How is Father's Health?

"Ever since Father fell ill about a week ago, he's been holed up in his room. No one's been allowed in or out, per the physician's orders," Alice said, leaning back and recalling when the news had been broken to her. The Crimson Cough, the physician had explained. Highly contagious and very dangerous. Most lacked the vitality and the fortitude to survive more than a few days, but king Cassian was no ordinary man. Even now, in his late forties, he was a formidable individual, capable of hunting and dueling with the best of them. If there was anyone who could outlast this vicious illness, it would be him.

Alice didn't care too much about her father's actual wellbeing. They were hardly close, and the fact that her mother had died giving birth to her meant that she would always exist as a reminder of painful memories. As such, she hardly saw the man for the first decade of her life, only catching glimpses of him on occasion while he was walking through the palace. Instead, she was raised by the many maids and caretakers of the palace, but it wasn't something she regretted. In fact, it was what forged her into the person she is today, untethered by meaningless familial bonds. To her, king Cassian and her brothers were merely obstacles on her quest, and she wouldn't hesitate to remove them if deemed necessary.

Having said that, Alice wasn't not particularly keen on seeing her father die too soon. Her preparations were not yet ready, and without enough resources to challenge the throne, Jamis would inherit and it hinder her plans massively. So, on a purely pragmatic level, she needed her father to hold on just a bit longer. Once she's ready, then he can die.

"And why do you think I would know this?" Blake asked, eyebrow raised in curiosity. "I'm locked out, just like you."

"I saw the nurse leave your bedchambers," Alice replied dryly, not bothering to even make eye contact as she answered. Was there any woman in the palace safe from his charms? Even Katherine had been talking about Blake in a positive light. Was she herself the only one who couldn't see his appeal?

"Haha, okay, you got me," he chuckled. "For now, he looks like he's hanging on, but his demise is inevitable. He's frail and can hardly get out of bed anymore, and the doc suggests maybe three more weeks, tops."

Three weeks.

Was that enough time? It would have to be.

"Very well, my hunger for knowledge has been sated," Alice said airily. "And in my generosity, I will pretend you haven't been ogling my tits for the past five minutes. I do hope your next requests are less depraved."

With those parting words, Alice returns to the dressing room, calling upon the attendant to help her get dressed. It was time to go.