My adored queen

2.

In heaven? What's he doing there? I hoped he wouldn't be long; his birthday was coming up, and I'd just thought of what to give him. And there was business to attend to. Councils, ambassadors... He should come back soon. Or what did she mean by 'in heaven'?

Nikolina gasped and held her breath. Orian mumbled something unintelligible nearby. Mother couldn't maintain her stony mask, and hot tears streamed down her rosy cheeks.

Laughter stuck deep in my throat, all the laughter I hadn't finished. My cheerful expression slowly turned to shock. It was impossible to comprehend what Mother had said. Nonsense... Just nonsense...

'How?' I managed to ask, feeling Duchess Ileria squeeze my hand tighter. 'He wasn't sick. It's a joke, right?'

'Annie, I... I don't know. It happened over an hour ago; the queen sent a messenger. We need to pack and go to the palace; we'll find out everything there. Nikolina, your parents will come too. Get ready,' she whispered.

'A trick!' I insisted, pulling my hand away from Mother's. 'Lies! Uncle had many enemies; he introduced and developed new laws and orders. They sent us a false message to cause discord!'

'Annie...'

'You'll see, I'm right!' I said sharply, getting up from the divan and rushing out of the room, running like a rocket through the corridors. Servants scattered out of my way, some even pressing against the walls to give me space. And I ran, as if trying to escape myself, repeating that it was just an enemy's plan. The shreds of reason that still tried to reach my consciousness slowly suggested that no one would dare announce the king's death if it were a lie. Especially not Queen Clarissa. But I kept looking for possibilities. It was easier than accepting, understanding, resigning myself...

'Annie,' Mother ran after me through the corridors, trying to catch up. Her cries of my name echoed off the crystal and rang out loudly. And I kept running, not knowing where I was going.

'Annie,' Father stepped out to meet me, blocking my path. His slender figure was wrapped in a black, night-like suit. I recoiled. From the suit and from his mournful expression.

'It's not true, why dress like that?' I almost shouted at Father, but he only hugged me tightly, despite my attempts to break free.

'Daughter, you have the right to grieve, but don't deny it. It was a great shock to all of us. Cry, but accept it...' Stroking my curly hair, Father's words tore the last shreds of my fading hope from my heart. My soul flared in the fire of pain, and tears, without asking permission, streamed from my eyes. Just a few minutes ago, I was crying from laughter, and now I didn't know how to live or cope with the pain of loss.

Leonard Martial was an outstanding king and had excellent health. Well, he'd recently had a cold with complications, so he coughed a bit. But people don't die from a cough! I'd seen him at court at the beginning of the week; we were riding together, and now... How could he die so suddenly?

'What will happen now?' I whispered into Father's coat, not recognizing my own voice. Always bright and cheerful, it was now just a reflection from behind the mirror. And I myself seemed to have become a shadow of the former Marchioness of Alvina.

'Changes await us, and we must be strong to accept them with dignity,' the duke replied softly. In fact, we all knew what awaited us, but we didn't want to say it out loud. My cousin and the late king's only son (I couldn't bring myself to say it) Robert would take the throne and continue his father's work. In theory. In reality, the spoiled and selfish crown prince had always been openly indifferent to matters of state: as long as there was wine in his cup and a half-naked beauty by his side. The advisors, including my father, would take over, and nothing would change for anyone. After the official mourning, we would wear smiles again. We would have to. But how to cope with the shattered heart, torn and crushed by loss? I was his favorite from the first day of my birth, his goddaughter, his soul mate. Of all the children in our large dynasty, only he held me in his arms and rocked me on his knees when I was a child. Only he prepared lavish balls one after another in my honor. He shared secrets with me, taught me tricks, and tried to protect me from everything. He forgave everything, didn't force me to marry, but asked me to find my love when I grew up. He was my godfather, mentor, and friend. And by dying, he took a part of me with him. I didn't know how I would live on as I sobbed on Father's chest in hysterics.

And then the hysteria suddenly passed. I was surprised myself, but the tears seemed to have run out. And emotions were replaced by composure. I had to fulfill my duty to Uncle and go to the palace for... for the funeral.

Finding a black dress in my wardrobe was not easy. Among all the endless things, only colorful clothes caught my eye. I loved bright and vibrant shades, hated darkness. The maids found a mourning outfit and helped me dress.

The journey to the palace was not easy. I held my brother's and cousin's hands tightly, trying not to look at my parents' faces. I had never noticed how much Mother resembled her older brother. I would miss him terribly.

The day before the funeral and farewell to the monarch passed in a fog. I accepted condolences and offered condolences to the crown prince and the queen dowager, holding onto my mask of dignity with my last strength. My heart burned. Mother, Aunt Palmira, Orian, and Nikolina were also in shock. The monarch's death was like thunder from a clear sky. The personal physician informed us that His Majesty had been ill for the past few months but had hidden it from everyone. Even from his wife and son. The news devastated us completely.

But the laws of the kingdom, despite our mourning, forced the advisors to fulfill their duty to their subjects—to prepare for the coronation of the new monarch. The day after the funeral, we, all members of the dynasty, nobility, dignitaries, the army, bishops, clergy, and commoners, gathered before the palace to hear the order of succession. It was just a formality that we had to fulfill.

A black dress, a black shawl, black gloves, even my hair darkened in solidarity, and my eyes turned from sapphire to the color of cut grass—a dull greenish-brown, they no longer shone, but only glittered like crystal in a chandelier. And only a necklace of red, blood-like rubies set off this image. Here I am, Annie Wilson, standing before the mirror, and like a vampire, I don't see my reflection. I, the kingdom's first beauty and most desirable bride, merged with the darkness of my room.

'Your Grace, it's time,' whispered my loyal maid Lucenia, whom I've long called Lucy, afraid to disturb me as I delved into my inner subconscious, searching for the strength not to show weakness before the courtiers. Thank heavens I would just be in the crowd, albeit in the front row. But how would Robert endure it all? All eyes would be on him now, and although he didn't show it, I knew a hurricane raged in his heart. It couldn't be otherwise...

'Yes,' I whispered to her and came to life, slowly heading to the corridor to descend proudly to the first floor and leave the palace. Today, like yesterday, the garden at court was opened so that people could enter. The royal guard had a difficult task ensuring our safety; all we could do was sympathize with them.