Chapter 52 THE KINGS DESPERATION
King Adrain spent most nights beside Athalia now. He barely slept and his face grew drawn, and his voice hoarse from whispered reassurances that brought little comfort.
“Adrain,” Athalia said weakly one evening, “you don’t have to stay.”
“I do,” he replied firmly. “I won’t leave you alone. I didn’t know you have suffered this long. I need to find a way to help ease your pain.”
She turned her face toward him. “They don’t know what’s wrong with me, how can they help?.”
His jaw tightened. “They will find out.”
“Will they?” she asked softly.
He had no answer.
Later that night, Selene approached him as he stood near the window, staring out into the dark.
“She is growing weaker, your majesty,” Selene said quietly.
“I can see that,” he replied.
“You have done everything within the palace,” Selene continued. “You summoned the best minds and you gave them time.”
“And still she suffers,” Adrain said bitterly.
Selene nodded. “Sometimes the solution does not live within walls.”
He turned sharply.
“Your fear is understandable,” Selene said. “But it is costing her strength.”
Silence stretched between them.
The next morning, the physicians requested a private meeting with the King.
Adrain listened as they spoke, one after another.
“We cannot explain the child’s influence, my skills are limited,” one admitted.
“Our treatments bring only temporary relief,” another added.
“There may be knowledge beyond this court, one we would like to know as well,” a third said reluctantly.
Adrain looked from face to face. “Are you telling me you have failed?”
No one answered.
Selene stood quietly near the door.
“She needs something different,” the senior physician finally said. “Something… out of this world. Probably a method we do not know.”
Adrain’s gaze drifted toward Selene.
That evening, Athalia cried out again. Not sharply, but in a low, exhausted sound that broke something in Adrian.
He knelt beside her bed. “I’m here,” he said, his voice unsteady.
“I’m so tired,” she whispered. “I feel like I'm dying.”
Fear tightened his chest.
He stood abruptly and turned to Selene. “You said you could help her.”
“I said I knew where help could be found,” Selene replied.
“Outside the palace,” he said.
“Yes.”
He hesitated, then shook his head once. “If anything happens to her...”
“It will not,” Selene said calmly.
“You will be heavily guarded and the Tower will be made for her convenience.”
“Thank you, your majesty. I would not suggest it otherwise.”
He searched her face, looking for doubt but he found none.
That night, Adrain summoned his mother.
“She is suffering,” he told Queen Elizabeth. “And we are running out of time.”
Elizabeth listened carefully. “Since this physician believes leaving the palace will help. Let her go, but i’ll come along”
“Ofcourse,” Adrain said.
Elizabeth sighed deeply. “You swore you would protect her and i will help you.”
“I know,” he replied.
Elizabeth studied Selene. “You will answer me if this fails.”
Selene inclined her head. “I understand, Your grace”
Elizabeth looked back at her son. Adrain closed his eyes briefly, then opened them.
“Prepare for the journey in four days,” he said. “Everything you need will be made available. For now, help her contain the pressure.”
Selene bowed. “Ofcourse, Your Majesty.”
Athalia slept that night, unaware of the decision made for her sake.
Selene stood alone in the corridor, listening to the palace settle into uneasy silence. The walls had finally opened and beyond them waited the solution Selene had planned all along.
The decision to leave the palace did not mean the King was willing to abandon control.
That became clear the following morning.
King Adrain stood before the large map laid across the council table. The palace was quiet at that hour, but his thoughts were not. He traced the edges of the kingdom slowly, stopping at a shaded area marked only as woodland.
“There,” he said.
The chief architect leaned forward. “Your Majesty?”
“There is an old hunting house here,” Adrain continued. “It belonged to my grandfather. It is secluded. Guarded by terrain.”
“Yes,” the architect said. “It still stands, though barely used.”
Adrain straightened. “I want it rebuilt.”
The man hesitated. “Rebuilt how, sire?”
Adrain’s voice remained calm, but firm. “Not as a house.”
Silence followed.
“You want a fortress?” the architect asked carefully.
“No,” Adrain replied. “A tower.”
The word settled heavily in the room.
“A tower?” the chief advisor repeated. “In the woods?”
“It will be safer than the palace,” Adrain said. “With fewer eyes, fewer mouths and stronger walls.”
The advisor frowned. “But the Queen is weak. Construction...”
“Will be swift,” Adrain interrupted. “I want stone, not timber, height, not width, one entrance and windows only where necessary.”
“Isolation while working on the solution will help them work faster.” He said remembering Selene’s words.
Adrain looked at her. “And protection from me will be given.”
Queen Elizabeth joined them moments later, her expression thoughtful.
“It seems you intend to hide her,” she said.
“I intend to keep her alive, mother” Adrain replied.
Elizabeth studied the map. “A tower invites rumors.”
“So does illness,” Adrain said. “At least this gives me control.”
Selene observed quietly because control was what he truly sought.
“And who will reside there?” Elizabeth asked.
“The Queen,” Adrain answered. “Her physician and a limited number of servants to help.”
Elizabeth glanced at Selene. “Will you remain with her?”
“Yes, your grace” Selene said.
Elizabeth nodded slowly. “Then ensure this tower does not invite anyone suspicious.”
Adrain said nothing.
The architect cleared his throat. “How tall, Your Majesty?”
Adrain considered. “Tall enough that no one approaches unseen and she’s able to see the palace.”
“And the interior?”
“Simple but comfortable,” Adrain replied. “One main chamber, private quarters, reinforced stairs and a balcony.”
Selene’s gaze lifted slightly at that.
“A balcony?” the architect asked.
“For air,” Adrain said. “And light.”
“And exits?” the advisor pressed.
“One exit,” Adrain said. “No more.”
The room grew still.
Orders were sent that same day. Craftsmen were sworn to silence. Guards were posted along the woodland paths. Supplies moved quietly at dawn and dusk. Within days, stone replaced wood. The old hunting house vanished beneath scaffolding and rising walls.
Athalia was not told at first.
“She needs calm,” Adrain said when asked.
Selene agreed outwardly.
That evening, Selene stood at the palace window, watching the forest in the distance.
A tower, she thought.
Adrain believed he was building protection, he did not realize he was shaping exactly what the child would need.
Behind her, Athalia slept restlessly, unaware that her refuge was becoming something else entirely. And Selene allowed herself a quiet breath because the King had given the order himself.
But no one knew that tower will shelter a chosen child.