Queen Victoria’s heart was heavy with grief. Her husband was dead and her son was lying unconscious on the bed for god knows how long. She didn’t even know if he would make it or end up following his father. All she wanted for now was someone to hold her and tell her that everything would be alright. She at least expected Lord Richard to comfort her but strangely, he wasn’t.

Turning her blurry vision to him, she almost jumped back at the sight that caught him. Maybe she wasn’t the only one grieving. Lord Richard’s face was worse than hers. Tears were streaming down uncontrollably as he cried his heart out. His cute face had turned paler now and looked void of emotions.

"He was like a brother to me," he said in his state. More tears streamed down as he caught his lower lip between his teeth to suppress a moan. Lord Richard and King Edgar had come from far. Even before Queen Victoria got married to her husband, Lord Richard was already serving in the palace, always by the king’s side. He was wise and handsome, a perfect combination that befitted his status as a King’s advisor and her... Throwing the bad thoughts behind, Victoria hugged Lord Richard as he buried his face at the crook of her neck. She could feel her skin soak with a liquid that she believed to be his tears.

"Before he died, the king wished for me to give this to Alexander. But since he is unconscious, I can trust you with this." The chief physician said holding a letter that was sealed in an envelope. Queen Victoria broke from Richard’s hug and wiped the tears from her face. She held the envelope with her teary hands making it to wet a little.

From: Your Dearest Father

To: My Dearest Son.

That was what was written on the envelope. Queen Victoria stood up as she teared the envelope open making the chief physician to gasp in surprise.

"Your Majesty, that letter is meant for the prince alone. If you read it, his majesties soul shall not forgive you." He said as fast as he could. But all that fell on the queen’s deaf ears. She had already unfolded the letter and was now silently reading it. Now and then, her face would frown making the physician and Lord Richard wonder what was on the letter. Of course the physician wouldn’t have dared to read it. His respect for the king and traditions was too high.

"I will have to go now. I will be back soon." Queen Victoria said before she exited the room. Pacing through the hallways, her heart was thudding wildly inside her chest. The contents of the letter had made her to be scared. Maybe it was for the best that Alexander was unconscious, she thought. Otherwise, she couldn’t even imagine Alexander’s reaction to the letter. He would hate her for the rest of his life and that, she couldn’t stand. That was why she needed to do this now.

Reaching for her chambers, she stormed in the room and she was more than glad that the fire was still alive on the fireplace. She glanced at the letter one more time before she squeezed it in her hands and threw it in the fire. Relief washed over her face as she watched the piece of paper turn into ash. She let out a sigh of relief and her grieving face was now gone. Instead, one filled with fear of the unknown now settled.

"How could he be so naïve to write that to Alexander?" She questioned herself. "Maybe I should go and see his body." She thought. But that was not the main reason why she wanted to go to the king’s chamber. She was fearing that he might have left a hint or another letter that had the same information.

Brushing her messy hair, she studied herself in the mirror before she left for the king’s chamber. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

********

Isadora was thrown in the dungeon of all the places. The queen must have been angry with her. But she deserved every bit of it. She lay there on the cold floor as her mind wandered back to Alexander. She had to do something before it was too late. But what exactly would she do while in a cellar. The choking smell hit her nostrils and she sneezed. Gods! The place smelt bad. Like a mixture of dust and rotting carcasses.

She blocked her nose with the back of her hand but she knew that would not help. Think Isa! Think! She said as she paced nervously in the cellar. The only way to save Alexander was to first know the type of poison that was applied on the dagger. Unfortunately, only one person knew the poison; King Griffin. Her eyes widened in realization. Would he even be willing to help?

’Don’t be ridiculous Isadora,’ she scolded herself. How could he even help the person who he so much wanted dead. She imagined how content his face would look like if he knew of Alexander’s condition. She drew the dagger from her blouse and an idea struck her mind. But her face turned to one of disappointment again. For that plan to work, she needed to get out of this cellar.

But the question was how. Her mind drifted to Lord Richard. Yes! That was the right person to help her. But what of Sir Gareth? No! Involving him in this situation would only get him into some trouble and who knew they might be exposed. Not that they could even get killed. She knew that Sir Gareth would never let such a thing happen. But it was good to keep him out of this.

A knight came with a plate and threw some staff she didn’t even know existed. Was that even food? How could she even bring herself to eat something she had never see.

"Enjoy your food Miss," the knight said sarcastically before he turned to leave. Yes! This was the perfect opportunity and Isadora was not going to let it slip.

"Wait!" She called. The knight halted on his tracks and turned to face her.

"What is it you murderer?" He asked with disdain making Isadora to frown. Had they already labelled her murderer, that fast? Had Alexander died?