Jewels of the Crown

♛ 1 ♛

I feel my heart beating out of my chest, and if I put a hand to my corseted chest, something tells me that I would be able to feel it through the many layers there. I turn a corner at speed, faltering when I see two guards standing at the end of the hallway, flanking the double doors that are the ones that I'm rushing to get to. My feet and chest are hurting from the restrictive top, and heeled shoes - they're not made to be worn while running. They're there to make you look pretty and presentable, but at this moment I don't care about formalities, all I want to do is loosen my corset and throw my shoes to the side, to get to those doors quicker, but I know I would already be disappointing my mother by running through the halls, and even though these are extenuating circumstances, I'm not going to besmirch our name any further. I still need to keep some level of decorum. My heart isn't beating just because I'm running, the worry about what is behind those doors is what's eating at me, and causing my heart to beat out of my chest, even more than the exertion. I continue on my journey, slowing to a walk when I get to the end of the hall, and the double doors. The guards stand to attention, as I pass between them, twisting the handle. I enter the grand room, which is familiar, yet seems so foreign to me. Not only does it look so different to what I'm used to, with stands holding all kinds of lotions and potions dotted around the room, but when I was growing up, I would rarely be in here. The high ceiling and the big windows, make the room feel light and airy, which is a direct contrast to the overall atmosphere in the room. I lift my skirts and move to the bed, where my mother, with her greying hair, splayed around as if she had a halo, lies with a doctor talking to her.

Moments ago, I was sitting in my room, when I was notified by one of my mother's maids that there has been a further development with my mother's condition. I feared the worst straight away, that it was the news that we had been waiting for in the past months of her suffering: that she wasn't getting any better. That we would have to prepare ourselves for the worst soon. I wasn't ready to lose my mother as well. I had only just lost my father a few of years ago, and when we found out about my mother's illness, I knew that I would be the next one in line to taking over the throne of Monerton, and I wasn't ready. I am only 18 after all, I haven't even had time to experience life fully.

My mother forces a smile onto her pail, sweaty face when she sees me. The doctor, nurse, an advisor to the crown, and my mother's maids all turn to see who has entered, and upon seeing me show their respects in a bow or curtsey.

"I heard there is news," I announce to the room, hoping the doctor will fill me in. My mother reaches for my hand, patting it in a comforting manner.

"I'm fine, dear," she says, her voice a shadow of its former self. Where is the voice of the woman who would teach me the proper etiquette of court, the firm but the caring voice of the queen?

I turn to the doctor, hoping for him to give me the real news.

He meets my eyes only for a moment, his eyes holding concern. I trust him and his judgement, He's been around our family since I was born, treating our ailments, and now he's tending to my mother. I take his word as gospel.

"Her condition has deteriorated vastly over the past weeks, and unfortunately the time that we thought we had, we don't." I clutch onto my mother's hand, feeling my world slip out from under me, hoping that she will keep me upright and with it, so I can face the situation and decide the best course of action.

"Ma'am?" a maid says from beside me, bringing me back to the present. I turn to look at her and see she's holding a chair for me. I wave her off but thank her for her concern.

"How long?"

"Months, instead of years."

"Specifically?" I inquire.