The Merger

Execute. Exile. Exhibitionism.

You woke without Bucky, disappointed but not surprised. With the seriousness of the crimes, the Rogers family were to be punished immediately.

You prepared for the day on your own, refusing Caroline's help caused the entire castle to erupt into whispers. Storming down the corridors and to the dungeons, you faced your husband and your legal family.

Their clothes were already stained with tar from the sweating rocks surrounding them. Your mother in law wept while her husband looked at you with disdain.

But your husband; oh your poor husband. He had hope in his eyes. The large hands you'd once wished would be around you were clinging to the prison bars. His knuckles were white and his face grinning with an eagerness that confused you.

"There she is! My beautiful, caring; merciful Queen."

You shook your head to clear it. This is the same man who once said you were a whore undeserving of love when you were a teenager just for kissing a boy in the stables. His cruelness had brought the penance. You were there to deliver your orders. Orders that you shall stick to because you are a strong and smart Queen.

"Your majesty-" the elder Rogers spoke.

"Highness" you whispered. Perhaps inflicting pain on others looked easier than it actually was. Thinking about Joseph's head rolling along the ground made you sick.

"Your highness." he corrected. His head bowed for a moment, praying to his God that you were stupid enough to let him go. "I believe that we can come to some sort of an agreement, no? You are a reasonable girl. A smart girl. Nothing like your father. Spare me and I will leave York to you. You will rule two kingdoms! Oh glory to you, glory to you."

Your silence worried him. The unsettling, unwelcoming look in your eyes made him uncomfortable.

"And what should I do with your wife and son?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You said if I spare you, I rule York. What about your wife and son? What value do they have to you?"

Steve and Sarah both stepped away from Joseph; realising the ugly truth of his words.
"She's twisting my words! I love you darling, I would do anything for you!"

"Do anything but die," you muttered, loud enough for him to hear. "Joseph, I already rule York. I signed the papers when I married your son. Your...stupid stupid son."

Peering over to Steve, you caught him holding his mother in his arms. No tears but he reeked of shame.

"Yes but there has been no consummation has there?" Everyone turned to Joseph, "mind my crudeness, your highness, but I believe the contract is nullified unless the marriage is consummated and of course you provide a son to rule York."

This time when you pictured his head on the floor you felt satisfaction. You scrutinized the ugly man before you. He was not unpleasant to look at, after all his son looks like a golden god. You saw beneath those blue eyes of his. How empty they were, soulless and without love for anything but himself. He was annoying only because he was right. The contract did say you had to provide an heir to rule over York - nothing said about that heir being a boy.

You turned your head to the prison guard, who kept his contempt to himself. Leaning in closer to the rusty bars, Joseph followed. "You are going to die today. I suggest you sign the confession, you will provide the guards with a speech to give to your-my people in York about how you deeply you regret your treasonous actions. You will be given food until midday and then because I am such a generous and magnanimous Queen you will have the privilege of choosing how you will die, while your wife is set free and of course your son and King of-" a huge spit ball stung your face. Disgust and rage ran through your entire body but you held back throwing up and rushed toward the nearest washroom.