Chapter Fifty

"Thanks Osamu." I say as I take the water and bread from him. I eat on the bread and sip on the water in silence.

"Are...are you going to be okay?" He asked.

"I'm fine." I say and force a smile. "I'm just an idiot for running after all the wine I had. The bread and the water will soak it all up in my stomach."

"Should I help you upstairs?" He asked.

"I'm okay, I can make it up there on my own."

"I-I don't think so."

"I'll rest here for a minute." I say and take a big sip of water.

"Is there a reason you don't want me to help you? Is it because of Aidan?"

"No, it's not because of Aidan. But I am married, it's best not to be alone with another man at any time." I said and saw his face turn a reddish color.

"You think of me l-like that."

"It doesn't matter how I see you. It matters how others see us. I don't have the luxury of not caring about others opinions anymore."

He cleared his throat. "I will find someone to help you then. A-a servant." He smiled and then left.

I let out the breath I was holding, closed my eyes, and felt the tears rolling down my cheeks.

After a few minutes I heard someone coming towards the library so I wiped the tears away, opened my eyes, and sat up a little straighter.

"Your Majesty?" I hear and see Louise at the door frame.

"Louise, what are you doing up still?" I asked.

"Oh well I heard you Your Majesty, it sounded like you needed help." She looked down at the water and then back up to me.

"Oh this, well I seemed to have drank too much at the party tonight."

"I am so sorry for my this oversight on my part Your Majesty. I shouldn't have given you so much wine. P-please forgive me." She said and bowed her head.

"This is my fault Louise, not yours."

"I-I will be more careful next time Your Majesty, I swear to you."

"Thank you Louise...could I bother you to help me upstairs? I'm feeling very tired."

"Of-of course Your Majesty!" She said and stood back up.

Louise lent me her shoulder and helped me up the two flights to the bedroom. We pushed the doors open and I looked around.

"Is something the matter Your Majesty?" Louise asked.

"N-no." I say when I see the empty room.

"I-I will have your guards sent up immediately once we find them."

"They're probably out looking for me. I didn't mean to lose them but when I ran."

"It's alright Your Majesty. It will teach them to be in better shape." She said and snickered.

Louise helped me to the bed and I laid down.

"Can I get you anything Your Majesty?"

"No thank you Louise."

I felt foolish. I had expected Aidan to be there just waiting for me. I rolled over in the bed and just held onto the pillow while more tears poured out. I was sad but I wasn't sure why I was crying this much. It had been a while, perhaps I just needed a good cry.

When I woke up the next morning Aidan was already gone. I wondered if he was questioning our unwelcomed guests? I was so curious that after I'd gotten ready I went to find out.

"Y-Your Majesty. We appear to be going towards the dungeon." Nicholas said.

"Yes we do." I say as I continue walking.

"Your Majesty." Marcus said and stepped in front of me. "The dungeon is no place for the Queen."

"Maybe so. Still I'd like to see it. Maybe we need some improvements there as well." I said.

"You should focus on the castle if improvements is your aim-"

"Isn't the dungeon part of the castle?" I asked. "Now unless you plan on picking me up and carrying me back to my room, and God help you if you do, I'm going to go to the dungeon." I walked around him and continued towards the dungeon.

"Wait." Nicholas said and stepped in front of me.

I sighed. "I would've thought Marcus would've been the one to sling me over his shoulder before you Nicholas."

"I-I would never Your Majesty!" He said, his face as red as a tomato. "I-I will tell you what happened if you promise to turn around and go away from the dungeon."

"Hmm, that is a tempting offer." I say as I look past him at the dungeon door.

"P-please Your Highness. His Majesty will be furious with us if we let his bride go into the damp, filthy dungeon."

I sighed. "Ok fine. But I'm not leaving until you tell me."

"Nicholas." Marcus said in a harsh tone.

"We had some rebels try to invade the castle yesterday morning. The palace guard apprehended most of the intruders and have been questioning them in the dungeon since yesterday."

"That seems serious." I said.

"It's nothing to be concerned over."

"I know...because even though I know I can't do anything about it...which means that I am useless after all." I turn around and start to head back towards the castle.