The moment William collapsed, the sound did not stay inside the council hall.
A deep bell rang once across the palace towers.
Then again.
And again.
Not an alarm of war—this was older. Heavier. A signal reserved only for the royal bloodline.
The sound rolled outward through the capital, echoing across streets, rooftops, and distant hills.
Something had happened to the First Prince.
What really happened was
...
Campbell Palace
Council Hall
William had been standing only seconds before.
A report still in his hand. Ministers still mid-sentence.
Then—
Silence.
His fingers loosened.
The paper slipped.
And the First Prince of Campbell fell forward without a sound.
A guard rushed in.
Another caught him before he struck the floor.
Minister:
"Prince William—!"
But there was no response.
No movement. No words. Only stillness.
Outside the hall
The bell began to ring.
Once.
Twice.
Then continuously.
Rowan, who had been in a lower corridor, stopped dead.
Rowan:
"...That's the royal distress bell." 😨
Leo's expression changed instantly.
Leo:
"It only rings for three reasons. All of them severe." 😐
Kristen, standing beside them, frowned.
Kristen:
"What happened"
Leo was already moving.
Leo:
". We will go now ,you too come ."
Corridor rush
Servants moved quickly but quietly. Guards sealed passages. Doors opened and closed in controlled urgency.
The palace, despite its size and beauty, suddenly felt like a body reacting to injury.
Rowan ran ahead.
Leo too
But guards didn't allow kristen is a ramrizz
Rowan:
"He was fine a yesterday !" 😭
Leo's voice stayed low but sharp.
Leo:
"He has carried strain for weeks. This is the limit of endurance." 😐
Council Hall –
moments later
They arrived as physicians gathered around William.
The hall was no longer formal. Chairs had been pushed aside. Maps lay forgotten. The air smelled faintly of ink and ink-stained urgency.
William lay on a temporary cot, still dressed in his council attire.
Perfect posture even in collapse.
But he did not wake.
Physician:
"Pulse is stable—but he is unresponsive." 😟
"It is as if his consciousness has shut itself away."
Rowan stepped forward.
Rowan:
"Wake him!" 😨
The physician shook his head.
Physician:
"We have tried. He does not respond to voice or stimulus."
Leo's jaw tightened slightly.
Leo:
"...When did it begin?"
Physician:
"Mid-report. He paused, read a line again, and then—collapsed without warning."
To be continued...