PROLOGUE

It was a memorial event. One that not many were privileged to witness. The crowning of a new queen. Queens were made to live for thousands of years but this one had long since overstayed her time. Though she would rather die than willingly relinquish her title, she was well aware that she could no longer control the multitude. The birth of a new queen was vital to sustain the kingdom. She would raise the girl until she was old enough to rule. The day set aside happened to be a windy night. The roaring wind made the creaky old wooden door to slam against the wall. Mr. Cedar jumped in fright. He had made to pick his knife before he realized what the sound was. Though Mr. Cedar had never killed anyone before, he wouldn't hesitate at the first sign of the royal guards.

"Williams... I'm terrified" his wife said protectively holding on to the huge bump on her stomach. "This is treason. If we are caught, we will be hanged". Tears slid down her face. 

He could feel his heart squeeze. For a split second he felt himself doubting. was this really worth it?. He slowly bent down and raised her shirt slightly, staring at the little flower imprint on her stomach. She was carrying a potential queen. He was well aware that there were only two ending to this story. It was either they were lucky enough to give birth to the first queen, or they were not and every other potential was killed. He immediately felt ashamed at the thought of doubt that filled him. He would never risk it. Hence, he had stayed home while every other citizen was assembled at the royal quarters to welcome the new queen. All the women pregnant at the time were seated at the front with a transparent veil over their bump. Those with the flower imprint were seated on high chairs. Majority wore huge smiles on their faces knowing that the mere fact that they carried a potential queen meant an automatic increase in their social status. Suddenly, one of the women fell to the floor. Her face scrunched up in pain. She was about to go into labour. She was immediately rushed into the palace by the royal guards with the royal doctor hot on their heels. 

The crowd erupted with a loud cheer. "A queen is born" they chanted. A pill was passed to the other women seated on the high chair. This was to kill the potentials and ensure that only one queen prevailed. Those who refused to take it we're slaughtered before the crowd. Guards patrolled every inch of the kingdom in search of defaulters. 

The couple stared at each other with frightened eyes as they heard the commotion. They knew that meant danger. Suddenly the face of his wife squeezed in pain as she let out a scream. The baby was here. He gently ushered his wife into the basement where he would help her deliver the baby. Afraid someone might have heard her scream, he rushed over to the door to lock it up. His eyes grew wide as a guard slammed the door in his face. Mr. Cidar pleaded for his life to be spared but didn't dare mention his wife. 

From the basement, the loud thud of Mr. Cidar's body hitting the floor could be heard minutes after the sword went through his chest. As the years went by, Mrs. Cidar would sometimes hear the thud over and over again in her heard. Little did she know that it was only a ripple in the ocean compared to what was to come.