127 AN UNKNOWN ILLNESS

On the other hand, Raigon went to the King's chamber to check out the King's condition.

King Artair was lying on his bed but he sat up when the servants announced his presence.

"The Crown Prince is here, Your Majesty."

"Bring him in."

Raigon bowed down low on the ground to the King.

"Forgive me if it took me a while before coming here, Your Majesty."

King Artair motioned him to stand up with a wave of his hand.

"You don't have to prostrate yourself. I know your condition as well. How is your health now?"

"I should be the one who should ask you that, Father. I am recovering speedily. Our royal physicians are doing an excellent job. You don't have to worry about me."

King Artair rubbed his chin. "That is good to hear. At least now only one member of the family needs to recuperate completely."

The king attempted to stand up. The servant in waiting was about to go to his aid but Raigon was quicker than him in assisting his father.

"Let me."

The servant bowed to them and stepped backward.

King Artair gave an instruction to him. 

"Can you open the door to the veranda and leave afterwards?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After he left, Raigon helped the King walk to the veranda.

Both the King and Raigon were silent as they stared out to view the City from where they are.

It was the King who break the silence. 

"The City of Terra is in your hands now."

In a quick move, Raigon dropped to his knees with his forehead on the ground.

"Your Majesty!"

"I know my body more than anyone. I don't have much time left. Just always remember that our God chose you to be the King of this land. You are first accountable to Him. That is why no matter what the people say or do against you, you must protect our land at all cost. You must not allow anyone to destroy our City."

"By all means, Your Majesty! However, I would also give everything to protect my family. I will do my best to find a cure for your illness, Father."

Raigon responded with his knees still on the ground.

"There are things in this life that are inevitable. And you must accept it before its denial kills you."

As if Raigon didn't hear what the King said, he probed further about his condition.

"What did the royal physician say about your illness?"

The King rubbed his chin. "Honestly it's still a mystery to me. As far as I know, I am the first King to acquire an unknown illness. All of the kings before me died in good health."

"How about now? How are you feeling, Father? Does the illness progress?"

Raigon asked as he guided him back to his bed.

"I'm just feeling lethargic now. But there are moments when there seems to be a hammer pounding on my head. Sometimes it's bearable, sometimes it's not. I think you should better talk to the royal physicians to understand the case."

"Certainly, Your Majesty. For now, just stay strong. Our family needs you. Terra needs you."

King Artair heaved out a deep sigh. "I know." 

"I will go to the Royal Infirmary now Father. Please be well." Raigon bowed.

He was about to leave when the King grabbed his hand.

"Be Terra's King while I'm away."

Raigon made a formal bow to the King. 

As soon as he left, he went to the Royal Library to check on the deaths of the Kings of Terra since they settled in Ball's Pyramid.

"The King is right. All of them died a natural death. What could have been the cause of this? Is this related to the feared intruders again in Terra?"

He tried to recall the events that happened why and how he got wounded. But as he did so, his head throbbed in extreme pain.

Instead of recalling, he decided to just go to to the Royal Infirmary and ask the physicians themselves.

"We apologize, our beloved Crown Prince, but until now we are still researching about the King's case."

"Are the medicinal herbs not potent enough to cure him? How about acupuncture?"

"We have tried every possible treatment, Your Majesty. But we couldn't trace where the symptom is coming from. We could only alleviate his pain."

Raigon drew in a deep breath. 

"How about other people with this case? Is there a person in Terra who exhibited this way?"

"Even in the medical records, we haven't found a case similar to the King's. However, there is someone who is experiencing the same symptoms at this present times as His Majesty."

Raigon's eyes glistened in hope as he asked. "Who is he and where does he live? Perhaps they are also finding ways to cure him."

"His name is Adrian Liu. He's one of the royal guards but is now on indefinite leave because of his sickness."

"Thank you, everyone. Please continue to take care of our family. We are greatly indebted to you."

Raigon bowed and went to the stable to get Steel. 

Azra followed after him.

"Are you leaving the Castle, sire?"

"Yes. I'm going to end the King's illness." 

His jaw clenched as he exclaim his resolution.

"You are not completely recovered yet, sire. I could go there for you as you command, your Highness."

"I will be back as soon as I talk to their family. It won't take long."

"I will just come with you then."

Azra bowed and prepared his horse. 

They both went to the Liu's residence which is just near the Capital.

The male house servant who was guarding the house approached them.

"Is this the house of Adrian Liu?"

The house servant bowed at them as he confirmed his question.

"We are from the Royal Infirmary. We are just having a routine check up on all our patients."

Raigon pulled out two Infirmary Tags to prove his point.

The house servant called on another servant and ask her to call the master of the house.

But he allowed them to come inside the veranda. 

Both Raigon and Azra entered the house. 

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Let's do our best for our family while they are still alive.

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