Chapter 26

Roman

I stood at my father's bedside, anxiety weighing heavily on my chest. Dalton and Grayson guarded the outside door, ensuring that no one entered without permission. Other than Dr. Charles, the queen, Lord Crawford, and myself, no one was allowed in—not even Joan and little Leo.

“This is all too much.” Father spoke from his bed. “All of this fuss is unnecessary. I feel just fine.” He grumbled.

Desperate for answers, I turned to Dr. Charles. "Do you know what caused this?" I never expected something like this to happen to my father; the thought had never crossed my mind.

He had always been perfectly healthy for his age. So healthy even the doctors had praised him for it.

Dr. Charles, who had been the royal doctor since before I was born, shook his head. "I don't know yet."

I felt frustrated, and was in disbelief as to how a royal doctor did not have a clear diagnosis. "Do you even believe you're qualified enough to be our doctor?" I snapped at him.

"He's the one who helped deliver