God, Save the Queen

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Elysa removed her gloved hand from her lips as her nausea subsided. She never traveled over the seas much as a child, but whenever the occasion would arise, she always grew seasick.

"Come in," She said once she heard the knock on the door. Knowing who was on the other side, she knew she could relax. Sir Thomas entered the dimly lit ship cabin but did not move far from the door.

"Your Grace," He curtly said as he looked down. The two scarcely made eye contact with one another anymore. They seldom spent moments alone after Elysa became the Queen. Any rumors about their trysts were put to bed when Sir Thomas joined the Queen's Order.

Time passed as neither spoke up, the air growing tenser as the silence remained. Growing tired of the awkwardness, Elysa cleared her throat and looked at Sir Thomas until he met her gaze. She saw in his eyes how he still longed for her.

And he saw just how sad her eyes seemed. Most girls would kill for her position, yet she appeared wistful for a different fate. Only Sir Thomas knew of the despair that resided in her eyes since she was unwilling to reveal her emotions to anyone else. The pleasant Queen was always seen with a smile on her face. Anger and sadness seemed to be foreign emotions to her despite the trials she had faced.

To say many noblemen disagreed with King Edmund's decision to name Elysa his heir would be an understatement. No one wished for the teenage girl to become their ruler, and Elysa believed the Wise Men of The Council would use her display of emotions against her at any moment.

Although the two were no longer close, Elysa could always let her guard down around Sir Thomas, for she knew he would never betray her. He adored her far too much.

"What news, Sir Thomas?" Elysa finally asked with a crack in her voice. He cleared his throat and took a step forward as he spoke. "We shall arrive on land shortly, my Queen," He said as he put his head down once more.

Elysa gave no response but examined his features instead. Since he refused to meet her gaze, she was able to stare freely. She had never seen a man more beautiful in her life, and her heart ached that they would never be wed.

"Was that all?" She asked, seeming to snap out of her thoughts. Sir Thomas remained silent but reluctantly returned his eyes to hers after a while.

"It is the matter of the succession, Your Grace," As he spoke, Elysa was aware of how uncomfortable he seemed, a mood he was not alone in feeling.

Elysa scoffed and released a sharp sigh shortly after. "It has only been two years since I became Queen and wed Prince Annigan. Does The Council wish to replace me so soon?" She asked.

Elysa knew questions would arise regarding her marriage and the status of an heir. The truth was that Prince Annigan and Elysa never consummated their marriage. Shortly after their nuptials, Elysa returned to Synon while Annigan remained in Lumisyce.

"They wonder if your visit to Lumisyce will bring forth a Prince or Princess for the realm," Sir Thomas said as Elysa looked at him with disbelief.

"They believe my husband has summoned me to Lumisyce to impregnate me?" When she got no response from the knight, she continued, "Do you... believe that is why he is summoning me?" She asked as unease seeped into her voice.

"I do not know, Your Grace. But your sister-"

"The usurper," Elysa interrupted with a blunt tone.

"Yes, The Usurper Queen already has a son. A boy, nearing the age of two."

"Shall I be terrified that my bastard nephew lives across the sea? I shall produce an heir whenever God wills it, and no sooner," Elysa said with an authoritative tone that could rival her father's.