128

The king fell severely ill after Syrus confronted him, to the point where he was bedridden and unable to move. The physicians did all they could, but it was clear that his time on this earth was coming to an end. The queen rushed to his side, her heart heavy with grief as she watched her husband's life slip away.

"Please, Your Majesty, don't leave me," she begged, holding onto his hand with all her might. The king weakly responded, but he was too feeble to strike up a proper conversation. The butler stood silently in the corner, waiting for his duties to be fulfilled.

The king motioned for the butler to come closer, his voice barely audible. "Bring me the duke... my friend. I have something important to tell him." The butler rushed to fulfill his master's request before it was too late.