In the gloomy space, with only a few rays of sunlight streaming in through the windows above, in the center of the room sat a large bed made of fine oak zuò, with four bedposts hung with woolen fabric, on which Henry, the ruler of the entire East Frankish kingdom, lay the birdcatcher, and several skilled physicians gathered around the king, trying to delay Henry's life with various treatments.

"Whew." Henry the Bird Catcher's head was pillowed with a cushion filled with velvet feathers, his most beloved son Prince Otto was looking at his father with a worried face, the smell of potion was in the air, the bishop of the court with two priests holding a cross in the corner, facing Henry praying, hoping that faith could save the king's life, I don't know whether it was because of the potion or the bishop's prayer, Henry finally woke up from his coma, he was gradually improving his spirit except for some weakness.

"When I saw you regain your health, I was relieved and thanked God for his favor." Prince Otto stepped forward and gently shook Henry's hands, which were once strong and elastic, but now they looked like bony chicken feet, not only with loose skin and green tendons, but not at all like the hands of a king.

"Don't worry, I still have some things to do, and God is reluctant to call me." Henry looked at his favorite son, a smile on his lips, sickness tormenting his body, and the fear of the kingship of the East Francian kingdom tormented his nerves.

"Da-da-da-da." At this moment, a series of footsteps sounded from outside the door, and as the door opened, a young man with blond hair walked in, his face a little immature, but the nobles in his clothes and huddled showed that he was a member of the royal family.

"Oh, Donkmar my brother, when are you coming?" Prince Otto frowned when he saw Donkmar appear in front of him. But he still greeted him.

"My brother, shouldn't my father come and visit him when he's seriously ill?" The young prince spoke with contempt and displeasure in his tone, and as he spoke, he walked to the bedside, where he bent down and kissed Henry on the forehead.

"Your Royal Highness." The nobles around Donkmar, all the lords of the Duchy of Saxony and close to Donkmar, bowed to Prince Otto in turn.

"We welcome you. It's just that if I can deliver the letter early, then I can have the kitchen stocked with hearty food to entertain you and your friends. At this time, the Anglo-Saxon princess Edgita who was beside Prince Otto took a few steps forward, wearing a small princess laurel crown on her head, and her slender snow-white neck was adorned with multicolored pearls that adorned her beauty, but Donkmar, who was facing the uninvited guest, sneered.

"Well, though I'd love to let you know in advance, it's just that the castle still belongs to the king of East Francia. Instead of being Saxon, I came here as if I were at home, eating whatever I wanted. With his right hand crossed over his waist, he unceremoniously said to his new sister-in-law, he was the half-brother of Prince Otto, and they were the same age, but Henry had deprived him of the inheritance, how could Donkmaar swallow this breath.

"Whew, if you're here to see if I'm alive. Then your purpose has been achieved, now go back to your mother. Stop arguing with your brother. Henry, lying on the hospital bed, witnessed the scene in front of his eyes, this was still when he was alive, and if he died at this time, he really didn't know what else would happen.

"Yes, I obey the command of His Majesty the King, may God grant you health my father." Donkmar bent down. He quickly raised his head, then turned and left the king's chamber, and the Saxon nobles who followed him hurriedly followed him. Prince Otto stood looking at his impudent brother, his hands clenched, and his wife, Edgitta, comforted him by the shoulders.

"It's rude." Prince Otto said angrily. However, he tried to keep his voice as low as possible, not wanting to upset Henry.

"All of you go down, Otto, you and Edgita stay, come here, and stay close to my children." Henry gasped, he raised his left hand, and told the physician and the bishop to retreat first, leaving only his closest son and daughter-in-law.

"Father, please don't worry, I won't have a quarrel with him." Prince Otto sat side by side with his new wife beside Henry, who was only a seriously ill old man who had been stripped of his kingship, and he comforted his father who loved him the most.

"See, the Saxon nobles who are following your brother, your brother is demonstrating against you, ahem." Henry was dressed in a white undershirt, his hair was dry and dull, but his thoughts were still clear, nay, even clearer than ever.

"You mean Donkmaar already has the support of the Saxon nobility?" Prince Otto's brows furrowed, although this was a very strict matter, but Prince Otto was a stubborn and strong person, and he was not afraid of it.

"Although only a part of the people are supporting your brother, but the Duchy of Saxony is the basis of the kingdom's rule, so I must once again, ahem, convene a meeting to let the dukes confirm your inheritance, so that those Saxon nobles will not risk being enemies of all the dukes and attack you after my death." Henry felt as hot and painful as if his chest was on fire, but he still insisted on finishing his sentence, and Donkmaar's mother was a prestigious young lady in the Duchy of Saxony, so Donkmar took advantage of this relationship and gained more support from the Saxon nobility than Prince Otto, which was extremely bad for the rule of the kingdom.

"Don't talk too much, please rest more, I will do as you tell me." Prince Otto hurriedly got up and served Henry to lie down, covered him with a thick blanket, and watched Henry close his eyes and his chest rise and fall gently, Prince Otto carefully stood up with his wife and left the room.

"Your Royal Highness, please don't be discouraged, my motherland and I will always be on your side." Princess Edgita took her husband by her arms and said softly to Prince Otto.

"No, I am not discouraged, the kingdom that my father has worked so hard to build, even if I shed my last drop of blood, I will work hard to protect it, no matter what, no one can destroy it." Prince Otto clenched his fists, his eyes blazing, and his love and adoration for Henry made Prince Otto extremely disgusted and hated those who did not know the general situation. (To be continued......)