Phoebe's POV
Elder Tricia slumped into his chair, exhaustion etched across his weathered face. The past few days had drained him—managing both the kingdom and the council of elders was a burden that would have crushed even Flynn's spirit.
This was exactly the kind of responsibility Flynn used to grumble about, and I could see why. The elder wasn't young enough anymore to handle such relentless pressure.
"Perry probably doesn't remember, but I believe the poison barely touched him because the former king had already poisoned him before. Whether he recalls that incident or not, I can't say. The poison didn't kill him then, but it left lasting consequences."
Elder Tricia gestured toward the unconscious king on the bed, his meaning crystal clear.
"He won't wake for at least three days. When he does, the pain will be unbearable. He'll need something strong for it. Helen always knew this was coming—she'd have the medicine ready every time. You'll need to do the same."
