Chapter 724
The next morning, Caitlin served breakfast to the king and the prince. Before leaving for the memorial ceremony, Leif VI suddenly said, “Agnes, you and Margaret will change into formal uniforms and come with
me.”
He deliberately brought both maids to avoid drawing unwanted attention.
Caitlin exchanged a surprised look with Margaret. Magnus noticed her hesitation and reminded her, “His Majesty has given permission. Go get ready.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
They returned to their quarters and changed into uniforms similar to those worn by female guards. Margaret could hardly contain her excitement, whispering nonstop on the way.
“I still can’t believe it! We actually get to accompany His Majesty to such a ceremony.”
“Remember, this is a solemn state event,” Caitlin warned. “You’d better keep quiet.”
“I know, I know. I’ll behave.”
At the memorial plaza, rows of royal guards stood in perfect formation, faces solemn. The ceremony began with Maxwell stepping up to deliver a speech, after which the royal family was invited to lay flowers.
Caitlin stood beside Leif VI’s wheelchair, waiting silently.
When Maxwell stepped down from the podium, his sharp eyes swept toward Caitlin and Margaret. His steps were slow and deliberate. Caitlin lowered her head, forcing herself to remain calm.
As he passed behind her, a faint, familiar scent brushed his senses. Maxwell’s eyes narrowed. That scent–he could never forget it. It was Caitlin’s.
He paused, turned slightly, and stepped closer. Caitlin felt the air tighten, her scalp tingling. She didn’t dare to move. Just as the tension reached its peak-
A gunshot cracked through the air.
Screams erupted. Officials ducked instinctively as chaos swept through the plaza.
Caitlin’s eyes shot toward the king. Blood splattered across Leif VI’s left shoulder before Magnus pulled him back in his wheelchair.
“Protect His Majesty! My father’s been shot!” Magnus shouted.
Guards rushed forward to shield them. Maxwell, feigning alarm, yelled, “Protect the king and the prince!” and ran toward the commotion.
Caitlin darted to the wheelchair, catching the fainting monarch. His uniform was soaked in blood. She tore off part of her sleeve and pressed it against the wound.
“Your Majesty, hold on!” she cried, trembling as blood seeped between her fingers.
The wail of sirens cut through the uproar.
Inside the ambulance, Caitlin sat beside the stretcher, watching Leif VI’s pale face and shallow breaths. The ache in her chest deepened until she could hardly breathe. It was as if something in her blood recognized
him.
At the Royal Hospital, doctors rushed the king into the emergency room. The heavy doors closed, leaving Caitlin outside with only the sound of her own heartbeat. She clasped her hands together and silently prayed he would wake up.
Soon after, ministers arrived hoping to visit, but Maxwell stopped them. “His Majesty is in critical care. No Thɪs chapter is updated by (.)net
visitors.”
He frowned, ordering his men to continue searching for the shooter.
Not long after, Maxwell himself arrived. Caitlin spotted him from afar and quietly stepped back into the crowd, using the moment to contact Zeke.
Maxwell approached Magnus. “How is His Majesty?”
Magnus sighed. “Still in surgery. We’re all worried.”
Then he said pointedly, “Today’s event was under your supervision. How could such a thing happen?”
Maxwell stiffened and muttered, “Come with me.”
They walked down the hallway until Maxwell stopped, lowering his voice. “Your father’s injury might be an opportunity. If anything happens to him, you won’t have to wait until next month’s council session to inherit. the throne. Be ready.”
Magnus pretended to think, then nodded. “We’ll see how things go after the operation.”
He added, “Since he’s hurt, you should notify my mother to return.”
“I’ll handle it.” Maxwell turned away, irritation flickering across his face. Heather was still nowhere to be found.
On the way back, Magnus ordered his guards to escort Caitlin to the palace. Halfway there, she asked the driver to stop, saying she needed to buy something. She slipped into a small shop where Zeke and Alicia were already waiting.
Caitlin handed them two small envelopes. “One has my hair, the other has fabric with the king’s blood. Please run a DNA test. If it matches, I’ll finally know the truth.”
Zeke nodded gravely. “We’ll take care of it.”
After leaving them, Caitlin returned to the palace briefly, then headed back to the hospital.
When she arrived, Magnus was still fielding calls from anxious ministers. She stepped forward.
“Your Highness, I’ll stay with His Majesty. You should rest.”
Magnus nodded and left.
The room fell quiet.
Caitlin sat by the bedside, studying Leif VI’s face. The longer she looked, the more she saw the faint traces of her mother–and herself–in his features.
Near midnight, a faint groan broke the silence.
Caitlin looked up to see the king stirring, sweat glistening on his forehead. She rushed to his side, realizing he was burning up. His lips moved faintly, murmuring incoherent words.
“Your Majesty, the doctor is coming,” she whispered, pressing the call button.
Leif VI was lost in a feverish dream. In that delirium, he saw Kelly–her face, her smile–fading into the distance. He reached out instinctively, desperate not to lose her again.
His hand flailed weakly in the air until Caitlin caught it.
“Kelly…”
The single name froze her in place. She heard it clearly.
“Kelly… don’t go…” he murmured again.
Caitlin’s eyes stung with tears. Her chest ached as the truth settled in her heart. Who else could he be, if not her father? The man who never stopped longing for Kelly.
After two exhausting hours, his fever finally subsided. Caitlin stayed by his side, afraid to sleep, afraid it might
return.
When dawn came, sunlight spilled through the curtains. Leif VI’s breathing had steadied. At last, he opened his eyes.
“Your Majesty, you’re awake.” Caitlin let out a breath of relief. “You had a high fever last night and were talking in your sleep.”
He frowned slightly. “Talking? What did I say?”
Caitlin hesitated, her heart pounding. She already knew the answer, yet she asked softly, “You don’t remember? You kept calling out a name… Kelly. Who is she?”