Chapter 191: Realization

Lokendra rushed to the Royal Palace in Cuttack at the news of his father's collapse. The situation would become precarious soon as the collapse would indicate a shift in power in the kingdom of Gajapathis.

He had a sneaking suspicion that the reason for his father's collapse was the prime minister.

His sister's death reason came as a shock to him. Now it was his father. The prime minister had gone too far in the greed of power. He had to put an end to this situation before the kingdom became destabilized.

"Where is the father?" He asked a servant, huffing heavily.

"The Royal Doctor is taking a look at His majesty right now," said the servant with a nervous look.

Lokendra quickly rushed to his father's room to check on his condition, despite his disdain for his father's decisions and greed. He was a filial son.

Lokendra never hated his father.

He saw the ministers lined up outside his father's room eagerly waiting for the news from the royal doctor. The prime minister, Harichandan, was also present.

One of the ministers noticed Lokendra and greeted him.

"Your Highness. It seems the king has collapsed from overwork." He said it with a sad voice.

Lokendra nodded, understanding the situation.

"What happened?"

Another minister glanced at a servant and replied.

"It was that man who witnessed His Majesty's collapse in his study room."

Lokendra turned to the servant. He was a young man with a nervous and scared expression. It was clear to him that the servant had no part in the collapse of his father. His eyes drifted around cautiously.

"Um," he began. "The King called me for some help with taking down old books from a shelf above." Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"So what happened after that?"

"The king collapsed as I was helping with the books."

It seemed like the King just collapsed from overwork from the statement but Lokendra felt like something was missing.

He couldn't put his finger on it.

"Did Father have anything to eat or drink?" He inquired to the servant.

The servant boy thought for a while and responded.

"He was served his daily tea by the maid. His Majesty doesn't eat at this time of day."

"I see. You may leave."

The servant boy quickly scurred off.

Lokendra looked at the face of Harichandan. He could see a slight smile on that bastard's face. He knew that his father would collapse. It seems similar to his sister. Harichandan poisoned his father as well.

He clenched his fist, trying to control his anger. If he accused the prime minister right now. His already declining political standing would fade as he had no evidence to back his claim.

The royal doctor came out of the room with his assistant by his side.

"How is the father?" asked Lokendra, gripping the shoulders of the doctor.

"His Majesty has collapsed from overwork. We saw no signs of other diseases or poisons. He is exhausted and sleeping right now. It would be good if no one except the prince visits him for now," declared the royal doctor.

The hallway broke in murmurs as the ministers chattered between themselves about the possible reason for the overwork.

Lokendra was fed up by this act.

He sighed deeply and looked over at the group of ministers.

"The doctor said that Father needs some time alone. You all may leave." He ordered in a commanding voice.

The ministers nodded and began to leave until there was only Harichandan left standing in the hallway along with Lokendra.

"Prime minister, aren't you leaving?" asked Lokendra with a sneer.

"I wanted to talk about something, Your Highness."

Harichandan, despite his disdain and open hostility to the prince, never showed it outwards, as they would create a bad image for himself among the other ministers.

"What do you want to talk about now?"

Lokendra's gaze was fixed on him.

Harichandan shrugged. "It seems that the king is getting too old. We require a new ruler."

"I am well aware of that. No need to worry about these problems."

Harichandan chucked. "I knew it. No one other than Your Highness is worthy of the throne. Who else would be able to foresee such situations in advance?"

He was blatantly mocking Lokendra for his inability to secure enough support for taking over the throne in such a precarious situation.

Lokendra froze for a while in thought and dismissed the mockery from the Minister. Words didn't hurt him; only the reactions that would stem from those words would hurt him. He knew better than to react wildly to this mockery.

"Take care of your health, Prime Minister. You never know when you can end up in a similar situation due to "overwork"." He said it with a mocking smile.

Harichandan's smug expression changed but he quickly composed himself.

"I shall take my leave now, Your Highness. Enjoy your time with His Majesty." He did a curt bow and left him alone in the hallways.

"That bastard," he mumbled.

He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. His father wasn't dead yet and the situation became clear as the main instigator seemed to be Harichandan.

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He entered the room where his father was lying down on the large bed, his eyes closed. He reeked of herbal medicine.

Lokendra checked his father's breaths and it was still fine.

He took a deep breath of relief.

"Father," he muttered. "When will you realize your path is wrong?"

He looked at his father's pale face. He looked slim from lack of nutrition and food. It seemed like he wasn't able to eat much.

Lokendra wondered what poison was used by the prime minister to poison his sister and father. It seemed impossible to detect.

The report mentioned prolonged exposure to the poison resulted in the death of his sister.

"Damn that Prime Minister!" He mumbled.

The preparations for a coup were already underway. He had to take action in this very moment, whether his father liked it or not.

"Son..."

A voice croaked. It was barely coherent and cracked slightly. It was his father.

Lokendra rushed to his father's side as soon as he heard the voice.

"Father!!. You woke up?" He heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God," he muttered.

Pratapendra winced in pain as he tried to sit straight up.

"Father. The doctor said to rest. Please don't strain yourself."

"Son…What did you say?" He croaked.

The king had been awake since Lokendra entered the room.

Lokendra's eyes went wide as he thought that his father heard everything he mumbled in the room.

"What did you mean when you said my path was wrong?" asked Pratapendra in a low voice. His expression was very serious.

He looked into his father's eyes. He took a deep breath and realized that this was the time to reveal the truth to him.

Lokendra felt that the king needed to know about the prime minister's schemes and the truth about his daughter's death. He needed to stop directing his hate and incompetence on the others as a coping mechanism.

He needed to face reality and accept it. This was the last chance to do so.

"I will tell you the truth, father."

Lokendra revealed the truth about the prime minister's scheme to take the throne from him and his schemes to turn the nobles against the royal family and take over the kingdom.

"I see…. I should have known about this earlier," admitted Pratapendra.

"You trust me?"

"Son… I am sorry for not listening to you earlier."

The arrogance and ego had faded. Lokendra could sense the change in his father's demeanour. It was good but something felt ominous at the same time.

"There is another thing…. Father."

"What is it? Reveal everything!! I trust you, my son." He said it with a warm smile.

"Sister was poisoned by the prime minister."

Pratapendra coughed uncontrollably as he heard that statement. He was dumbfounded. He didn't want to believe Lokendra but the statement felt genuine.

He could feel the sadness seeping out of Lokendra as he controlled himself.

Pratapendra shook with fury. He wanted to get up but his body didn't allow him to do so.

"But… She was in the Empire.. How?"

"It seems like she was being poisoned well before she married the Emperor."

"FUCK!" He cursed as tears welled up in his eyes. "I couldn't even protect her in my own kingdom. It's all my fault.."

Pratapendra could feel his body twisting in pain. His instincts screamed that he was just at death's door.

He had failed both his son and daughter. He wasn't a good father, a good husband, or even a good ruler. He realized this too late.

Pratapendra knew that his actions now won't make any change now.

Lokendra stood up suddenly.

"Father, you might regret your decisions after hearing the truth." He began. "But you failed as a father…. And as a ruler but I still don't hate you.."

He walked off towards the door.

"I hope you follow the right path now."