*****
I arrived at the main quarters and knocked gently on the king's door. It didn't take long before it opened. Lord Rowland was the one who answered. His eyes widened slightly in surprise when he saw me, but he stepped aside and let me in.
The king was seated on his chair, surrounded by scrolls and papers, clearly lost in work. From the way his shoulders drooped and his eyes looked heavy, I could tell he had been at it all day. He was tired, worn out, and holding himself together by sheer will.
"Princess Katrina?" he said as he stood up slowly. He walked toward me with a puzzled look just as the maids began entering behind me, each of them carrying trays.
"What is going on?" he asked.
"I will tell you," Rania answered as she stepped into the room behind me. She went straight to her brother and gently held his arm. No matter how hard he tried to look composed, I could still see the sadness in his eyes. He was barely holding on.
