Elvira grabbed on the metal railing that held the bed together, she could hear the creaking as the bed shook.

She counted how long it was going to take, she wanted to talk, but she knew how much he hated being disturbed while he did his business—His business in this case was being inside her.

He groaned and grabbed her hair as she tried to pull back, but he was stronger far stronger as he pushed her on the bed and moved even faster, she clawed at his hand, but it was futile.

Her nail broke and bled, but he didn't stop as she felt warm inside as he pulled back, she held her breath and laid on the bed for a few seconds before turning to him,

but he was already pulling his pants on.

“Alaric, my king, please keep me company for a few minutes” Elvira begged as he stared at her, she stood up as she let the sheets fall off her body and she hugged him with her naked body.

“Is it true?” She asked.

“What are you talking about?” he asked with a look that showed he didn't have a care in the world.

“What you said about changing the rule of succession” She said.

“You shouldn't concern yourself with the throne, focus on your role and groom your son to be king” he replied as he pushed her away and made for the door.

“Please answer me Alaric, please promise me that you would not betray me”.

But he didn't reply, He simply walked out as he shut the door behind him.

Elvira collapsed on the floor and tears rolled down her eyes, she was losing.

Everything she worked for was collapsing before her eyes, she wasn't going to watch it happen, she had to do something fast.

She called her handmaids, she had to get dressed as she had one destination in mind.

Ivo sat up on his bed, he clenched his fist and groaned as his mind went back to the event of yesterday.

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He had to overcome his fear, he felt helpless and weak and worse his body was rejecting him even more often.

Waking up was a hassle, and he didn't know if he was fit enough to deal with his siblings now that his father was back.

He knew how much this body owner feared his father but feeling it was different, he needed to calm down and think.

He didn't want this to affect his plans, the king games were going to start soon, and a survivor greeting had been called.

Ivo already knew what was going to happen at the survivor greeting, and he was going to capitalize on it to tilt things in his favour.

A knock on the door drew his attention as he cleared his throat.

“Come in” he called out.

Ida walked into the room, she wore her usual cold expression now clothed in a white silk dress with silver weaving around the sleeve and red choker on her neck.

Her hair was tied back held with a gold clip, she walked toward the bed as her cold eyes studied Ivo who sat there watching her since her arrival.

“You look too good for a visit, or are you off to somewhere after this?”Ivo asked as he sat up on the bed, while Ida moved toward the chair that faced the bed.

There were a few moments of silence as they sat there, both thinking of what to say.

“Have you decided?” Ivo asked, breaking the long-overdue silence.

“Before that, I want to ask a question?” Ida replied as she crossed her leg on the chair.

“Will my answer to this question affect your already made decision?”

“Depends, I would like to hear it from you.”

“Okay, go ahead then.”

“Ivo, I've been thinking a lot about the king's game and what it means to be a true leader,” Ida said, her eyes searching his face. “What makes a king, in your opinion?”

Ivo thought for a moment before responding, “A king is made by the love and loyalty of his people. It's not just about wearing a crown or holding power, but about serving and earning the trust of those you rule.”

His step-sister nodded thoughtfully, her expression unreadable. “That's a justified answer, Ivo. But I wonder…do you really believe that?”

Ivo nodded firmly. “Yes, I do. Without the support and love of the people, a king is nothing but a tyrant.”

Ida chuckled, she stood up from her chair and walked closer to Ivo's bed.

“Then you will have my vote and support on your foolish quest for power, as it appears that I'm also foolish myself.”

Ivo nodded as he took her hand kissed it with a smile, “let our partnership of foolishness not be our end.”

Ida chuckled again and walked towards the door, her facial expression didn't give a clue to what was in her heart.

Ivo was weak and powerless, he couldn't even walk now talk less of lifting a sword, but she trusts him and that was what she feared the more because from her experience powerless men were easily corrupt when they tasted power.

But she looked forward to the show that Ivo was going to put up, the sheep finally decides to stand up to the wolves, will the course of nature change or would the sheep be devoured?

Her body shivered from excitement, she couldn't wait to find out.

But for now, she looked ahead to the king's game, what moves will Ivo take? She was curious. Will the child remain a child or will he grow up to become more?

Ida stopped in her tracks and looked back at the long hallway, she smiled as she remembered everything.

Maybe she should grab tea in the town or find the queen for a tease, she couldn't

decide, but she let her legs lead her way.