Michael

Prison life is not much worse than life in the village if I am being honest. At least here I can count on a minimum of a meal a day.

They don't want me to starve in here before they can execute me for the crimes of which I am accused in a very public manner.

The guards say I should be expecting a visit from The Queen sometime today. I estimate that I have been down here for about a week. If they are truly feeding me once a day, that is.

All I have time to do is sit and wait for her to come to me.

"Rise for your queen!" The guard posted outside my cell door enters and shouts at his full volume. I scramble to my feet as the beautiful woman enters.

She looks timid and nervous as the guard closes the door behind her to give us some privacy.

"Before you say anything," the queen steps closer to me. "I am doing everything I can to convince the king to let you go. He isn't an easy man to persuade." She explains. "This last week has been very hard for me, as I am sure it was for you too."

I nod. She couldn't be more correct about that.

"Michael,"

"Yes?"

The queen sighs. "I've been keeping a secret from most everyone but it isn't fair for me to keep the secret from you too."

I nod. I am not sure what news she could be bringing me. Could it be good? Bad?

"Michael, I am with child." She spits out the secret she has been holding. She straightens her body as letting this secret go has lifted a tremendous amount of wight off of her delicate shoulders.

"My queen. That is magnificent." I try to conceal my distaste for the situation. "Surely the king is thrilled, no?"

Rae shakes her head. "The king is not thrilled. Not at all." She steps closet. "For, he is not the father of my unborn child, Michael."

My hands shake as I lift them to my face. Could it be? Those men who attacked the queen and her lady the other night. Could they be behind this?

"You are the father, Michael. This child is yours."

*
Sorry for such a short chapter.

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