Stunned into silence, Prince David did not know how to reconcile the tyrant depiction of a man he admired, from the heroic portrayal of a merciful king-who placed his subject's lives above his own.
King Albert cupped his son's chin, feeling sickly. His entire body winced from a painful sensation, devouring his lungs. "I-I love you, son," he stammered and glanced in the direction of Prince Michal. "The day I lost your mother, was both a day of sorrow and comfort. For even though she lay there lifeless, I still felt her presence, when I held the child she brought into this world." He peered back to Prince David, wheezing, struggling to catch each breath. "Promise me, son. You-you will remember this, for-for which I-I have told you. Promise me;
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He began coughing uncontrollably. At first, the cough was weak, but the next one and the one after, grew harder and wetter-as though he was purging something wicked from his lungs.
"Father," Prince David cried, bending his brows at the sight of blood in his hands. "Father-Father!" he cried: Watching the king toppled over, smacking the castle's floor with such force-it sounded as if his skull had cracked.
Right at that moment, the entire hall ceased eating, drinking, and
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Many, with worried faces. Some, on their knees praying to the Creator to save their king. He then glanced to the left and saw: Royal Seeker Moore and his apprentices, investigating the wine and the last goblet the king touched. "It's time for bed. Come now, your highness," said Michal's caregiver. She picked up a teary eye Prince Michal and held out her other hand to him. He looked at it and then her. "I promise by morning, the king will have a bump on his head, a drink in his hand, and a story to tell. You'll see." Prince David was not convinced. He knew the words she spewed were a lie, told to keep the children calm when the adults themselves are terrified. "Will you come with me, your highness," she asked again, sterner than before-as if her words were more of a demand than a