Queen Raeanne

Michael stares at me blankly while trying to process the information he has just received.

"He is going to kill me." He whispers to himself just loud enough that I can hear him.

"Who? Who is going to kill you." I ask.

"The king." He paces around the dungeon. "Does he know I am the true father?"

"Yes. I only told him out of necessity."

"How could you tell him?" He shouts, quickly turning to anger. "He threatened my life, Rae. I am no longer safe here!"

"You are in jail, yes. But I am not going to let him harm you."

"Don't you see what you have done? Him throwing me in here is his way of taking care of the problem. I impregnated The Queen, his wife." He paints his own picture of what is happening.

"He means nothing to me, Michael. Not any more. You are all I care about. You and this baby. Our baby." I hold my stomach.

"I will be dead in a short amount of time. There is no use in caring for me anymore." He sulks. "My execution is set for two evenings from now and the way I see it, there is no proof in the world that will free me. No truth to set me free. I am forever to be a guilty man."

"Michael, that is not true. I will speak your truth." I beg for him to be optimistic. I am his Queen. I would never let my king harm him. Michael pulls himself as far from me as he can, the only thing holding him close to me are the chains that hang from his wrists.

"Don't you see? He knows what I did to you. He doesn't actually think I attempted to rape you that night. He's just using it as an excuse to behead me and it's going to work."

"I am not going to let that happen Michael. I promise." I assure him before exiting the dungeon, tears falling from my eyes.

He has given up all hope of us ever being together. Not even the news of a child we created can console him. I truly thought he would be happier at my news. I had hoped it would spark a new fire beneath him.

My mother gasps when she sees me exit the dungeon. "Why, I was just going down there."

"Mother?" I wipe a lonely tear from my cheek. "What are you doing down here?"

"I've come to speak to the prisoner." She states simply, the guard beginning to open the door for her. "It is a very urgent matter."

"Mother, I beg of you. Do not sentence him. He did not commit the crime he is accused of." I grab her hand before she can enter and bring my worst nightmare to life.

"Be calm, my child. I am not here to punish him. I come for another reason." She enters. I follow behind her to make sure she keeps to her word.

"Stand." My mother makes herself known to Michael. He looks up with fear painted on his face. I wonder if he thinks her appearance means his execution has been moved up. He shuffles to his feet.

I wonder the same thing.

"I-"

My mother holds her hand up to silence him. "Over a week ago, I witnessed the end to a terrible crime on my daughter and on my country. Performed by radicals who wish to dismantle the monarchy."

I scoff at her words. All my mother has ever cared about is the country. Her country. I am second best to her, if I even make the list.

"Your grace I only tried to stop the crime. I took no part."

My mother stops him again. "Of this I am fully aware, child."

I lift my brow at her words and her tone. Do I sense compassion from her? Is she attempting to be kind to him?

My mother motions to the guards to unchain him. The metal clanks to the floor as another guard hands him a pile of clothing.

"This will be your new uniform." She smiles as he takes the clothing in his hands.

"I-uniform?"

"Come morning, you will no longer report to the kitchen. You will report directly to the queens chambers to be briefed on your new post." She informs him.

"And what might that be?" I ask, having no clue what she is speaking of.

"Personal guard to the Queen."

*
What do you think of Michael's new title? Will this hurt of help his relationship with the Queen?

Don't forget to vote & comment!!