Chapter seven

Footsteps sounded in the empty hall as a man walked towards two giant doors that were guarded by two imperial soldiers. The soldiers immediately straightened once they notice the man approaching them,

"Marquess Williams." They both addressed at the same time.

Marcellus came to a stop in front of the guards and nodded his head in greeting, "Good morning, has the king awoke yet?" 

"Yes sir," one of the guards answered. "The king was expecting you, he is currently in the dining hall having breakfast."

Marcellus hummed. "Thank you." before making his way past the guards and through the large double doors. 

He walked with strong steady steps, turning familiar corners and passing familiar guards who only nodded their heads in greeting or simply paid him no mind as he took confident steps as if he had walked these halls and grounds many times before. Which was true, Marcellus knew these walls, halls and grounds like the back of his hand. He didn't need a map or blueprint to find his way around the palace, afterall, he had once lived here. Born and raised to be exact. 

Marcellus came upon another set of double doors, only this time there weren't any guards stationed in front of them. With a gentle push he opened the heavy doors and walked into the room. He was greeted with the sight of a long table meant to seat at least over 50 persons and at the far end sat the king at the head of the table. The king had lifted his head once he heard the doors opened and showed a wide small once he saw who had entered. His smile never once faltered as he watched Marcellus walk up to where he was seated.

"Marcel," the king spoke with a cherry voice and the corner of his eyes crinkled with his smile, "it has been so long since I last saw you."

Marcellus huffed a sigh, "You exaggerate your majesty."

The king only smiled before gesturing to a chair at his right, Marcellus nodded before sitting down. 

"How was your stay in hyacinth?" 

"Uneventful, the mission went relatively well and there were no mishaps."

"I expected no less from you." the king stated as he focused on cutting a piece of sausage on his striking white porcelain plate. "And did you listen to my suggestion?"

Marcellus didn't need to be reminded about what 'suggestion' the king was talking about. He had nagged him every chance he got about the same thing over and over again and had even threatened to take matters into his own hands. 

Marcellus suppressed a sigh, "Yes your majesty, I picked up two along the way back."

"No need for titles, it's just us here."

"That is inappropriate and disrespectful to your majesty."

The king was silent for a while as he focused on chewing his food, he then hummed. "Just two you say?"

"Yes."

"How many do you have now?"

Marcellus resisted the urge to smirk, "Sixtyfour."

The king's hands stilled briefly before going back to cut food on his plate. His eyes were downcast but Marcellus saw the small smile that graced his lips from the corner of his eyes. 

"I see… well then, I guess that amount is okay for now." 

"Thank you, your majesty."

"I've you eaten?" the king suddenly asked. It was quite early and the only reason he was up and already having breakfast was because he knew his nephew would come strolling into the palace at the break of dawn. 

"I had tea."

"Only tea?"

"En." 

The king sighed loudly, "Tea is not enough Marcel, I'll have someone bring you something."

Marcellus didn't bother to protest to the king, he knew the king was a stubborn man and was always looking out for his well being. He was his uncle after all, though it was the king that practically raised him so I guess he saw Marcellus more as his son than his nephew. 

"I was told you wanted to see me as soon as I returned to discuss something urgent?"

The king continued his meal in silence until a servant girl came and placed a plate down in front of Marcel. She bowed deeply before scurrying off in haste. Marcellus looked down at his plate before looking back at the king who was already looking at him. 

"Eat, then we'll talk."

After twenty minutes of silent chewing and utensils scraping on plates, Marcellus and the king finally finished their meals and were now ready to proceed with the conversation. Marcellus watched as the king gently pushed his plate towards the centre of the table and he followed suit with his now empty plate.

The king cleared his throat while clasping his hands on the table. "I'm afraid I've grown ill, Marcel."

Marcellus looked at the king with confusion, "What do you mean?"

The king was silent for a few seconds before he spoke, "I have Dicentra. " Marcellus' body tensed, his hands clenching under the table. The king continued with a sad smile, "it seems it runs in the family."

"How...how long do you have?"

"Approximately two years, maybe less."

"How long have you known?"

"A while." Under Marcellus' piercing gaze the king sighed deeply, "...a year."

Marcellus clenched his jaw, his already clenched hand, the knuckles turning white. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to trouble you with my worries and I didn't expect the symptoms to show so fast. I thought I had more time but I was wrong, I can feel myself slowly dying everyday." 

The king released a big sigh as he slowly massaged his temples. Marcellus stayed silent as he observed the king, his complexion was paler than he had last seen him and his eyes had bags under them but wasn't that prominent to notice unless you looked closely. 

"I'm not afraid of death Marcel, I am a king. Death was already hanging over my head from the very beginning but, there is still so much I have– no– need to do. I can't die yet, I'll never be at peace if I do." The king spoke with a clear voice, his eyes were wide with determination. 

"What do you plan to do?" Marcellus asked. He knew that look, the king had a plan. 

"I'll need your help."

"Anything." marcellus declared without hesitation. 

The king smiled before speaking, "I need you to bring me the leaf of life."

Marcellus' eyes widened slightly as he looked at the king in shock. "But that's a myth."

The king chuckled, "It is a myth that the leaf grants immortality and can bring back the dead but, the leaf itself does exist. It's said to have extraordinary healing properties."

"Then can it cure you?" marcellus asked, leaning forward in his seat.

"I am afraid not." the king replied and marcellus' shoulders slouched. " It just helps to heal minor illnesses and I've recently learnt that it can prolong life a little longer if combined with our sacred flower. Though, it is very hard to acquire ...."

"Where is it?"

"It is said to be founded in the south, the kingdom of Dahlia. My advisors and I have managed to narrow down some areas that it might be located based on the conditions required for its growth but, it's still quite a few."

"Then I'll search them all." Marcellus said determined. "I'll gather some of my most trusted subordinates and we'll leave as soon as–"

"Marcel." The king called cutting him off. "You've just returned from a mission, jumping into one so soon without proper rest is damaging."

"Your majesty–"

"I have time." The king said relaxing back into his chair. "Take a few months to rest and plan properly. Then, you can start your journey to Dahlia."

"Two months."

"Five."

"Four."

"...very well then."