Pratapendra sat up on therge bed. He was being tended to by the royal doctor after his copse a few days ago. The days were a blur in the pce as his son took charge of the affairs in the Empire under hismand.
Nothing major happened because he woke up quickly after copse But Pratapendra could feel his strength seeping away from his body. It was like he was racing towards his death. He could feel it.
He smelled of herbal medicine. Hepiled with the doctor even though he knew that it wouldn''t be able to save his life. He looked out at the beautiful sky from his room.
The truth of different incidents still hurts him very much. He was an ipetent ruler, a bad father and grandfather. He felt ashamed that he med the former emperor for the death of his daughter when he couldn''t protect her.
He had to admit that the former emperor was lenient towards him despite his outrageous attitude.
The worst thing was that he had abandoned his own grandson. The child that didn''t do anything wrong bying to the world. His daughter would have loved him very much if she were alive.
''I am the worst.'' he thought to himself.
There were dark circles under his eyes. He looked tired from all the years of rule. He wanted to rest but he still had a job toplete. He wanted to give his son the ce he deserved. It was his ipetence that held him back.
He knew it was toote for him to rectify the problems that he created. Despite this, his mind was already working on a solution.
The doctor looked at him and put down a cup of herbal tea beside his table. Experience more on м??
"Your Majesty, drink this slowly." He gestured to the cup of tea.
Pratapendra didn''t reply and hummed in response. His thoughts were focused on one thing.
The doctor didn''t say a word after that. He also knew the king was in this stage after the copse. He was barely eating and drinking anyway.
He couldn''t find any traces of poison. This was odd even for him, as the king''s condition was deteriorating day by day.
''I should inform the prince about this and get my Master here.'' He thought.
The royal doctor''s master was a previous royal doctor and retired a long time ago. He lived alone in a secluded ce in the kingdom, tending to his smallnd with some herbs.
He was a knowledgeable old man. He was stubborn but he would travel to the capital if the prince or king requested him to do it.
''Damn him!! If only he stayed in the capital instead of going to some forest. That old fox.''
The royal doctor turned to leave.
Pratapendra suddenly spoke up.
"Do a favor for me, Doctor."
He turned around quickly. The voice was small and weak.
"What is it? Your Majesty? Should I call the prince?" He asked in an urgent voice.
Pratapendra coughed.
"No need to call him. But where is he now?"
"He went out for some inspections."
"I see. He is such a diligent boy."
Pratapendra turned serious. "Call the prime minister toe by." He ordered in amanding voice.
"Oh.. Harichandan is in the pce wanting to meet you for a few days. He has beening by daily."
"I see. Tell him toe right now."
The doctor bowed slightly. "Understood,"
"Also send a message to my son toe back to the pce."
The doctor went out, nodding and obliging to hismand.
Pratapendra nced back at the blue sky. He resolved himself for the worst.
Harichandan appeared in his room in a short while at hismand.
He had the same mocking smile on his face. He didn''t know that the Pratapendra knew about the truth.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," he said, doing a curt bow. "How are you doing?"
"You are here. I am doing fine. How is the situation in the kingdom?"
Harichandan smile turned sour quickly at that question. He shrugged and sighed.
"The prince still doesn''t know how to manage the kingdom. I think he needs some help."
"Hoo. Is that so? Who do you rmend for the job?"
Harichandan looked up with a wry smile. "Who else is better than me at this job? If you may, I shall help the prince with all my knowledge."
Pratapendra sighed deeply. "That child, when will he learn to lead a kingdom?"
"Anyway, I shall give you control to be the regent in case he takes a bad decision."
He shuffled around looking for something.
Harichandan had a bright look. His dreams of power were this close topletion.
"Come, here. I shall give you the seal of power."
The seal of power granted the royal power to the person that had it. It was usually passed to the heir by the king during coronation.
He smiled and approached their king. He licked his lips in ecstasy.
*STAB*
He looked down. A de had just pierced through his chest and punctured his lung. It was a shortsword.
Harichandan coughed out blood as his gaze shifted to the cold king.
''What is happening?''
He was supposed to get the seal.
''Why was I stabbed?''
Pratapendra let go of his sword and Harichandan fell on the floor.
He got up from his bed, his legs trembling. He grabbed the ceremonial sword on the wall and walked towards Harichandan.
"Your Majesty, what are you doing?" He pleaded as he crawled back. "Please.. Stop"
"I was a fool, but I am no longer one to fall for your tricks."
Harichandan demeanour changed.
"You think your son can handle the aftermath if you kill me?"
"He will do it." Pratapendra dered confidently.
"Don''te clo—"
He stabbed Harichandan in the chest with the ceremonial sword. It was dull but it did its job.
His lifeless body fell down with a thud.
''This is my final gift to you, my son. I hope you won''t repeat my mistakes.''
He pointed the dull ceremonial sword at himself.
*STAB*
He stabbed himself in the chest.
His body went numb and fell on the Harichandan''s corpse.
With thest of his strength. He gripped the dagger lodged in his chest.
''This should be enough for you, My dear son.'' He thought. ''I also love you. Sorry for being a bad father.''
Pratapendra took hisst breath alone with no one by his side.