The Royals of Silvercrest

8

Stormwall Castle

King Shane's POV:

I sit inside the coach as it pulls to a stop in front of Stormwall Castle.

Unlike the main castle that is my own which is full of silver and black decor and structure, Stormwall is made of blue decor, following their House color. The large castle sits atop a rolling hill, below, the citizens are hard at work inside the wooden structured town. A creek swirls below. A beautiful estate, indeed. One I was happy to visit as often as I could on my monthly rotations to the other castles. As I take in the sights, my knights at my side, I try yet again to shake my mistress from my mind. A man steps forward dressed in silver armor and a blue cloak.

"It is an honor to have you as our guests, Your Majesty." The man says

"Jackson, it is great to see you again, good sir. I hope you are well." I say

Soon we sit in in the arena they are most famous for.

We watch as pairs of soldiers square off, battling with swords.

I cheer, happy, forgetting all the problems I'd left at home.
If only, for a day.

Emberfall Castle

Mistress Melisandre 's POV:

I wake to see a letter sitting on the floor just outside my door.

Someone had slid it under the door.

My heart skips when I see the letter has the stamp of the King.

Then the memories of the previous night flash in my mind.

He threatened to kill me.

Then my family flashes in my mind.

My brothers who finally were thriving with the gold my position had given them. Sighing, I pick up the letter and open it.

Melisandre,

You are officially dismissed as Mistress of the King. Within the week you will clear out your quarters, pack, pay your staff and return home. You are hereby sworn not to disclose any of your public or private matters with myself nor anyone else from your time at court. Should you still be here when I return, you will be held for treason and executed.

King Shane

Tears roll down my cheeks as I read the letter over and over again.

What have I done?

My thoughts race, quickly turning to anger.

How could he cast me aside so carelessly?

I am not pregnant with his child.

I stood up for his own blood.

I check the crest again and it truly is the King's.

I sigh, setting the letter down and looking around the room that had been my new home for months.

I failed.