Chapter 1

When Sebastian Sylvestrion came with Gregory Adelard to visit me, the queen dowager’s head lady’s maid came as well.

“Your Majesty, the queen dowager has decreed that the loss of five heirs in succession must be the fault of Lady Merione’s lack of virtue.

“She is unfit to be a mother. The royal lineage is a matter of state, and jeopardizing it is a capital offense! As this is a grave matter currently being discussed in court, Lady Merione must provide us with an explanation!”

Sebastian, the king, frowned as he gently brushed aside the hair on my sweat-sopped forehead.

“I understand. Report back to your mistress that I will settle this matter personally.”

However, the lady’s maid, Mathild Helmann, did not leave.

“Your Majesty, the queen dowager would like to know how you intend to deal with this matter, so that she can pray for guidance if necessary.”

I clutched the hem of my skirts, feeling a sense of anticipation that I should not have.

I waited for Sebastian to recount the truth of his lost heir.

However, Sebastian did not do so.

He only snapped impatiently, “What do you want, then? Are you expecting me to have Lady Merione dragged off to the gallows right after giving birth?”

Mathild immediately fell to her knees.

“I wouldn’t dare suggest such a thing!”

Gregory tugged the corner of Sebastian’s shirt. “Your Majesty, Mother is only concerned. Do not upset her because of this.

“In my opinion, the queen dowager and the royal council will be displeased at best. At worst, Vasya will have another episode.

“Why not punish Lady Merione with a pilgrimage to the Church of Sorrows and pledge her service there for a time? That will kill two birds with one stone. What do you think?”

Sebastian paused and considered with a haggard countenance. He looked visibly pained by the idea.

“All right, we shall do as you say. Go and ask Mother if this is acceptable.”

Mathild hurriedly bowed. “I shall do so at once!”

Gregory left as well.

Sebastian was regretful as he clutched my hand tightly.

“This is my fault, Meri. I know how aggrieved you feel. Don’t blame me for hiding the truth, for I only want what’s best for you all. Vasya isn’t doing this to irk you. She is only doing what she thinks is right for the kingdom.

“Mother is only upset that she cannot do anything to help ensure the royal lineage. If she finds out that Vasya caused little Henrik’s death, Vasya will die.”

Sebastian had already said this, or something like it, five times before, or surely even more than that.

However, the 3,000 steps leading up to the Church of Sorrows might as well be a death sentence to a woman who had just given birth.

It was not as if I had never tried to refute my supposed crimes or to beg Queen Dowager Ysolde for help.

Once, Sebastian had ignored the matters of state to cook for Vasya personally, sparking Queen Dowager Ysolde’s ire. She had wanted to punish Sebastian’s concubines for distracting the king.

Without hesitation, Sebastian offered me up on a silver platter despite the fact that I had been four months pregnant.

As I felt it was unfair, I immediately blamed Vasya for doing the deed in truth.

Yet, though Queen Dowager Ysolde had punished Vasya, Sebastian had my head lady’s maid, Cora, whipped to death despite my begging.

The excuse he used was that Cora had failed to talk me out of my poor decision and was punishing her to warn the other maids.

My heart had long since gone numb.

In any case, the System had notified me that I would perish three days after labor.

I watched as the gossamer sheets over my bed stirred calmly in the breeze.

“It is an honor to split the Queen’s burden. I am not aggrieved.”