31

***WARNING*** THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS A NSFW SCENE***

Three days after the physicians announced the distressing news of Augustus' condition, the royal family had sunk into sadness. They had remained alternately by the side of their fainting father. Isabelle had remained at Adrian's residence after checking on the king, and Nefertiti had not yet arrived.

The ministers paid their last respects and prepared for Frederick's coronation.

Adrian sat at his mother's grave, Isabelle at his side. He gently stroked her hair as she lay in his arms. He had a feeling that something big was about to happen in Deira. Something that would shake them all.

"What are you thinking about?" Isabelle asked as she rose. "What's troubling you?"

"Nothing," he lied.

"I thought we said we had no secrets," she pouted.

"Father is dying of an unknown illness and Frederick is showing the same symptoms," he sighed. "I cannot shake the suspicion that there's a connection."

Isabelle sat up and hugged her husband affection