The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband-Chapter 376: King’s order

The room was dimly lit, and the window was closed to prevent much sunlight from coming in.

Cedric frowned. Wasn’t the sick person meant to receive more air and sunlight? He found the ventilation poorly done. He might not be a specialist just concerned about the man he called his father.

He didn’t want Kaiden to die, not because he had any affection for this man. He never considered this man his father.

A distant memory came to his mind, Cedric stood at the door and watched his brothers go further. He wondered if he would feel any pain if Kaiden died.

He remembered when he was little how much he sought this man’s approval. He was the best at studies and training but whenever Kaiden saw him. His eyes were dead

The first time Kaiden had approved of him was the time he had exterminated the entire army base. The time he almost died.

Kaiden only nodded and said. "You did well son. You should train harder."

Maybe he was thinking too much about it. Kaiden wasn’t too fatherly to Lucian; the only son he actually had a close relationship with was Alfonso. Some said because Karissa was his first wife he actually loved.

As a child, he loved his father like any child would. Whenever Kaiden visited the rare palace, Cedric always tried to get close, but not once had Kaiden smiled at him.

He always saw him as a monster. Cedric’s fingers curled into a tight fist. The day his childish love changed was the night Eleanor framed him because of Astrid.

He was beaten to a pulp, with a large wound over his face that didn’t stop bleeding. Not even the servants were treated that way. That night, Kaiden was called. Cedric begged, hoping his father would believe him, but he didn’t make a comment.

He was left alone in the courtyard, left to die, when Morning came. They were all surprised Cedric didn’t die of blood loss.

The rumours started about how much of a monster he was. The isolation is increasing.

"Cedric..." A weak call pulled Cedric from his thoughts. His eyes went to the bed where Kaiden was lying down. Alfonso was helping the once-vigilant king, known to be one of the strongest warriors to sit up.

Kaiden wasn’t old, just 46 years old, but his death was around the corner.

Kaiden stretched out his hand as if calling for Cedric. The first prince’s frown deepened, and he hesitantly approached.

He knew this wasn’t going to end well, but he still came forward, maybe a part of him still yearned for his father.

Cedric stopped at the feet away from Kaiden. He dared not go any closer. "Why did you humiliate your sister and the entire family?" Kaiden asked, referring to the Astrid incident.

A smile curled up Cedric’s lips, and he squatted before the king. "Your health suddenly declines, and your problem is Astrid, but you didn’t say anything when your wife attempted to send your 13-year-old son to his grave. " He scoffed at Kaiden.

Cedric’s eyes studied the king, it seemed like he had aged decades in just days he was away. "If your face didn’t tempt your sister like your mother tempted me. That would not have happened."

It was the first time ever Kaiden spoke of Cedric’s late mother. He never met his mother and all her portraits were destroyed after her death by Eleanor. Some said she was the most beautiful woman that had ever entered the palace.

Her beauty, like a succubus, seduced the king at first glance, and he was placed under her spell.

"I am glad I take after my mother. It seems like someone is trying to kill you father. Is it poison?" Cedric asked, avoiding the unpleasant topic.

"They said the disease is from a foreign source. It’s not poison, but his body is rapidly ageing." Lucian was the one who explained.

A curse, maybe. Cedric pondered.

"I hope you recover because we can’t have the strongest pillar of Darconia dying when we are at war." His words weren’t sympathetic in the least. He was just saying facts.

Cedric never bothered to fake emotions he never had. "We all know that." Alfonso was the one who spoke.

Kaiden sighed, it felt like he had a lot to say but rather not. "You have all grown, I also hope to recover but we have to talk about the war first. My orders are simple." Kaiden’s voice was firm, he wasn’t a loving man

Cedric never expected him to say any touching words. They all knew Kaiden was going to speak of the war.

"Cedric I want you and Alfonso to lead the battle at the border...we ... can’t let them cross." His words were interrupted by a bad cough.

Alfonso quickly got up to pour the king a glass of water. "Here father." He presented the glass which Kaiden accepted.

"Let me guess Lucian will hold things here. I understand ." Cedric stood up ready to leave. Kaiden had made his choice, which even Alfonso understood, although he did not say a thing.

" If anything happens to me the crown prince has to take control."

The king was critically sick and the crown prince was the only one left in the centre of power. This was Kaiden’s way of saying. I chose Lucian as my successor.

"Excuse me, Father. I will go make the arrangements." No one complained they knew this would happen.

If Kaiden were to die, Lucian would be easily crowned King, but if more than one prince were in the capital, a fight might break out. Kaiden was trying to prevent that by sending the rest to the front line.

Cedric didn’t wait for approval and left the door closed behind him. Kaiden’s grip tightened around his glass.

He never understood that boy but the last thing he was going to do was let the son of that woman ascend the throne.

"Father please take care." Alfonso wished his father before leaving after Cedric. He didn’t glance at Lucian. The battle of the throne was about to start.

Was he meant to fight, take a side or flee with his mother? No matter how he hated it he didn’t stand a chance against his brothers.