The events that took place before the Mother Queen’s death.

The Queen Dowager watched as her granddaughter played with the pearl necklace she had given her. The girl’s excitement was infectious, and the look in her eyes told the older woman she would cherish it forever. Nights like these made the Queen Dowager wish Oriana was truly her son’s child, but it no longer mattered. This little girl had melted her heart more than anyone else in the palace.

As the night deepened, Oriana finally bid her goodnight and left the room. The next person to enter was her personal cook.

"Louis, I told you to take some time off and rest. I heard your wife is getting weaker by the day," the old woman said as she struggled to sit up in bed.

A younger Louis quickly moved to help her. "My wife will be fine, and so will our unborn child. No need to worry, Queen Dowager," he replied with a smile.

"I see, but there’s no need to bring me food when I can’t even digest porridge." The Queen Dowager gently caressed the soft sheets. Her dull eyes shifted to the box that was now half-cracked. "Louis, why do we not treat everyone the same, when we are all alike? Can’t everyone be royal?"

Louis cleared his throat, he didn’t know how to answer, so he just stood there with his head bowed.

"Hard to answer, isn’t it?" The Queen Dowager chuckled softly. "That was what my granddaughter asked me. Imagine how speechless I was in front of her."

Louis smiled, knowing exactly which granddaughter it was. "Little Princess Oriana? She always comes to you with the most difficult questions."

The Queen Dowager laughed softly and shook her head. "She brightens my weary days. What will I do without my little pup?" She sighed. "She will need loyal people by her side. I want you to protect her, just as you do for me."

"Why are you talking like you’re about to leave us? Everyone knows you’ll live much longer," Louis teased with a smile.

The Queen Dowager’s eyes crinkled as she smiled back. The wrinkles on her face evidence of the long years she has spent alive. "Louis, Louis... fetch the book from that box," she ordered.

Louis touched the book and whispered in surprise, "This book is..."

The Queen Dowager nodded. "Yes. I waited for my son to grow into a worthy heir, but that time never came. I have chosen my successor. You and Malcolm must stand by her."

"But she is still—" Louis began, but the door burst open, and the young king strode inside.

King Curtis glared at the servant with a condescending gaze. "Leave. I want to speak with my mother alone."

Louis clutched the book tightly to his chest, bowed to the Queen Dowager, before he exited the room.

"Why did you send for me?" Curtis demanded as soon as the door closed.

The Queen Dowager cleared her throat, she knew how the conversation was going to end. This won’t be the first time but she wanted to try. "Curtis, release Oriana’s maid immediately! Stop punishing innocent people because of your hatred for that girl. No matter what, she is still your daughter, and you should love her instead of casting her aside. You—"

"Mother, stop talking about that child! We both know she does not share my blood!" Curtis barked, glaring at his mother with disdain.

The Queen Dowager rubbed her chest, trying to ease the pain. "Don’t speak of her like that! She has done nothing wrong. As far as I’m concerned, she is my granddaughter my own blood!"

"What do you expect me to do? Show her affection openly?" Curtis sneered. The mere thought of the girl filled him with bitterness. "Mother, do not summon me again to speak of that thing! She is a stain on my legacy, and you know it!" He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

The Queen Dowager closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks as she whispered, "I have failed as a mother." Her thoughts returned to Oriana’s innocent smile. "That poor child did nothing wrong..."

. . .

The following day, after returning from the festival, King Curtis barged into his mother’s room. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Mother! Isn’t it time you showed me the Queen’s army and introduced me as your successor?" Curtis demanded. "Morado acts like they’re superior to us. If you die, I need a backup."

The Queen Dowager sighed sadly. "Curtis, do you wish for my death?"

"You won’t live much longer, and we both know it. Show me where the Queen’s army is!" He glared, shoving everything off the table in frustration.

The Queen Dowager coughed, her body trembling. "Stop, Curtis... you’re not fit to lead my army. You are a failure!"

"I am your son!" Curtis bellowed, dragging her up from the bed. "Show me the army! I won’t let Morado continue to look down on us."

The Queen Dowager struggled to catch her breath, her frail body shaking. "Curtis, how could you treat your own mother this way?"

"How could a mother treat her son this way?" Curtis countered, his eyes wild with anger. "Show me the army, and I’ll be the best son you ever had."

The Queen Dowager, trembling from pain and grief, spoke softly. "If you promise to love Oriana and release her maids, I will show you the army now."

"I told you to stop talking about that thing!" Curtis filled with rage, shoved his mother. The woman fell back with her head striking the table leg. "I blame Saline! I blame you!! And that child! I’ll make you all pay!" He stormed out.

Ignorant of his mother’s condition that was now worsening, the power drunk king stomped out of the room looking for where to vent his frustration. Curtis didn’t turn to look at his own mother calling for his help ok the floor.

"Help me, Curtis..." The Queen Dowager’s hand reached out weakly, but her son was already far gone. "Ana..." she whispered, her heartbeat slowing. "I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you..."

The door creaked open, and Louis entered, holding a bag and a child. His face was pale, tears streaking down his cheeks. When he saw the Queen Dowager lying on the ground, he rushed to her side.

"Queen Dowager! Someone help!" he cried, but her weak hand stopped him.

The Queen dowager even in her final moments wanted to protect her son. She didn’t want another ear to hear what had happened this night.

"Don’t... I think it’s my time," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"No, I can still help you!" Louis said, ready to run for help.

The Queen Dowager chuckled softly, "Louis, I feel so reassured having you beside me. Always talk of helping this old woman." her gaze drifting to the small bag he carried and the child wrapped in cloth. "Are you leaving the palace? With your wife and child?"

Louis shook his head sadly. As he remembered the reason he’d come to meet the Queen dowager, tears filled his eyes again. "My wife didn’t make it. I planned to leave the palace for a time, until I could bear it. I came to tell you before I..."

"Oh, Louis..." she whispered. "I’m so sorry. I wish I could help, but I can’t even help myself." She coughed again, fighting to stay conscious. "Louis, I don’t know what tomorrow holds for Ana. I have failed as the elder of this family, and my son is mad with power. But promise me you and Malcolm will keep the army safe. When the time comes, guide my little pup."

Louis couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down his face, he sobbed openly. With is newborn cradled in his arm. He reached out to hold the Mother Queen. "Please, Mother Queen... don’t die yet... please..."

"May I see your child?" the Queen Dowager asked weakly. She smiled at the sight of the little girl. "So beautiful... I will call her Freya. I wish she could be a sister to my Ana."

"Please don’t go... this kingdom will fall without you..." Louis pleaded, his voice breaking at the end.

The Queen Dowager smiled faintly, exhaustion heavy in her eyes. "My little pup..." she coughed, holding her chest as she struggled to breath. "I’m sorry... I lied. We won’t see tomorrow."

Louis held his newborn daughter close as the Queen Dowager took her final breath.

"You have my respect forever," Louis whispered, bowing to her one last time. A sign of his respect for the woman.

Hearing noise in the hallway, Louis took the book the Queen dowager had given to him, gathered his things, and escaped through the window. As he fled the palace that night, he spotted a shadowy figure scaling the fence. It appeared an assassin had already infiltrated the palace

"Stay safe, Princess," Louis muttered, gazing back at the palace one last time before turning to his infant daughter. "I hope fate leads us to cross paths again." Then, cradling the only reason he had left to live, he ran into the night far away from the palace.