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khoicesbyk · 1 year

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The Royal Romance.

Love Everlasting.

A/N: I had a different name and plot for this fic over a year ago. But after being in the RP community for more than a year, I've decided to write the current Royal Life of my favorite OTP.

Rated: Mature (at times can and will be Explicit. I'll be sure to change the rating when and if that happens). | Contains sexual content and strong language. (You know? The usual. Y'all should be used to this from me by now 😁) | Bolded and/or italicized words are conversations and thoughts of the characters. | Main Characters: King Marquise Rys (LI) and Queen Shanelle Miller-Rys (MC) | All Characters and names: (except MC and original characters created by me and/or other authors [their characters have been mentioned and/or used in the story with their permission] ) are property of Pixelberry.

Current Word Count: 19.8K words. (may be slightly more or may be slightly less. Look, I stop counting after editing and re-editing and driving myself insane. 🤷🏾‍♀️)

If you’d like to be added to my tag list. Just reblog or dm me and I will gladly add you! 😁😘

This series is rated Mature and/or Explicit. It is NOT reading material that is safe for those under 18. Reader discretion is STRONGLY advised!

Missing a chapter or want to read a chapter again? I got you covered! Click ——> Here!

We are STILL in King Liam Appreciation Week! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳 I didn't have a specific day for this fic but that's okay. I'm still celebrating my FAVORITE Fictional King.

And this is Part 2 of Chapter 11! It picks up where Part 1 left off I hope you all enjoy it!

TW: murder/execution and blackmail. If you are sensitive to any of those topics do not read any further. if you choose to continue on: THIS WILL BE YOUR ONLY WARNING! READER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED!

Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @kingliamappreciationweek

Chapter 11.) Fate. Part 2.

He stopped massaging her feet long enough to answer the knock at the door. Their lunch was being delivered. The attendant pushed in a cart with four covered plates. 2 large plates and 2 small dessert plates.

"Thank you, Josef. That will be all." Marquise said to the attendant. The attendant smiled and bowed to them both before leaving.

"Food! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" she squealed happily.

"You are such a child."

"No, I'm childish now feed me Seymour!"

Marquise shook his head with a smirk before uncovering the dishes. He was served a Grilled Shrimp Cobb Salad. While she was served a Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon fillet, French lentils in a warm mustard vinaigrette, with wilted Swiss Chard. And for dessert, they each were served a dark chocolate and strawberry Napoleon.

"Mmmmm! This food is always so damn good!" she said happily.

"I'm glad you're enjoying your lunch, my love. You know it pays to have a Michelin Starred chef on the payroll."

"No really it does. Chef Daniel never disappoints with his food. And Jenna has always excelled at her desserts."

"They make a great team. They run the kitchens as efficiently as we run the kingdom."

"Indeed they do."

Shanelle was in heaven. Everything was delicious.

"That had to be one of the best lunches we've ever had. I loved it."

"Good. I'm glad. I asked the kitchen to make sure you were served foods that were high in iron."

"Thank you, baby. You always take care of me."

"I always will. You know this," he replies as he clears their dishes. "And now I believe I owe you a continuation of an earlier foot massage."

Shanelle squealed and clapped happily as she put her feet up on his shoulders with her dessert plate sitting on her stomach.

"At least this bump is good for something."

Marquise shook his head with a smile as he began to massage her feet again. He listened to her moan and watched her eyes roll back as she enjoyed her dessert and her massage.

"I hope your eyes rolling back is because of this foot massage."

"And this dessert! I never knew how much I could love chocolate and strawberry together."

Marquise snickered as he continued to massage her feet. Taking advantage of Shanelle's happy delirium, Marquise placed a soft kiss on the top of her right foot. Shanelle cocked an eyebrow at her husband while taking another bite of her dessert.

"The King is being kinky again," she said to him.

"So what's your point?" he asked.

She hated it when he did this to her but she loves it as well. His massages were indeed good for her circulation but she knew that's not why he gave them to her. He did it for his own selfish reasons.

"Sir if you don't stop...we won't make it back to the trial," she warned.

He smirked at her.

"Challenge accepted."

Shanelle was mid-bite when she felt him put a suckling bite on her left foot and damn near choked. She bopped him with her fork.

"Ow!" he said.

"That's what you get for nearly making me choke! Also, do that again."

Marquise shook his head.

"You could've just said that you liked it."

"I liked it. Now keep going."

Marquise smirked.

"As my Queen commands..."

He went back to sucking on her foot. Taking care to pay close attention to every sound she made. He watched her suck the last bit of chocolate cream off her finger.

"Dang! My dessert is all gone." she pouted.

He moved her plate out of the way when an idea hit him.

"Y'know I haven't even touched mine. Until now."

Shanelle looked at him.

"What are you about to do?" she asked.

Instead of answering, he took the cover off of his dessert and laid the plate next to her. He then took a small dab of the chocolate cream and swiped it on the sole of her right foot.

"What are you do—" was all she managed to say before he dragged his tongue up her sole, licking the cream off. He watched her squirm with a smirk on his face.

"You were saying?" he asked as he flexed his fingers.

"No! No! No!" she said as she tried to pull away from him.

"Stay still!" he commanded.

"No! Not if you're gonna do that!" she replied.

Marquise rolled his eyes.

"Calm down! I'm not going to tickle you."

"You promise?" she asked.

"Yes. I know how much you hate being tickled. Also, I like my teeth right where they are. Besides, I wouldn't do that to you. Now hold still and don't move." he replied.

She eyed him suspiciously but didn't move. He took a slice of strawberry that was covered in chocolate and dragged it from the heel of her right foot to the bottom of her toes and followed it with his tongue. He watched her shiver.

"It's okay to say you enjoy it, my love."

"I do. But not as much as you do."

Marquise went back to eating his dessert off her feet. Every time he looked up at her she had a look of pure ecstasy on her face. He licked, sucked, touched, and teased her toes and soles. When he got down to the last of his dessert, he held a strawberry that was covered in chocolate to her lips.

"Bite," he instructed.

She took a bite of the strawberry savoring the sweet taste. She watched him finish the rest of the strawberry.

"That was a damn good dessert."

"Hmm, are you talking about the food or my feet?" she asked.

"Both," he replied as he stood up.

"Well someone is happy to see me," she said as she tapped the bulge in his pants with her right foot.

Marquise snorted.

"He's always happy to see you."

"That outfit looks a little stuffy."

"It's a part of wearing the regalia love."

"You should take it off."

"Nope."

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because as you said, we will never leave this room and we have a trial to preside over," he replied.

"But I can't leave you unsatisfied, my King."

"My satisfaction comes from pleasing you."

She rubbed her foot across his bulge and watched him groan with his eyes closed.

"You are going to be the death of me."

"That's the point."

"That's not the point."

She continued to tease him.

"Shanelle..."

"Hmm?"

"Stop. Now."

"Nope."

"You're being a brat," he muttered.

"And you like it," she said as she tapped her foot on his bulge. "Now open up. You know you want to."

He looked at her with just his left eye open before sighing and unbuckling his belt and pants. He freed himself with a sigh.

"See? Now don't you feel better?" she asked.

"Not yet. But I will in a minute," he replied.

She rubbed the insides of her feet along his shaft. Causing him to take a sharp breath in.

"I reiterate you are going to be the death of me."

She continued to rub her feet along his shaft and listened to his breathing begin to become shallow.

"God yes..." he breathed out.

She loved making him curse under his breath.

"Shit..."

He wrapped his hands around her ankles to hold her feet in place and started to thrust his hips.

"Fuck! This feels so good..." he said as his voice got raspier. "You have no idea the power you have over me."

Shanelle bit her bottom lip.

"I am your vexation, my King."

"Yes, you are my love. Now I don't know how much longer I can last like this."

He let out a shuddering breath.

"If word of you loving footjobs ever got out..."

Marquise scoffed.

"Let it. The world would have to prove it," he said before gesturing downward. "Now if you don't mind."

"Very well."

Shanelle moved her feet so she could slide to the floor. She wrapped a hand around his very hard shaft and began to stroke him.

"Shit...yes that's it. Like that." he moaned.

She swirled her tongue around the swollen tip before taking him into her mouth.

"I could literally die right now." he breathed out.

She was determined to go slow and torture him but he had other plans. He wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and one under her chin and started to thrust his hips forward fucking her face.

"God, you feel so damn good." he breathed out.

He loved the feeling of her tongue sliding across his dick. It sent his orgasm soaring higher. He dug his nails into the skin of her neck as he used her mouth and throat.

"Oh fuck! Shit! That's it, baby. Suck this dick! You know you love it."

Shanelle chuckled to herself as she sucked him off. She could always tell whenever he was close. He always became a lot more vocal as his pleasure began to hit its peak.

"Don't stop love. Please don't stop," he said through gritted teeth.

She closed her eyes and breathed through her nose as she took him deep in her mouth and stayed like that. It sent him into a deliciously happy tailspin. His grip tightened, and he went rigid as he exploded in her mouth. He stayed still for a moment before pulling out of her mouth. After adjusting himself, he helped her up before collapsing onto the couch next to her.

"Well, that was fun," he said as he caught his breath.

She snuggled against him.

"I'll say." she agreed.

Marquise looked at his Apple Watch and sighed.

"We still have another 30 or so minutes before the trial resumes."

"Good. That means we have to go explore the garden here."

Marquise scoffed.

"I am not leaving this couch until I get my strength back so you'll have to settle for hearing the history of the garden."

"Fineeee!" she pouted.

"You'll live. Now what would you like to know?" he asked.

"How long has it been here?" she replied.

"It was a wedding gift to Queen Maja. She married King Fabian's oldest son Simon. It was from her homeland of Denmark."

"Denmark?!" she asked.

"Yup. She was the Crown Princess of Denmark. Her Father King Fredrik and King Fabian matched their children together. It's how we gained land close to the border with Ardona." he replied.

"Geez! What is it with you Rys men and marrying outsiders?" she asked.

Marquise snickered.

"The heart knows what it wants," he replied.

"Even though they were matched together?" she asked.

"Yes. Just like we were. And just like us, Simon and Maja eventually fell in love and continued the line." he replied.

"What kind of flowers are in the garden?" she asked.

"Tulips. They were always her favorite," he replied.

"Are you sure we can't go see them?" she asked.

"I'm not getting up!" he replied.

She pouted with her lower lip poked out. Marquise groaned.

"Fine! Let's go."

"Yay!" she cheered.

"I don't know why I constantly let you and your daughter take advantage of me."

"Because you're a simp for me and a pushover for your daughter," Shanelle said matter-of-factly.

"True."

The couple got up and walked out to the garden. Shanelle was in awe of the rows and rows of orange, yellow, white, and red tulips.

"They're beautiful. I can't believe I didn't know about this garden."

"We hardly come to this part of the palace. But I keep up this garden because it's a family tradition."

"Wait until your daughter sees it."

"No..."

"Yes, Marquise. We can't keep this from her. It's bad enough that you kept it from me."

Marquise made a face.

"Fine. We'll bring her after the trial is over."

"I accept your terms, sir."

Marquise chuckled before checking his Apple Watch.

"We're due back now."

"Okay. Lead the way, Your Majesty."

After locking the French doors and freshening up in the adjoining bathroom, the couple left the room and returned to the courtroom. When they walked back in, many in the room were eager to see who Giancarlo would call as his next witness. Marquise cleared his throat before speaking.

"I trust that everyone had a wonderful break for lunch, now then the trial may continue. Giancarlo, you may call your next witness."

"I call Lord Tariq's former assistant, Sir Harold Jenkins," Giancarlo replied.

Marquise nodded as a primly dressed man walked up to face the King and Queen.

"Good afternoon Sir Jenkins. Thank you for joining us today. Now you were Lord Tariq's assistant, yes?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes sir I was." Sir Jenkins replies.

"Tell us how you got that job," Giancarlo said to him.

Sir Jenkins smiled fondly.

"Lord Tariq and I had known each other for years. We grew up together. When he took over his family's Duchy and estate after his father retired, he hired me as his assistant. I helped him to run the day-to-day operations of the Sauvageon estate."

"Can you describe your relationship with the deceased?" Giancarlo asked.

"We were like brothers. Always sneaking out of class together. Might as well say we were thick as thieves." Sir Jenkins replied.

"Since you ran the day-to-day at the estate then you must've known about the marriage to Princess Naya," Giancarlo said to him.

"Yes, I knew about it. I also know that they didn't always get along. But Lord Tariq would never harm her." Sir Jenkins replied.

"Is it true their marriage was a political one?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. A political and financial marriage. Many noble marriages are. They were matched by their fathers King Elgin and Lord Gerard." Sir Jenkins replied.

"Financial?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. King Elgin owed a debt to King Constantine. And matching his daughter to Tariq would secure his family's financial future." Sir Jenkins replied.

"So what's with the line of questions?" Shanelle whispered to Marquise.

"To establish what Tariq and Naya's marriage was like," Marquise replied.

"Tell me, Sir Jenkins, was their marriage ever contentious?" Giancarlo asked.

"Not in the way you may think. They attended events at court together but when they were home they barely spoke to each other. They didn't even sleep in the same room." Sir Jenkins replied.

"They had separate rooms?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. At Princess Naya's request." Sir Jenkins replied.

"Tell me, do you know anything about Princess Naya wanting a divorce from the former Lord?" Marquise asked.

"Yes. She did ask." Sir Jenkins replied.

"And he declined to get one?" Marquise asked.

"Yes. But please let me explain. He told her to wait until after his final business transaction had been completed." Sir Jenkins replies.

"What business transaction?" Marquise asked.

"Lord Tariq had acquired a very lucrative contract with DuPont Shipping and Exports. They are one of the biggest Exporting Companies in Europe." Sir Jenkins replies.

"When was this transaction completed?" Marquise asked.

"Two weeks before Lord Tariq died." Sir Jenkins replied.

"How much was the deal worth?" Marquise asked.

"£200,000,000.00." Sir Jenkins replies.

"Which means she stood to inherit a fortune big enough to pay off the rest of her father's debt," Shanelle whispered to her husband.

"And she failed to mention the deal to me," Marquise whispered back.

Marquise nodded.

"Thank you, Sir Jenkins. That will be all for now. You will be interviewed by the defense next so please make plans to return." Marquise said to him.

When Marquise glanced in Naya's direction she had her head down.

"She's not making eye contact," Marquise whispered to his wife.

"Probably because she knows she is guilty or maybe because she's pregnant it could be nausea," Shanelle replies.

"Let's find out."

Marquise cleared his throat.

"I'd like to call the Princess to the stand," Marquise announced.

Naya's head snapped up and she had a look of horror on her face.

"That got her attention," Shanelle whispered.

"No, Your Majesty, please," she begged.

"Now Princess," Marquise commanded.

Everyone watched as Naya gingerly made her way to sit in front of the King and Queen. She looked up to see Marquise looking directly at her.

"Now everyone here knows that you and I have a long and complicated history. We were once a couple in love. And there is a part of me that wishes I didn't have to do this but you have left me no choice. So tell me in your own words, what happened? How did we get here?" Marquise asked.

Just as Naya got ready to speak, she suddenly grabbed her stomach while a hand flew to her mouth. Shanelle knew she was nauseous and about to throw up.

"Get her a trash can now!" Shanelle ordered.

An attendant had just gotten to Naya as she threw up. Edwin rushed to her side to assist her.

"Are you sick Princess?" Marquise asked.

"No she's not sick you imbecile! She's terrified thanks to this trumped-up murder charge from you and my so-called cousin!" Edwin replied with a growl.

"Watch your tongue, Your Highness!" Marquise hissed.

Edwin stood up straighter.

"Or what? We both know your threats are hollow as you are!" Edwin snapped at Marquise.

"Don't you ever speak to him like that!" Shanelle spat at her cousin.

Edwin scoffed.

"You know it's a shame. Our simp of a grandfather handed you a kingdom that should be mine."

Shanelle shrugged.

"Well that's too bad Eddy. Maybe if your father had been married with a child before I was born you'd be a King, not some just lowly Prince. But hey! That's what happens when you're the firstborn heir."

Edwin's blood boiled.

"You good for nothing bitch!" Edwin hissed.

That's when Marquise had heard enough.

"That is enough!" Marquise's voice boomed, silencing all in the room. "Edwin if you ever disrespect my wife again I will have your head displayed on a spike!"

Edwin seethed as he stared at the King and Queen.

"And for the record, Your Highness, your wife isn't scared. She's pregnant." Shanelle announced.

Edwin's face went from angry to confused.

"What are you babbling about Shanelle?" Edwin asked.

"That's Your Majesty, you dipshit! And it's as I said, your wife isn't scared she's pregnant. That's why she threw up. It's also why she's had her head down this entire time. She's been nauseous. Which is a symptom of morning sickness." Shanelle replies.

Edwin's brow furrowed.

"No. There's no way she's pregnant!" Edwin protested.

"Very well. Since you're so convinced that Naya isn't pregnant, how do you explain this?" Marquise asked as he handed the results of Naya's pregnancy test to the attendant next to him. "Give this to Prince Edwin."

"No! Wait, please!" Naya blurted out.

It was too late. The attendant handed the results to Edwin. As he read the document his face went from shock to confusion to anger.

"You're pregnant?!" Edwin asked Naya.

Naya looked at Edwin. And Marquise took in the look on her face.

"He didn't know," he whispered to his wife.

"Well, that's obvious. But why does he look like he is about to blow a gasket at her?" Shanelle asked.

"Answer me!" Edwin demanded.

"Give her space Edwin."

"Oh fuck off Marquise!" Edwin snapped at him.

Naya shook her head sadly.

"Yes. Yes, I'm pregnant." Naya replies.

"There. Are you happy now, Your Highness?" Marquise asked.

Edwin looked at Naya and then back at the results.

"This...this...this is impossible! Naya can't be pregnant." Edwin said.

"What are you talking about Edwin?" Marquise asked.

"That baby is not mine!" Edwin replied.

"You're her husband Edwin. What do you mean that the baby isn't yours?" Shanelle asked.

"Because..." Edwin replied.

"Because what?" Shanelle asked.

"Because I can't have children!" Edwin replies.

Everyone was stunned.

"Your Highness, what do you mean you can't have children?" Marquise asked.

Edwin sighed heavily.

"I had a vasectomy done 11 months ago. And it's too early to reverse it. Which means I can't have children!" Edwin replied.

Shanelle and Marquise just looked at each other in shock.

"That means..." Shanelle trailed off.

"Yes. That means my wife is a no-good cheating whore!" Edwin seethed.

"Fuck you, Edwin!" Naya snapped at him.

"If Edwin isn't the father then who is Naya?" Marquise asked.

Naya looked at Marquise.

"That was a question that requires an answer, Princess."

Naya swallowed.

"It was one time. We were drunk. It shouldn't have happened." Naya teared up.

"Who is this child's father Naya?" Marquise asked.

"...King Edward," Naya replied.

The courtroom went deathly silent at the revelation. Edwin looked shell-shocked. And Shanelle had to hide her face while peeking like the Marge Simpson GIF.

(Shanelle's reaction)

"YOU SLEPT WITH MY FATHER?!" Edwin yelled.

All eyes turned to the former King sitting in attendance.

"Fuck you!" Naya sneered.

"You filthy dirty disgusting! I don't even know why I married you!" Edwin snapped at Naya.

"You married me for my money because you and your family are still dead broke."

Edwin took a menacing step toward Naya.

"Also we got married because your mother had hoped that you, being married to a woman, would stop you from sleeping with your sister's husband!" Naya hissed.

Marquise's jaw dropped and Shanelle covered her mouth with a hand. When Shanelle looked out into the crowd she saw the look of sheer horror on her cousin Princess Giavana's face as she sat next to her husband.

"Oh! My! God!" Shanelle whispered.

"But unfortunately for your poor mother and your now shocked sister, you are still sleeping with Duke Pascal!" Naya spat at Edwin.

Edwin stepped back in shock.

"You God awful bitch!" Edwin sneered at Naya.

And soon the two were in a shouting match for all in the room to see.

"This is a disaster!" Marquise groaned.

"What are you talking about? This is great!" Shanelle said while cackling.

Marquise shot her a look that stopped her laughter.

"Enough!" his voice boomed as he stood up. "Have some kind of decorum for God's sake! This is a murder trial, not a place to air personal, private, and petty grievances!"

Marquise sat back down and took a deep breath to regain his composure.

"Now that this child's paternity has been established—" Marquise started to say before Edwin cut him off, "Your Majesty, I am formally requesting that my marriage to this whore be terminated effective immediately!"

Marquise let out an exasperated sigh.

"Your Highness, unfortunately, I can't grant you a divorce. Based on the fact that you and Naya are the Heads Of State for Comery Isle. So unless you want to renounce your title, you will remain married. Now. Sit. Down!"

Marquise watched Edwin storm out of the room without a second look back.

"That's not actually a law on the books is it?" Shanelle whispered.

"Quiet!" Marquise replied before clearing his throat.

"As for you, Naya. You have more questions to answer. Fortunately for you, you'll answer them tomorrow because I for one have had enough of this circus!" Marquise said to Naya before addressing her attorney, "Lady Hellstrom, you are to have your client ready and presentable for questioning tomorrow at 8:00 AM. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lady Hellstrom replied.

"As for the Parliament, each member of the Parliament will also be here at 8:00 AM when we reconvene," Marquise announced before standing up and helping Shanelle to her feet.

All stood as the King and Queen made their exit.

Later that night, after putting their daughter to bed, Shanelle was in her closet getting ready for bed. But something was bothering her. Marquise had been acting weird and she wanted to know why.

When they got back to the residence it was like he was on autopilot. Yes, he was present and happy as always to see his smiling and giggling baby girl. Even when he and Khari had their nightly debate about what to have for dinner.

"Okay, mon petit amour. What's for dinner?" Marquise asked.

"Chicken nuggies and French fries!" Khari replies.

Marquise made a face.

"What? I like chicken nuggies Daddy."

"I know you do my love but we've had that for 3 nights in a row now. It's time to pick something else."

"Awww."

Khari pouted.

"Khari," he said firmly.

"Mommy?" Khari pleaded with her mother.

"Your Daddy has a point. There are more things to eat for dinner than chicken nuggets and French fries." Shanelle told their daughter.

"Okay..." Khari said dejectedly.

Khari thought for a moment.

"Can we have lasagna Daddy?" Khari asked.

"Sure. And what goes best with lasagna?" Marquise asked.

"Cheesy garlic bread!" Khari replies.

"That's right. We'll have lasagna and cheesy garlic bread for dinner."

"And we can make lasagna sandwiches!" Khari quipped.

"A girl after my own stomach," Marquise said as he took his daughter's hand and they walked to the main dining room.

"Daddy, do you think the twins will like lasagna when they're born?" Khari asked.

"Not until they're older. When they're babies they don't have teeth." Marquise replies.

"Ohhh! I didn't know that."

"Now you do my love."

Later that night after putting Khari to bed. Shanelle was in her closet picking out her outfit for the next day when he walked in. What started out as him wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her neck turned into him picking her up and carrying her back to their bed and eating her out before blowing her back out.

He knew her body was hypersensitive to his touch and he took advantage of it. He didn't want to stop and he wouldn't have if not for her literally tapping out and begging him to.

"Okay! Okay! Okay! Marquise! Baby! Enough! Enough! Please! I can't anymore! I can't!" she pleaded.

When he finally let her go she just laid there exhausted and trying to catch her breath. She was in this delirious haze and felt numb from the waist down. Marquise curled up with her, pulling her tight to his body. He moved her hair out of her face and kissed the side of her forehead.

"Thank you for that baby. I needed it. And so did you." he whispered in her ear.

She whimpered in response.

"I know. I know. I was a little rough. I'm sorry." he said to her.

He placed his right hand on her belly and rubbed his thumb in small circles.

"Forgive me?" he whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

She looked at him through her eyelids.

"Demon," she whispered.

He chuckled.

"Better than being the devil."

"Fine," she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

He kissed just below her right ear.

"Can't feel my legs." she managed to say.

He winced.

"Sorry about that."

"I don't know what pissed you off but don't ever do that again."

"Promise."

He held her as they both drifted off to sleep.

The next day dawned bright and early and all were back in the courtroom. Waiting and ready to hear Naya's side of the story.

"Thank you all for coming this morning. Today we will hear from Princess Naya." Marquise announced to everyone in the room. "Giancarlo, you may now ask your first question."

Giancarlo nodded before turning to face Naya.

"Princess, is it true that you attacked Her Majesty not once but twice?" Giancarlo asked.

Naya blinked at him.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Naya replied.

Giancarlo presented her with a report.

"Perhaps I can jog your memory. What does this report say?" he asked.

Naya read the report and suddenly looked scared.

"It says that I tried to kill her. That's not true!" Naya replies.

"Then perhaps you can clear this up."

"I was merely expressing my disappointment in His Majesty's lackluster choice of a spouse," Naya replied looking into Shanelle's direction.

Shanelle rolled her eyes.

"With a knife Your Highness?" Giancarlo asked.

"That was a lapse in judgment," Naya replied.

Shanelle could feel her blood pressure rise.

"You spent a night in the dungeons did you not?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. It was a mere overreaction to the situation." Naya replied.

"This bitch..." Shanelle muttered.

"I'm sorry Your Majesty. Did you say something?" Naya asked.

"Yeah, I did. I said This. Bitch." Shanelle replied.

"Princess, was this attack provoked?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. I shared the same sentiment as the rest of the court at the time, Shanelle doesn't belong here." Naya replied.

"And yet here I sit. at His Majesty's side, a ring on my finger, and his last name." Shanelle sneered at Naya.

Naya scoffed.

"And no idea what the proper temperament of a Queen is." she sneered at Shanelle.

"You know what? You're right, I don't know what the proper temperament of a Queen is. But I know one thing: I'm not carrying a baby that isn't my husband's!" Shanelle sneered.

Naya's face turned ugly.

"By the way Princess, how is my cousin? Still shocked I'm sure. Have you talked to him at all? What about Genevieve? I'm sure she loved hearing the news that her husband fathered your baby. Matter of fact since I don't see him here, have you heard from your baby father-in-law since yesterday?" Shanelle asked.

"FUCK YOU!" Naya screamed.

"Looks like I hit a nerve."

"Enough both of you!" Marquise said to them both.

Shanelle scoffed.

"And to think I was nice enough to make sure you were comfortable today. No one but your counsel, us, members of the Parliament, Giancarlo, and the attendants were allowed to be here today." Shanelle said.

"Gee, thanks for your consideration bitch!" Naya spat at Shanelle.

"Last warning!" Marquise warned.

"Yes. We're getting off track here." Giancarlo agreed.

Both women silently glared at each other.

"Now Princess Naya, based on the findings of the autopsy that His Majesty had done, your husband was killed by Cantarella poisoning. How did that happen?" Giancarlo asked.

Naya went quiet.

"Answer the question Naya," Marquise said to her.

"I can't," she replied quietly.

"What do you mean you can't?" Giancarlo asked.

"I can't say anything about the Cantarella. I'm forbidden to." Naya replied.

"Forbidden? By who?" Giancarlo asked.

"By the King," Naya replied.

All eyes looked at Marquise.

"Not him. Constantine. He forbade me from ever speaking on the matter." Naya said.

That's when her legal counsel spoke.

"Your Majesty, may I have a moment with my client?" Lady Hellstrom asked.

"Granted. In the meantime, Carlo, you're with us." Marquise replied.

Marquise helped Shanelle up and then met Carlo outside.

"What in the world is she talking about?" Shanelle asked.

Carlo and Marquise looked at each other. Then it dawned on them both.

"Sonuvabitch!" Marquise hissed.

"He didn't."

"Yes Carlo, he did."

"Somebody wanna clue me in?" Shanelle asked.

"We know why he forbade her from speaking about the Cantarella," Marquise replied.

"Why?" Shanelle asked.

"Because he's the one that gave it to her," Marquise replied.

Shanelle's eyebrows shot up.

"How can you be sure?" she asked.

"Because he must've found Fabian's hidden sample," Marquise replied.

Marquise closed his eyes.

"Carlo, I want every document, decree, declaration, proclamation, warrant, and NDA he ever signed."

"That will take all day, Your Majesty!"

"I don't care! I'll issue a continuance until tomorrow, just get me those documents!"

Carlo nodded.

"Yes, at once Your Majesty."

Carlo went back inside to gather his things before going to the Archives. Marquise leaned his head against the door with his eyes closed. Shanelle rubbed his arm.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"If she's telling the truth, I can promise you that I won't be," Marquise replied.

"That's gonna be a lot of reading through."

"I'll get it done somehow."

"We Marquise. We will get it done."

"Shanelle—" he began to say before she cut him off, "do not argue with me. I am as much invested in justice being served as you are. So we will get it done."

Marquise knew he couldn't fight her. So he just took a deep breath and nodded.

"Fine. But we need to get to my office now."

"Let's go."

The couple made their way to his office where boxes were already outside.

"Oh, my God! This will take forever!" Shanelle said as she looked at the boxes.

"Then we better get started," Marquise replied.

Over the next 3 ½ hours the couple poured over everything they could find bearing Connie's seal and signature as more documents and boxes came in. They found answers to the many questions and rumors about His former Majesty but nothing yet about Cantarella or anything about it.

"Ugh! We need a break! My brain hurts and these two are hungry." Shanelle said with a sigh.

"You go get something to eat. I can't stop right now."

"Marquise—" she began to say before he cut her off, "Go Shanelle. I'll be fine. I'll get something later."

"Okay. Promise me you won't be at this all day."

"I can't promise you that. But I can say that I will never miss our family time."

Shanelle sighed.

"I guess that'll have to do. I'm going to get something to eat." Shanelle said before kissing her husband on the cheek and leaving his office.

Over the next few hours, fueled by alcohol, protein bars, and determination, Marquise was going to find out what Naya meant. He knew that whatever it was it couldn't have been good. He was nose deep in paperwork that he didn't hear Margo come in.

"Goodness! You've been at this for hours son."

"I know but I can't stop."

"Have you eaten?" Margo asked.

Marquise gestures to the trash bin full of protein bar wrappers.

"That's not food Marquise," she said as she set a sandwich in front of him.

"Mom, I'm busy right now."

"I can tell. Now eat."

"I'm not about to argue with you."

Margo squared her shoulders.

"Very well Your Majesty. Have it your way."

Marquise knew that tone in her voice all too well.

"I was sent here by Her Majesty to make sure that you had at least eaten since you've been here for hours. And to remind you that my granddaughter will be home in an hour and she will be expecting her father to greet her. I would hate for her to be disappointed."

Marquise looked at the time on his Apple Watch and sighed.

"Alright. Alright. You win. I'll eat and then be there."

"See that you are."

Marquise shook his head as he watched Margo leave. While he didn't want to stop, Margo was right. He needed to eat. And the turkey club she brought him was starting to smell amazing and after one bite he realized how hungry he actually was. Once his sandwich was done he was out the door.

After spending time with his family, Marquise was back at it. Searching for answers well into the night. It was 1 am and he was going through all the death warrants Constantine ever signed off on. He had just started going through them when Shanelle knocked on the door.

"You're still at it?" Shanelle asked.

"Yes. But I think I'm finally onto something," he replies as she sat down across from him.

"Is this everything?" she asked.

"No. Not even a ⅓ of it," he replied.

"What are you looking at?" she asked.

"Copies of every death warrant that my father ever signed," he replies.

"Why would you be looking at those?"

"Because everything else that I've looked at has been a dead end."

"Want some help?" she asked.

"You should be asleep," he replied.

"So should you. But since you're up I'm helping."

"Fine. Start with the pile of folders to your left."

The two spent the next hour combing through death warrants dating back to when Connie first took the crown.

"All these people..." Shanelle trailed off.

"Some of them were justified executions."

"Yeah. But look at all the ones he signed off on after your mother was killed. Most of these are for real petty reasons."

"I knew some of those people very well. They were good people. Most of these executions were of people who were friends of my mother."

Marquise just shook his head.

"This was the demon I was never trying to face," he said quietly.

Shanelle looked at her husband before gingerly taking his hands in hers.

"If this is bothering you, babe we can stop. I don't want you to torture yourself."

"I have to do this Shanelle. None of this makes any sense. I have to find out why. So if that means facing down the demon that Constantine Rys turned into then so be it."

Shanelle nodded before going back to searching. She finally found something that startled her.

"Marquise, take a look at this."

Marquise peered at the warrant in her hands. It was a signed death warrant for Tariq.

"Why the hell would he sign a death warrant for the Cordonian Ambassador to Ethiopia?" Shanelle asked.

Marquise took the warrant out of her hands.

"My guess is to get back at his cousin," Marquise replies.

"Huh?" Shanelle asked.

"Tariq's father Lord Gerard is my father's first cousin. His mother Estelle was my grandfather's sister." Marquise replies.

"Whoa!"

"Estelle fell in love with a man named Claudio. She wanted to marry him but my grandfather forbade her from doing so."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because he was from Rutherland. And at that time all members of the Royal Family were forbidden from marrying outside of other Cordonian Nobility," he replied.

"So it wasn't just you Rys men who married outsiders?" she asked.

Marquise snorted.

"Yes. They eloped and when my grandfather found out he was ready to strip her of her title but then he found out she was pregnant with Lord Gerard. So he allowed his sister to keep her title but he banned her husband from Cordonia and forced her to raise Gerard on by herself." he replied.

Shanelle winced.

"Harsh much?"

Marquise nodded.

"I never said I agreed with it, my love."

"I know. But that doesn't explain why Connie would want Tariq dead."

Marquise sighed.

"Gerard and my father never really got along as children and their relationship all but soured after Sebastian died. My mother tried to mend fences between them and was making progress but when she was killed it all went to shit. And when Tariq came to court my father got his hooks in him. And was doing well or so I thought. You see Tariq was adopted as a baby from an orphanage in Ethiopia because his mother Hilda couldn't have children."

"Wow..."

"Tariq was a shrewd businessman but he was also anal about his station. He always believed in elevating his station. Once he began to get noticed on the court my father named him as the Ambassador to Ethiopia. He secured four military bases from the Ethiopian Government."

"I never knew that about him."

"I did. He never let anyone who knew him forget it."

"This is all very informative but it still doesn't explain why Connie would kill him?" she asked.

Marquise looked down at the death warrant and his brow furrowed.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I don't know why my father signed this warrant but I know who to ask. Take a look at the additional signatures."

Shanelle looked at the additional signatures and gasped.

"No way."

"Yeah. Now it's way past your bedtime love. Let's get some sleep."

Shanelle nodded before getting up and walking out.

Skipping a day the trial resumed.

"Thank you, everyone. I apologize for delaying the trial for two days. Now I have four witnesses that I have questions for." Marquise said before nodding to the guards at the door. When the doors opened former Queen Regina was walked in as well as former Duke Of Karlington Godfrey Amaranth and the former Lord Barthelemy Beaumont and Bastien the former Head of the King's Guard.

"Why are they here?" Shanelle asked Marquise.

"You're about to find out," he replies.

Marquise cleared his throat before addressing the four individuals.

"Good morning to the four of you. I thank you all for coming today."

Regina scoffed.

"It's not like we had a choice not to come, Your Majesty. You summoned me and dragged them from their cells."

"Yea well, I couldn't expect the four of you to willingly show up so I did what I had to do as King. Now to the matter at hand. The four of you are here to clarify something for me."

"What is that?" Godfrey asked.

"I want each of you to take a look at this document," Marquise said as he handed it to an attendant who handed it to Regina.

"It's a signed death warrant," Regina said before passing the document to Bastien and the others.

"Yes. It's a signed death warrant for one Tariq Sauvageon. My question to each of you is simple, why would my father issue a death warrant for someone so lucrative to Cordonia?" Marquise asked.

"Why would we help you?" Barthelemy asked.

"You mean besides the fact that the four of you really have nothing better to do with your lives?" Marquise replied.

"I have plenty to do with my life, thank you very much!" Regina snapped at Marquise.

"Yes yes. Sitting on your ass twiddling your thumbs doing nothing while you live off the Monarchy's dime is very important work, Regina." Marquise said dismissively.

Shanelle snorted.

"I don't have to stand for this!" Regina seethed.

"You do and you will. Now answer the question."

All remained quiet.

"I'll kindly remind each of you that testing my patience is a mistake." Marquise warned.

Barthelemy scoffed.

"Oh please! You don't scare me, Marquise. If you were even half the King your father was then I would be terrified. But you're not. You're weak, hollow, and sorry. As a matter of fact, I'll be so bold as to say you're still the same sad pathetic 11-year-old boy still pining after his dead no-good mother that you have always been. So you want my help, Your Majesty, here's my answer: no! Since you're the King, you can figure this out on your own." Barthelemy sneered.

"Is that your final answer Barthelemy?" Marquise asked calmly.

"Yes!" Barthelemy answered defiantly.

Marquise steepled his fingers together and nodded.

"Very well. Have it your way, Barthelemy."

Marquise nodded subtly to the guard standing behind Barthelemy, who produced a long knife. With deadly grace, precision, and efficiency, the guard slit Barthelemy's throat open from end to end while a horrified Shanelle and others looked on. Splattering his blood everywhere and ending his life. Shanelle thought she would be sick.

"Break now!" Shanelle hissed.

"Per Her Majesty's wishes, we will take a 2-hour break so this mess," Marquise said as he gestured to a now very dead Barthelemy, "can be cleaned up. Now, if the remaining three of you don't want to suffer the same fate as Lord Barthelemy, I suggest one of you starts talking when we return."

Shanelle couldn't run out of that room fast enough. She got halfway down the hall before Marquise caught up with her.

"Will you slow down?" he asked.

That's when she stopped and rounded on him.

"No, I will not slow down! Need I remind you that YOU JUST KILLED A MAN IN FRONT OF ME AND MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE?!" Shanelle exclaimed.

"Calm! Down! And let me explain. A.) I signed Barthelemy's death warrant months ago. Which means B.) All I did was expedite his execution."

Shanelle looked at Marquise like he had lost his mind.

"Was that supposed to fucking make me feel better?! Because it doesn't!" she snapped at him, "I feel like I'm gonna be sick."

"Here come sit down."

He gingerly led her to a sitting room where he helped her sit down. Once she was seated she took deep calming breaths. And when she was calm enough to speak she let him have it.

"What in the entire hell were you thinking?!" she asked.

"Are you seriously upset that Barthelemy is dead?" he replies.

"No! As far as I'm concerned he earned his death. I'm upset you had to traumatize me, your VERY pregnant wife, and a room of people by killing him!"

Shanelle closed her eyes as a way to compose herself. She heard Marquise speak in French to an attendant and when she opened her eyes there was a cup of apple tea waiting for her.

"For you My Queen." the attendant said as he offered her a cup of tea.

"Thank you," she replies before taking a sip, "be sure that Naya gets a cup of tea if you don't mind."

The attendant bowed.

"At once Your Majesty."

As the attendant left Giancarlo walked in.

"Well that's one way to get your point across Marquise," Giancarlo said sarcastically.

Marquise rolled his eyes.

"What in the hell was that?" Giancarlo asked.

"I already asked that question," Shanelle replies.

"Are you two done ganging up on me?" Marquise asked.

"Well actually cousin..." Giancarlo replies.

"NO!" Shanelle snapped at her husband.

Giancarlo snickered.

"Tell me how did you find that death warrant and why is it so important?" Giancarlo asked.

"I didn't find it, she did. And it's important because I need to know why your uncle issued it."

Giancarlo nodded.

"And you think one of the four you summoned knows the answer?" Giancarlo asked.

"I know one of them does. They just needed to be reminded of what happens when someone decides to openly defy me." Marquise replies.

"In my defense, your wife and I openly defy you all the time. Are you saying we deserve death?" Giancarlo asks.

Marquise snorts.

"Now that you mentioned it..." Marquise replied.

Shanelle gave her husband a death stare and he backed down.

"I'm so glad she's on my side," Giancarlo said.

"Yeah yeah."

"For now I have to go prepare for questions and look into this death warrant more," Giancarlo said before taking his leave.

Marquise turned his attention back to his slightly less agitated wife.

"Still mad at me?" he asked.

"Yup, but I guess I can see why you would kill him. I just wish you hadn't done it in front of me."

"I'm sorry."

"Are you?" she asked.

"I honest to God didn't think you'd be so upset. And when you ran out the way you did I knew I had fucked up." he replies.

Shanelle shook her head.

"Sadly I believe you."

"How is your tea?" he asked.

"It's good. I can see why your mother swore by it when she was pregnant. Speaking of which I hope you won't let what Barthelemy said in his final minutes get to you."

"Never. I'm not that little boy anymore."

"You never were that little boy."

"Sometimes it feels like I am."

"Well, I say you're not. And what I say goes, I am the Queen."

Marquise smiled at his bride. He was thankful she wasn't too mad at him. Once the two hours were up they returned to the courtroom and the trial resumed. Marquise cleared his throat before speaking.

"Thank you, everyone, for returning so we could resume this trial. And let me apologize for the sudden yet valid execution of Lord Barthelemy. Now to the three individuals in front of me, I do hope you took the time to consider how you will act for the remainder of the trial and what answers you will have."

All three stood still as they looked at Marquise.

"Now I believe Carlo has a few questions for the three of you."

All eyes went to Giancarlo as he stood up.

"My first question is for Princess Naya actually. Princess, did you know about this death warrant?" Giancarlo asked.

"And if I may, before you answer, do keep in mind that lying is always the wrong answer." Marquise quipped.

Naya nodded and then swallowed.

"Yes, I knew about it. I found out about it after it was signed." Naya replies.

"And how did you find out?" Giancarlo asked.

"I attended a charity gala where Queen Regina informed me of the warrant," Naya replies.

Giancarlo nodded.

"Now for Queen Regina. You were King Constantine's closest confidant. So I'm sure you can answer this question better than anyone, why would King Constantine sign a death warrant for Tariq?" Giancarlo asked.

Regina looked at him before looking at Shanelle and Marquise who tapped the face of his watch.

"A week after the Princess came to us asking for a divorce, my husband had an audience with Lord Gerard, Tariq's father, about him not paying his Duchy's taxes. Constantine told him that he had an outstanding tax balance that had to be paid before it became a permanent debt to the Monarchy. Rather than agree to pay the taxes, Lord Gerard just laughed in my husband's face and said he would not be paying anything more to a selfish self-centered King. Cousin or not. So Constantine decided to teach Lord Gerard a lesson for disrespecting his King." Regina replies.

"And that's when he issued the death warrant for Tariq?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes," Regina replies.

Giancarlo nodded.

"Duke Godfrey, as his third in command, can you confirm this?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. I can confirm this." Godfrey replies.

Shanelle shook her head.

"Petty," she whispered.

"How did Princess Naya get the Cantarella?" Giancarlo asked.

All three went quiet before Bastien awkwardly cleared his throat.

"In 2011 while renovations were being done to the palace grounds, a secret compartment was found in a wall. In that compartment was the sample of Cantrella that Fabian had hidden. His former Majesty had it tested and when it was confirmed to be the same sample, he had a lab begin to quietly produce more of it. No one but myself, Queen Regina, Duke Godfrey, and Lord Barthelemy knew King Constantine had the poison produced. He only used it on those he sentenced to death." Bastien replies.

Giancarlo nodded.

"And how is it administered?" Giancarlo asked.

"I can answer that," Marquise replies.

"You can?" Shanelle replies.

"Yes. Cantarella is given in six doses. Three small and three large. The three small doses are given to slowly build up the poison in the bloodstream. And as for three larger doses, two of them maintain the poison, and the final dose is the lethal one." Marquise explained.

Bastien nodded.

"Yes sir. And those were the instructions that I gave Princess Naya when I delivered the Cantarella to her."

"So to get back at Lord Gerard he decided to kill his only son?" Giancarlo asked.

"Yes. He literally killed two birds with one stone. He got his revenge on Gerard and Princess Naya got out of her marriage." Regina replies.

"One more question then I will be through. Can either one of you tell me when this death warrant was signed?" Giancarlo asked.

"July 21st, 2015," Regina replied.

"Why does that date sound so familiar?" Shanelle asked.

"Because that was two days before you and I took control of the kingdom," Marquise replies.

"Yes, it was. Your father signed that warrant as an act of defiance to the new King and his wife." Regina quipped.

Marquise got a look on his face.

"What is it?" Shanelle asked.

"Regina, I need you to clarify something for me. A death warrant would only be valid as long as your husband was alive, yes?" Marquise replies.

"Yes, that's right. As long as my husband was alive, the death warrant was active." Regina replied.

Marquise nodded before turning his attention to Naya.

"Naya, when did your husband die?" Marquise asked.

Naya went pale.

"Princess..." Marquise warned.

"September 12th, 2021" Naya replied.

"That's six years after the warrant was originally signed." Shanelle piped up.

"And the former King died August 14th, 2016." Marquise added.

"This means the death warrant was no longer valid when Tariq died." Shanelle said.

Marquise nodded.

"Which means Princess Naya killed an innocent man." Giancarlo piped up.

"Indeed."

"My King. I believe I will now rest my case." Giancarlo announced.

"Very well. Now the defense may begin its case." Marquise announced.

Shanelle snickered.

"Lady Hellstrom doesn't have a case. You do know that right?" Shanelle whispered to her husband.

"Still have to let her present one even if it is weak and nonexistent," Marquise replies.

It took Lady Hellstrom two days to present her case before she rested and Marquise ended the trial.

"Now that the trial has come to an end, it is time for members of the Parliament to vote. Now be sure to be sure to keep in mind all of the witness testimony and evidence that has been presented. A vote of majority must be reached either to convict or acquit. You may now convene to vote on the matter." Marquise instructed.

It took the Parliament a day to reach a vote.

"Has a vote been reached?" Marquise asked.

"Yes, my King. A vote has been reached," Bertrand replied.

"What say the Parliament, Duke Ramsford?" Marquise asked.

"The Parliament has voted 11-9...to convict Princess Naya Laurent-Sauvageon-Miller of murdering her former husband."

Marquise looked at Naya to see the color in her face drain out.

"The Parliament has voted on the matter. So shall it be. In addition to the verdict, Naya you hereby have been stripped of your titles and lands."

That's when Naya broke and became hysterical.

"No! Please! I didn't mean it! Please don't do this! I don't deserve this!" Naya cried.

"Guards! Take her away." Marquise commanded.

Everyone watched as a screaming and crying Naya was taken out of the courtroom before Marquise turned to the Parliament.

"On behalf of your kingdom, I thank you all for your service. Go and be well." Marquise said.

A few weeks later, His Majesty was in his office sitting in front of the fireplace, having just nursed a glass of bourbon. When there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," he said to the door.

Guards entered leading Naya who was in chains. When Marquise looked at her he could tell she had been crying.

"Those won't be necessary," Marquise said gesturing to the chains she was in.

Once the chains were removed, the guards left the room.

"Sit," he said to her sternly.

As Naya sat down, Marquise poured himself another drink.

"I'd offer you a drink but given your current situation," Marquise said, gesturing to her growing belly, "it's for the best I'm sure."

"Why am I here?" Naya asked.

"You're here because I have a proposition for you," Marquise replies before taking a sip of his drink.

"What proposition?" she asked.

"The same one my father offered your mother before she died," Marquise replies.

Naya looked at him confused.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Did you know your mother was sleeping with my father?" he replies.

"What?! That's not true! My mother would never!"

"Oh, but she did."

"You have no proof!" Naya sneered.

"That's where you're wrong love. You see I had a conversation with your father after I found a contract my father had drawn up between him and your mother and Elgin confirmed to me that your mother was indeed sleeping with her King."

Naya looked at him in disbelief.

"No. That's not true. She loved my father."

"You're right. She did. According to your father, your mother thought sleeping with my father would get him to forgive your family's debt. And it might've worked if she had signed the agreement my father had drawn up."

"What agreement?" she asked.

"As I said, your mother and my father shared many a night in bed together. This went on for months from what I know. So much so that my father had this agreement drawn up." Marquise said as he produced the document, "I'll spare myself the gory details and just give you a summary. Basically, this is an agreement for your mother to become the property of the Monarchy."

"What does that even mean?" she asked.

"It meant that your mother was to be the King's whore. She was to be at his beck and call at all times. Sometimes for days and weeks if my father so chose. And she was to be available to whoever he decided to pass her off to." Marquise replies.

"You're lying Marquise!"

Marquise took a sip of his drink before showing her the document.

"See for yourself."

Naya read the contract with a look of sheer horror on her face.

"My God."

"Unfortunately your mother's refusal led to my father sending these to yours."

Marquise handed her photos of her mother and Connie in bed together. Looking at them made her sick.

"Do you believe me now?" Marquise asked.

"Mother, why would you?" Naya replied in shock.

"For the love of her family apparently. According to your father, it's what they were arguing about the night she died."

"That's why she stormed out of our home drunk. She was humiliated by your father."

Marquise shrugged.

"Why would you show me all of this?" she asked.

“As I said, I’m prepared to make you a deal,” he replies.

“What deal?” she asked.

“The deal where you are to be exiled forever,” he replies.

“Why the hell would I ever agree to something like that?” she asked in a disgusted tone.

Marquise cocked an eyebrow at her before showing her the death warrant with her name on it.

“Because it beats the alternative. All this death warrant needs is my seal and signature and you and your unborn child are as good as dead,” he replies.

Naya stared at the death warrant with tears of fear in her eyes.

“No Marquise. No. You can't.”

“King. So yes I can and I will. Unless you take the deal that I’m offering you.”

“What about my father?” Naya asked.

“He will continue to receive his medical care and his monthly stipend,” he replies.

“What about Edwin?” she asked.

Marquise scoffed.

“He's furious with you. Because not only did you expose him but, you cost him his brand-new title as the Head Of State Of Comery Isle. At the same time, he has his own shit to deal with. His mother has all but disowned him and his father and his sister is out for blood.” Marquise replies.

“You stripped him of his title?” she asked.

“No. Your scandal forced him out. New elections will begin in November after my sons are born.” he replies.

“And what about our marriage?” she asked.

“Annulled,” he replies.

“What of my family’s debt?” she asked.

He shrugged.

“This will be how you pay it off,” he replies.

Naya took a shaky breath.

“I'll do anything to stay alive but how is this beneficial to me?” she asks.

“This is beneficial to you because I find myself in a position where you are of more use to me alive than you are dead. You made the conscious decision to kill a man. That can't be overlooked. Your murder conviction is the consequence of your own action. I am giving you a chance to live and eventually raise your child as you see fit.” he replies.

“By forcing me into exile?” she asks.

He shrugged.

“Maybe if you hadn't killed Tariq we wouldn't even have to be having this conversation,” he replies.

“You're blackmailing me into exile!”

He gave an almost bored look.

“As I said, beats the alternative.”

“What the hell has happened to you? You used to have compassion. Morals. Principles. But this? This isn't you. This isn't who you are. This is who your father was.”

Marquise’s face contorted into an ugly sneer.

“You know what I’m done being nice. You have a choice to make Naya. You can either take the deal I offered you or I can make the decision for you, and you and your unborn child die. You have 30 seconds. Tick tock!” he sneered.

Naya stared at him before finally relenting.

“Okay. Okay. I'll take the deal.”

“Smart girl.”

Marquise handed her the contract he had drawn up as well as a pen.

“Sign. Now,” he instructed.

Just as Naya went to sign she noticed an extra signature on the contract.

“Your wife knows about this?!”

“Yes, she does. It was her idea after reading the original contract. That's why her signature is on this one. Now sign!”

With a shaking hand, Naya signed the contract on the dotted line. She handed it back to Marquise where he signed and sealed it.

“As of this moment, you are now the property of the Monarchy, you will spend the rest of your life in exile and service. If you ever defy me at any point, you will be executed without question. Is that clear?” he asked.

“Yes. I understand,” she replied.

“Good girl.”

“What about my child? What will happen to them?” she asks.

“You both will live in obscurity. You will not have contact with anyone here in Cordonia. Not your father. Not the press. Not even Edwin. No one is to ever know that you and your baby are alive outside of me and my wife. How you raise that child is up to you. Also, a guard will be present at all times.” he replies.

“When does my servitude start?” she asks.

“It started the moment you signed the contract but I'll be generous and let it start after you give birth,” he replies.

Naya nodded.

“So what happens now?” she asks.

“Guard!” Marquise called out.

The guards reentered the room.

“Take her to the safehouse in Applewood. Make sure she and her baby are as comfortable as possible.” he ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” a guard replies.

Marquise looked at Naya.

“I have an audience in Applewood in three days. You will be ready to leave when I get there. Understood?” he asks.

“Yes,” she replies.

“Yes?” he asks.