The Stone Cold Heart

Who are you?

"My Queen?" The maid Madeline questioned knocking lightly on the oak door. Hearing light mumbles from the door Madeline knocked once more. "My Queen please, It's the middle of the day" Madeline pleaded.

"Go" came a sweet yet broken voice. Madeline looked down to the floor and walked away heading down to the kitchen.

"Mrs, Maddie!" A small boy about six years ran to the petite blonde holding his stomach as he panted heavily. "Joshua? what are you doing here?, shouldn't you be with your father in the stable?" Madeline asked crossing her arms.

"Oh no Mrs, papa wanted me to ask you if Queen Irene would be coming out today. Papa said that her horse Sugar misses her so! She hasn't ran her for quite a few days now."
Joshua said looking down sadly.
Madeline sighed knowing Joshua would find out sooner or later whether if she told him or not.

"Come here young one" Madeline said holding out her hand, Joshua looked up taking her hand hastily. Madeline led Joshua down the stairs pass the kitchen and into her small quarters which consisted of a well made bed, wood floors and a small chest.

Madeline sat down on the bed pulling Joshua onto her lap, taking a deep breath she began to tell Joshua why the Queen hadn't been out of her room the whole week, why the King was being so harsh lately and why everyone around the castle had been so secretive. "Is that all?" Joshua asked perplexed. "That's the only reason why she hasn't been out?, because she can't have a baby?" Madeline thought a second and answered. "You don't understand Joshua. If the Queen can't have a baby then the King won't have someone to take over when he dies, Its also very depressing for our Queen. She's always loved children, Remember that little girl Georgia? she loved her so, until her mother was found."

Joshua rolled his eyes jumping up off of Madeline's lap. "If you say so, I'll be on my way now." He said rushing out the door before Madeline could speak another word. "Well I never." Madeline got up dusting off her apron, she was appalled by Joshua's behavior and couldn't understand how anyone could act like that after finding out such drastic news. Madeline rubbed the growing bump on her belly wondering if her son or daughter would be anything like Joshua, she smiled at the thought of having her child helping her and learning the ways of the castle as she did, it made her heart flutter to think of such a thing.

Madeline got up walking to a small window close by her chest looking out at the setting sun. "I hope the Queen gets better soon.." Madeline thought sighing sadly.

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Weeks later the Queen still hadn't moved from her chambers, and now even the kingdom was beginning to worry.
The King heard comments throughout the day such as "Is the Queen alright?, Is she ill?, will she get better?"

The King soon had enough.
"Open the door this instant Irene!" King Adam yelled pounding on the oak door.
A small sigh was heard as the door was slowly opened, a thin, long crimson haired, emerald green eyed woman peeked through the door.

"Irene you mus-" The King stopped as he looked upon his wife seeing her weak slender frame, she looked as if she hadn't eaten in months nor slept.
"Irene I.." The King looked down his heart breaking at seeing the love of his life so broken, and frail.
He hadn't visited her since he was told that she could not bare him children, and he had not thought of how much his Queen could have been hurting throughout that time.

"What is it Adam?" Irene spoke, her voice as soft as silk as every word rolled off the tip of her tongue with ease.

Adam decided to push away his self hurt, opening his arms he captured Irene in a tight, gentle hug. "I'm sorry" Is all Adam said.

Irene pushed Adam away as new fallen tears cascaded down her pail cheeks. "You have no reason to be.. I'm the one that can't give you a child." Irene said through a broken sob. "It's alright" Adam said gently, "I have you"

"Your Majesty!" Came a desperate young voice from the stairs, a boy. Maybe fifteen years rushed up the stairs his dark brown eyes full of worry.

"What is it now Philip?" Adam asked through clenched teeth, he hated having his servants interrupt him when he was attending to more important matter's.

"We sent a spy into the Red Stallions kingdom and well.." Philip took a shaky breath. "Their planning on attacking the castle soon, they heard that the Queen has been overcome by sadness by not being able to conceive and believe that with the rest of the kingdom distraught they can come in and take your crown easily!" Philip said rushing his words desperately. Now realizing that Irene was right in front of him Philip looked up at her hoping he hadn't insulted, or hurt her.

"Irene I'm sorry but I have very important matters to attend to.., I will be sure to speak to you tonight my love" Adam said sadly

Irene smiled grateful for Adam's kind words yet still couldn't help the pain in her heart at the thought of not being able to bare children for her King, Irene smiled up at Adam giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Go Adam, I'll see you tonight" Irene said softly.

Adam looked at Irene then back at Philip hitting the boy on the back of the head. "Watch your words more wisely for now on" Adam said as he descended down the stairs. "Ye-yes your Majesty!" Philip rushed out following after his King.

Irene walked back into her room closing the door, sinking down onto the floor she once again began to sob sadly.

"Why does thy woman cry?" Came a voice. Irene looked up eyes widening, who would so dare sneak into the royal room uninvited? "Come on you can tell me." Came the voice once more, it wasn't harsh yet didn't sound human either. It sounded smooth like oil, yet also rough like two old gears being rubbed together.

"Who are you?" Irene asked.
A young man maybe late twenties with bright golden, snake like eyes slithered out from under the bed giving her a small deathly fanged smile. "My name is Zanfer, And I can grant your wish."