American Royalty

Chapter 8

Rose sat silently by the fire, watching the flames flicker and dance on the wall. It had been five years of long nights, cold mornings, and lonely days. She hadn't produced a male heir, and she knew the love Evan once bore her had faded since the twins birth. A stray tear fell down her face as she thought of how it was before she was thrown into royalty. Her door opened suddenly, causing her to wipe away the tear and stand to greet the guest. It was seldom she had guests, so each one was a little joy that she was gifted.

"My Lady, the princesses Sarah and Emily," Destiny stated as she stepped aside from the door to allow the girls entrance. They were now six and developing their own personalities, which warmed Rose's heart. Even if she had nothing, she knew she would have her girls. They curtsied to her as Destiny closed the door. Destiny had become distant from Rose, the death of her father taking a toll on her and her scheme.

"Good morning mother, Lady Lily is about to begin our lessons for the day. She said we could come say hello to you and daddy," Sarah said as she and Emily walked towards their mother. Rose smiled and she sat down to get eye level to them before kissing their heads. Emily giggled as she and Sarah hugged their mother. Once Evan realized he would not get a prince from Rose he began to distance the children from her. Rose knew it was a method of punishment, yet she hated it regardless. Emily handed her mother a rose, smiling at her as Rose took it.

"How beautiful my love. A rose for Rose."

"Your Grace, we must take our leave. We still have to go visit the King," Lily finally spoke as the princesses curtsied to their mother before walking out. As the door shut Rose broke down crying, falling to the floor as her ladies in waiting ran in to her. Sabrina bent down next to her queen, rubbing her back and shushing her. Destiny stood at the door watching, a feeling of regret grew in her stomach. She watched as the queen stood and sat in her chair, sniffling and looking around.

"I'm sorry for my outburst ladies, I need to go walk," Rose said solemnly as she walked out of the door. Destiny assumed her position behind Rose and next to Sabrina, silently hanging her head as she walked in pace with the others.

"I know what is going on," Sabrina whispered as she slyly turned to Destiny. Destiny's gaze fixed on her as she slowed down to give them room between them and Rose. Sabrina looked at her as she gave a small smirk.

"Who have you told?" Destiny asked as she walked and watched Rose, making sure she wasn't going to turn around.

"No one yet, but I am telling Queen Rose as soon as we get back to her chambers. If I were you I would recommend you leave now."

Destiny walked off, anger growing in her stomach where the regret once burned.

After the walk, Rose came to her room and gasped as guards stood in her private chambers.

"My lords, what brings you to my chambers?"

"Your grace, one of your ladies is under arrest on charges of treason. They will be taken immediately to the execution yard where they will be given a traitors death," Edward, the head knight, stated as the ladies walked in. His eyes fell on Sabrina and he nodded towards her, signaling the rest of the knights to grab her and walk out. Sabrina screamed in terror as she was led off.

"I never would have guessed that she would be guilty of treason," Rose gasped out as she sat down in her chair. Destiny came in, sitting beside her queen.

"I heard as I passed them that Sabrina was going to poison your food. I am so sorry your grace, I know she was a faithful friend of yours."

"Apparently she wasn't a true friend," Rose muttered as she listened to the screaming coming from outside. She got up and walked to her window, looking towards the execution yard. Sabrina was dragged to the headsman. With one quick swipe of the blade, Sabrina was beheaded. Destiny stood behind Rose, grinning evilly as Sabrina's body was dragged away. Carter stood on the stage, watching as it was cleaned before looking up towards the queen's chambers. He bowed to the ladies before walking off towards the court room.

"Your Highness, the traitor is dead." Carter stated as he bowed to the king. Evan smiled in delight as he nodded and dismissed the court. He knew the real reason Sabrina was killed, remembering Destiny coming to him and begging to dispose of the newly found rat. He could not have any one know that he and Lady Destiny were having an ongoing affair, unsure of if it would have been Destiny's head removed instead of Sabrina's or if they would both be disposed of.

Later that night as Rose laid in her bed, her mind went back to Sabrina's screams of terror before the swish of the sword cut them off. Tears weld in her eyes as she rolled over, praying her mind would ignore the traumatic sound that filled her ears. She sat after a few minutes in frustration before deciding to get up and walk around the castle. As she pulled on her robe and lit a candle, she began to make her way to the throne room. She remembered her first Christmas in the palace. The crown of holly that adorned her head and the smell of cinnamon were her favorite memories from all those years ago. Christmas' had become colder and lonelier as her marriage progressed sourly. As she finally made her way to the thrones, visions of dancers and holiday music began to fill her mind from those happier times. She sat and reminisced in her happy memories, not hearing Zack-one of the king's courtiers- quietly calling her name. He made his way to her and grazed his hand against hers, bringing her out of her trance.

"My apologies Sir Dawson, I was lost in thought," Rose murmured as she stood and looked at the thrones one last time. He smiled kindly at her, making her smile back at the kindness that had been denied to her for the past few years.

"I didn't mean to startle you Your Grace. I made my nightly walks through the halls to make sure the palace was secure and saw your chambers were empty," Zack explained as he walked with her back to her chambers. She nodded and folded her hands, walking up the stairs in silence. Zack held the door open for her as she made her way in. He grabbed her wrist gently before looking at her with kind eyes.

"There are tons of people who adore you, and a few who would see you rot. If you get the chance to examine your ladies closely, do it. If something should happen and you need to make a choice of whether to usurp the throne or walk away, you have a ton of people who would fight to see you usurp. I'm one of those. Have a good night Your Grace," Zack warned as he walks away quickly.

Carter stood behind a wall listening in, a sly smirk growing on his face as he made his way back to his and Destiny's chambers to deliver the news of a new test for the king.