American Royalty

Chapter 4

*four months later*

Rose awoke, feeling her swelling stomach. She had found out she was pregnant not long ago, though she did not know what she would be having. The technology to determine the gender was no longer around, though she knew the pressure of having a son was greater that it would have been if she were not queen.

She stood as Destiny brought her robe to her, wrapping the fabric around her to keep her warm. No power meant they had to revert to fire and candles for light and warmth. She shivered as she sat at her table, preparing to eat her breakfast of oatmeal and tea.

"Can I get you anything your grace?" Destiny questioned as she stepped back from the table to look Rose in the eyes.

"No thank you. Could you get my clothes for the day please?" She asked as she  smiled at Destiny. She thought the world of Destiny, in the short time they had known each other she had come to think of her as a friend.

Destiny grinned at Rose, showing kindness to her queen as she went to find the proper clothing for her. Christmas was only a few days away, so the palace was in a bustle preparing for the holiday celebration. She looked forward to the festivities, bitterly believing she should be the one seated next to the king. Her jealousy grew day by day, so much so her brother began to call her green little girl. It was true that she was green with envy that she was a simple servant to the undeserving Queen Rose. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind as she retrieved the clothing for Rose, walking back as she plastered a smile on her face. No matter how much she despised Rose, she couldn't let her true emotions show. She had a duty to become queen at whatever the cost, so long as the cost wasn't her very own life.

As she rounded the corner to enter Rose's room, she halted as she saw the courtier of the king. She curtsied to them and entered into the queen's chambers quietly. There King Evan sat, smiling adoringly at Rose as he placed his hand on her swelling stomach. Destiny's stomach churned in disgust. Rose was not raised in wealth or nobility, she was a mere orphan from a poor city in southern Louisiana.

"Destiny you're back," Rose smiled as she motioned for Destiny to come closer. Destiny plastered a grin on her face before curtsying to the monarchs before her.

"Good morning Destiny, I have brought an early present for the queen and her servants," Evan said sweetly as he motioned for the courtiers to enter with their surprises. Suddenly jewels were brought in and laid on the table before them. Rubies, emeralds, and diamonds were glimmering in the sunlight coming from the windows.

"Your majesty is so generous, I can never thank you enough," Rose smiled as she picked up a beautiful diamond ring and slid it on her finger. Evan stood and placed his hand on her stomach, smiling back at her.

"My lady, this is all the thanks I need. When our son is born he will be my pride and joy. I'll  take my leave. Ladies," Evan stated, giving one final bow and walking out of the room. Destiny glared secretly at Rose's stomach, knowing it should be her stomach the king was caressing.

"Ladies come and get whichever jewel you like!" exclaimed Rose as she picked up a ruby necklace and placed it around her neck. Destiny walked to the table and looked at all the beautiful pieces before settling on a golden emblem with a phoenix on it. She grinned as she placed it on her neck and turning to Rose.

"That is gorgeous Destiny!"

"Thank you your grace," she responded as she walked to the chair she had set Rose's clothes on. Rose walked to the bedroom as she began to get ready for the day.

An hour before lunch Rose made her way to the throne room, dressed in a beautiful long sleeve dress. She turned to Destiny as a melody filled the room, confused as to what it was.

"What song is this Destiny? I've never heard it before?"

"My lady, this is Greensleeves, written by King Henry VIII for his future bride Anne Boleyn while they were courting. Many believe it was written by him about an encounter they had in the woods. Greensleeves means a woman laid with a man in the grass, putting the green from the grass on her sleeves," she explained as a crown of holly was placed on Rose's head.

As they made their way to the thrones, Rose pondered as to why she was chosen to be queen. She was a simple orphan girl from Louisiana, she had no titles or land, nor any money to her name. Everything was destroyed in the blast, nothing was left without radiation on them. America had been Chernobyl 2.0, radiation poisoning killing most who hadn't been killed from the blast. Survivors were hidden in basements or storm shelters until instructed that it was safe to exit them, and in an instant everything had changed.

Rose stepped to her throne and sat beside her husband, smiling at him as she turned to him.

"My lady you look more and more ravishing each time I see you," Evan said as he kissed her hand gently. A nervous bubble grew in her stomach as she looked down then back at him, making Evan scrunch his eyebrows curiously.

"What is it? Have I done something to upset you?"

"No your Majesty, you have never upset me in my time here. I was wondering if you would like to join me on a walk through the garden, the winter roses have never looked so beautiful," She asked as she looked at him hopefully. He sighed in relief and stood, holding his hand out for her to stand. As she stood, looping her arm with his, Destiny began to silently scowl.

"Your Majesties, may I take my leave for the day? I feel ill suddenly," she interjected as the monarchs turned to face her. Evan nodded at her, looking at her with a hint of worry in his eye.

"Of course Lady Destiny, feel free to go to your chambers. We would not want you to get sicker as we walk through the garden." Evan said as Rose looked at her, saddened that her friend was under the weather.

"I apologize to you Lady Destiny, I have not been addressing you as I should have been," Rose apologized to Destiny's displeasure. Destiny smiled back sarcastically, wanting so badly to express her jealousy and hatred for the queen.

"It's quite alright your grace, it will become easier to remember such formalities as time progresses. I'll take my leave and be back tomorrow morning, again I express many thanks your Majesties." Destiny responded as she curtsied before turning and walking to her chamber. She huffed as she closed the door to her room, turning to her brother.

"Any news sister?"

"Nothing yet. He is entranced with the little fool, he hasn't noticed me." Destiny spat as she sat on her bed begrudgingly. She knew she had to get his attention somehow, though it would be tougher with the queen with child.

"Our time will come sweet sister, until then try to show yourself more. Try to attract his eye more than the queen. It wasn't a coincidence that Greensleeves played as you came down the stairs with her. I arranged for it, as a glimpse into what will happen next. You will be the next Anne Boleyn, but we will make sure you live and become more than she would have ever dreamed of. You will be queen, and we will destroy Rose until she is but a faint memory of what was," Carter smirked as he pat his sister on her head before walking away. Destiny knew what she had to do, she just had to bide her time a little longer before she could put her plan into action.