Everyone knew but they would not say.

The king was weak, unable to go on anymore. The signs of old age were prominent as ever

No one knew if it was due to the years taking their toll on the king or that it was the death of his youngest daughter but everyone could say certainly that it was a matter of time before the king was to retire.

And it would be a matter of time before Princess Morgan would ascend to the throne. With no Princess Winter as a beacon of hope, there was now only inevitable doom.

The Parliament had already begun to gather later that month. This time it wasn't about taxes or who to appoint it or what law they needed to put up. This time it was about the Crown Princess and if she was fit enough to rule. Her reputation was openly discussed.

"Preposterous!" One of the men cried out. He shook his fist vigorously. "A women as a Queen? What's even worse is that's she's unmarried! How can we let a women with no experience and no man at her side to rule!"

"Hold your slippery tongue!" One of Morgan's supporters yelled. "Did you forget that Queen Snow was a capable ruler regardless of her sex! Princess Morgan is more fit to rule over this wasted kingdom than any before her!"

"Oh, yes! Because we love having people with a questionable background on the throne. True that king may have been weak but Princess Morgan doesn't have to fitness or experience to be queen. Now because she's a women," he looked the supporters dead in the eye. "It's because there's invisible blood that's already been spilled."

"Traitor!"

"Pig faced baboon!"

"No good lap dogs, the lot of you!"

Parliament was a mess of howls and screams of men who were less than animals.

They didn't notice Morgan walk in with her black cloak and bloody red dress. It wasn't until she made it towards the centre of the men when they became silence. If respect was something she couldn't have, then she would command their silence.

She dismissed their looks and sat down on the chair that her father sat down on. Her eyes were daggers and her mouth was a twisted smile.

"Gentlemen," she said slipping off her gloves. "I've heard your complaints, all the sides and all the stories but let me say one thing before you decide to utter a word against me." She scanned the eyes of the men. " I have decided to continue on with my coronation. In the upcoming spring, I will be ascending the throne as your new Queen." She looked at the faces of the stunned men. "Continue on with your discussion, gentlemen." She walked out of Parliament smirking as the silence that guaranteed her throne.