ORIA

et

the floor. I screamed and tried to pull away, conv

I cried, struggling despera

and get on

s standing over me. One of them was holding my

ized that the darkness surrounding me had disappeared. The door to the Cha

k goo

urvived

my entire life. The moment the guards locked me inside that chamber, the whispers had gr

ht in the room. Cold fingers had grabbed my arms and ankles, pulling me i

rder

eserve

r leave this

point, I had felt something wrap around my throat and squeeze so tightly that I could barel

as waking up

uards snapped, dragging me to

ched, and I could barely keep my legs steady. The black choker around my neck was s

he corridor, I glanced over m

tioned outside was stari

?" he muttere

guard replied. "Now hel

I didn't care where they were taking me, as long a

e, I noticed that the building was unusually busy. Servants dressed in white hurried through the cor

long the pathways. Large portraits of Queen Evelyn had been placed around the c

long to understand

aring for the Q

once more, but one of the guar

p mov

beside the palace. We entered through a heavy iron door, descended t

ds unlocked the gate and shoved me

My knees were still hurting, and I was so exhausted that I could barely remain standi

ngeon. My stomach ached from hunger, and my throat was

t, I barely paid attention, but the sound gradually grew louder unti

's funeral

could hear the sorrow in their voices. Queen Evelyn had been h

y I had tried to save her. My eyes filled with tears as I t

rry," I

ut I was sorry that I hadn't bee

ng gradually faded away. By the time darkness settled outsid

me there all night when footsteps echoed along the corridor. Two

sty has su

ruggled to my feet, using the wall for sup

vate rooms upstairs, they led me through the ma

xpensive ceremonial robes with royal insignias embroidered across their chest

his wife's funeral. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, and his face looked pale and exhausted. The

oticed me standing between the guar

the woman responsible

ately drew everyone'

demanded angrily. "I thought she

other councilman declared, slamming his palm again

entire kingdom is mourning today. How can we allow th

ded my immediate execution, while another insisted that my body should be

rs demanded my death. I wanted to defend myself, but the hatred in their e

councilman continued. "Her Majesty deserves ju

Throughout the commotion, King Lennox remained seated. He didn't interrupt them or e

he raise

nou

mmediately

ed his head and looked t

aid coldly. "Do you think I need any of y

ncilman lowered his head, while t

backward and rose to his feet.

her fo

e. I stumbled as they forced me to stop several f

onds, Lennox sim

ife," he announced, addressing the council. "She

pread throu

en repeated. "Your Majesty, surely you ca

e an insult to our late Queen," another counc

ox turned

k for your

immediately lo

Your M

remain

x stepped away from the table and approa

o you still w

ded qu

Your Ma

e for a moment bef

prove that you deserve t

ure of what he meant. Before I cou

o the easter

ediately pulled me toward the doors, and I glanced over my shoulder t

ool night air. Torches burned along the palace grounds as the guards

yal warriors stood near the entrance, while others were gathered around a long, narrow trench fille

y began pounding. Wh

orced me onto my knees. I cried out as they struck th

few feet in front of me. The council memb

ctoria, you must first prove your

ed and frightened. He point

ou see

ded ne

t," he announced. "If you make it to the other si

ldn't speak. I simply stared at the glowing coals, str

esty..." I

he end, you've failed," he continue

ease, Your Majesty! My feet are a

have thought about that

my eyes. "But I didn't k

f your lies, Victoria. You begged me to spare your lif

the guards. "Get

he beginning of the burning trench. The heat became unbeara

do anything else! Just don'

ards positioned me directly in front of

ere I stood, the heat was so intense that I could barely brea

ossible for my injuries to heal normally. If I stepped onto those coals, I knew

ctor

inch. I slowly turned toward him

ssion rema

Wa