Note: Please bear in mind that all the characters and organisations within this story are purely fictional, thus unrelated to the real world.

     Despite the shooting pain up my leg, I continued to kneel on the cold floor, with no strength to stand up. I felt weak, as if all life has been sucked out of me.

This is my last resort. If the Gods above could not help me, then who can?

        "Your Majesty, it is already nighttime. We should be returning home by now," I hear Lillianna whispering to me gently. I nod as slowly move away from the altar, but not before making one final bow.

We boarded the carriage, where I fell asleep almost immediately. I shunned all the snacks and refreshments that they offered-- all I wanted to do was to rest.

          "Your Majesty, wake up !"

          "Something terrible has happened !"

I force myself awake, and upon waking up I saw both Lillianna and Argenta sitting upright in the carriage, their eyes wide in vigilance.

           "What has happened ?" I questioned groggily, and without skipping a beat, Argenta voiced out, "A plague has struck Rhyland. No one knows where it came from, but the people have been falling down dead like flies! We will be heading back to the palace, and pray that we haven't been infected."

It was not only Rhyland that was ravaged by the plague. The cities of Sutherland, Aldridge and Springledge all suffered great casualties, and every day I live in fear for my family down south.

        I sent letters to both my parents and my brother, inviting them to take refuge at the palace, but none of them took the invitation.

We would like to stay with the people, Gilbert wrote. And quite frankly, I wish that I were with them too right now.

In front of me, I see the Hasteburn brothers, their hands hidden behind their backs like a merchant trying to swindle his customer.

          "This plague is a sign from God," the Grand Priest began. "He is angry at us for putting a heretic on the throne."

I let out a scoff. "So what do you suggest ?"

His thin lips curved into a dull smile. "You must renounce your faith and convert to ours. It is the only way to alleviate God's wrath."

Again with this talk. The Hasteburns were quite adamant, obsessed even with the idea that all rulers should be of their faith.

            "And what if I don't want to ?" I shot back.

Rupert Hasteburn cleared his throat and broadened his shoulders in an attempt to appear more powerful and respectable. "Then you must take responsibility for all the deaths that occurred due to the plague. Don't you see that all the affected regions are in the south? Isn't that enough of an indicator that God is trying to heal the kingdom by killing off all the heretics ?!"

I was about to counter his baseless accusation, but before I could, he continued on, "Don't you realise how selfish you are? If you want to hold onto your faith so badly, then abdicate to make way for someone who does worship the true god!"

My lips curved into a smile. "In other words, your daughter ?"

Rupert Hasteburn abruptly stopped, and his incessantly barking mouth had gone comically silent.

        "I know what you want, Lord Hasteburn. And I also know that you will do anything to destroy me and my family. But this ? Using a disaster to further your agenda? This is a new low, even for you."

Smile. Do not waver. Be calm.

        "I know that you don't like me. But this throne is rightfully mine, whether you like it or not. The only way for you to get me off the throne is to kill me. Do you dare, Lord Hasteburn ?"

Do not waver. Do not waver.

I could see a murderous glint in Rupert Hasteburn's beady brown eyes, and I knew if it were not for the other people watching, he would have long strangled me to death. He could never hurt me, and that revelation almost made me let out a joyous chuckle.

        Then, I decided to toy around with him a bit further. I always carried a dagger with me, hidden underneath the thick layers of my gown. I gently retrieve it, and I could feel the cold iron sheath against my tender palm. I slowly pulled it from its sheath, revealing the frighteningly sharp blade. Smilingly, I handed it to the Marquis by the hilt.

            "Kill me if you dare," I taunt. His knuckles began to grow white as his grip tightened, and his hands begin to tremble.

Stress and conflict were evident in his glare, and it appeared as if he had aged ten years within the span of a few seconds. This was not enough for me though, and I decide to turn it up a notch.

I calmly grabbed the blade, careful not to accidentally cut myself, and redirected the blade towards my heart. I took a step closer.

             "I discovered your little mole," I whispered. "To be honest, she isn't up for the task. Not only did she allow herself to be discovered, but she also revealed who she worked for in an attempt to save her skin. But no worries, I already punished her for you."

The Marquis was trembling with rage, wishing that he could drive that sharp blade into my chest. Wishing that I would drown in a pool of my own blood, and soon, his foolish daughter would be crowned as the queen of Phoenicia.

               "Don't you want to see me dead, Lord Hasteburn ?" I chuckle, and this time, I could feel the tip of the blade poke my skin, but not as to pierce and draw blood.

Then, the dagger fell to the floor in a loud clang. Although my heart was beating erratically in my chest, I still managed to maintain my façade.

            "I knew you wouldn't dare," I spat.

Father was always right about things, but this time, it appears that he might be wrong. The Hasteburns are nothing but fools who have severely high ambitions, and they will pay heavily for it. He had been vigilant for nothing.

I walk back to my throne, where I stood tall, high above the two Hasteburn brothers. "Now that this matter has been dealt with, I wish to hear no more nonsense from you two."

It was the exact dialogue of a school teacher or a governess scolding her young pupils, and I had spoken to the Hasteburn brothers in the exact same manner.

They grumbled a response and soundlessly left, leaving me to enjoy my short-lived moments of peace.

During the evening, I went to visit Edmund in his study room. I also had my own study room, but as I was never too keen on studying, it was eventually abandoned and only existed to gather dust.

The King's study room had floors of black marble with gold veins, as well as chairs and bookshelves of pure mahogany. There was a white limestone fireplace in the corner, and in front of it was a lush Persian rug, brilliantly coloured and intricately designed.

            I could Edmund sitting at the study desk, and in front of him were piles of scrolls and parchment. He vigorously flipped through the papers, read through some and signed some.

            "What are you doing, Husband ?" I cautiously ask.

Without looking up from his work, Edmund answered, "I will assign soldiers to guard the southern border. No one can go in, and no one can go out.

This plague is much deadlier than the one we encountered in that Terrawinian city. Reports stated that the infected began to bleed through their pores, and their limbs slowly turned black and gradually snapped off."

             "That is horrible," I blurted out. "To think that all those people are dying in such a terrible manner.."

Edmund glanced at me. He pursed his lips tightly, as if he had something to say, but the words never left his mouth.

             "You don't actually think that I caused this ?" I question.

He swiftly shook his head. "I don't. What the Hasteburns said is utter nonsense. However, the people do believe them."

My heart sank. "They want to believe it. They want a scapegoat," I say softly.

Edmund set down his quill and sauntered towards me. I could feel his arms around me, the tips of his fingers stroking my cheeks gently.

                "The plague will die down soon, and so will this slander. We must remain strong until that day comes, Annie."

I return his embrace. Now, it is crucial that the condition must not worsen any further. One more disaster, and my reputation will never recover. One more disaster, and I am ruined.

I only wish for one thing, why is it so hard for it to be fulfilled?

As I allowed myself to succumb to Edmund's warmth, there was a loud, urgent knocking on the door. I swiftly released myself from Edmund's hold, right before a courtier burst into the room, his face pale and gaunt.

            "Your Majesties, I have terrible news from the south. The deposed Crown Prince, Prince Gregory is dead."