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The ancient wooden doors of Queen Elysande's room banged open, revealing young Prince Aldric, his outline cast by the dancing torchlight in the corridor. His green eyes, shimmering with unshed tears, gazed at the poorly lit room. The air was thick with the smell of lavender, a feeble attempt to hide the strong scent of medicinal herbs that had failed to heal his sick mother. The walls were covered in elaborate architecture, their vibrant colors telling stories of past victories and glorious conquests.

Yet, today, those victories seemed hollow and distant, overshadowed by the frail figure lying on the ornate bed.

As Aldric stepped into the room, his leather boots sank into the soft carpet. Each step closer to his mother's bed felt like a long journey, his heart becoming heavier with each step. Queen Elysande, once the epitome of royal beauty, now looked as delicate as a wilting rose. Her porcelain skin had turned as pale as the earth, her lips cracked like dry soil, and her breathing was shallow and labored. Yet, even in her weakened state, she maintained an air of dignity.

"Mother," Aldric whispered, his voice breaking like thin paper as he knelt by her side. He wrapped his hand around hers, feeling the coldness of her skin send a shiver through him like a winter gust. "Please, open your eyes."

Queen Elysande's eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes that still held the warmth of summer skies. "Aldric," she said softly.

Tears streamed down Aldric's face, leaving trails on his pale skin. Head bowed, he pressed his forehead against her hands, as if praying for her recovery. The room fell silent, save for the crackling of the fire and the distant, carefree songs of birds in the gardens below. Beyond the thick stone walls, the castle stood strong and unwavering, its battlements and spires a testament to its endurance through any challenge. In the dark corridors, statues of ancestors stood guard, their eyes seeming to look at the present with cold detachment.

"I cannot see you so weakened," Aldric said softly, his voice shaking like the last leaves of autumn. "You have been my stronghold, full of strength and life."

A brief smile softened the Queen's pale lips. "Strength, my dear Aldric, is measured not by the lack of suffering but by the determination to face it boldly."

Aldric's grip tightened around his mother's weak fingers, as if by sheer force of will he could keep her spirit grounded in the physical world. "I need you, Mother. The realm depends on your wisdom. Without it, we are lost."

Elysande's eyes softened, mixing sorrow with an infinite, maternal love. "Now you must find your own strength, Aldric, for yourself and for those who will look to their future king. One day, you will lead them well.”

Aldric shook his head uncertainly, the heavy truth pressing down on him like an approaching catastrophe. "I'm not prepared. I can never be you."

"You possess your father's unyielding bravery and my kind heart," Elysande responded, her tone regaining a hint of its former strength. "That, my son, is more than enough."

The large wooden doors creaked open once more, and Aldric turned to see his father, King Alaric, looming in the entrance. The King's dominant presence filled the room like an approaching storm, exuding a firm authority. His broad build and sharp features hinted at noble lineage, while his deep-set eyes revealed a storm of emotions as they fell on his son.

Aldric quickly stood, bowing deeply before his sovereign. "Your Majesty," he said with reverence.

King Alaric nodded with a stern gaze, his eyes never leaving Aldric's face. "How is the queen doing?" he asked with a grim tone, though there was a hint of sorrow beneath his firm words.

"She...she's fighting," Aldric managed, struggling against his father's strength in the face of personal suffering.

The King moved to the bedside with grace, gently touching Elysande's forehead. "My heart," he whispered softly - a tenderness Aldric rarely saw. "I am here with you."

Elysande's eyes opened again, her lips curving weakly at the sight of her husband. "Alaric," she whispered. "I promise to seek counsel for our son. He will need your wisdom more than ever."

Alaric nodded gravely, his jaw clenching with emotion. "You have my word," he vowed solemnly. "I will guide him with every lesson I have."

Aldric watched this exchange with a mix of awe and sorrow. He had always held his father in high regard, a man of few words but immense strength. Yet in this moment, he saw a vulnerability beneath royal stoicism that revealed the true depth of his parents' love.

As the sun moved across the scarlet sky, Aldric stayed by his mother's side. Each labored breath she took felt like a sharp blow to his heart. The once grand and expansive palace seemed to shrink around him, its luxurious halls and chambers closing in under the overwhelming weight of what was to come.

In the late afternoon, when the sun bathed the palace gardens in golden light and stretched shadows across the manicured lawns, Aldric walked the grounds in search of peace. He stopped before a statue of a deceased queen whose serene expression offered a momentary escape.

"Prince Aldric," a voice called. He turned to see Lord Cedric, his father's most trusted advisor, approaching with thoughtful steps. The older man's face was marked with care, yet his eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope. "How is Her Majesty doing?"