8

Princess Esme's POV:

In the stillness of night, I am startled awake when my chamber door opens. My ladies who had not left my company, spring into action, Lady Joan pulls a dagger from her hidden sheath and they all guard me. The intruder, a messenger from the kingdom, jumps back, eyes wide, startled. I am a moment away from shouting for Caerel. He stutters out an apology, terrified that he'd scared us. I quickly return my forgiveness. After a moment we all relax.

"Please forgive my intrusion, Your Grace but you are all required in the throne room at once at the order of the Queen."

"Thank you sir. Be well." I tell him once I get over the initial shock

He nods before turning around, closing the door quickly, out of respect.

"What could that be about?" Lady Joan wonders out loud

"I haven't heard a shred of interesting news all night." Lady Eleanor comments

I turn to Lady Agnes.

"Help me dress." I tell her

Together we scramble to find a dress to slip me into. My other ladies get busy aiding with putting my hair in a bun. Within a few moments we are rushing from my chamber, through the dimly light halls to the throne room. When we enter, we are not announced. In fact there are no castle staff anywhere to be seen. There standing in the dark vacant room stood the Queen, a candle in hand, waiting for us. The spark in her eyes, gone.

Prince Xavier enters a moment later looking just as puzzled as us.

Queen Kara walks down the short steps from the throne to where her son now stands.

"The King, your father has passed." She tells him

She moves to place a comforting hand on his shoulder but he steps back. His shock turns to confusion.

"How? When we last spoke he was in the prime of health." Prince Xavier demands, a rage in his voice

"The ship capsized a few miles from shore. They went out to sea and got caught in a storm. There was a lone survivor of the wreck. He only lived long enough to tell the tale. He passed before they could bring him to shore."

Prince Xavier stands looking at the wall, keeping his distance from us both. His hands are locked into fists. He's shaking. There is a long moment of silence as it sinks in as to the exchange of power and fate before us. The Queen and I lock eyes knowing that once we walk of of this room, I will be Queen and her son standing disoriented facing the wall, will be King of the Valgo Isles.

The people's ruler and future.

"Leave me." Prince Xavier tells us, still facing away

"Xavier, my dear,  there is much to discuss before-" Queen Kara begins to explain but he holds up a hand, cutting her off

With one hand he waves us out.

I step forward but Queen Cara puts a hand on my shoulder, stopping me. She gives a slight shake of her head.

Together we make our way out.

I make my way back to my chambers, my knight following closely behind but I barely hear his footsteps, a deep numbness within me. When I enter my room I am relieved that my ladies are there.

They walk up to me, looking happy at first and then concerned.

"What has happened?" Lady Agnes asks her eyes scanning my face

"The King has passed." I tell them

Lady Joan looks shocked, eyes wide, holding her breath.

Lady Agnes, her hand flies to her mouth as she gasps.

Lady Eleanor holds my hand in her own.

None of us speak for a long time, worried for the future.

"Leave me now, please. Speak nothing of this until it is announced." I tell them

They compose themselves again and curtsy before exiting.

I make my way over to the window staring out at the town below.

"The King is dead! Long live the King!" A cryer shouts

Dressed in grey cloth, the man who shouts is not visible, as was required. He is to move about like a showed. Bringing only news delivered straight from the King or Queen's lips.

More voices ring out as more criers  make their way through the castle out into town. I watch, too far away to see the people's reaction at the news of their fallen King. I listen to the sounds of a handful of cryers, male and female voices ring out repeating the phrase, casting out the news for all to hear.

The door to my chambers open and Xavier enters.

I curtsy.

"You must pack immediately and we will be on our way." He tells me

I stare back at him, confused as to what he could be referring to.

The King has just passed.

There is much that must take place.

I stand back up.

"Forgive me, I do not understand. Where are we going?"

"Severn Castle. We will be there for the next few days and be back for the funeral. Then I will be declared in front of the nobles and will begin my duties. For now there is one that we both must attend to first." He tells me

"What is that?"

"Conceiving an heir."

With this he walks up to me, wrapping his arms around me and squeezing my chest. I smile at him although his hands are too rough making me wince in pain.

"I agree that it is of great importance." I say as he begins to kiss my neck, pulling me against his chest

As gently as I can, I pull back and turn around to face him. He leans in and I place a hand on his chest.

"My love, is it not more important to meet with your council first to get things in order before we leave?" I ask gently

"No."

He pulls me in again and I try again to stop him.

"Your Grace-" I say more forcefully

At this he stops and I pull away.

He breathes heavy, cut roughly from a possible passionate moment. He slides a hand across his jaw, glaring at me.

I swallow hard, a lump forming in my throat.

"The people may find it in poor taste of us conceiving this night."

He says nothing, glaring coldly as he gathers his thoughts.

"I am your husband, soon to be King. I do not need your council nor do I require theirs."

He turns away and marches off but not before punching the wall hard causing a portrait to fall but he pays no mind, slamming the door behind him. I stand up from my curtsy, not wanting to anger him more by moving and I walk over to the portrait. Bending down, I pick up the parchment. A painting of me as a young babe in the arms of my mother. I lie sleeping in her arms wrapped in a white cloth. She stares down at me, smiling, her curls tamed in braids, her happiness radiating from within.

I am sick at the thought of becoming pregnant with his child. At first the thought made me nervous. Then after meeting him I was excited at the thought of having met a wonderful match who would make a good husband and father.

Now the thought horrifies  me.

To make circumstances worse, I had recieved a letter from my mother stating that by royal decree, the act of succession had changed. She had birthed a son.