King Michael

The bell tolls eight times.

One time for every month the Princess lived on this earth. One for each month she blessed our lives with her smile. One for every month.

With my arm around Rae's hip as she drags her feet, I help her back to our chambers.

We both thrive the loss of our child but she is taking it harder than I am. She blames herself.

She has not eaten in days. She has gone without any sleep for even longer. All she does is sit by the window, one hand on her heart and the other holding Victoria's.

I fear for her health.

The chamber guards open the doors for us, bowing as we pass. Today, the whole castle grieves the Princess.

Rae slumps down in bed, her eyes remain staring forward, unblinking. I sit at her feet, fishing there was something I could do to ease her pain.

Despite the agony we all felt, we can agree that the service was beautiful. Though when her tiny casket was carried down the aisle, I wept like a child.

Caskets should not be made that tiny. Children should never have to die. Parents should never have to bury their babies. It is cruel.

Victoria sat in silence the entire service. She will never remember her twin. She is too young to remember. As for Henry, I do not know if he will remember Charlotte. He may be too young as well. Any memories he will have of his youngest sister will be few and far between. They will surely fade as he grows older and develops new memories.

That saddens me the most.

"Do you think she will ever forgive me?" Rae asks, sliding her feet down the bed to touch my thigh. I rest my hand on her ankle.

"She does not blame you. There is nothing to forgive, my love." Rae nods and clutches the fabric of a dress close to her face, smelling it as she quietly weeps. It was Rae's favorite sleep outfit to put the girls in. They both had a matching set. "Let me see that for a moment."

She shakes her head. "I just want to hold her close to me for as long as I can." She squeezes her eyes shut.

I stand and pull at the outfit to examine it. That is odd. Moving to the nursery, I search for Victoria's version of the outfit to compare. I hold up the pink fabric and immediately notice the difference. Besides the color, the dresses were identical, just like the princesses.

How come the floral lace is missing from Charlotte's version then?

I fold the tiny dress back up and put it where I found it back in the drawer. I move back into the main part of the room and sigh at Rae's appearance. She remains unmoved, clutching the dress to her body as if her life depends on it.

"I am going to fetch us some water. I will be right back. Get some sleep if you can." She does not respond to my words.

I exit the room quietly and make my way down the somber corridors. Everyone looks at me with pity. Every person I pass gives me the same sorry look.

I open the physicians door and quickly shut it behind me. "Why hello your majesty. My deepest condolences on your daughter."

"Thank you."

"What bring you here on a somber day like this?" He questions my unannounced presence.

"I think we need to exhume Princess Charlotte." Saying the words out loud cause a shock to both my system and the physicians. Saying the words out loud made it real.

"My King, she was only buried today and doing this would disturb the spirits. It would simply be unnecessary not only to to yourself and the Queen, but to the Princess. I urge you to let her Rest In Peace." He advises me.

I trust this man. He has delivered all of my children, operated on my wife several times, and kept us healthy through the years. But this is one piece of advice I simply can not take from him. I need answers.

"How do I say this?" I laugh sadly, fighting tears. "I think she was murdered." I admit.

My words shock him. "But- how?"

"I have my suspicions but I can't be sure unless I know this: did you do an autopsy?" I begin to dig, trying to be my own detective.

"No. You and the Queen requested me not to since the cause of death was quite clear: her breathing issues."

"I'm not so sure it is clear to me anymore. I want an autopsy."

"Very well," he nods. "I will have the body exhumed first thing tomorrow morning."

"Thank you." I turn to leave. "Oh and one more thing." I pause. "This needs to remain discreet. I do not need the Queen knowing about this if it is not necessary. If I am wrong about this, it will only cause her more pain."

*
Do you think the Princess was murdered? Or is Michael grasping at straws, trying to find a reason?

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