American Royalty

Chapter 11

As the celebration for the pregnancy began, Rose couldn't help but feel rejuvenated and more ecstatic than the past eight years. She had been pregnant for five months, yet she began to finally start over with the king, and finally they both seemed very happy. Evan glanced at his wife, pure irrevocable love glazing over his face. She hadn't changed much since she told him she was pregnant, though her maternity dresses hugged her stomach she was still as beautiful as before. Her auburn hair fell in ringlets around her face, extenuating her strong cheek bones and her small button nose. Evan smiled to himself as he relaxed in his throne, watching their daughters dance and giggle as they joked about who would be the best sister.

Destiny sat in the hall, waiting and biding her time to snag Evan alone to plead her case to him. She knew what she had to do, yet there was a pang of guilt as her eyes fell on the pregnant queen. Though she hated Rose with her whole being, she knew if the roles were revered she would be heart broken. Quickly the thought was pushed out of her mind as she got an idea on a different approach. She walked to Rose's quarters and sat in the queen's chair, pulling out a sheet of paper and a pen and beginning to write. Once she had finished, she shoved the paper under the pillow in the seat and left the room as silently as she entered. Once she made it back to the throne room, she noticed Evan was gone from his throne, and his courtiers were missing as well.

Rose entered her room later in the night, dressing for bed and laying down under her blankets. She got comfortable and shut her eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

As fast as her eyes shut, they opened again to reveal she was in the middle of the courtyard, confused as to how she got there in what felt like a matter of seconds. She walked around the hedge maze and saw someone in a black cape walk towards her. The ominous figure stalked closer, making Rose turn and run in fear. Suddenly she saw a crib, walking closer as the sound of infant cries filled the air. She stood beside the crib, looming over it as the cries became silent. All movement in the basinet ceased, sending a cold chill down Rose's spine.

"Go on, move the blanket," the specter spoke from behind Rose, causing her to jump in shock as she turned to find the hooded figure mere inches away. Rose turned to the baby again, looking at the still body under the blanket before anxiously lifting the blanket. A sob omitted from her trembling lips as she stared in horror at the pale baby with auburn hair that laid in the crib, pale icy eyes staring back at her. Rose turned to the dark presence behind her and reached out to pull down the hood, trembling as she whimpered in fear. As she finally pulled the hood down she felt a stabbing pain in her stomach, looking down to see a dagger plunged into her now bleeding belly. She looked back up in horror, coming face to face with a sinister smirking Destiny.

Rose jolted awake, grasping her stomach as she screamed in pain. As she pulled the covers back she noticed all of the blood, sobbing out as she attempted to climb out of bed. Destiny ran in and saw the blood, before running to Rose's aid. She pulled out a new dress and held Rose up, looking around at the other ladies that stood in horror.

"Don't just stand there you fools! Go get some help!" Destiny commanded as she helped Rose into the bed, speaking calm words as she began to help deliver the rest of the baby.

After the baby had passed and Rose was in bed, sobbing quietly as she realized her whole world had come to a screeching halt, Evan marched in with a somber look plastered on his face. He looked from the bloody sheets to Rose, a haunting look clouding his eyes.

"What did you do?"

Rose sat up and looked at him in confusion. Her heart panged with sadness at his accusatory response to what had just happened.

"What do you mean?" Hope laced her words as she longed for him to hold her and comfort her. Though the emotionless stare he gave was an indication that he blamed her for the loss.

"You lost my son, you had one job to do yet you couldn't do that. I will see you later in the week," Evan spoke harshly as he walked out of the room. He spotted Destiny standing quietly and looking down at her feet. He walked to her, lifting her face to hers and examining her face.

"You made a proposition a few months back, let's see if you could fulfil this commitment my lady," he lightly demanded as they made their way back to his chambers. She smiled to herself as the plan fell into motion.

As the months went by, Rose sat in her chambers quietly as she mourned the loss of her baby. Evan ordered that she stay in her chambers without contact with their daughters or with him. She was only allowed one member of her counsel, the rest were sent back to their homes in the country without the promise of a salary. As a tear fell from her face she sat somberly in her bed, holding her now empty stomach. In a matter of moments the happiness she had felt was all melted away. Guards were posted by her door to ensure she would not be allowed to leave, a silly reasoning she thought. The princesses had just turned nine, yet she was not allowed to see them or celebrate with them. The only member of her court she had left, Lady Cathy, entered her chambers, bringing their dinner with her. Rose didn't hear any news from what was happening outside of her room, yet Lady Cathy tried her hardest to get any information she could.

"Any news today Lady Cathy?" Rose questioned as she came to the table and sat looking expectantly at Cathy. Cathy sat and looked at her nervously.

"Well Madam, the King has taken a mistress." Cathy spoke as she watched Rose's face fall in sadness.

"Who is it?" Rose whispered as she tucked her hair behind her ear anxiously. Cathy sat straighter and inhaled before opening her mouth to answer the question.

"Mistress Destiny," she responded. Immediately Rose's whole world fell to a screeching halt. Her chief lady in waiting, the woman she though of as her best friend had betrayed her in the most hurtful way. She thought back to her haunting dream, the one she now realized was full of warnings. As she stepped to the window she saw Destiny and Evan ride off on horse back into the woods. Rose's breath hitched in her throat as she remembered four words that now became more ominous in retrospect. Four words that Destiny spoke in her nightmare that confirmed her future.

"I am your undoing".