I was on the verge of exhaustion, every breath was given to me with great effort, and my body could barely move. I couldn’t feel anything, I could only feel the last drops of vitality flowing out of me like a stream. Did I deserve this? Have I really wanted much in my time? No. I’m still too young to lie so shamefully motionless on the bed with death breathing down my neck.
Another series of coughs cut like a knife through my throat, as if I had just spat out pieces of my own lungs, maybe I really spat them out, I don’t want to think about it. I turn my head to the side and see... no one. There is no one next to me, no one cares about me, everyone is waiting for the hour when I will finally leave this world and go into the arms of Sod.
«I won't let this happen...»
"Kha-kha~!"
«I won't die...»
"Kha-kha~!"
«I WILL NEVER DIE!»
My palm doesn’t listen to me and shakes like a raging bull. I can’t even take a sip of water, as all the liquid spilled onto the bed and burned my skin with freezing cold. I can’t even drink water without someone’s help, I’m so weak and helpless now.
"Where is everyone?"
My voice... terrible, hoarse. I feel like half a corpse, how disgusting it is. I can’t do anything, and time is running out. Weakness rolled over me in waves, dragging me into the realm of dreams.
"Where where?!"
I repeated and didn’t see anyone, the bedroom was empty, only the singing of birds outside the window and the whistling of the wind. I can’t die like this, I couldn’t do anything, it’s too early for me to die, I’m still so young, so much still needs to be done. I still have everything ahead of me, it’s so unfair. It's just terrible bad luck, I can't... like this...
“Kha-kha-kha~! Kha-kha-kha~! KHA-KHA-KHA-KHA~!”
It was hard to breathe, I had difficulty swallowing air, and the coughing became more and more unbearably difficult and painful.
«What did I do to deserve this suffering?»
The short time of wakefulness comes to an end and my eyes close again, but every time I do this I am afraid, I am afraid that next time I will never be able to open my eyes again, I am afraid that I will never wake up again. I’m so scared, I can’t come to terms with this, I can’t come to terms with death. I hate death. I have always loved life, always cared about it, like people, like the nation... death will not overtake me... never.
"Leff."
I heard a beautiful female voice. I barely turn my head and my eyes seem to have tasted the aroma of new life, my eyes see a beautiful golden-haired woman, a ray of my life, hope for everything better and more beautiful.
"Ben-… tia…"
I can't sleep, I can't keep my eyes open, death is so close. I don’t want to die, I just started to live! Why did I have such a short life, why did I need it? I don't understand... I don't understand.
"Leff, my husband,"
Bentia said affectionately and sat down on her knees by my bed.
She looked at me so caringly, her blue eyes were filled with love and at the same time sincere concern. I haven’t known her for so long, but she gave me wonderful children, smart and strong sons, but a mediocre and useless daughter. I'm not angry with her, no, I love her very much. I can’t live without her, and I especially can’t die in front of her eyes.
My queen gently took my skinny pale hand and caressed her sweet face with it. How nice it was to see such beauty and feel its gentle touches on your skin. I enjoyed her beauty, her love and kind, warm words, but in an instant her gaze dropped, her face saddened, and streams of tears flowed down her cheeks.
“Are you in that much pain, Bentia? Don’t be afraid, my dear queen, I will definitely... get back on my feet, and we will be together again.”
Yes, so it will be. I'll wait for this moment, but now I have to wait... wait for this asshole to come back and try his way to get me back on my feet. Where are you, son of a bitch? My words, however, did not encourage the queen in the least, but rather, on the contrary, upset her even more.
“Leff, I know how hard it is for you, but be reasonable at least at such a moment.”
«What is she talking about?»
I was perplexed by her words.
“The whole kingdom will mourn if you leave our world, and my heart will forever break into thousands of pieces, and I will not be able to love anyone else in my life more than you. And I believe that you will get better, Leff. You will definitely get back on your feet, and we will love each other again in our bed and will make children again. But still... if something happens to you, then it will not be easy for our people in these difficult moments, they need a leader and...”
"No."
I said, immediately guessing what she was driving at. Bentia opened her mouth in shock, her eyes darted here and there, she did not expect such a sharp answer. She might be offended by me for this, so I decided to explain to her:
“I am pleased to know that you care about me, my beloved Bentia, but it was stupid to think that I would actually die. This will never happen, I will live, believe in my strength, believe in me."
“But the country needs an heir... it needs a king...”
“I’m still alive, my dear, don’t worry about all the little things. Draun will sort everything out until I get better.”
Her face sank down. Her long golden hair made it difficult to see her expression. At such a moment, she rules the kingdom in my place and thinks about the heir. She shouldn't be doing this. I will not die, fate is not something that can destroy a king. I am the monarch chosen by Sod to rule over mortals. I will leave this world only when I want it. I have lived only 99 years of my life, there is no need for me to leave this wonderful world so early. I have tasted so little of the joys of life, I cannot die so easily. This will never happen, I'm sure of it.
“Get well soon, my love.”
Bentia said and, lowering my hand, rose to her feet and left our chambers.
«I love you, Bentia, with all my heart...»
***
This old fart is staying alive with all his strength only thanks to me. Leff thinks that he will live, but why did this crazy old man think that? No normal person will ever get back on his feet while sick at 99 years of age. It's just some kind of madness! How persistent he is!
If it were up to me, I would order the maids to add poison to Leff’s food so that he would finally die, but I can’t do this, because this stupid old man completely refused to choose a successor for himself because of his confidence that he will one day rise on his feet. Doesn't he understand that this is the end of his life? Why is he so stubborn?
“Argh~! Why don't you just die."
I said it out loud, but so that no one in the corridor but me could hear it.
I’m also far from a young woman; at 66 years old, I look like I’m 33, all thanks to expensive makeup and anti-aging potions. Many young ladies envy my beauty at my advanced age, but as soon as I open my mouth, old age makes itself felt. I would love to know how to get my youthful voice back without having to prepare my vocal cords before meeting Leff.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
I manipulate him with my appearance, my beauty and my «caring». I thought that this way I could make him do whatever I wanted, but it seems my dreams are destined to remain unfulfilled. Leff flatly refused to do something, and refusing to choose an heir was one of these decisions.
Walking along the corridor and looking at the evening view of the buildings of Ran behind the high windows, I meet the eyes of one person who, if I fail, will become the next king and his name is Draun Rudrin. He also walked towards his chambers and passed me by, but he didn’t even bother to bow to me or even greet me.
Apparently this bitch already considers herself superior to everyone else, not bothering to take a few moments to show respect to the royal family. I stopped and looked after the chief adviser who had just passed me.
“You know what will happen if I tell Leff about what just happened.”
I said in my natural old voice, so disgusting and hurtful to the ears that even Draun trembled when he heard me. He stopped and the next moment turned to me and answered me with his fake calm expression.
"I don't understand what you mean, my queen."
Again he does it, this is an endless pretense along with open disrespect for the royal family. I know perfectly well what's in that bastard's head, he's just like me. He wants to sit on the throne and personally rule the entire kingdom, bathe in wealth and glory, and have a harem of mistresses and slaves. Only an inveterate rooster would not want this. It was simply obvious that he had his sights set on the crown and was waiting for the moment when old Leff finally died.
“Don’t make me laugh, Draun, you know perfectly well what I mean. You disrespect the royal family so much that you don't even greet the queen when you pass her."
“Ah~... please forgive me, it’s my fault.”
Having come to his senses, Draun said and bowed slightly as a sign of apology.
“I was just tired today and didn't pay attention to etiquette. Once again I ask you to forgive me.”
«Didn't pay attention to etiquette? What kind of lame, stupid excuse is this? Do you think I will believe what you just told me?»
“Whether I forgive you or not depends on my dear husband. I will definitely convey to him the words that I just heard from your lips.”
His face didn't change, although I'm sure he was scared to death right now. One word from me and Leff will order this nonentity to be hanged in front of the castle gates as a warning to everyone else. I already know how to convince Leff to do this. But I won’t do this for now, because Draun has taken over the royal affairs, and I have no desire to take on them instead of him. Let this son of a bitch live, but for now I need to continue my attempts to convince Leff to declare a successor for himself, otherwise I will lose everything that I have been trying to achieve for so long.
“I understand you, my queen,”
Draun bowed.
“In that case, will you allow me to go?”
“I permit.”
"Good night to you."
When he turned away and disappeared into the darkness, my face twisted in a grimace of disgust. I couldn't help but wish this bastard the following:
«Die the most painful death, bastard.»
Meanwhile, I turned around and went further into my own chambers, thinking about how to convince Leff to make Slackersh his successor. Leff still believes that this is not necessary, he thinks that death will not overtake him. So I need to convince him of the opposite, that death is already on the threshold and there is no escape from it. And then Leff will really decide to choose a successor, finally making the most important decision in his life.
«How can I play this out?»
I thought as I continued to follow the corridor of the palace.
***
The Kingdom of Lakuusa cannot be ruled by one single person; it is almost impossible to manage the state alone; for this, kings, princes, leaders, dukes and emperors create councils from people entrusted to them.
Some advisers help in making certain decisions, creating new laws or abolishing old ones; other advisors manage the army, raise and train militias, and experiment with military affairs; still others are engaged in collecting taxes and spending the treasury along with its storage and protection; the fourth protect the kingdom from the shadows or keep an eye on unwanted people, and the latter take care of the health of the royal family and the highest nobility, simultaneously increasing their own scientific knowledge in medicine.
However, as is customary in all kingdoms, the council only proposes to make certain decisions, but the final word always remains with the king. Now, however, it is a completely different time: the king is dying and has not announced who will be the next king of Lakuusa, and the king cannot make decisions while he is sick.
At the moment, the state is ruled by the king's right hand, chief adviser Draun Rudrin, known for his responsibility in the work given to him. The entire royal council trusts him and works together with him to solve certain problems.
The advisors gathered around a large table, and next to them stood people subordinate to one or another advisor. There was even a court physician here who was supposed to take care of His Majesty, and since even he is here, it means that the issue being discussed today is extremely important and clearly has something to do with His Majesty.
Only representatives of the royal family were not here, and the members of the royal family themselves were not here either. Their absence immediately aroused suspicion among some advisers, and these suspicions turned out to be well founded. When everyone finally gathered, Draun Rudrin immediately began the meeting, starting with the following words:
“Greetings to all of you. I won’t bore you with waiting and will immediately tell you why we have all gathered today.”
Everyone pricked up their ears and looked attentively with stern faces at the elderly Draun, who at any moment could become the king of Lakuusa. Everyone already knew that most likely they had gathered here precisely because of this, and therefore did not interrupt Draun in his current sayings.
“First of all, I want to give the floor to Halesmin to tell us about the condition of our king.”
The court physician Halesmin, the youngest of those present, dressed in a gray robe scented with ethanol, he stood up from his chair and coughed to attract attention and began to tell everyone the obvious information.
“King Leff is dying, His Majesty’s health is now in the worst condition than in all the previous days of his life, perhaps the king’s death will occur this week. Now he lives only thanks to his willpower and the drugs that my subordinates give him. By order of His Majesty, I sent a person to search for a special medicine, but it seems that by the time he gets this medicine, His Majesty will already be dead. That's all I wanted to tell you."
"Thank you."
Draun said, and Halesmin sat back in his seat while everyone turned their attention back to Draun.
“As you know, according to the laws of the kingdom of Lakuusa, if the king does not appoint his successor by decree or by his own lips, then after the death of the king the crown will remain without its owner. In this case, if His Majesty passes away and there is no successor, then the royal council will have the right to hold a secret vote and choose absolutely any person to be the head of our state. Most likely because of our relationship, you will choose me as your ruler."
Everyone sitting at the table nodded in agreement, agreeing with Draun’s words, but they still did not understand what he was really leading to and immediately opened their mouths when Draun finally admitted what he was leading everyone to.
“However, I have no desire to become king. Even if you choose me, I will give up the crown."
After these words, the hall was immediately filled with indignant exclamations. The loudest in this regard was the military adviser, who did not take off his combat uniform for a moment. The forty-year-old gray-haired man slammed his massive fist onto the table and stood up from his chair and shouted at the chief adviser.
“What are you even talking about?!”
Krazhd gritted his teeth while glaring at his friend with an embittered look.
“If not you, then who do you think can rule the kingdom?! Queen Bentia?! This old whore?! Or her insanely impudent sons?! The people of Lakuusa will only support you, because you have led us all these twenty years, and the royal family was aloof from worldly affairs! So take back your words, you armchair worm!”
“Calm down, Krazhd!”
Treasurer Mierto intervened, as always the most reasonable and calm of all.
“You forget how hard it is for Draun now, he can barely cope with the work given to him.”
Draun, however, did not appreciate such unexpected support because he knew what Mierto was getting at, his words were the same blow as from everyone else, only from a different position. Therefore, Draun was not very surprised when he heard the following words from Mierto addressed to him:
“Draun, I understand that you are worried about the problems that have arisen and about the royal family too, but you must remember that you are not alone. When you become king, we will be your advice, we will help you with whatever you can, and no matter what difficulties arise in front of us, we will cope with everything. So don’t give up on your destiny and lead our people like a king.”
“If you have decided to fulfill your royal duty, then you should receive a blessing from Sod.”
Bishop Azhannes spoke in an senile voice, sitting in his modest attire, so that no one in the community or in the city would recognize him.
“The temple will bless the establishment of a new Lakuusa dynasty. There is no point in abandoning the divine purpose and will of our God.”
"We will protect you."
Dougman, the Privy Councilor, who never shows his face from under his dark hood, added his word.
“Don’t worry, we respect you and won’t hurt you. We will force all the royal nobility to recognize your right to the throne and silence all those who oppose your rule."
“No matter what you say, it won’t change my decision.”
Draun answered and proposed his own course of action.
“I, however, had a completely different idea that would solve all this once and for all.”
All the advisers calmed down and pricked up their ears, listening carefully to Draun. Everyone is interested to know what the chief adviser came up with, who he will propose to replace the king, and he again surprised everyone.
“We will start a war with Durshlagdt and place Duke Fellric on the throne.”
The chief adviser grinned maliciously, anticipating the taste of the outcome of the upcoming performance.