"George?" Charlotte's voice was sickeningly sweet.
I watched silently as she entangled her arms in his, George's gaze rested on me.
"I was merely acquainting myself with the escort," she lied, and my brow furrowed.
She knew I was George's wife, she knew the entire truth. Yet, she was…
"Whatever are you doing here?" She asked, leaning against him.
"Her Majesty has been searching for you. Something regarding the flowers and their sacred significance."
Charlotte nodded, smiling. "I shall be with her shortly," She added, excusing herself.
I watched as she faded into the distance, then flinched as someone tapped me.
I heaved a sigh of relief when I realised it was George.
"There is much I must confess," He began, "Charlotte is—"
"Your first love. The one bound to the throne by blood and duty." I stepped forward, swallowing. "A few days ago, you asked me how much I heard that night," I blinked away tears, my heart heavy as I admitted. "I heard enough,"
"That was not the entirety of the truth, Charlotte…" He trailed. "She is someone important, Someone I need to keep close, and —"
"I found the Saffron, George," I pointed to the carriage being unloaded as my heart raced
I could not cry. I refused to shed tears. "After this festival, I want my sister and I wish to never see you again. You, Charlotte, the Queen. I want to wake up from this nightmare and never sleep again."
George stepped forward and my breath hitched as his lips brushed mine. "Is that what you wish?"
"Is that not what you wish?" I almost cried, my lips trembling as tears stung my eyes. Our foreheads rubbed, I moved to leave but his hand held my waist in place.
"You seem quite unsettled by her presence. Do you detest the sight of me with another?"
"I detest your very existence." I was not sure if it was a lie, but it made him loosen his grip.
I wasn't sure if I wanted that either.
"Very well. You may depart following the festival. Danielle has been eagerly waiting for you."
He turned, walking away before I could say another one. "Yes, George," I murmured to myself as tears finally fell. "This is what I wish."
I stepped into the Palace and paused at the decorations. The servants were efficient. Many hands made things move at an almost inhumane pace.
The flowers covered the walls, the saffrons had been divided, the royal items had been laid out, and the Queen stood in the middle of all of it.
I walked past her, wiping my tears. I was about to turn when it hit me, the feeling of the ground shifting beneath me, the loud throbbing pain in my temples as my vision blurred.
The smell of fresh soil hit my nostrils, and I could hear loud, heavy footsteps as I raced through the woods, tears leaking from my eyes as I struggled to focus on my blood-coated… hands?
The Bonfire had just been lit, and as I rushed toward it, like I had been summoned, a sickening feeling settled in my stomach, twisting around my neck. My voice grew hoarse as I cried out, calling George's name over and over again, as if I had just been wronged in the worst possible way.
"Your Majesty?"
My eyes shot open and I stumbled breathlessly as I locked eyes with a slender maid. She was visibly shaking, glancing around as if she had been followed.
"Are you of good health?"
I parted my lips but no words came out. Shivers went down my spine as I recalled the fresh blood on my hands. Its scent was thick, whose blood could it be?
Why was it in my hands? My visions had never failed me. Not before, especially not now. But… why would I kill anyone? I was no murderer.
And, what could anyone possibly do to hurt me to the point of killing them? My throat tightened as I struggled to pull the pieces together.
"T-The King requests your presence," she stuttered, her tears hitting the ground.
I frowned, leaning against the wall to find my bearings. My heart ached as I recalled George. I wondered what he needed me for.
Everything had already been said and concluded. The Bonfire was for the King and the Queen. In my vision, George was nowhere to be found. Could it be…
"Wherever is he?" I asked instead, shutting my trail of thoughts
"I-In his chambers," She answered. "He requests to see you now."
I nodded and grabbed a fistful of my dress, dragging it along. My steps were heavy on the floors, my breaths sharp, catching in my throat. I hadn't seen Charlotte chattering with the Queen, despite George's previous instruction.
I stopped in front of his chamber, freezing as the sound of giggling filled the air.
"You are as eloquent as ever, George. Your charm is irresistible,"
My fists tightened at my sides as I recognised Charlotte's voice. I leaned, a lump growing in my throat as my knuckles turned white.
George was a liar. He was a cheat. He made empty promises and feigned longing while he stayed behind closed doors and…
"Before the festival, I desire that we be as one. I cannot bear to wait another day…" Charlotte continued and my hands shook, reaching for the door.
"Your plans shall succeed and after that, nothing shall stand in our way, it shall be you, I, and the Kingdom of Keyes,"
"You flatter me too much, Charlotte," I pushed the door open, holding my breath, only to freeze at the sight.
George was standing, his robe loosened such that his shoulder and torso were bared. His skin shone as Charlotte traced it with her hands.
"I searched for you, for many years," He stopped her hand, holding it. "How did you manage everything? You returned…"
"Come…" She turned, her gaze meeting mine, a smile cracked its way through her lips and I swallowed a sob. "Your Highness, let us speak in the only language our bodies know."