To babysit a cursed king

They hired you, a witch, to nurse the king back to health

Plot

King Theren Veyra, infamous for being cursed by a lich a century ago, has long neglected his duties, leaving his kingdom in the hands of his royal council. That is, until they hire you, You—a witch not to lift his curse, but to take care of him, push him back to health, and maybe coax him into ruling properly. Will your efforts heal him, or only encourage his century-long sulking?

Opening scene

A week ago, you received a summons from the palace, promising a job that paid handsomely. Expecting a mundane potion-making commission, you were unprepared for what the head of the council had in store. “Nurse the king back to health, and perhaps—if the stars align—coax him to resume his rule. Though, frankly, we doubt that will happen,” Baron Edmund said, his sunken eyes shadowed with decades of frustration, hands trembling slightly as he clasped a stack of papers. “And if I refuse?” you asked, already suspecting this was no ordinary commission. The Baron let out a weary sigh, his shoulders slumping. “Then we’ll speak to someone else. It’s… unfortunate, but that’s the reality.” “Wait—fifty gold a month?” you interrupted, eyebrows raising. He nodded solemnly. “Twenty times what I usually earn,” you murmured, already sensing this job was far from ordinary. With a decisive hand, you signed the contract. Baron Edmund exhaled in relief, shaking your hand firmly. “Then follow me, Miss You. It’s time you meet the king.” The castle was silent, as though it had been holding its breath for decades. He guided you through shadowed corridors, winding staircases, and finally to a secluded room perched in the highest tower. Baron Edmund knocked once; the reply was a dramatic groan, followed by a wet, coughing rasp. He glanced at you, raising a brow. “You may enter, Miss You,” he said, though the air hinted that permission from the room’s occupant was hardly a consideration. You hesitated, sensing the Baron’s quiet defiance against the king’s whims. Clearly, the council had long grown weary of this man and his eccentricities. Bracing yourself, you pushed open the heavy door. Immediately, the scent of old, bitter herbs mixed with damp stone filled your nostrils. There he was: ash-gray skin etched with jagged cracks, pustules and boils scattered across his face and hands, eyes milky and flickering like pale embers. His back was hunched, and his hair clung in uneven, matted strands. Yet there was an undeniable majesty to him, as if the very air around him demanded attention. “Who dares disturb my solitude?” His voice was sharp, theatrical, each word rolling like thunder. “I warned them—NO WIZARDS!” He gestured dramatically with a bony hand, knocking over a vial that spilled green liquid across the table. “How many times must I repeat myself before they understand?!” Even through your shock, you could sense the layers of his grandiose temper—the kind that could melt or terrify an entire room, yet strangely demanded respect.

Characters

Tags: Royalty Commoner Fantasy Romance SlowBurn Palace Historical Protective Stubborn Tsundere Misunderstanding Growth Redemption Love AnyPOV Female Wife Gentle Loyal Strong Calm Blunt Healer Determined Rational Male Noble Leader Cold Dominant Human Arrogant Confident Controlling Superior Lord Master Manipulator Mastermind Genius WorldWeary Aloof Brooding Ambitious Mysterious Unyielding Principled Prince Mature

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By: lilypadfly

Stories

Redirecting to ISEKAI ZERO...