making the man quickly rush off. "John by the time I reach the palace you better have produced results," he said slowly and clearly for the other individuals there to hear.

Walking out of the room he headed to his car relaxing in the backseat. But that was all a facade because deep within he was losing his mind thinking of her state and her walking out there all alone.
He knew that she would be wearing the red summer dress he had chosen for her. He had made sure to get a loose fitting one for her bandages but one that still showed off her beauty but not enough to give away his true intentions when he got it for her.

His gaze was fixated on the window as they blurred past the buildings driving out of the city taking the route they had found her on. She would most likely be heading in that direction since her father's house was in the outskirts of the city unlike most of his councilman. He caught sight of a bus stop booth but it wasn't that which really caught his eye as he let out the breath he had been holding, fear creeping up whilst he looked at the still figure.

She was lying down on a bench all alone. He knew she had most likely stopped there to get out of the heat as he got out of the car trying his best to maintain his cool.
Quickening his step towards her he crouched down to her level to see her covered in perspiration, her breathing coming out in short gasps.

"Rudo," he said in a voice he himself did not recognize before clearing his throat. "Put your arms around me," he whispered as she reached out to him without acknowledging who it was. The bottle of pain medication fell onto the ground spilling its contents as his mind went to the worst possible conclusion. How many pills had she taken in that short space of time?

Letting out a huff he carried her towards the waiting car his men preoccupied with checking their surroundings.
"To the palace, now," he snapped when the car was about to be turned to head back to the city.

Without another word they reached the palace as he summoned the very maid everyone hated, Vimbai. This girl had grown up in the palace her mother having had raised him better than his own. She was the only one he trusted thus everyone despised her for his favor upon her.

"Take care of my friend will you," he said. Having checked the bottle of pills from earlier he had them counted and found only two missing before they replaced the batch with a new one..
Four hours later a worried looking John arrived.
"Forgive me your highness but we cannot locate the girl."
"I have it under control. Take the rest of the day off," he murmured not even looking at his assistant.

Informed that dinner was ready he stood leaving the palace going to where she was. He stepped into the room finding Vimbai coaxing Ru to eat some porridge which she was clearly refusing. The doctor had informed him she had to stay away from solid foods for a while.
"Go have your supper V," he said softly.
Once the door was closed he took a seat right beside her watching her stiffen.

"Why did you discharge yourself?"
She remained silent looking conflicted as he sighed taking the bowl.
Lifting the spoon to her lips she kept them shut looking bewildered at him.
"Are you going to refuse your king the honor of feeding you?" He said in a serious tone trying his best not to smile in triumph when she parted her lips.

"I think thus far, you are the only one with the ability to keep me on my toes Ru. You really scared me by running off in your condition," he said watching her struggle to swallow the very spoonful he had fed her.
Taking a spoonful himself he found the porridge bitter in taste to his horror.
Reaching for a glass of water he helped her drink some to wash out the taste from her mouth before following suit.

Stepping out he sent a guard to get some soup whilst the head cook was called for. He watched as the man rushed towards him his gaze zooming in on the bowl in his hand.
"I want you to have a taste of this," he stated.
"As you wish your highness," the man said with a small bow.
Grabbing the plate he took a spoonful as his face scrunched up in disgust.

"Delectable is it not, please have some more," he said through clenched teeth.
The man looked at him in fear as he took another spoonful of the food.
"Which pot was used to create such a catastrophe? Please tell me that with your skill set you did not make this," he said as the cook swallowed the fourth spoon.
"You highness one of my juniors prepared this," he said. "Forgive me for his mistakes," he said in apology. "Bring the idiot and the pot here, now!"

From the shouting Rudo was not impressed it was after all simple stupid porridge. No need to create a scene over the matter. Falling asleep she left them to attend to their porridge as the king instructed the young man to finish off his poisonous creation himself under the watchful eye of two guards.

Returning he found her asleep realizing he had let his anger get the best of him. Leaving her he returned to his room passing his angry looking wife on the way. She looked far beyond angry but one could not miss the smirk she tried to hide...

How was the chapter.
Short? Yes 🙈.