The Lycan King's Puppet-Chapter 72: Still Indisposed

She died? How did she die?

"Shall we go to the confession chamber?"

Rory nodded.

Claire watched them walk away from her, disappearing through heavy oak doors.

She was the only one in the room.

"Dear goddess, keep King Yeren alive long enough for me to have my revenge, no matter how little."

She took a seat at the front row pew. An hour and a few minutes had passed when Rory and the Priest returned to the room.

"May your heart always remain pure." She heard the man telling her sister.

"Would you still like to pray?"

Claire shook her head.

"I believe I have had enough prayers for one day."

Grasping Aurora’s arm, they both left the room.

"What were you telling him?" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"About the ugliest days of my life. With every day we live through, the blood moon becomes stronger... and the bond between that wolf and myself becomes stronger."

Claire’s mouth fell open.

"Is there anything the priest can do to help you?"

Aurora shook her head.

"Tell me, why did you dream of me dying?"

Her little sister shrugged.

"I just dreamt about it. And I was left all alone in this world."

Claire pulled her to herself, squeezing her as tight as she could.

"I told you I will never leave. And you will never leave me."

Rory nodded, nestling even closer.

They returned to Aurora’s room.

Aurora showed Claire a few of her stitches, which she spent the rest of the day trying to teach Claire.

The next day came quickly enough. She had slept in her sister’s room.

Changing her gown, she headed back to the King’s chambers.

There were no servants going to or leaving his chambers.

She had departed for his room at first light, hoping to appease him with her punctuality.

But instead, she met the same treatment she had received from the guards the day before.

They continuously blocked her path.

She returned back to Aurora’s room.

"The King is still indisposed."

Rory held her in her little arms for the rest of the day.

"He isn’t poisoned." Rory kept whispering to her.

For the next five days, the King remained indisposed.

She was running mad quietly. No council meetings had been held since his absence had been announced.

Several rumours and speculations circulated through the castle, but Claire ignored them.

She had to see him.

She just had to see him.

Why was he hiding away in his room? For seven whole days? Who poured his wine for him? She found herself wondering.

Each day she had visited his room, hoping to encounter a different result... but she always returned with her tail between her legs.

The guards didn’t regard her as anything. They only allowed Andon through. Never her.

Did the King strictly request that she not be allowed to see him?

Wondering his fate was making her lean. Lara often complained about how little she ate.

If anything happened to the King...

"They still didn’t let you through?"

Claire nodded. Aurora had resorted to asking trusted maids, but none of them were able to give an acute account of his well-being.

She had written to Aldrich, informing of the King’s disappearance. And, the blood moon was in a few days. Part of her was worried, because his absence could cause a public unrest, while the other part of her was glad that he would not be available to marry the proposed bride. She had heard from Lara and her girls that a bride had already been chosen.

Was the bride beautiful? More beautiful than her? Was she someone she knew?

"Perhaps I should try asking Andon for the hundredth time, Rory."

Her sister nodded, pushing a threaded needle through the fabric she was sewing.

"Should I come? Lord Andon might oblige me... I am much younger and-"

"More talkative than I am - which is a big red flag. He would rather trust a pig with such information than you."

Rory snorted at her.

Claire left her sister’s room, heading for the grand library.

Andon had been in the library most of the time she had been looking for him.

As it seemed, he had taken over all of the King’s duties - corresponding with the Treasurer, finishing jugs of wine per day, reading and returning letters, paying condolence visits to bereaved peers of the realm.

The only thing he didn’t do was hold council meetings. Every council member made it clear to him that he had no right to address them, from what she had overheard.

Aldrich’s father’s funeral was coming after the blood moon. Would he be able to attend?

"Lord Andon?"

He glanced up from what he was writing, a quill in his slender hands.

"Miss Stenly. How can I help you?" He asked dryly, already aware of the reason she came.

"When will I be able to see the King?" She decided to not beat around the bush.

He set the quill down and clasped his hands under his chin.

"The King is not available. Do something special with your time, Claire... leave the King alone."

"I am his Cupbearer. I cannot just leave him alone. Tell me if he’s dying." Her voice quivered.

As

Andon looked at her from his position behind the table.

"He’s not dying. You will see him soon, dear. I wish you a good day."

Her lips thinned at the curt dismissal.

She stomped out of the library and headed for her own stairs.

Something made her take the stairs towards the King’s tower instead.

She didn’t reach his door, she stopped at the balcony she had often seen him glance through.

Claire wanted to see those piercing dark eyes one more time. When she leaned over the balcony, she caught sight of one of his windows at the far edge of the tower’s wall.

The cruel stone walls stared back at her, until she saw the ledge.

There was a ledge...

What if she could visit him without using the door?