CARL POV
After Zara left, I stood there motionless. I could feel my heart clench in pain, as her words replayed in my head. I could still see a clear picture of the pain in her tear-filled eyes. The way she looked at me, hurt, heartbroken.
I was also heartbroken not because of what she said, but because I unintentionally hurt her. I hurt the woman I love, I made her cry.
"Your majesty, are you okay?" someone asked, giving me a concerned look.
"I'm fine," I replied.
"You don't look fine your majesty, if you have a problem, you can share it with me. You know they say a problem shared, is a problem half solved."
I tilt my gaze to meet the stranger in front of me. It was an old woman. Maybe she is right, I should talk about it, that way it will lessen my pain.
"Tell me, son, you may be the king, but I'm still much older than you are. It means, I have seen more of the world and have more experience. It may also be that the Lord brought me here for a purpose, so tell me," she urged, giving me a reassuring smile.
I sighed, before saying, "I lied to the queen in other to protect her because, at the time, she was ill. I was going to tell her the truth once she recovered, but that didn't happen, she found out through someone else and now she's hurt."
"I understand you son. Sometimes we do things we think is right to protect the ones we love but then hurt them in the process. I'm sure the Queen will understand, once she has calmed down, but for now, you must be strong and understanding, you should also keep a close watch on her, just in case, she tries to hurt herself."
After saying that the old woman patted my shoulder, before turning to leave.
"What is your name?" I inquired.
"There is no need to know my name because we may never cross paths again, but if by any chance we do, I'll tell you my name. Have faith king Carl, bad times don't last forever," She muttered, before walking away.
I watched her retreating figure, I wouldn't deny that I felt slightly better just by talking to her.
Like the old woman said, I decided to go after Zara and keep an eye on her. I know she said she wanted to be alone, but I'll watch her from a distance.
I made my way out of the arena, going toward the direction of the chamber, just because my intuition told me she was there.
As I got near, I noticed something was off. The door to the chamber was open, and there was smoke coming out of it.
Someone would have noticed it, but it turns out that they were all in the arena, and the only people who weren't were the ones guarding the palace Gates and other Places outside the palace.
I hasten my footsteps, my heart beating fast against my chest as I got near.
"Zara please be okay," I mumbled.
Once I got to the chamber, I was gobsmacked. No not gobsmacked, my soul almost left my body...
Flashback
When the spy saw that Zara was not waking up, she saw that as a good opportunity to get rid of her for good, since no one was around.
She tilts her gaze and sighted a burning candle on the table, and she smiled. Her lips curled up into a smirk, as an evil glint flashed in her eyes.
She immediately went to pick up the candle and set the curtains on fire. Then she moved to the bed and did the same.
After she was sure that the fire she had set on, could cause a lot of damage, she immediately left the room, turning back to take one last look.
"Good bye Zara," she mumbled, before walking away.
End of flashback.
...
The room was on fire, and I caught sight of an unconscious Zara, lying on the floor.
"Zara," I yelled, trying to see whether she would wake up, but she didn't. By now the fire had now spread rapidly and was almost near where Zara was.
I shrieked, racking my brain for a solution, I knew if I didn't do something, I would lose the love of my life. I almost lost her once, and now again. I wouldn't be able to bear it if anything happens to her, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself, for failing to protect her twice.
My eyes landed on a Jar of water on a stool near the door, and I immediately grabbed it, pouring the entire content on my body, that way, the fire wouldn't easily catch my clothes, then I entered the chamber, making sure to avoid places, where the fire was extreme.
Soon, I was able to reach where Zara was. I shook her furiously, but she seem lifeless. I panicked, trembling as fear engulfed me.
This is the second time I felt this type of fear, first, when Zara was poisoned, and now.
I hastily picked her up, again making sure to avoid places where the fire was extremely, as I jumped past the flames.
After I successfully save Zara, I sighed in relief. I was happy that I had listened to the old woman she was truly Godsent.
If she hadn't advised me to keep an eye on Zara, I probably would have stayed away, respecting her decision of wanting to be alone.
I carried Zara to the other chamber, placing her gently on the bed. Then I went to get a jar of water and inform the guards to go put off the fire before it spreads further.
After informing the guards, I went back to the room where I kept Zara with the jar of water, I just hope that when I sprinkle some water on her, she would wake up. If not, I'll have to call the physician.
I sprinkled the water on her, tapping her cheek lightly, but she didn't wake up.
"Zara please, I can't lose you too, please wake up," I mumbled, with tears dripping from my eyes.
"Wake up Zara, you have to wake up. you can't leave me alone in this world, you're my only source of happiness, my reason to wake up each day, to keep going," I added, placing my head on hers, then I heard.
"I didn't know you would cry for me, you arrogant king."