While the King Sleeps...

The wintry eve’s air was numbing as the snow fell briskly against the castle walls. Queen Madeline of Arstoc watched from the garden’s gazebo, a shawl effortlessly draped across her lap. The wind danced through her hair, snow clinging to her golden locks. A guard stood to her right, but his eyes were distracted. He simply could not bring himself to look away from the beautiful matron whom he served so humbly.

“Stop staring, Gerard,” the queen said stiffly, not looking up to meet his captivated eyes. “Someone is going to see and think the worst.” She turned her head away, giving the playing children a smile and a quick wave.

Gerard’s gaze shot away from her as if he had been burned. His hands clasped tightly in front of him and a brief shiver danced up his spine. “Forgive me, My Lady,” he said softly. He licked his chapped lips, his mouth suddenly dry. The King exited the castle, two guards flanking him. His cloak dragged against the snowy ground and Queen Madeline looked up, forcing a smile.

She rose from her perch and sauntered away from Gerard, who’s eyes could barely keep themselves from admiring her bodice and competent ass. Though hidden amongst her skirts, his eyes held mental paintings of her historically beautiful and nude form. King Timothy extended an arm out to his wife, beckoning her forth. She pecked his cheek and allowed for her husband to fold her into his body.

“My love, your beauty ceases to amaze me,” he whispered into her ear before kissing her temple. “The snow seems to give you a sort of glow.” Queen Madeline’s ears and cheeks became flushed, not from his compliment, but from a mixture of the chilling air and the embarrassment of her lover having to hear all this.

Gerard indeed heard all this and felt his blood slowly begin to boil. He choked back the vile insults which he wished to hurl at the harmonious couple. Madeline looked at Gerard and gave him a subtle glare.

“Thank you, my darling,” she replied, turning back to him. “We were just about to come in, I’m afraid.”

Timothy gave a hearty chuckle and squeezed her hip softly. “I was just coming to check on you! Children!” he shouted, turning his stare towards the rambunctious children. “Eldora has made some hot cocoa!”

The three small children squealed in response, dashing from their snowball fight to the side entrance. Their giggles bounced off the castle walls while the elder of the four children, Abigail, stood in the snow, staring after them. Madeline caught her daughter’s eye and gave her an encouraging smile as she beckoned her daughter to them.

Abigail turned on her heel, stalking into another entrance much farther from the kitchen. Madeline’s smile faltered and King Timothy held her tighter. “One day, my darling, she will come around,” he said softly, turning her with him and together, they walked into the castle, leaving Gerard to return to his post around the perimeter of the castle.

Later that night, Queen Madeline knocked at her sons’ door and entered in gracefully, an evening robe wrapped about her shoulders. She peeked in on her boys as they were getting nestled into their beds by one of the servants, Mavis, who looked about herself frazzled at the sight of the queen. She gave a curtsy and turned her attention back to the boys. The boys, Richard and Timothy II, each gave their mother a polite grin and said their own hellos.

Richard was practically his father’s twin in looks, but when it came to spirit, the servants and guards described him as arrogant, rude, and at times, more selfish than Abigail. At fourteen, he always, without fail, talked about how he would rule the kingdom, acting as if he knew it all and needed no guidance from the many tutors his parents sent for. Timothy II, despite having his father’s namesake, looked almost nothing like his father. He was small for his age, but wise beyond his years.

While Richard was busy roughly playing around with the servants’ children, Timothy II was usually somewhere else about the grounds, his nose tucked into a book. His tutors felt the kingdom would’ve been much better off had he been born first instead of his brother, but such things cannot be helped. Madeline perched herself at the foot of young Timothy’s bed.

“I just wanted to tell you boys goodnight,” she said softly, paying no mind to Mavis’ staring. “I trust the tutors will be pleased to hear your work is completed.” Timothy gave his mother an enthusiastic nod, whilst Richard turned away from her. The queen gave a heavy sigh and turned her attention back to Timothy. “You’ll be moved into your own chambers tomorrow afternoon.” Timothy gave her a wide eyed grin and she rose from her seat, kissing his forehead.

She attempted to kiss Richard’s, but he turned deeper into his pillow to avoid it. She left without another word and approached the door to Penelope’s chambers. Before she could even knock, Penelope hurriedly threw the door open and latched herself onto her mother’s skirts. Madeline giggled at the sight and patted her back. She looked around for her handmaiden, Gretchen, and she came around a different corner, a basin of water in hand.

She attempted a curtsy and water splashed onto her skirts. She blushed frightfully. “My apologies, Your Highness, I just ran out for some water since the princess had quite the afternoon playing,” she explained, her words coming out in a rush. Madeline waved her hand dismissively.

“I pay no mind to it, Gretchen,” she said with a gentle voice. “I was just coming to tell my little angel good night.”

Princess Penelope gazed up at her mother with awe, her open mouth revealing two missing front teeth.

“Mother, look! I’ve lost my tooth!” she exclaimed happily and Queen Madeline beamed down at her sweetly. She stooped down to her daughter’s eye level and pushed away the hair obstructing her face. She tenderly took Penelope’s chin between her thumb and forefinger.

“That is absolutely wonderful, my darling! Be sure to show your father at breakfast tomorrow. Right now it is time for bed.” Penelope pouted and nodded her head understandingly. Without hesitation, she pecked her mother’s cheek and hurried back to bed. Gretchen stood by, the basin awkwardly perched on her hip. Madeline rose to her full height and walked away, heading towards Abigail’s chambers when she heard Gerard’s voice coming from somewhere in the opposite direction.

Her heart ached in her chest and her breath caught in her throat. She tightened her robe around her and wrapped her knuckles against Abigail’s door. Without waiting for a response, Madeline pushed open the door and threw it shut behind her. Abigail came from her bathing chambers, damp hair dripping against the robe she had hastily thrown around herself.

“Could you knock?” she asked rudely. Her mother gave a sigh of relief and straightened her skirts.

“I did,” she replied curtly. “You gave no response.” Abigail rolled her eyes and stormed back into her bathing room.

“I was taking a bath!” she shouted back. “Incase you hadn’t bothered to notice I was playing with those brats!” Madeline’s eyes grew wide in astonishment.

“How dare you!” she shouted in disbelief. “Those are your siblings and need I remind you that Rich-”

Abigail emerged from the bathing room again, this time dressed in her long night gown. “That little Richard shall one day be King. Yes, Mother, let’s rub that in my face once more, shall we?” Madeline frowned at her daughter unhappily and crossed her arms over her bosom.

“What has become of you, Abigail? You used to be my sweet girl! Always delighted to see her mother! Always thrilled to do something with the other children and now we can barely get you out of your room when it does not involve a tutor.” Abigail rested herself on her bed, shoving her legs beneath the covers.

“I grew up, Mother. All children do it. One day, little Timothy and Penelope will grow up too and not want you around all the time.”

Madeline’s face stiffened. “I don’t know what happened to make you receive me so coldly, but I will not stand for it any longer, Abigail. Your attitude has become harsh and disrespectful.” Abigail turned out her oil light and turned her back towards her mother.

“Turn out that light on your way out, will you?” she replied dismissively. Madeline’s face softened as she fought back the onslaught of tears. She turned out the light at Abigail’s door and let herself out. She sniffled and touched the back of her hand to her nose.

“My Lady?” a familiar voice asked. Madeline turned and spotted another guard, Matius. He had arrived for the night shift guarding the princess’ room. “Are you alright?” Madeline nodded her head hastily and walked off, making her way to her own chambers. Her handmaiden, Bethany, greeted her kindly.

“There was someone here to see you earlier, ma’am,” she said, causing for Madeline to stop just outside her door. “I’m not quite sure where he ran off to though.” Madeline gave a curt nod and stepped into her chambers, giving the door a slight slam.

“Someone seems tense,” Gerard said. Madeline spun around, her breath caught in her throat. The tears that had brimmed the waterline of her eyes ceased and she gazed about the room in shock. Gerard put his hands up in peace and rose from the chair. “Before you yell at me, I had to see you. You looked so beautiful earlier and it pained me to go without your touch.” He approached her cautiously.

Madeline began to fiddle with her pendant. “You know you aren’t supposed to come without my summons,” she replied with a chilled voice. “What if my husband had found you instead of me?” Gerard lowered his hands, reaching out to her.

“He and some other guards went out for an evening ride about the perimeter,” he replied, his eyes sad and pleading. “Something the general said spooked him during their meeting and he’s off with him for a time searching for any breaches is what I heard from a few of the men who accompanied him. I just wanted to see you.” His voice trailed off and he knelt before his queen. “Forgive me, My Lady, I forgot my place.”

Madeline looked down at him, her lower lip caught in her teeth. She leaned down and took his face in one of her hands, tilting his face up to hers. “Where is your place, my pet?” she asked in a sultry voice.

Gerard felt himself harden at her words and his breath caught in his throat. “On my knees before you, ma’am,” he whispered back. Madeline gave him an approving smirk and rested her back against the closed doors.

“Then on your knees you shall stay,” she said. “Come to me.” Gerard gulped nervously, as he always did in her presence, and crawled the remaining distance. His hand reached out and his thumb traced a pattern against her ankle. She bit her lip harder as the hand began to wander higher up her leg towards her thigh.

“My Lady, I crave you,” he whispered as he began to push her skirts higher. Madeline tipped her head to the ceiling.

“Then take me.” With gentle movements, Gerard took one of her legs and placed it over his shoulder while his lips found her more sensitive region. Madeline released a moan, her hand finding her way into his hair, pushing his mouth into her harder. The more his tongue worked her, the more she felt herself coming undone. “Gerard, take me…take me I’m yours,” she pleaded.

That was all Gerard needed to hear. He rose quickly, the absence of the oral pleasure sending shivers down Madeline’s spine. The shivers did not last long before Gerard pulled her with him to the bed. He threw her down upon it, pushing her skirts up to her waist. He loosened his pants, freeing himself before pulling her by the ankle to the edge. A soft gasp escaped her mouth and Gerard’s lips found hers.

He took both her wrists into his hands and pinned them above her head, trapping them there. The tip of his member found her aching moist entrance and a shiver was shared between them. He entered her slowly, gasping as he entered her while her legs anchored themselves around his waist. When he was fully inside of her, he forced himself to be still, relishing the feel of her around him.

He gave a sudden thrust, causing for Madeline to let out an epic moan. Her fingers dug into his back. Their love making was long, alternating from rough and passionate with his hand around her throat to them curling their bodies together, each thrust being matched until they fell apart together.

After the lovemaking, they cuddled together and she placed her head upon his chest. A panicked knocking came at her door. “My Lady, the King has arrived back and he is demanding to see you this instant!” Bethany said quickly. Madeline and Gerard jumped from the bed. As Gerard gathered his clothes, she was frantically searching for an escape route. “My Lady, he is coming!” Madeline threw open a window as Gerard pulled up his trousers.

“Darling, you must go out the window!” Gerard’s wide eyes gave his protest and Madeline glared at him, pointing out the window. He gave a quiet whimper and felt his sphincter tighten at the approach of the King’s booming voice. He held his shoes and shirt in his hands, sprinting for the window. He stopped just before leaping out to plant a kiss on Queen Madeline’s soft lips and he was out the window, sailing down to the bushes that waited below.

Madeline had barely closed her window and wrapped her robe around herself when her husband walked in without knocking. He raised a brow at the sight of his unclothed wife. “Darling? Are you alright?” he asked. Madeline nodded her head sheepishly.

“My chambers just became very hot. I wasn’t expecting you.” The king waved his hand dismissively, a pained look on his face.

“I’ve just received word that my brother, Stephen, and his wife, Diana, will be here on the morrow. That idiot Matius had evidently forgotten to mention it to me, until just now when I was passing Abigail’s room.” Madeline gave him a sad, yet apologetic smile.

“Darling, I can assure you that we are more than ready to receive them. I’ll just get up early and have Gretchen and Bethany set up the guest chambers for them.” Timothy gave his wife an appreciative grin and walked over to her, planting a kiss on her forehead.

“You were always the quick thinker,” he said sweetly. “Well, I should be getting back to my chambers. Very busy day tomorrow. I think I’ll take my little brother out hunting on the grounds. Perhaps we can discuss his reason for visiting.” Madeline shook her head and chuckled at her husband’s paranoia.

“You always think Stephen is coming here for some awful reason, my love. Perhaps you should take him about the kingdom and allow for him to meet some of the merchants!”

“Why? So, he can steal them?” Madeline rolled her eyes and gave him a silly smile.

“You’re being ridiculous, Timothy. Stephen admires you. Perhaps he is just missing his family here. He hasn’t been back since Penelope was first born.”

Timothy shook his head. “Six years just doesn’t seem like enough time,” he replied in a somber voice.

“Timothy!” She scowled at him. Her own brother, Reginald, had died two years before Timothy II was born, leaving his eldest son, Bartholomew to rule at the unripened age of thirteen. The Queen’s nephew, let alone his mother, refused to visit after their two youngest children were born. It was as if it were beneath them to see family. Timothy saw how unhappy his skepticism made his queen and he wrapped a loving arm around her, pecking her cheek.

“You’re right, darling. Perhaps I am causing myself undue stress. You get some sleep and I shall see you in the morning.” Madeline smiled softly as he got up from her bed and exited her chambers. She turned out her lamps and crawled beneath the covers. It was then Madeline had begun to sob into her pillows.

The next morning, Madeline observed as the handmaidens prepared the guest chambers with care and such precision, it would put the guest’s service at home to shame. Queen Madeline was dressed meticulously in an emerald green gown with a white stripe down the middle of her skirts with golden embroidery. It had been a gift from Lady Diana, her sister-in-law sometime last Christmas.

Her hair was pinned around her golden crown and the pearls shone beautifully, both around her neck and in the crevices of her crown. She saw to it that everyone was being properly bathed and dressed for the occasion of receiving such important guests. The children were thrilled to hear of their uncle’s arrival. Even Abigail gave a sort of thrilled smile upon hearing the news at breakfast.

Queen Madeline had also made absolutely certain Gerard was nowhere in her vicinity during the time of the visit. She couldn’t have him randomly dropping into her chambers unannounced while they had company. The impropriety of it all would surely kill her husband. King Timothy had been busying himself with strengthening the walls around the perimeter of the castle. Madeline had caught some of the whisperings of a few worried servants.

Madeline’s heart had lurched in her chest at hearing about the dead guard they had found in the early morning hours. His body had been impaled on a large tree branch and the cold had turned his skin a painful blue. Madeline silently prayed for the guard and hoped he had not suffered. When the noon meal had come along, the children were chit-chatting amongst themselves eagerly as their father entered the room.

Their voices dropped to low whispers as he came to sit at the head of the table. Madeline watched him with a curious eye and when their eyes met, he gave her a smirk and a wink. She grinned back at him and suddenly, there came a booming knock at the door. Everyone’s eyes diverted to the door, spoons in mid-scoop above their soups.

“Enter!” Timothy shouted as he rose to his feet. The tall wooden doors were pushed open and in walked the king’s guest. His brother threw his arms into the arm and let out a copy of the king’s hearty laugh. Timothy returned the laugh and walked around the table with outstretched arms. “Brother!” The two men collided together and clapped each other on the back. The two men began to chat cheerfully as they approached the table. Madeline had begun to rise from her seat, but Timothy shook his head as he motioned for her to remain seated.

She seated herself again and glanced around as she searched for her sister-in-law, but found she had not come in with Stephan. “Stephan, where’s Diana?” she asked curiously. The children were fawning over their newly arrived uncle, who gazed over at Madeline.

“Well, she and our new baby are resting in our chambers,” he said coyly. Everyone gasped and stared at Stephan with wide eyes.

Timothy laughed and slammed an enthusiastic fist against the tabletop. “Brother! That is marvelous! You did not tell me Diana was with child!” Stephan was beaming with pride as he shrugged his shoulders. “Eldora, bring us some food please!”

“We’d been sailing for a time, to be honest. She was hoping to have the child here, but well, our children just had to come early.” Madeline’s eyebrows shot up in shock.

“Children? As in…more than one?” she asked softly. Stephan glanced at her from over the boys’ shoulders at her.

“Yes!” Stephan shouted gleefully. “One son and one daughter. Thankfully, everyone is doing well thus far.” Abigail’s eyes glowed with admiration.

“What are their names?” she asked, her somber mood forgotten. Stephan sipped at the goblet of wine Mavis had brought to him.

“Their names are Geneva and Lionel. Perhaps you’d like to pay them a visit later this evening. Diana is awfully tired.” Timothy smiled.

“Brother, that is remarkable news!” He shouted as he raised a glass. “A toast! To Geneva and Lionel! May they live long and prosperous lives!” Everyone gave a cheer as they shared a toast.

Two days later…

Madeline was sitting in the library, a book perched in her lap. A few guards were stationed on the other side while she sat in blissful silence. An earthy musk wafted in her nose and tingles danced up her spine. A hand grasped her shoulder, surprising Madeline. She leaped to her feet and as she spun, she launched the book behind the chair.

Gerard hissed in pain as he cradled his shoulder. “Goodness gracious, woman! It’s just me!” he shouted at her. Madeline’s eyes grew wide as she placed her hand over her racing heart.

“What are you doing here?!” she shouted back at him. “I thought you were supposed to be patrolling the grounds!” Gerard stepped cautiously around the chair, his arms held out to her.

“I have some time before my patrol starts. I simply wanted to lay my eyes upon your beautiful face.” Madeline felt the heat of the fire as it warmed the back of her skirt. Parts of her yearned to leap into his arms and allow him to give her that pleasurable escape she’d been thinking of since their last encounter.

“You aren’t supposed to be here,” she replied, attempting to sound firm. “My brother and sister-in-law are here. If they catch us together…you don’t know what my husband would do to us if he found out.” Her fingers played with her necklace absentmindedly. Gerard stepped closer to her, his hands slowly tracing their way around her hips. Madeline shuddered and her breath caught in her throat at the sensation.

“Say you don’t wish to see me and I shall leave, Your Majesty,” he whispered. In the distance, a door opened and the couple froze in fear.

“Queen Madeline!” one of the guards called. “Are you alright?” Gerard looked at her expectantly, his thumb softly dragging against her lower lip.

“Yes!” she called back. “I’m fine. Please go back to your posts.” A smile stretched across his cheeks as the door closed, signaling they were once again alone. She sighed heavily as she braced one of her dainty hands against his toned chest. She shook her head as tears began to build in her eyes.

Gerard clasped her hand in his and planted a kiss on the back of her hand. “My love, I cannot go so long without gazing upon your smile. Nor go without feeling your heaving bosom against my chest as our bodies melt and mold together.” Madeline’s cheeks rushed with an aroused blush at the sound of his poetic words.

He leaned forward, his lips finding hers as his body pressed hers back into the mantlepiece. Her fingers found their way into his hair as he gripped fistfuls of her dress into his hands. One of his hands slipped down and grabbed her bottom roughly as his tongue parted her lips. Gerard turned her, leading her back to the armchair she had vacated upon his arrival.

He dropped to his knees, pushing her skirts up to get closer to her. There came a loud knock at the door and the two jumped apart as if struck by lightning. Gerard rose to his feet immediately while Madeline smoothed her skirts back down to her ankles. He gave her a pleading look and escaped through whatever door he had just come through as Abigail entered the library. Madeline gave her darling daughter a nervous smile.

“Abigail, sweetheart!” she exclaimed happily. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” Abigail gave her mother a queer look before approaching her further. Madeline noted the few books she carried beneath her arm.

“It’s the library, Mother. I came to put the books back. I came to find some fables to read to the twins this evening since they were moved into the castle this morning,” she said as she walked around her chair. She stopped short and reached down, picking up the book Madeline had thrown at Gerard mere moments ago. “You normally throw around such excellent reading material?”

Madeline gave her an embarrassed smile and reached out, taking the book from her. “I’m afraid I dropped it, my dear,” she lied, pretending to flip back to her place.

“Mmhmm,” Abigail said as she approached the bookshelves, making sure to put them back in alphabetical order before searching for the aforementioned fables. She took a book from the shelf and exited the library without another glance or look in her mother’s direction.

When the library door slammed close, Madeline bursted into tears as she dropped the book to cradle her face in her hands. Her body shook with her sobs.

A Week Later…

Madeline sat at Timothy’s side as guests came to greet them before seating themselves at their assigned tables. It was the day of the ball to celebrate the birth of King Timothy’s niece and nephew. The Blessed Twins, as everyone called them, were safely tucked in under the watch of Mavis along with Timothy II and Penelope. Madeline’s mind was set hardly at ease. A few more guards had come up dead around their perimeter and who better to be on patrol on one of the busiest nights of the season then Gerard.

Madeline glanced about the room nervously, hoping he would somehow ditch the duty and choose to work the ballroom instead, but no such luck. Timothy nudged her softly with his elbow and her gaze whipped over to meet his.

“You seem distracted, my love,” he said softly. “Is something troubling you?” Madeline gave him a faux smile as she shook her head, her golden locks bopping around her face.

“No, darling. Just watching our guests…hoping they’re enjoying themselves,” she replied.

Timothy clasped her hand in his delicately. “Not a single soul comes to one of your parties and leaves unfulfilled.” Madeline giggled and he cleared his throat before rising to his feet. “Ladies and gentlemen!” Everyones’ heads turned at the sound of the King’s booming voice. “My lovely wife and I would like to thank you all for coming to help us celebrate the birth of our beautiful twins born to my brother, Stephen, and his wife, Diana. Geneva and Lionel, may you live long and beautiful lives!” The crowd gave a resounding cheer and glasses clinked together around the room.

Timothy took a seat and picked his wife’s hand back up again, placing a tender kiss on the back of her hand. Everyone ate and drank wine. A few dozen couples even got up and danced for awhile. Madeline’s stomach churned with nerves. She rose to excuse herself when a guard approached the royal couple. He bowed before them, his face battered and as pale as a ghost.

“Forgive me, Your Grace,” he said to the king. “I know you are very busy at the moment, but…there’s been an issue about the perimeter.” King Timothy glanced to his wife hesitantly, noting her worried expression, before gesturing for the young man to go on. The guard sighed heavily before continuing. “A man has been lost…we may have caught the man responsible.” The king nodded his head, glancing once more at his wife before rising to his feet.

“Take me to him,” the King ordered, watching the guard as he walked away. He turned to his wife, planting a kiss on her forehead. “I will be just a moment, sweetheart. Keep our guests calm and I will send someone to stand guard here with you until I return.” She nodded her head, knowing there was no arguing with her husband when it came to her and their childrens’ safety.

Her husband hurriedly exited the room. Madeline took in a deep breath through shaking lips. She felt tears threatening to build in her eyes as the worry for her lover kept coming to her mind. A guard came to stand at her side.

She turned to him and took a deep breath before asking, “Do we know who was murdered?” The guard shook his head.

“No, Your Highness. I’ve been here the whole night.” Madeline nodded her head somberly, feeling that familiar ache in her heart. She spotted her two older children floating about the room, laughing and chatting up several guests at once. She caught Richard’s eye and he gave her a polite wave. She returned it with a forced smile and gazed about the ballroom.

Later into the evening, the guests had all climbed back into their carriages for their long treks home. Madeline sat in her chambers, cradling her head in her hands. She had sent her handmaidens away, urging them to keep their eyes on the children. She had barely undressed herself when there came a knock at her door. Her heart leaped in her chest and she jumped from her bed, rushing for the door.

“Oh, darling, thank the Lord, I thought-” She stopped short when she swung the door open and saw King Timothy standing before her. Her breath caught in her throat. “I thought something terrible had happened.” Tears were still about to fall down her face and he gave her a reassuring smile. He reached out, cupping her face in his hand, while his arm wrapped around her waist. He kissed her temple softly.

“Oh, my sweet wife. Everything’s alright. I am here and our children are safe in their chambers,” he said kindly. Madeline’s guilt at her lack of care for the right things weighed heavily on her mind. She wrapped her arms around him tightly.

“Did you find out who’s been doing these awful things?” She asked with a trembling voice. The King sighed heavily before holding her at arms’ length.

“We have a man in the dungeon right now. He’s raving like a lunatic. He’s clearly sick, but thankfully, our guards can rest a little easier tonight. I only wish we had done it sooner.” Madeline wiped the back of her hand beneath her nose.

“Who was it?” she asked, fighting to keep back the heartbroken sobs. “Who died?”

The king sighed heavily. “I’m afraid it was…Gerard Van Burgen. He apparently hopped off his horse needing to relieve his bladder and was caught with his pants down.” Madeline felt her heart leave her chest. “Oh, darling, don’t cry.” He held her to his chest tightly.

When she was ready, Timothy helped her undress and get into bed. He kissed her head and retreated to his own chamber. Later into the night, Madeline awoke from a nightmare. She turned to the other side, where sometimes Gerard would sleep. She reached up, clutching the pendant Gerard had given her shortly after they had started seeing each other. She licked her lips and wiped her eyes before getting out of bed. She rose to her feet, snatching up her robe, and wrapped it around herself tightly before hurrying out of her bedchambers.

The guards standing at her door flanked her immediately, attempting to urge her to tell them where she was going or to at least head back to bed while someone went to gather her husband. Madeline ignored them both, knowing she needed to confront her lover’s murderer face-to-face. Her lips trembled as she approached the other set of guards standing outside the door leading down to the dungeon.

They bowed and attempted to urge her to go back to her bedchamber with the other guards. “You will allow me to speak with the man who has been murdering my guards. Otherwise, I will have you thrown into the dungeon myself,” she said in a cold, unforgiving voice. The men moved aside reluctantly and she glanced back at the other guards before heading down. A guard followed her down and she looked about the deserted dungeon, thinking she had been mistaken on where the man was being kept when she heard a voice call out.

She followed it and found a middle aged man who looked more ragged than one of her daughter’s dolls leaning against the bars of his cell. He looked up at her with tired eyes. “I didn’t realize I was going to be seeing the queen in her skivvies this evening,” he said with droopy eyes.

“How could you? How could you murder those men?” The man rolled his eyes in response.

“I already told your husband why.”

“Unlock the cell,” she ordered the guard standing behind her.

“But, Your Majesty,-” he began.

“I said unlock it.” The guard nodded his head and approached the cell, unlocking it. The man looked up as Madeline entered, slowly dropping her hands to her sides, revealing her nightgown beneath the robe. The man’s eyes widened. “Stand up.” The man rose to his feet cautiously with his back against the wall.

Madeline rushed the man, bringing out the dagger she kept tucked into her robe and she pressed it into his neck. “Whoa, whoa, what are you doing?!” the man screamed in surprise.

“I asked you a question and you’re going to answer it, dammit!” she screamed, her face mere inches from his. The guard watched in shock, having never seen the mother act this way before. The blade pressed into his neck and a dribble of blood trickled down the blade. “Why did you murder them? Why?!”

The man shook, warm urine oozing down his legs. “I had orders too!”

“Who ordered you? Tell me dammit!” she screamed.

“The King! He was getting cross with me for taking so long to get the right one.” Madeline’s eyes widened, surprised.

“The right guard?” she asked and the man hurriedly nodded his head as best he could with the blade still pressed into his throat. “Who was the right guard?”

The man sniffled. “I got it right tonight. I…I got the right guard tonight. He hired me to kill him…said he betrayed him in the worst way a man could. Please let me go, Your Majesty, I’m sorry. Please, I am so sorry.” He started to cry and Madeline stepped back. The man slid down the floor, bawling into his hands. Madeline numbly stepped back again and turned her eyes to the guard. She raised the dagger as she pointed it at him.

“Not a word of this to anyone,” she stated firmly. “Or I will do something worse to you than what I did to him.” She stalked up the basement stairs, tucking her dagger away into her robe, before hurrying back off to her bedchambers. She paced for a few moments, a mixture of shock and rage coursing through her veins. Tears welled in her eyes as her realization became truer and truer to her by the second.

Timothy had known about the affair the whole time. He murdered Gerard for what they were doing. She collapsed on her bed, knowing she was being fueled by one thing and one thing only. Revenge and she would be sure to get it.