Can I just say how heartfelt and shocked I am to see this novel go from 800 - 2.1k reads in under a week... like what?! <3 - S.

"Beautiful wasn't she?" Adelaide asked as she stared up at a grand painting of her mother that hung upon the wall. The photo depicted the late Queen Mary sat upon a grand catholic throne. She wore pure white that contrasted against her dark hair and fair skin. A small golden plate along the frame held a small engraving that read 'Queen Mary Stuart. December 8, 1542 - February 8, 1587. The Queen Scotland Needed.' Unknown to those who made the painting, Mary was not slain until over a year later to allow for the birth of her daughter Adelaide. The incorrect date was the only information Lord James had on his sisters death from a note sent from Queen Elizabeth. Young Adelaide had already become a near-spitting image of her mother. She both looked strong and sophisticated. The two could easily be mistaken by sisters if Mary had been standing right beside her.

Adelaide frequently dreamt about her mother since she was a young child. She would often imagine their lives together or how they would have been if she was still alive. She thinks about how her mother would feel of her ruling, hoping only to make her and Scotland proud. Adelaide did not work to appeal anyone other than Scotland and the memory of her mother. Shortly after the birth of Adelaide, Elizabeth had gotten Mary to tell her the father's name after gaining Mary's trust and lying that she would soon be released. It was only three month's post the daughter's birth that Queen Elizabeth had devised a plan. Just as much as she wanted to keep eyes on the secret daughter, she wanted to eliminate all possible chances of someone finding out. Elizabeth had know that Mary sent a letter, but she had thought it was to Lord Bothwell to tell him of his daughter's death. In order to protect the further reign of Mary's son, Elizabeth had Bothwell exiled to Dragsholm Castle. He remained there, chained to a stone pillar, for his remainder of years. Adelaide had discovered that her father died from an infection of his wounds after being whipped.

"Indeed she was." Cadeth agreed. Though they spoke of Queen Mary, Cadeth's eyes were on Queen Adelaide, not her mother.

"You knew of her?" She asked excitedly. Adelaide's interest in her mother's life quickly grew after she learned who she was. She spent her childhood running through the castle asking all of the elder staff who had worked for her for stories. The stories pieced together memories she had created in her own mind.

Cadeth laughed, nodding her head. A blush quickly rose up Adelaide's cheeks as she realized how ridiculous her question seemed. Of course Cadeth knew of the Queen Mary. Everyone did. She was a greatly spoken about queen. As Cadeth aged up through Scottish army, she would hear stories of her own about the queen from men who had served beside her. Some had even travelled to France with her after she had wed King Francis. Many would talk about how they hoped the next ruler, however they were to come to Scotland, would somehow bring justice to Scotland. Queen Mary had left a big shadow, hard to fulfill.

"I've heard many stories of Queen Mary." Cadeth answered her, her eyes glancing towards the grand painting. She had been just as beautiful as the men of the Scottish forces described - only with some more vulgar language. The respect for the queen never faded, but the language and snickers could only be expected from a bunch of middle and young aged men who hadn't seen a woman in a few months. If anyone pushed to far, which some did, there were always consequences. "She was a mighty queen. Always putting Scotland first."

Adelaide's eyes were filled with pride, looking up to the painting. "I can only hope to bring honor to Scotland as she did." She said as her fingers reached up to brush over the canvas.

Cadeth quickly turned to Adelaide, scoffing in disbelief. "I have no doubt you will make Scotland and your mother proud Queen Adelaide." Cadeth reached out, placing her hand on Adelaide's lower back. She rubbed softly, providing reassurance with her words. "Whatever it is you decide, I know your mother would've stood by your decision."

Yes, the decision. Adelaide had still been expected to make one. She was expected to, if not Fredrick, than to pick someone to wed. A Queen was not to rule by herself unless widowed, and even then she was expected to wed again if a king saw her fit. The wise men still awaited a decision. They did not know of what had happened in Adelaide's chambers last week. No one besides Cadeth, Edmon, and Katherine knew about it. For several days after the incident Adelaide did not leave her room and Cadeth hardly did either. Although Fredrick and his men left Scotland that same evening, Adelaide could not wash away the constant feeling that she was in danger. The feeling had only seemed to fade away when Cadeth was near. She had protected her against Fredrick so she knew Cadeth would protect her again. The only time Cadeth had left the queen was to bathe or to retrieve clothes from her chambers down the hall. During these times, Cadeth would ask Edmon to watch over Adelaide. The shaggy, black haired dock guard came quickly with every call. He was honored to be trusted to watch over Queen Adelaide. Edmon would stand in the doorway, his back to the room with his sword drawn. He wasn't asked to do this, but it was a gesture to bring respect and honor to his queen. The only guard allowed in Adelaide's room was Cadeth, so Edmon stood in the doorway. Even during 'girl talk' with Katherine, Cadeth stood in the corner or tended to the fireplace.

After the first night, it was a bit tense and not because of the French. Every time Adelaide looked upon Cadeth she was grateful as she came to save her, but memories of what she saw from behind the dress curtain played through her head. She knew the secrets that laid beneath her clothes and Adelaide had not had time to adjust to it. She hadn't had the time to decide how she felt about it, how she felt about her remaining emotions towards Cadeth. Never during their week in solitary did Cadeth make an advancement. She wanted to bring ease to the queen, not anymore stress. When Adelaide asked her to, Cadeth slept in her bed but on top of the sheets. Other nights, when Adelaide fell asleep before asking, Cadeth would sleep on the floor beside her bed. On the worst nights, riddled with nightmares, Adelaide would hold Cadeth's hand. The guard would stroke her thumb over the queen's soft skin, kissing the soft flesh occasionally. There were times Adelaide wanted to ask Cadeth questions, but part of her didn't want to know the truth. Ignorance was bliss, but she was as curious as her mother.

As days past, Adelaide left her quarters more often. Lord James had told her that whispers had begun to spread through the castle that Adelaide was either pregnant or she was dying. Only her appearance would put those rumors to rest. It wasn't until the end of the week that Adelaide began to gain her confidence and comfort back. She still had her moments, but she managed to compose herself until she could step away to break down in privacy. One good thing that had come out of the week away was an ease of tension between Cadeth and Adelaide. Slowly, the queen became less hesitant around her guard. They spoke more, even sometimes shared a laugh. It was tragedy what happened to her, but goodness had came out of it. Adelaide no longer debated sending Cadeth away. Her actions to save her and flattering bloodlust towards Fredrick helped her realized there wasn't going to be another who protected her like she did. It was only a matter of what she would do about the thoughts that swirled in her head. They did not touch, besides the nightly hand holding. Cadeth kept a respectable distance at all times - well accept one night.

The only light in the room came from the fireplace that slowly suffocated in the corner and the moonlight that reached between the gaps of the curtains. The room was silent with the occasional snap of fire embers as they popped in the air. Cadeth's tired eyes traced over the details on the ceiling of the room. It was astonishing to her that no matter where you look in this building, there was always more than just a painted wall. Even on the ceiling, where hardly anyone looked, were the smallest of details. It would take Cadeth multiple lifetimes in order to lay eyes on every small beauty that was tucked away, yet the challenge seemed possible to the guardsman. Cadeth turned her head, looking up to see the tips of Adelaide's hair that fell over the edge of the mattress. The two had shared a few glasses of wine next to the fireplace tonight which resulted in Adelaide falling asleep on the sofa. Cadeth helped the drowsy, half-asleep queen undress down to her white under gown before carrying her to bed. She then made herself a place to sleep on the floor besides the bed with sofa cushions and extra sheets. She refused to allow herself to lay in the queen's bed without her request.

These were the moments of peace, the ones Cadeth felt Adelaide healed the most. She didn't have the thoughts floating in the back of her head or constant memories as she walked around the room where it all happened. Cadeth listened to her soft, almost silent, breaths as she slumbered. The calming noise slowly allowed Cadeth to slip into slumber - but it only lasted a few moments before she was woken by the whimpers of the queen. As Cadeth opened her eyes, she watched as the sheets pulled in one direction then the other as the queen tossed and turned. Soft, distraught whimpers fell from her lips. Quickly, Cadeth got to her knees at the side of the bed, trying to wake Adelaide.

"Adelaide. Hey! Adelaide it's alright. It's alright." She told her, shaking her awake. Adelaide's eyes were wide in fear and quickly filled with tears as she realized it had only been a dream. "It's okay. You're okay." Cadeth reassured her, brushing the strand of hair from her face. She was relieved she had been able to awaken Adelaide so quickly. There had been other nights that Cadeth had to practically scream at her to wake her. Adelaide's brows furrowed as she tried to hold back her tears. Suddenly, the queen quickly wrapped her arms around Cadeth. She pulled her in close, burring her face into her neck as she calmed herself. Cadeth didn't protest, softly wrapping her arm around Adelaide.

"It's safe, you should try to sleep." Cadeth told her after a few minutes. Slowly Adelaide pulled back, but stopped as soon as Cadeth's face was in full view. Adelaide's eyes looked over Cadeth's face, landing on her lips last. Perhaps it was a mixture of alcohol and exhaustion, but she arched her face towards Cadeth's. Just as their lips were to touch, Cadeth turned her face away. Cadeth could smell the liquor on Adelaide breath. As badly as she wanted to kiss her, she didn't want it to be from drunken courage. She didn't want it to be something she could come to regret once sober. Adelaide froze for a moment before she pressed her lips against Cadeth's cheek. She did not speak another word. She pulled the sheets back up over her and laid her head back against the pillow. Cadeth went to the queen's forehead, pressing a long kiss of her own before laying back on her own pillow.

"Do you know what you plan to say?" Cadeth asked, her eyes glancing down the hall to a familiar pair of large doors guarded by two men. Adelaide had called for the wise men to gather as she had some things to discuss with them. There were questions that they wanted answered and Adelaide had thought long and hard about what she was going to say to them.

"I have to be." The queen shrugged, rubbing Cadeth's arm before turning and walking towards the doors.

As they had before, the wise men each stood from their seats as Adelaide entered. Cadeth followed behind Adelaide, finding her spot along the wall.

"So," The first man spoke, clearing his throat. He wore a deep red robe that was embroidered in a silver trim. His hair was pure white stretching around his jaw to form a well kept beard. His face held several healed scars. He spoke loudly and to the point while still showing respect for the queen. "I gather you have come to your decision." The man asked with a half smile.

Adelaide stood proudly on the empty floor. She kept her head high and posture tight. Her volume matched his. Her eyes scanned over each man who sat on their elegant marble and wooden chairs. It had taken Cadeth back the first she saw them, as they seemed to be a pitiful resemblance of thrones. Cadeth had assumed the men thirsted for power, but knowing they could never achieve it as they wished they had made their own thrones. Deep down Cadeth hated them. She felt as though the only throne and throne-like chair that needed- no, deserved to be in the castle was the one Adelaide sat upon in the throne room.

"I've taken some time to consider my decision and weigh my options." Adelaide paused, brushing a strand of hair from her face, "I will not be wedding Fredrick nor any king for that matter." The words shocked everyone in the room, eyes glancing to each other assuming she must have misspoken.

"I'm sorry my queen, but you must wed. It is the way it is." The white haired man responded, rising from his chair. "Scotland needs a king. You needs a king." He argued, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I swore to Scotland that I would do what is only best for my land and my people. I do not see any man as fit to rule Scotland besides me." Mary spat back.

The men looked at each other once more, some whispering and mumbling to one another. "You cannot mean that you wish to rule Scotland as a virgin queen. Other countries, our enemies, will know of this. They will see Scotland as weak. They will see the throne for the taking." The man argued, receiving supportive nods and mumbles from the others at the table.

Adelaide took a moment, refraining herself from lashing out as she had initially wanted to. Anger began to burn inside her as the Lord Benedict spoke to her. Adelaide was beginning to realize that these, so called, 'wise men' possibly saw themselves as equal to her. They felt that she could not do without their say or that they had a say in the actions of the throne.

"France is still offering King Fredrick's hand and we believe-"

"King Fredrick tried to defile your queen!"Adelaide burst out. Her throat burned as she held back tears of anger. The sudden fury had almost caused Benedict to sit back in his chair. "I will not wed a man who does not respect his queen." She yelled, walking towards the half-circle table, leaving the marked position she had always stood on. Never did she advance towards their table.

"Perhaps you have forgotten Benedict, but I am the queen of Scotland and you are my subject. Not my equal." Her words were sharp, leaving no room for a response. They were merely to be heard. "Since I have stepped through those castle doors as a babe I have been taught that the councilmen served as guidance for a young queen. But Scotland has one true ruler and that's me. It is my god given duty, my birthright, to rule over Scotland. I will defend my land against all enemies, foreign and domestic!" Adelaide whispered the last words, directing them right to the man who stood across the table from her. "If a king is to sit besides my throne, it will be when and by my choosing. Not yours."

"The people will not stand for this." He spoke softly. Cadeth was shocked that the man had the mere guts to speak to Adelaide as he did.

"The people will stand by there queen!" Adelaide screamed back, unable to bottle her growing fury any longer. "If you doubt me, see who they chose. You really think the people of Scotland will choose to follow a party of old men in robes over their queen? The daughter of Mary, Queen of Scots?" Adelaide scoffed, turning away from them. She began to walk away from the table, but turned back sharply. "I will let no one - not Elizabeth, not my brother James, not the devil himself will take my country from me! From this day forward the councilmen will serve only as advice to her majesty, nothing more. You hold no authority over me or any part of Scotland."

It was silent. Only the faint sound of raged breathing from Adelaide could be heard. Slowly Benedict looked around to his fellow men, the palms of his hands pressing against the cold stone table. "And if we disagree?" Benedict purposed, rising from his chair once more. The other men didn't dare to look his direction or mutter any words.

Adelaide gave a simple smile, "Then I will provide you with a chariot ride to any of Scotland's shores. From where you travel past that does not matter to me. It's time for the queen to take her throne." Without another word, Adelaide turned from them and strutted out of the room. Quickly Cadeth followed behind, but not without a glaring glance to each of the men. She followed Adelaide down the hall as she walked with purpose, not looking back. "Today, I am King."