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Cedric’s voice was barely audible.

Blood loss was rapidly draining what little strength he had left, and despite every attempt to keep him conscious, his body was slowly giving in.

Watching the scene unfold, Griswold couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips. “If you don’t get him somewhere he can be treated,” he said with a quiet snicker, “I’m afraid your Lord Commander will die p>

One of Cedric’s knights turned sharply toward him, fury blazing in his eyes. He said coldly, “you’ll have no reason to keep breathing either p>

Without wasting another second, they lifted Cedric carefully despite his wounds while others secured Griswold in heavy chains. Leaving behind the blood-soaked fortress and the bodies of the fallen, they began the long journey back to the palace.

But by the time they finally arrived, Cedric had lost far too much blood.

He had already fallen unconscious on the journey back.

Although the surviving knights had suffered wounds of their own, none compared to the sword that had pierced straight through Cedric’s chest. Now that the blade had been removed, blood had soaked through nearly every layer of his clothing, staining even the hands of the men carrying him.

They hurried through the palace without slowing. “Get the physician!” one of them shouted desperately as their voices echoed through the corridors.

Servants immediately scattered in every direction to fetch the royal physician while Griswold, his wrists bound in chains, was dragged in behind them under heavy guard.

Rowan had already been informed that Cedric had returned.

The moment he entered the hall and saw Cedric’s unconscious body being lowered onto the floor, his entire expression darkened.

His jaw clenched. “What’s his condition p>

One of the knights stepped forward, tears welling in his eyes.

“He is unconscious, Your Majesty. He lost too much blood His voice broke. “We fear… we fear he may not survive p>

A heavy silence settled over the hall and Rowan’s gaze sharpened. “The physician p>

“He has been sent for, Your Majesty. He should arrive at any moment p>

Rowan nodded once before looking back at the wounded men. “What exactly happened p>

“We were ambushed by Griswold,” another knight answered, exhaustion evident in both his voice and posture. “We barely escaped alive, and we suffered heavy losses p>

Rowan’s fists tightened at his sides.

Even now p>

Even after all their efforts p>

Griswold had still managed to stay one step ahead of them and had inflicted devastating damage upon the Lord Commander of the Knights.

It was only then that Griswold was shoved forward. “Here’s the traitor”

Until that moment, the crowd of soldiers had hidden him from Rowan’s view.

The instant their eyes met, Rowan strode toward him without hesitation.

His hand shot forward and seized Griswold by the collar. “If he dies… So do you,” he said, every word carrying barely restrained fury.

Griswold simply chuckled. “I’d advise you not to p>

Rowan’s eyes blazed.

Without another word, he shoved Griswold so violently that he crashed onto the stone floor before turning toward the guards.

“Get him out of my sight,” Rowan ordered coldly. “Keep him alive for me. If anything happens to him before I decide his fate, both of you will answer to me p>

His gaze swept over the two guards, making them visibly tremble.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” they answered at once, bowing their heads before quickly hauling the bound traitor back onto his feet and leading him away under heavy guard.

The physician arrived in haste, his expression tense as he looked at the men surrounding Cedric. “Quick, bring him here,” he ordered, immediately turning towards the chamber while the knights hurried to lift Cedric once more.

His body had grown heavy from unconsciousness, his boots dragging weakly against the floor as they struggled to carry him inside. Along the way, they passed Rebecca, Rosalind and little Julian. Ever since Cedric had returned, news of his severe injuries had spread throughout the palace, prompting them to rush over without a second thought.

Rosalind stood frozen in shock at the sight before her, while Julian’s eyes widened in disbelief. Rebecca, however, felt something inside her sink heavily. As Cedric’s unconscious body was carried past her towards the chamber, her heart tightened in her chest, and for reasons she herself could not understand, she found herself silently praying that he would survive.

Once the doors closed behind them, everyone was left waiting outside, and the long silence that followed seemed to stretch endlessly.

Inside, the physician worked frantically with his attendants while those outside could only wait helplessly. Again and again, the chamber doors opened, and every time they did, hope flickered across the faces of those gathered there, only to disappear when it turned out to be another attendant instead of the physician.

One after another, they carried bowls of water stained deep red with blood, each sight making the atmosphere outside grow even heavier.

No one spoke much anymore because there was nothing left to say. Even the servants lowered their heads as the dreadful silence settled over the corridor, broken only by hurried footsteps coming from within the chamber.

What felt like an eternity later, the physician finally emerged from the room, exhaustion written all over his face. The first person he saw was Rowan, who had been waiting closest to the entrance the entire time, refusing to leave even for a moment.

“Is Cedric alright?” Rowan asked immediately, his voice steady, although everyone could hear the strain beneath it.

The physician lowered his head before slowly shaking it.

Rowan’s entire body stiffened.

Before the physician could say another word, Rowan stepped forward and seized him by the front of his robes so suddenly that the man’s face drained of all colour. Fear flashed across the physician’s eyes as Rowan held him firmly, his grip tightening with every passing second.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Rowan demanded sharply, his voice carrying enough force to make everyone nearby instinctively hold their breath.

The physician swallowed hard, visibly trembling beneath the king’s grasp. “We… we tried everything we could he began, but Rowan refused to let him finish.

“That isn’t good enough,” Rowan snapped, shoving him backwards with enough force to make him stumble several steps. “Go back in there and do whatever it takes. Cedric must live p>

The physician’s hands trembled uncontrollably as he quickly bowed his head. “Y-Yes, Your Majesty,” he stammered before turning without another word and hurrying back into the chamber, while the heavy doors shut once more, leaving everyone outside to wait in agonising silence.