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To Be King (10)

When Grey and Dean entered the room, it was dreary. The curtains were closed, so the room was dark. The windows were not open so it was slightly humid. It felt like the air was stagnant, wondering when King Maverick had fresh air. The bed was to the mid-right, away from the window. There was a white canopy over the bed. It was opened at the side, so they could see King Maverick lying in bed.

King Maverick, who once had blond hair and blue eyes, looked like a skeleton with a skin covering. His skin was wrinkled and his hair was gray and thin. He looked like he would die if a gust of wind came through the window.

"Prince Ameer, Prime Minister... come inside. I apologize for not being able to get up." A series of coughs resounded through the room. Talking strained his throat, but he knew he had to do the bare minimum.

"No need to apologize, Father," Prince Ameer said in an extremely dry tone of voice.

King Maverick didn't say anything about his rudeness. He knew that he had no right to say anything. It was enough to be called "father" just this once.

Grey and Dean entered the room. The chamberlain closed the door and waited outside.

"Now that everyone else is gone, what do you want?" King Maverick slightly moved his head so that he could see Grey and Dean.

When he saw Grey, he saw a bit of himself, but he mostly saw the love of his life, Fiona Blythe. Fiona was a beautiful woman with long, light pink hair and red eyes. She reminded him of a little rabbit, scared of everything and everyone. But in front of him, she was sweet and kind. She didn't like to fight, but she was stubborn. Her views of life were shaped by her many years of living in the countryside. She was a breath of fresh air to him.

In the end, he could not protect the love of his life. Back then, he felt that his crown was more important, but as he laid on this bed he realized he was stupid. How could the crown be more important when he was lying on this bed dying? He couldn't even have his love by his side. He knew he was unworthy, but he wanted to see her one last time.

"Looking at you all grown up—" He coughed a couple of times before continuing, "You look just like your mother."

Grey didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say to the man who not only turned his back on Ameer's mother but did nothing to protect him.

Dean interjected himself into the conversation. He didn't want King Maverick to continue looking at Grey with those ambiguous eyes. "Your Majesty, we came here to show you something."

Grey pulled out two contracts between Queen Meredith and Consort Ceanna. The first one was about poisoning Consort Fiona during her pregnancy and the second one was about poisoning King Maverick.

"Hold it for me." King Maverick stated while looking at Dean.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Dean held it close to King Maverick's face, just enough for him to read them.

King Maverick didn't say a word as he read through each contract. They were simple. Queen Meredith would get the poison while Consort Ceanna would administer them. If they said anything about it, the two would be punished by the magic contract. The punishment was their death.

Seeing the magic coming off the contracts, King Maverick knew these contracts were legit.

He closed his eyes, signifying that he was done looking at them. He didn't say anything for a really long time.

Dean took the magic contracts away and held on to them. The two stood by the bed in silence, waiting for King Maverick to say something.

After what felt like 30 minutes, King Maverick finally spoke up, "The irony. I did nothing to help Fiona even though I loved her so much. Now, I'm being killed by the same people who want the throne I tried so hard to protect. This is my retribution."