The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 99: possessed

Chapter 99: possessed

King George groaned in pain, unable to push away the thoughts of his past. As the pain worsened, he began to regret his decision to accept the punishment over two decades ago.

The seer had warned him from the beginning that his death would be slow and agonizing. But he had never expected it to be this unbearable.

For years, whenever the time came to go to the temple of the Old Gods and make his sacrifice, he would fall ill. Yet, after offering his tribute, his health would return, and he would live like a normal man once more.

But this time, he had fallen sick and sent for the seer. He knew his time had finally come, but he did not want to die.

The seer told him that his fate was sealed, but he had defied fate once before. He could not understand why he would be unable to do it a second time. He had managed to prolong his life for a few weeks, but now he was constantly in pain.

The medicine the seer had given him once dulled his suffering, but now, nothing worked.

Outside, the eunuch standing guard could hear the king’s painful groans. The king had ordered him not to summon the physicians and had even dismissed him from the chamber. The eunuch was deeply troubled. If something happened to the king, he would surely be blamed as the last person to have seen him.

Yet, he did not dare make a decision on his own. His life was already miserable. Once, serving the king had been a source of pride, but now, it felt as though it would be the death of him.

"Your Majesty."

Just as the eunuch was beginning to panic, unsure of what to do, he heard someone greet the Queen.

He lifted his head and saw her approaching.

"Your Majesty," the eunuch bowed, feeling as though a ray of light had pierced his dark despair.

The Queen immediately sensed that something was wrong. Since her son had led the army north, the king had entrusted her with managing the kingdom’s affairs. He had emerged today only after receiving urgent news of the war, and she had hoped to speak with him. But the meeting had ended too soon, she had missed her chance.

Thinking she might still gain some insight, she had gone to find the physician and ask about the king’s health. Only then did she discover that the king had not allowed any physician to examine him.

That worried her. Deeply.

So she had come to see him herself.

"I am here to see the king," Queen Mary said firmly. Although they were husband and wife, she had grown used to seeking permission before entering his bedchamber.

"Your Majesty, the Queen seeks an audience," the eunuch announced hesitantly. He, too, dared not make such a decision himself.

Inside the chamber, King George writhed in pain. He wanted to order her away, but when he opened his mouth, only a strangled groan escaped.

Hearing the sound, the Queen’s concern deepened. Without waiting for permission, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The eunuch did not stop her. He had been hearing these pained cries for days and was deeply worried himself. If anyone could do something, it was the Queen.

But nothing could have prepared her for the sight that awaited her.

The king sat hunched over, his face twisted in agony, his trembling hand clutching a small dagger. From the way he gripped it, it was clear; he had been about to take his own life.

"Your Majesty!" the Queen gasped, horror lacing her voice. She had never imagined that her husband, the proud and formidable King George, would be driven to such despair. For a brief moment, she even wondered; had he been possessed?

The sharp cry jolted the king from his daze. His whole body felt as though a thousand needles were piercing him. Gritting his teeth, he reached for the small bottle the seer had given him and drank from it.

In the past, the medicine had dulled his pain. Now, it barely made a difference.

"Why are you here?" King George rasped, his voice as cold as ice. His eyes distant, unfamiliar fixed on her with an almost accusing glare.

But the Queen was not surprised. She had grown used to this coldness.

"Summon the royal physicians," she ordered the eunuch without hesitation.

She knew her husband well. He was not weak-willed. He was in despair because of his illness. And if the physicians could not heal him, perhaps they could at least ease his suffering.

The king wanted to argue. He wanted to tell her there was no point. But as the words formed on his tongue, he hesitated.

With a slow breath, he loosened his grip on the dagger, letting it fall to the floor with a soft clink. Then, with what little strength he had left, he lay back against the bed.

The medicine had dulled the pain slightly, but now his heart pounded erratically in his chest.

"Go out," he managed to command.

But the Queen did not move.

A short while later, the royal physicians arrived. But they were powerless. They asked the king questions, but he did not answer. It was the eunuch who explained what he had observed. Even so, they could not determine how to treat him.

Seeing their helplessness, the Queen’s expression darkened.

"If His Majesty cannot sleep, then prescribe something to help him rest," she said at last.

She had seen the dagger in his hand. She knew what he had been contemplating. The pain must truly be unbearable.

And she feared; if he did not rest, he might try again.

The physicians exchanged glances, then nodded. It was a reasonable solution.

As they left to prepare the medicine, the Queen quietly approached Physician Nathan, the most skilled and trusted among them. Lowering her voice, she murmured, "Ensure that it is the strongest sleep aid. Something that will knock him unconscious."

Nathan hesitated for a brief moment, startled by the request. But then he nodded. He had heard from the eunuch how much pain the king was in. And perhaps, knocking him into deep sleep was the only way to grant him some relief.

As the physicians worked, the Queen ordered incense to be lit. Then, she sent for the priests from the chapel to come and pray for the king.

Soon, Physician Nathan returned with the prepared medicine. The physicians helped the king sit up and fed it to him.

The king was already slightly relieved from the seer’s medicine, and he did not object. Perhaps sleeping truly was the best option at least when he slept, he did not have to feel the pain.

So, without a word, he swallowed the medicine.

Seeing him cooperate, the Queen felt a wave of relief.

The physicians departed, retreating to discuss possible treatments. The Queen remained, watching over her husband.