Salvador had no idea that things had escalated to this point.
For the past few days, he had been working with the royal physicians to test a new treatment. The important matters in the court had all been left to Jeremiah.
The treatment, which had been developed over several sleepless nights by the physicians in the Royal Medical Department, focused primarily on heat therapy. There was also needle treatment as a supplementary method, combined with a tonic to nourish and fortify the body.
The results had been positive—at least the headaches had lessened, and he hadn't sweat as much at night.
So, during the court session this morning, Salvador appeared to be in better spirits than he had been in recent days.
Malcolm had sought out Irvin, but the man had his own opinions. Irvin's disappointment with Salvador was profound. To him, Salvador had disregarded his own safety, ignored protocol, and dismissed the state of the war—all for reckless pursuits.
Furthermore, Irvin did not believe Malcolm's claim that the idea to find a secondary wife for the Hell Monarch was Kylie's, and that Salvador had nothing to do with it.
As far as Irvin was concerned, Kylie had been confined to the palace for a long time. Once freed, she hadn't bothered with much else except finding a secondary wife for the Hell Monarch.
No one would believe that Salvador wasn't involved in this decision.
Irvin felt that it was far more plausible that Salvador had given the order. If that were the case, it made sense. As the Oversight Minister, it was his duty to admonish Salvador if necessary.
He stepped forward without fear and said boldly, "Your Majesty, I must offer an Oathbound Plea."
Salvador's sharp eyes turned toward him. "An Oathbound Plea? Speak."
An Oathbound Plea was a formal attempt to offer counsel or make a respectful remonstration to the king. It was often critical in nature, aimed at correcting a course of action or preventing potential harm.
So obviously, Irvin was directing it at Salvador.
"I've heard that you've kept Commander Sinclair in the royal study several times, Your Majesty. You've dined and conversed for over two hours, during which no servants were allowed to be present," Irvin began.
"When Commander Sinclair was injured, you risked your own safety and visited Hell Monarch Estate late at night. Now, it is said that the queen is to choose a secondary wife for the Hell Monarch. I have no doubt you harbor no ill intentions, Your Majesty, but these repeated actions will only lead to wild speculation among the public. If word reaches the Hell Monarch, it could cause an unnecessary uproar."
He paused, then knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, the Hell Monarch cannot afford to lose this battle against Marshal Crow!"
The silence in the hall was deafening. Everyone held their breath, afraid even to swallow, as the tension in the room became palpable.
He vomited, but it was more blood than bile.
The last thing he saw before everything plunged into darkness was the image of someone crashing into a golden-painted column in the hall, the sound of a mournful cry echoing through the air, "I have sinned!"
His hand reached out, trying to grasp something, but it slipped into the endless black void.
The court descended into chaos. Shouts erupted, orders to summon the royal physicians rang out, and someone hastily closed the hall's doors to prevent lower-ranking officials from witnessing the turmoil inside.
Salvador lay unconscious for nearly four hours.
When he woke, the world still felt like it was spinning. Soft sobbing filled his ears, but it stopped abruptly the moment his eyes opened.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty, you're awake? Quickly, summon the royal physicians!"
His blurry gaze focused, and he saw Kylie standing over him, flanked by Desmond and Robert. The dizziness was overwhelming, but he managed to murmur a few words before his eyes shut again.
"Kylie, leave!"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Her Graceful War Song
What happens to the other chapters, I've been waiting to read more of this story, the character's and the screening are fantastic, very intriguing story...
Next chapter please, what's happening...
Very captivating novel....
Both content and context are very intriguing, the writer style of pulling out characters in their unique ways are profound,I have recommended this book because it's very captivating...