The Devil's Cursed Witch

Gregor wanted to shout in rage at how cruel his father was, but only a helpless sound that sounded more pathetic than a sob escaped his mouth. He was a fine swordsman, but so were the soldiers who were guarding the royal palace, their combat ability beyond the norm.

It was impossible for him to beat all these soldiers, much less with the presence of the King's knight in front of him, who was the elite among the elite.

'And there's Shanel and my sons...'

Aside from his family, there were also his men who swore fealty to him. So many lives were on the line. He knew his father who would not bat an eye before taking their lives for the sake of the kingdom.

'Even if I try to fight my way out...'

How many could he fight? Could he protect his wives and the newborn child while doing so? What about his three sons, could he have them escape? His loyal knights were also in danger... And then what? Would he have everyone live as fugitives in the Kingdom of Valor?

"If you obey His Majesty, things would only be over with the ending of two lives."

The voice of the King's knight sounded like a demon's taunt as it reached his ears.

Veins popping out of his skin, Gregor held back his rage as he put his fallen sword back in the scabbard.

Satisfied by his silence, the King's knight gestured for the Crown Prince to follow him. "Please come with me, Your Highness." Even his manner of speaking changed to a courteous one.

As the knight led the way for him, Gregor had no choice but to follow him.

The King's knight led his way back to his own chamber where not royal guards but a group of high-ranking knights were present. A bitter smile filled with anger and disbelief appeared on his face. Gregor could see his father had planned to keep him under strict watch.

Gregor entered his chamber and heard the King's knight say, "Your Highness, please do not come out of the chamber until His Majesty allows you to."

Gregor could only swallow the resentment he was feeling at this moment. He closed his eyes briefly to calm himself and said, "At least send my guardian knight to me. I am sure he by himself cannot create troubles for you."

The King's knight silently gazed at him, as if to weigh whether or not that was permissible, and gave a terse nod before leaving.

------

Inside Sephina's chamber, only the female servants sent by the King entered, led by two senior-looking servants, yet despite leaving the royal guards outside, their presence caused everyone inside the room to feel an uncomfortable chill in their spines.

Shanel knew those were the servants from the King's palace; the one holding the wooden tray was the most trusted court lady of King Tredor.

The Crown Princess gestured for the midwife to continue what she was doing as she stood to confront the newcomers. The servants gave a brief but polite greeting.

"What brings you people here?" Shanel asked, feeling worried.

"Your Highness," the servant standing beside the court lady answered, "this is medicine for Lady Sephina."

"Medicine? What kind of medicine is it?" Shanel shivered as she could guess it was not what they claimed it to be.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered us to bring this medicine. Kindly do not ask more questions," the court lady replied, her expression and her voice without any emotions.

Seeing the court lady take a step forward, Shanel grew pale but did not budge from where she was standing. "M-My husband, let me get him--"

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has been sent back to his chamber. Shall we escort you to be with him as well?"

Knowing her husband, Gregor would not leave unless he had been physically subdued or threatened with their lives. Though she was worried about him, Shanel also feared what would happen if she were to step away from Sephina. "No, what--"

"Please do not waste our time."

Despite her fear, Shanel kept her composure,  determined to stand her ground inside the chamber filled with Sephina's cries. She could not help but pray for her child to be born safely.

"Please leave," Shanel declared. "I will not allow you to give such a thing to her."

The woman in front of her did not yield as well.

"This is His Majesty the King's order. His Majesty's words are the law of the land. Does the Crown Princess wish to openly disobey a royal decree?"

The court lady bowed her head.

"If we don't give this medicine to Lady Sephina right away, everyone involved, not only you, but everyone in this chamber as well, will receive the wrath of the King and be punished. For me, I will probably be killed for failing the King. As for you who directly challenged the authority of the King...well, the three princes will also have to pay with their lives--"

"How dare you threaten me?!"

"Pardon my rudeness, Crown Princess, however, I am but a lowly servant of the King. My life is on the line as well. I too only want to survive. Please be understanding. We are merely executing His Majesty's order."

Shanel felt like all this was a bad dream, an illusion that would vanish the moment she opened her eyes. Just this morning, this chamber was filled with happiness and laughter, yet now...

'How can everything change like this? What went wrong...?'

The moment the court lady was about to step forward again, Shanel's body moved on its own to block her.  "Y-You cannot! My husband, Gregor, he--"

"For the sake of the kingdom, His Majesty the King would not hesitate to punish his own son, even if it ends with a tragedy, Crown Princess," the court lady said, and then her eyes sought the body of the woman covered in sweat and blood. "Why don't you let me ask Lady Sephina if she wants to drink this medicine or not?"

"Can't you see her condition?! She is in the middle of labor--"

"But the Lady can still hear my words. If Your Highness won't allow us to approach her, then do not blame His Majesty for being cruel to his own son and grandchildren."

"Y-Your Highness..." a weak voice called for Shanel.

With her teary eyes, Shanel turned to look at the pale woman whose lovely face was contorted in pain, her entire body covered in sweat.

"Sephina..."

"Listen to her...Your Highness..." Sephina had heard everything and though she was in pain, she could understand the situation.

No matter how they resisted, the King would succeed in getting rid of her child. The question would be: how many lives would be lost along the way?

Rather than fight a losing battle, the pregnant woman decided to give up.

Shanel ran to her side and held her hand. "No, Sephina. You don't have to..."

"If...If everyone I cherish has to die... then how can I and my daughter think about living?" Sephina said as tears rolled down her eyes. "Please...give me that..."

"Your Highness, Lady Sephina has agreed. Please do not delay it anymore, or else, we have to use force on you."