In the Royal Palace of Montiria, King Gawain I lay on his bed while Arabella attentively fed him medicine.
King Gawain I struggled to swallow the medicine and mustered all his strength to speak. "Arabella, the border… cough cough… What's the situation there?"
Arabella gently scooped another spoonful of herbal medicine and fed it to King Gawain I before replying, "Everything is going smoothly. Basha's Sacred Mount has been seized. Rest assured, Your Majesty."
She dared not tell the king the truth, for he would likely call for an immediate retreat if he knew that the army had already been defeated and only a few thousand soldiers remained at the border.
"That's good… cough cough… very good." King Gawain I smiled, feeling slightly better.
Matthew's pills were down to the last few, and the king had been refraining from taking them, saving them for the most critical public appearances.
"Insolence! How dare you lowly maids stop me?! Do you not know who I am?!"
A commotion erupted outside, and King Gawain I's face showed displeasure. "Who is making such a racket outside… cough, cough…"
"I'll go take a look, Your Majesty," Arabella immediately responded.
King Gawain I nodded in response, his eyes half-closed, seemingly deep in thought.
Arabella pushed open the hall doors to find Iris shouting loudly outside. The maids trying to stop her could only kneel on the ground, enduring her blows.
"Princess Iris, His Majesty is resting. What brings you here?" Arabella smiled gently, her tone filled with warmth as if she were the princess' mother.
"Is that you, Iris? Come in." King Gawain I's weary voice came from inside. Iris cast a furious glare at Arabella before pushing the door open and entering.
The strong smell of medicinal herbs made Iris wrinkle her nose, but she still respectfully approached her father, who had always doted on her.
"Iris, do you need money again? Go to the Minister of Finance and take 500 million." King Gawain I looked at Iris with affection. Whenever Iris came to him, it usually was because she needed money, so he immediately told her to see the Minister of Finance.
"Father, I'm not here for money this time. I need to discuss matters of state with you!" Iris clutched his hand, speaking urgently, still seeing the same fatherly affection in his eyes.
"Is that so? It seems our little Iris has grown up. Tell me, what's on your mind?"
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