Heartstring of a Mad king

CHAPTER 2:An unseen fate

PRINCE LUKE P.O.V

As I made my way towards the courtroom, filled with the noble figures of our kingdom, a peculiar sensation washed over me. It was a strange mix of nerves and excitement that tingled in my veins. My parents occupied their thrones, radiating authority, while I approached my designated seat.

The penetrating gazes of the dignitaries focused on me, yet surprisingly, I felt an unusual calmness. Their voices echoed in unison, chanting, "Long live the prince," as I settled into my seat. The room seemed to blur around me, but amidst the haze, a surge of confidence surged within. It was as if an unseen force buoyed my spirits, though its origin remained a mystery.

After receiving the blessings of the king, the royal dignitaries commenced their interrogation to assess my aptitude for kingship. The weight of their scrutiny pressed upon me, and I endeavored to ensure that my answers resonated positively with their ears. It was a trying moment, as I sought to navigate the labyrinth of their inquiries with utmost poise.

"And how would you secure trade relations with the southern region?" Lord Danbury inquired, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism. The longstanding conflicts with the southern region were no secret, as they laid claim to certain lands rightfully theirs, lands that we clung to out of greed, igniting a prolonged dispute.

"To foster trade, I propose implementing a barter system, offering them the goods they lack, such as coal, which is crucial for their blacksmithing," I responded with calculated assurance.

The meeting eventually came to an end, and I departed the courtroom, leaving the fate of my aspirations in their hands. A throbbing headache gnawed at my temples, weighing down my mind. I craved a respite, something to quell the heaviness that burdened me.

Seeking solace, I made my way to a nearby secluded refreshment area. The cool touch of a glass against my fingertips provided a momentary relief as I took a much-needed sip. The refreshing liquid danced upon my tongue, offering a brief respite from the tumultuous thoughts that consumed me

QUEEN MARIE P.O.V

The evening had arrived, and it was time for the grand royal party. A sense of relief washed over me, knowing that Luke had successfully upheld his title as the next heir to the throne. Yet, a pang of sadness tugged at my heart, for having only one son left me longing for the peace of mind that multiple heirs would bring. Fate had dealt me a cruel hand, bestowing upon the king only one legitimate son, while his other concubines bore him numerous male illegitimate children.

The party unfolded with meticulous organization, and I ensured that all my daughters were elegantly positioned and properly introduced. As I surveyed the surroundings, a sense of unease crept over me when I realized that Luke was conspicuously absent from the ceremony. Alarmed, I immediately sought information regarding his whereabouts from one of my personal servants, who informed me that he had yet to make an appearance.

Without a moment's hesitation, I excused myself courteously, hastily making my way to his room. Luke must not be allowed to jeopardize the newfound opportunities that lay before him.

Pushing open the door, I found him on the floor, muttering to himself and trembling uncontrollably. "Oh no, no, no," I gasped, rushing towards him. Turning to my personal maid, who stood behind me, I urgently instructed her to fetch a bowl of water.

"This cannot be happening now," I muttered to myself, trying to guide Luke into a seated position. The maid swiftly returned with the bowl of water, which I wasted no time in pouring onto his face. "Quickly, lock the door," I commanded, my voice filled with urgency, to prevent anyone from witnessing this distressing scene.

Opening his mouth, I swiftly placed a pill on his tongue, pouring water into his mouth and gently urging him to swallow. "Luke, answer me," I pleaded, desperately hoping that he would regain his senses in time before arousing suspicion from others

I entered the grand ballroom, accompanied by my son, Luke. Numerous families approached us, greeting us with courtesy and introducing their eligible daughters. My attention was divided, as I engaged in conversations with representatives from other countries, but I made sure to steal glances at Luke. It took him a few minutes to regain his composure after the earlier episode. He should have been resting, but circumstances demanded his presence here. My poor boy had no choice but to bear the weight of the kingdom and carry it with utmost grace.

As I discreetly surveyed the ballroom, my gaze fell upon a figure that seemed all too familiar. I tried not to stare, questioning whether my eyes were playing tricks on me. It was Charlotte, the king's favored concubine. What was she doing here? I had heard rumors that she had left, no longer content to play the role of a mere concubine. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted her casually sipping from a cup of wine. Our eyes met, and she flashed me a mischievous smile. I knew that smile could only spell trouble, nothing else but trouble.

Suppressing my unease, I maintained my composure and made my way to my royal seat, purposefully avoiding glancing in her direction. This was a delicate situation, one that needed to be handled with caution. I couldn't allow Charlotte's presence to disrupt the harmony of this grand occasion.

It was finally time for the royal family to take the dance floor. The king and I led the way, gracefully gliding across the polished surface as the slow, melodious music filled the air. I held my husband's hand firmly, feeling the weight of our responsibilities as we danced under the enchanting glow of the chandeliers, all eyes on us. I gazed into the king's eyes, momentarily forgetting the worries that plagued my heart, before turning away gracefully to follow the steps of the dance.

In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder how the king remained oblivious to the troubles that burdened me. I had to maintain my composure, despite the swirling thoughts and the ever-present sense of unease caused by Charlotte's presence. Surely, the other women in attendance must have been questioning her appearance here. There was no logical reason for her to be here, unless she had received a direct invitation from the royal family. Did that mean my husband had deliberately invited her? And for what purpose? I had thought that chapter of our lives had been closed.

As the dance continued, my daughters joined in, gracefully pairing off with the eligible suitors they had chosen. The joyous atmosphere surrounded us as we danced together, the rhythm of the music carrying us away. Other dignitaries soon joined the dance floor, their elegant movements adding to the splendor of the evening. Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly until my eyes fell upon Charlotte, dancing with her son. A jolt of surprise and unease coursed through me, nearly causing me to stumble. I quickly regained my composure, offering a brief apology to the king for my momentary distraction.

PRINCE LUKE P.O.V

I stood silently, observing as my parents and siblings gracefully danced across the ballroom floor. A whirlwind of thoughts filled my mind, and my body felt weak, but I remained steadfast, outwardly displaying no signs of my internal struggles.

A lady approached me, claiming that I had signed her dance card. I knew it was my mother's doing, orchestrating such interactions to showcase my eligibility. Though I wanted to refuse, I couldn't risk disappointing her or the watchful eyes of the other ladies present. Reluctantly, I agreed and escorted her to the dance floor. The dance seemed to pass by quickly, and we exchanged courteous gestures before parting ways.

As I made my way toward my room, seeking solace from the pounding headache caused by the swirling dances, I was intercepted by Derek. I had already noticed the mischievous presence of his mother, Charlotte, and anticipated that trouble would follow wherever he lurked.

"Good evening, Your Grace," he greeted me with a mischievous smile. I reciprocated with a polite smile. Derek was two years younger than me, but his presence always seemed to bring forth more trouble.

"These past few years have been quite eventful, haven't they?" he remarked, his tone laced with veiled mischief.

"Indeed, I hope you enjoy the remainder of the evening," I replied, masking my frustration. I quickly made my exit, resisting the urge to confront him further. Gripping my fist tightly, I longed to unleash my pent-up emotions, imagining a punch aimed at his smirking face.

PRINCE LUKE P.O.V

I held myself closely on the bed, trembling and drenched in sweat. The day had been demanding and relentless, taking its toll on my body and mind. I struggled to find my balance as I tumbled from the bed, desperately reaching for the pill that was meant to calm my racing thoughts. With a shaky hand, I swallowed it, hoping it would provide some respite.

I remained on the floor, the cool surface against my heated skin, as the medication gradually took effect, coaxing me into a restless slumber. My mind continued to race, replaying the events of the day like a broken record. The weight of my responsibilities as the future king, the expectations placed upon me, and the relentless pressure to prove myself had left me drained and overwhelmed.

Thoughts of the parliamentary meeting, the scrutinizing eyes of the nobles, and the weight of the crown settled heavily upon my shoulders. I questioned my own abilities, wondering if I was truly capable of shouldering the immense burden that awaited me. Doubts and insecurities gnawed at my resolve, threatening to unravel the facade I had carefully constructed.

As sleep finally began to claim me, I hoped for respite, even if fleeting, from the ceaseless turmoil within. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and I knew I would have to summon every ounce of strength to navigate the treacherous path that lay ahead. But for now, in the embrace of sleep, I sought a temporary escape from the relentless demands of my role as the prince and the future king

VIOLA P.O.V

As I sat in front of the mirror, my maid gently combing through my hair, I took a moment to reflect on the events of the day. Finally, I was able to don a simple nightgown and experience a sense of relief from the burdensome dresses I had been forced to wear throughout the day.

The long hours had given me ample time to observe the presence of Charlotte and her son at the party. I couldn't help but wonder who had extended the invitation to them. It seemed out of place, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that trouble would follow their appearance.

Lost in my thoughts, I found myself lying on my expansive bed, contemplating the exhaustion I had witnessed in my brother, Luke. He had carried himself with an air of weariness throughout the day. The weight of the parliamentary meeting must have taken a toll on him, I surmised.

My mind wandered further, contemplating the immense responsibility that awaited Luke as the future king. The thought of his burdens and the sacrifices he had to endure tugged at my heart. I hoped he found solace in his own moments of respite, as I did now, away from the prying eyes of the court