Alicia stared down at her boots from her throne, her silver crown heavy on her head.

It had been heavy when it fell from her father's head. And his father's. And his. And his...

A line of tyrants that had fallen to the hands of their child, again and again and again. And would end with her, she'd make sure of it.

She wondered how she'd die. She knew it would be young, by her own hands or someone else's. Maybe someone who just got tired of her reign. Or maybe some lucky fool who wanted the crown. Or even maybe by her allies'...

Scourge seemed the most likely, power-hungry and cruel. He'd kill to feel above those who hurt him. And maybe she'd hurt him- but he'd hurt her as well. So it was all fair, perhaps.

When she was going to die, though, she had an idea of who she'd prefer it to be. And how.

Miles Prower, the little kid that somehow thought she was incredible. If anyone were to kill her, she'd want it to be him. Maybe he'd take over the kingdom.

The Acorn's would end, and Miles would rise. He was messed up now, but maybe he was young enough so that he could become something better. Something that wasn't her family curse.

She'd want to be beheaded. Like she did to her father.

She could remember just a few years back. When she was fine. When she was normal. When she was just a little girl who wanted to be Queen someday. Who trusted Scourge- who let his ruthless world-view enter her mind.

How did everything go so wrong?

She never wanted this.