Ash's POV

"Always at the most opportune time." I hissed under my breath.

I resisted the urge to knock the vase over on my way to open the door, but my anger dissipated as soon as I took in Sir William's grim expression. The weight of his words hit me as the daze from Evelyn's fragrance wore off.

"Murder?" I repeated.

He nodded.

"Who? When? Where?" I shot out each question without pause.

His eyes flicked from me to Ev as he hesitated to reveal the details. I followed his gaze and saw that the color had drained from her face, a stark contrast to reddish hue that decorated it just moments ago.

He lowered his voice, returning his attention to me, "The body, belonging to a peasant farmer in Tisbury, is being examined as we speak... but the situation is rather complicated, and I'm afraid enough eyes witnessed its display that word will spread fast."

"What about it is complicated? Perhaps it was nothing more than a local feud!"

"Your Majesty, you must see it, I cannot will myself to say it..." He hesitated, warily eyeing Evelyn again, "it's rather grisly."

I understood his intentions. My lips pursed as I nodded and held my hand out, suggesting he lead the way.

"Ash, I'm coming too." Ev approached us.

I turned back to face her, a stern expression on my face, "No you are not."

She furrowed her eyebrows at me, "This is something I need to see—"

"The mortuary is no place for a lady." I shot back.

Her expression only darkened. Sensing the situation, Sir William politely excused himself, insisting that he'd wait for me at the destination. I massaged my temples, frustrated by the turn of events. Within minutes, everything had changed.

I already missed the tingling warmth of her touch, and the heat that radiated from her anger was disappointing in comparison.

"Evelyn, we don't have time to argue about this presently. Simply accept my word and at another time—"

"I will not! As Queen, I have equal involvement in these affairs as you do and if I choose to be part of this examination, then you cannot condemn it."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

She didn't understand.

She's never seen a corpse before.

She should never have to.

"I promise to bring an illustration back." I tried to compromise.

She opened her mouth to protest again, but I didn't allow her.

I kissed her forehead and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear; "Sleep well tonight, Ev, with dreams as sweet as you. There is no need for you and I to fall prey to nightmarish reality this evening. I'm only protecting you."

Her expression remained a scorn, but I finally seemed to convince her. I smiled at her before briskly turning on my heels and turning down the corridor. The shadows cast by the torches against the castle's halls looked ghastly, almost as if they were cornering me. Of course, the knowledge that they currently held a murdered soul within their chambers only exaggerated this sensation. Although this wouldn't be my first time seeing a corpse, I can never seem to desensitize myself of the chills they send down my spine. I closed my eyes and mentally prepared myself before entering the stone-cold room, joining Sir William and the royal physician, Dr. Bertrand.

My eyes followed Dr. Bertrand's hands, which were currently palpating the old man's bruised throat. I ignored the severity of the discoloration – there was something far more alarming. I struggled to look at the blood, which seemed to stream down his bare torso. What disturbed me the most was the crimson scripture carved into his aged, sunburnt skin:

"The King's Will"

"Oh dear god." I uttered, my voice barely audible.

Sir William took my reaction as his cue to speak, "Your Majesty, the only reason I visited Tisbury was because a few locals tipped us off on a Marcellus siting, but instead we were greeted by this gruesome sight – and no sign of him. We found the man lynched on a tree at the outskirts of the village. A huge crowd gathered by the time we reached Tisbury, but not a single soul witnessed what had happened. The victim lived alone in a shack; I heard he lost most of his land to debt owed to the local Lord. There isn't anything suspicious regarding his personal life, nothing that may suggest malice—"

"Clearly, the target here was never he, but I." I summarized his longwinded investigation.

Marcellus, that bastard.

I should have chained him while I had the chance.

"The time of death is recent, judging by the pallor of his skin. Perhaps it was early this morning and I believe it was due to blood loss. This man was hanged after death, so the body was most likely moved."

I felt my heart plunge. I instinctually lowered my eyes and stumbled backwards, finding stability against the wall.

What had this man suffered for?

For being born a farmer?

For living honestly?

Why did he have to suffer until the very end?

This was not my will.

Yet I could sense that I was the cause of this poor man's violent death.

"That must be correct because his body was only discovered later in the day. You may continue your examination sir, and do let us know of any other revelations." Sir William stated while leading me out the room.

He had noticed my unease.

We walked down the empty corridor, with nothing but our footsteps interrupting the night's silence. He was waiting for me to say something, but I couldn't find my voice.

Words seemed too dull, almost insulting, to do justice for the victim.

I needed action.

"Your Majesty, assuming Marcellus is the prime suspect, I'm sure you realize that this crime may have been committed in retaliation to the Parity Clause? I fear for the word of mouth being spread over this incident, possibly that the King does not care for the lower ranks of society? He could not have chosen a better target for the message, that bastard."

"Sir William," My icy tone made him rigid, "Before this gets out of hand, I want to show Sedalia what the King's will truly is. I want every man on the list to be arrested immediately, and if they resist, you have permission to beat them into submission."

He froze at my order and looked at me with admonition.

"Your Majesty, pardon my caution, but please let us discuss this again tomorrow, in the council of your Mother and the Queen as well. After all, their approval is necessary for the warrant as well."

I felt my face heat up as I swallowed the rush of rage that overwhelmed me at his defiance, "You think my decision is rash?"

He knelt, refusing to meet my eyes, "Please forgive me."

I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth, "Fine. The noble dogs will have one last, peaceful night of sleep."

Evelyn's POV

I threw the sheets to the side, gasping for breath.

My hands desperately reached to the spot at my side, only to find it empty.

I couldn't remember my nightmare – just shadows. Shadows immersed my life, which had been filled with the warm light radiating from those around me. Shadows engulfed what was dearest to me.

Ash.

Adele.

Aunt Claire.

My parents.

They showed no mercy.

I tried to stop them.

It was hopeless.

I brought my knees up to my chest, resting my forehead on them.

It was just a nightmare.

There are no shadows here.

I filled the lantern with enough oil to last through the rest of the night.