Interview after interview. It felt suffocating and Ezra felt the need to run away from it all. Today was a gloomy day as the rain poured down heavily. The mansion felt cold and dark. Ezra pulled her shawl closer to her form trying to gather some warmth.

For some reason the mansion felt quiet and empty. In actuality there was still commotion going on she just was trying to block it out. She was finally coming back in her nations good graces. She felt relieved and she had hoped they hadn't doubted her.

She had years of practice. The last thing she wanted was to fail her nation. She had promised in front of the eyes of her people that she would always keep there best interests in mind. And that was what she vowed to do.

Needing a bit of air she made her way out of her room. Right now her father was in a meeting and he had been for last couple of days. She was to be married to a man she barely knew in a matter of months.

In her mind she always knew her father would arrange her marriage. But she at least should have gotten a say in who she was to marry. She made her past her mother's room. Her mother was still very ill. It was scary because her mother didn't look like the women she had grew up with.

Her mother had turned pale and frail. She would throw up blood constantly and she barely ate. It worried her but her father had made sure to get the best doctors in the nation. Peeking a look in her room she saw her was fast asleep. She made a mental note to visit her later.

Walking down the stairs she could hear little Emily playing the violin. Emily took violin lessons in the evenings so the mansion was never truly quiet. Ezra made her way to the piano room.

It had been weeks since she say down and played the piano. Right now in her life she was constantly busy getting ready for her wedding in a couple of months. She sat down in front of the black and white piano. Her fingers grazed the the piano as she played a few notes.

Life had been stressful. To the point where she felt she wanted to rid of it. She was in her own little bubble she didn't even hear Jerome come in. He leaned against the wall watching her play. He had been meaning to sit and have a talk with her. But there were so many things that needed to be prepared before they would get married.

"I knew you would be here" he said making his presence known. She stopped playing before to she turned her body around to face him. Her face was blank and he never could tell just what she was thinking.

"Has my father asked for me"? She hadn't really been interested in spending time with him at all. In fact the only time they were seen together was when it was solely for business.

"No, but your father thought we should spend some time together. To get to know each other of course". He walked forward standing in front of her.

"I'm not interested" she quipped standing up from the bench. She headed for the door.

"Your not interested in me but my brother" he said making her freeze.

"Shogan has told me you've been spending alot of time together. Is it him you seek to be your husband? He is too young and hasn't even got his life together". He raised a brow as she seemed tight lipped.

"I have no idea what you are talking about. Shogan... he is a very kindhearted man. I only wish the best for him, I dont think you should compare yourself to him" she snapped. He could see how riled up he had gotten her.

"I know you think you are the only one who does not want this marriage. But I am at least trying to be cordial in this whole thing. But you, you won't even try to give me a chance. You act as if you are scared of me". He crossed his arms staring her down. He was trying to get through to her. And although he did not have feelings for her he was still willing to create a bond between them.

"I do not wish to be cordial. Need I remind you that this is only for business. I use you and you use me and that is it. Don't try and say you are trying to be cordial. I don't want to get to know you and I certainly am not afraid of you". She had became defensive. But to hear his words it made her angry.

There was simply nothing there for her to act on. When she looked at him she felt nothing. Her heart did not race and her palms did not get sweaty.  She barely knew this man yet there was something about him she did not like.

"You don't even know me ! You are judging me simply because you can and I think thats unfair. I know this is hard for you to accept. But I refuse to have a toxic wife by my side for the rest of my life. Either you change your act and get to know me or I will walk away from this" his voice bellowed as he too was becoming riled up.

Ezra seemed shocked at his words. "How dare you threaten the future queen of this nation"! She all but sneered.

"You need me Ezra. I would advise you to make a choice. Or else your reputation will forever be tarnished". He left the room leaving a gobsmacked Ezra standing there. Everything happened so fast, the situation definitely had gotten out of hand.

If Jerome called this whole thing off she wasn't sure what would happen. Her father would for sure be furious and who knows what he would do. Her father was very capable of doing harsh things to someone. But how far would he really go to protect his image?

Feeling frustrated she left the music room. As she made her way up the stairs she could see her mother's room wide open. Nurses and doctors were running frantic in and out of the room.

She felt her heart drop. "What's going on" she asked pulling a nurse aside.

"The queen... we have been unable to wake her". The nurse pulled away to run back into the room. Ezra felt like she couldn't breathe. She saw the doctors trying to wake her mother but to no avail. Her father was by her side brushing her blonde hair away from her face.

Her eyes were wide open but she wasnt moving. There was blood around her mouth. Tears fell down her face and she felt her heart break into a million pieces.

"The queen is dead" a doctor announced.

This was the saddest day in history.