7

Chapter 7

"You highness," he heard as he groaned from his bed. Trying his best to wake up he didn't have the strength as he fell off the bed. His nightwear soaked with sweat as he crawled towards the door. Supporting himself against the door he struggled unlocking the door as his vision blurred.

"Sire the cooks apprentice is no mo...," John stopped talking as Munyaradzi hit the ground falling unconscious.

Sending one of the guards to fetch Gareth he was assisted by another to ensure their ruler was in bed by the time they arrived.

"What did he eat?" Gareth stated looking worried for by the time he arrived the man was drenched in sweat, uttering gibberish and completely burning up. Carefully examining him even a fool could tell he had been poisoned.

"The signs point to a rare poison. A very potent herb found only in the deepest parts of the forbidden forest," he murmured.

Gareth was not the normal physician everyone believed him to be but a skilled herbalist. Though they lived in modern times they still clung onto the old ways. Tradition was tradition.

"Bring me hot water now," he spat as he got to work mixing the roots and herbs he had

"He last had a sample of the girls porridge."

"You said the other boy is dead. Send men for the cook and the girl!" He said in a voice laced with utter fear.

Two men breathlessly arrived at the room entrance stating his fears before the other men left. Gareth greatly feared for the girl in her weak state the drug could work faster. The cook could be replaced, but not the girl. He knew the king would have his head if anything happened to her. Preparing more of the concoction he helped the king drink some before he left for the girl.

It seemed she was experiencing different side effects as she looked frightened clearly from hallucinations. Perspiration drenched her skin, her breathing was rapid and if not for her already weakened state she would have run away from whoever or whatever she was facing in her mind.

Slowly sinking into slumber after taking the herbs Gareth went to see about the cook but found him outside, dead.

"What happened!"

"We tried to stop him but he jumped out through the window," one of the servants said as he looked up the building that was the man's staff quarters.

Silence fell upon the house as they waited for their kings' recovery.

-----

"How are you feeling my king?" He heard making him open his eyes to find his wife sitting beside him.

"What are you doing here? Who gave you permission to enter this room?" He said quickly moving away from her.

"I gave myself permission after hearing of your illness."

"I told you Edith. Keep an eye on that girl, now look he almost killed my son," his mother said storming into his room.

"Both of you must leave, I need to get dressed," he said ignoring the words they had expressed earlier.

Both women did not yield his warming as he pulled the sheet down his torso before they finally reacted the way he expected.

Once the door closed he let out a long sigh as he got off the bed removing his pants as he proceeded to the bathroom. He still felt weak but chose to push his body setting his weakness aside.

After bathing and dressing he decided to take a stroll out in the gardens in order to relax enjoying the cool night air but was stopped by a shrill cry in the silence of the night. The guards stood on high alert as several moved towards the direction of the noise whilst others moved closer to him to protect him if any harm came his way.

"What are you doing here go find out what is the matter?" He growled at the men near him.

He continued to walk reaching the gazebo only to stop when the same cry from earlier broke the silence.

"What is going on?" He asked angrily as he started making his way to where the fuss was originating from.

He reached the female staff quarters only to find most of the maids huddled in small groups discussing amongst themselves.

"Why are you all outside?" He growled seeing the queen walking out of the building.

"Remove that girl from the palace. My son has to sleep for goodness sake," she seethed walking past him without another word.

"Why are you all out here? Will someone tell me what is going on?"

"The Queen woke all of us up after the girl awakened from a nightmare," one maid trembled as she responded to his question.

"What girl? You are all awake because of one person’s nightmare?" He asked baffled.

"Yes your highness."

"What girl?"

"The one you saved," the same maid stuttered.

Without another word he stepped into the building heading straight for her room.

Gareth was already in the room looking worried.

"What is happening here?" He growled noticing V standing aside.

"She still hasn't woken up since the poisoning. I believe she is stuck in whatever nightmare she is experiencing. We can't wake her up," he said looking hopeless.

Munya couldn't hide his anger in that instance as he stepped out of the room only to stop outside her door. "Tell everyone to go to bed," he stated facing no one in particular. Running a hand slowly down his face he looked at his bare hands seeing the slight tremble as he took a deep breath.

"Your highness you should rest. You are still unwell," Gareth murmured making sure he was not close to the man for fear of getting a punch or worse.

"Did I ask for your opinion on what I need to do in this instance?" He spat as the man retreated from any further comments.

"Forgive me your highness," Gareth bowed.

"You may leave," Munya sighed stepping back into the room as Gareth looked at him confused. V however knew him well and left without a word.

Munya waited to hear the click of the door closing before he dragged a chair closer to the bed making himself comfortable he saw her restless movements making him reach out for her hand. Giving it a light squeeze he saw her slightly relax as he too fell asleep.

The tightened grip on his hand woke him up with a start. He moved closer to the bed as she mumbled words underneath her breath. Straining to hear her words he gave up focusing on wiping the sweat from her brow watching her body become locked in fear.

"Rudo," he said in gruff voice not knowing what to do as she trembled as though ice cold water had been poured onto her. "Wake up," he said gently shaking her but finding it futile before he moved onto the bed.

Gathering her into his arms he held her close trying to soothe her as he felt her rapid heartbeat.

"You are stronger that you think you are," he suddenly whispered. "I need you to fight this," he said softly into her ear. It was as if she had heard him as she clung onto him burying herself into his chest as he held her close rocking them back and forth in a soothing manner. "I am going to make whoever did this to you regret ever being born," he whispered falling asleep.

A knock startled him awake the following morning as he slowly removed himself from the bed. Taking his seat once more he cleared his throat.

"Enter!" He boomed.

"Your highness I brought you some medication," Gareth said as Rudo stirred awake.

With a slight head nod he acknowledged Gareth as he rose to his feet.

"Make sure she has something to eat. You will personally see to her foods' preparation," he commanded.

"Yes your highness."

Leaving the room he found several maids lingering close to the room who quickly sobered up upon seeing him.

"Good morning your highness," they greeted as he nodded his head in acknowledgement.

For a week he slept in the chair beside her bed. This she did not know of as she was either drugged up or the king would leave before she woke the following morning. No one dared question him, the staff were after all glad to at least get some peaceful sleep. Gareth saw to her quick recovery and for this he was grateful for but never showed it.

-----

Taking a stroll with his son in the gardens he spotted Gareth walking with the girl making him alter his course.

"Gareth," he said in a deep voice gaining the man's attention who quickly greeted him which he ignored only to face her.

Standing in silence he raked his brain thinking of what to say.

Looking at Gareth with a deadly glare, the man quickly excused himself.

He cleared his throat but she did not look at him only flinching in fear.

"Why are you afraid of me?" He growled angrily seeing her become rigid. Closing his eyes she took a deep breath releasing it slowly.

"Please don't be afraid of me," he said reaching out for her only to drop his hand realising what he was doing.

Munashe started to fuss as he bounced the boy in his arms but to no avail did he quieten down. He let out a long sigh internally wondering why the child chose that time to start fussing.

"May I," she whispered such that if he hadn't been paying attention to her he would have missed it.

Handing over the boy to her, she cooed softly as he quietened down looking intently at her.

"He likes you," he murmured with a small smile.

She nodded her head in agreement smiling at the little prince.

"Come," he said guiding her by her elbow something she did not notice too engrossed in the child who was smiling at her adorably whilst she spoke to him just to keep that smile in place.

Sitting on a bench underneath the shade of trees he sat back just watching them before pulling his son out of her arms when he started bouncing in glee agitating her wounds. A pain she tried so hard to hide from him.

"How are you feeling now?" He asked her.

"I am much better, thank you. Thank you for helping me your highness. I don't know how I will ever repay you for this," she said sincerely before a shy smile graced her face.

Her smile had him holding his breath for fear he would never see such a sight ever again before he returned it.

"My pleasure Rudo," he gently said turning to look at his son who seemed to have settle in his arms starting to fall asleep.

"How old are you?" He suddenly blurted out.

"A lady never reveals her age," she retorted regretting her words seeing a flash of anger that was quickly replaced by something.

She could have sworn she saw him smirk for a minute.

He turned his body towards her resting Munashe's head on his shoulder.

"Is that so," he said seriously before flashing her a smile that rendered her speechless making him laugh at her expression.

Her soft giggle streamed towards his ears as he stopped himself just to watch her.

"I am twenty four years of age your highness," she said shyly as he stretched out his legs in front of him getting comfortable.

"Tell me more about yourself."

"Hmmm where do I start? Okay as you know my name is Rudo," she smiled. "I am the only girl in my family. Some might say I am an introvert, but I don't know. I'm just not a fan of large crowds," she said shyly. "I graduated in business management but am currently unemployed. I coordinate dancing lessons by a local orphanage so the kids have something to do. It's just been hard to get work because my little brother fell ill and I had to stay home and look after him," she said whilst she twiddled her thumbs

Continuing to tell him more about herself, he noticed she strayed away from further talk of her family and chose to not push her on the matter. Telling him about her favourite hobbies he couldn't help the smile that graced his face.

"You are so beautiful," he blurted cutting her off from her narrative.

He watched her open her mouth closing it unable to form any words making him chuckle.

Standing up he held out his free hand to her.

"You should rest now," he said helping her up as John appeared with Edmond Chaminuka in tow.

"Eddy, what brings you here?" Munya smiled as the guest greeted him.

"Can one not come see their friend even though he is a commoner," Eddy smiled before he saw Rudo, his smile faltering slightly at her sight.

Munya felt the change in atmosphere as Rudo's smile instantly disappeared though she tried to keep up the facade of pure ease. As soon as Gareth appeared she excused herself leaving with him.

There you go, lovely people.

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