I woke up as a King in a Fantasy World

A firm yet respectful voice—Roderic's—sounded from beyond the door, seeking permission to enter.

Jareth responded with a simple, "Come in."

The door swung open, and Roderic stepped inside, accompanied by a middle-aged man carrying a sturdy metal box that resembled a medical kit. His professional demeanor and the way he handled the box suggested he was a physician. Behind them, two attendants followed closely, their expressions neutral yet attentive.

As soon as they entered, all four men bowed respectfully, greeting him with the deference expected of a king's presence. Jareth, still adjusting to his newfound identity and position, merely gave a slight nod and pardoned them, allowing them to stand at ease.

Roderic took a step forward and spoke, his voice laced with unwavering concern. "Your Majesty, I brought the royal physician to examine you. I want to be absolutely certain that you are truly well."

Jareth blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He hadn't expected Roderic to go to such lengths, though in hindsight, it made sense. A king's health was of utmost importance, and any sign of weakness could lead to dangerous consequences. While a part of him was reluctant, refusing outright might raise suspicion. Instead, he maintained his composed facade, nodding as if granting permission.

"Very well," he said, his tone calm and unreadable.

In truth, Jareth was intrigued. Would the healer notice anything unusual? Would he find something that even Jareth himself wasn't aware of? The thought sent a ripple of unease through him, but he quelled it before it could show.

He walked towards the sitting area within his chamber, settling onto the plush couch designated for visitors. His posture remained relaxed, yet his mind was anything but. With measured patience, he waited for the physician to begin the examination, careful to observe every detail of what was to come.

"Your Majesty, please extend your hand," the physician requested politely, his voice steady and professional.

Jareth glanced at him before complying, curiosity flickering in his emerald eyes. He extended his hand without hesitation, eager to see what this so-called examination entailed.

The physician took Jareth's hand gently but firmly, his fingers pressing lightly against his palm. Almost instantly, a strange sensation washed over him. A warm, flowing current surged into his skin, spreading through his hand like a gentle but deliberate pulse.

Jareth's eyes widened in shock. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced before—intangible yet undeniably real. His instincts screamed at him, and before he could stop himself, he yanked his hand away, retreating as if he had just been burned.

"What are you doing?" he demanded sharply, his voice edged with suspicion.

The sudden movement left the physician momentarily stunned, his brows rising in confusion. He clearly hadn't expected such a reaction.

Before the healer could respond, Roderic stepped in, his sharp gaze locking onto Jareth with something close to scrutiny. His expression was subtle but unmistakably questioning, as if he found Jareth's reaction strange.

"He was assessing your body's condition, Your Majesty." Roderic stated matter-of-factly, though there was an undertone of perplexity in his voice.

Jareth remained silent, his mind racing. That warmth… that energy… were they using it to examine me? Is that how they check for illnesses or injuries here?

A chilling realization dawned upon him. This… this is magic, isn't it?

The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Until now, he had entertained the idea that this world was simply different—perhaps a parallel world. But if magic existed here, then that means…

I am in a fantasy world.

Suppressing his unease, he forced himself to appear composed. He let out a controlled breath before extending his hand once more, this time with deliberate slowness.

"I was merely startled," he said smoothly, as if his earlier reaction had been nothing more than an involuntary flinch. "Go ahead."

The physician hesitated for a brief moment before nodding, then resumed his examination. Meanwhile, Jareth remained still, though inwardly, he braced himself for whatever came next.

As Jareth held out his hand once more, the physician resumed his examination, allowing the same warm energy to flow from his palm and extend throughout his body. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever known—gentle yet powerful, as if an invisible current were coursing through him, reaching every limb, every fiber of his being. It was oddly soothing, filling him with a deep sense of comfort, almost as if he were being wrapped in a cocoon of warmth.

For a brief moment, Jareth let himself relax, closing his eyes as he focused on the unfamiliar yet strangely pleasant feeling. His initial wariness remained, but he couldn't deny that this energy—magic, he reminded himself—was fascinating.

After a short while, the physician finally withdrew his hands, exhaling softly in relief. "Fortunately, there is nothing wrong with Your Majesty," he announced with a reassuring tone. "It seems that your body is simply exhausted from overexertion. Fatigue has taken its toll, but there are no serious concerns."

Jareth let out a quiet breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Good. He didn't find anything strange.

The physician continued, "I strongly advise Your Majesty to rest for at least two days to allow your body to fully recover. Additionally, I will prepare a set of potions that you must take to aid in your recovery."

Jareth gave a small nod, as if he had no objections. That works for me. A few days of rest will give me time to observe more about this world and plan my next move.

However, before the physician could stand, Roderic spoke up, his sharp gaze never leaving Jareth. "Are you certain His Majesty is truly well?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of concern. "He has been acting… somewhat forgetful."

Jareth's spine stiffened slightly, but he forced himself to maintain a neutral expression. Damn it. He noticed.

The physician hummed thoughtfully before shaking his head. "There is nothing physically wrong with His Majesty," he reassured. "Memory lapses can sometimes occur when one is under extreme exhaustion or stress. Given His Majesty's condition, I believe this is simply a temporary side effect of overexertion. With proper rest and care, his mind should return to normal in no time."

To further ease any lingering concerns, the physician added, "I will also include a remedy to improve sleep quality in the prescribed treatment. A well-rested mind is just as important as a well-rested body."

At this, Roderic finally seemed to relax, the tension in his posture loosening slightly. He gave a short nod, seemingly satisfied with the explanation.

Jareth, on the other hand, remained composed, though inwardly, he was assessing the situation carefully. 

That was close. If I act out of character too much, someone will start to suspect something is truly wrong with me. I need to be more careful moving forward.

The physician gathered his medical kit and straightened up, offering a respectful bow. "Your Majesty, I will go prepare the medicine now. If there is anything else you require, please do not hesitate to summon me. For now, I must take my leave."

Jareth gave a simple nod in acknowledgment, watching as the man departed. As the door closed behind him, he shifted his gaze to Roderic, who had already turned his attention to the two attendants. The knight was issuing instructions with his usual composed demeanor, ordering them to prepare a bath and set out fresh clothes for Jareth.

Jareth arched a brow as he observed the scene. 

Why is this man still here? Doesn't he ever sleep? Wasn't he here last night too? 

The more he thought about it, the more he realized how meticulous Roderic was. His dedication to his duty was unwavering, almost to the point of being excessive. 

Does he ever take a break?

Moments later, Roderic turned back to him. "Your Majesty, you should take a bath. It will help you feel refreshed," he advised. "I will also have them bring your breakfast here, so you can eat in your chambers and then rest afterward as the physician suggested."

Jareth blinked. 

Wow. Being a king is incredible. People help you bathe, dress, and even bring food straight to your room. No effort needed. 

It was a lifestyle of absolute luxury, something he had never experienced before. However, despite the convenience, staying in his chambers all morning didn't appeal to him.

"I'll eat in the dining room," he said decisively. If I stay here, I won't be able to see anything beyond these walls. I need to get a better grasp of my surroundings.

Roderic frowned slightly, his expression laced with concern. "But, Your Majesty, the physician advised you to rest. Walking around may not be ideal in your current condition."

Jareth shook his head dismissively. "I won't be able to rest properly if I stay cooped up here all morning. It feels stuffy, and I need to move around a bit. I'll take a walk and have my meal in the dining room. Then, I'll return and rest in the afternoon."

Roderic hesitated, clearly debating whether to press the issue further. However, after a brief pause, he exhaled a quiet sigh and nodded in reluctant agreement. "Understood, Your Majesty. I will have them prepare your breakfast in the dining hall."

As Roderic turned to give further orders, Jareth studied him for a moment before speaking again. "You should get some rest too," he said casually. "You were here last night as well, weren't you? You probably haven't slept yet."

For the first time since they began speaking, Roderic appeared genuinely surprised. His brows lifted slightly, and he stared at Jareth as if he had just heard something completely unexpected. 

What? Was the original king so heartless that showing basic concern is shocking to him?

"I am fine, Your Majesty," Roderic finally replied, his voice carrying a subtle note of gratitude. "I will accompany you for breakfast. Once you have rested in the afternoon, I will return to my quarters."

Jareth could tell that Roderic was moved, even if he tried to mask it behind his usual disciplined exterior. It was a small moment, but Jareth made a mental note of it.

So, this king really didn't show much care for those around him… That might actually work in my favor. If I start acting slightly different, people might just think I've had a change of heart rather than suspect something is truly wrong.