The Rogue Prince

PROLOGUE

"Sire! Sire!" The servant run across the hallway to the throne room.

"Yes! What has happened?" King Audwin stood up expectantly from his throne. The servant kowtowed, but the King was so anxious he forgot to tell the poor girl to rise.

"Well, tell me what has happened?!" He yelled impatiently.

"I'm sorry, sire but the court physician has asked not to speak but only to call you to the hospital wing." She said still bowing down.

"Okay, then rise and lead the way."

"Right this way, sire." She stood up so hurriedly she almost fell down. The king would have laughed but the matter at hand was very delicate so he took no pleasure in seeing the servant trip over herself.

The servant tried her best to walk fast but her short fast strides couldn't match the long strides of the tall, well-built King. That made it seem as if the king was rather leading the servant.

"Hurry up." He grumbled and she immediately started running but even that the King was still able to catch up.

"Over here." She stopped in front of one of the rooms in the hospital wing. The grey door gave the king a bad feeling, he shrugged.

"Think happy thoughts Audwin." He said to himself. Then he pushed the door open with all his might.

"Jeremiah, what is it?" The king approached slowly.

"Your wife has given birth to twins, but I'm not sure she's going to make it. She has lost a lot of blood..." Jeremiah spoke on but the king heard nothing else, everything else was blurred out and the face of his pale wife came into focus.

She's so beautiful, her pale blue eyes and blonde hair complemented her pale white skin. Her voice, the way she walks and talks, everything about her is just perfect. No! No! I can't afford to lose her. My darling, my treasure, meine schatz. He thought as he gently caressed her face. She looked so pale almost as if she was already dead.

"Jeremiah are you sure there's nothing you can do?" He asked desperately as tears trickled down his cheeks.

"Sire, you wife has a very rare blood type, and I don't think I've come across anyone with the same type and in addition i haven't mastered the art of blood transfusion. I'm sorry but there's really nothing I can do."

"Use my blood." He pleaded

"Sire, I cant, she'll die anyway, even more quickly. I suggest you spend your remaining time adequately." Jeremiah said as he exited morosely.

"Audwin." She whispered.

"Yes, my sweet darling." He drew nigh eagerly.

"Take care of them. Love them with all your heart, just as you love me." She said but her voice was barely audible.

"I would, I would. Now stop talking." He said still caressing her face.

"Kiss me." She murmured and he obeyed without hesitation. When their lips parted, she exhaled her last breath.

"Candace? Candace?! Candace?!!" His voice grew in a crescendo but she didn't respond. He tried feeling for her pulse and listening to her heart but he felt and heard nothing. He put his hand near her nose to feel her breath but felt nothing.

"No! She cant be dead! She not supposed to die. We were supposed to raise the children together. How can I do this without her? No! No! No! No!" The magnitude of tears flowing from his eyes increased. He kissed her for the last time and stood up. He stared at her pale beautiful face for the last time as he covered her with the white sheet.

I'm the king I have to be strong. At least they have to see me strong. No one can see me like this not even the servants. He thought as he wiped his tears. He turned to face the grey door and exited.

"See to it that the babies are bathed and placed in the nursery. And inform the court physician that the queen is dead. He knows what to do." He said without turning to face the servant then he slowly returned to the throne room.

I have to be strong. I have to be strong, this empire and my kids need me to be strong. I have to be strong! He took his seat on his throne and stared into nothingness as he strengthened himself for the days ahead.

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