The Blackmail® [Complete]

Chapter Thirty-six

Just as Lord Gringham had warned, we were woken up by 5am and ushered into the king's quarters. Ovian was whisked away somewhere to prepare him for the ceremony. Several dresses were brought before me and there were many people hurrying around to prepare me for the coronation.

After the show Lahran put up last night, sleep had eluded me. The thought that if Lahran was found guilty, Ovian would become king had never occurred to me. The thought that I was going to become Queen had made my blood pressure increase greatly during the night.

Then guilt covered me like a blanket. Guilt that I was using someone else's name for my own gain. A dead woman for that matter. Even if nobody knew, I knew. I knew I was fake. All this time I had been consoling myself that it was for a greater cause to make me sleep better at night.

But Queen?

How do I face people knowing what I am? This has gone too far.

I could only register that people were in the room with me. My mind had gone numb and I moved like a robot. I kept thinking, how can this be happening? I've been a lady of noble birth, a princess, now a queen! And it's all a lie!

"Tania." Taylor whispered. "Tania!"

I looked down at her as she squatted down beside me making me wonder why she was whispering.

"Stop spacing out! You need your wits about you now. You are going to be Queen!"

"But I don't want to be Queen." I murmured, tears threatened to fall down my cheeks. She quickly took my hands.

"Don't say that! Something has happened to Lahran and his mother, I don't know yet but I'm hearing rumors. And they don't want usurpers to take advantage that's why this is being thrust upon Ovian so quickly. And since he's married to you-"

"No. He's married to Charlotte."

Taylor whispered urgently. "Tania, now is not the time to feel whatever it is you are feeling. Look how far you have come and all that you have accomplished. You knew right from the beginning what you were getting into and you agreed. So snap out of it!"

I shook my head. "The plan never included being Queen! It's all a lie! I can't-"

"You can and you will!" Taylor said indignantly.

"No!" I shouted as I stood up and ran out of the room. Everyone had looked at me, wondering what was going on. I didn't care. I just needed to get out of there. I heard Taylor calling me but I just couldn't stop. Tears were falling down my cheeks and I felt like my heart was going to burst. Suddenly, I couldn't breath anymore. It seemed as if my lungs were closing up. I felt my body hit the floor. I realised I was having one of my panic episodes.

Then I heard a voice as if from a distance. "Breathe Tania. Please, just breathe." I looked up to find Ovian hovering over me. My vision was becoming blurry. "Tania! Open your eyes!"

I opened my eyes and stare at Ovian. "Please baby, concentrate on your breathing." As soon as I allowed breath into my lungs, my vision began to clear.

"Ovian." I breathed.

"I am here." I felt him carry me and I buried my face in his neck. He took us to our former quarters and placed me on the bed.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he pulled me close.

"Yes." I said softly. "I am sorry."

"It's alright baby. So much is being demanded of you in such short notice."

"How did you know? Did Taylor call you?"

"I know how your mind works Tania. I knew you would be feeling overwhelmed by all this. I was on my way to you when I found you on the floor. Thank heavens I did." Then he tensed. "Taylor should have followed you."