The light was blinding. I had to blink and stumbled slightly as the guard led me to the guillotine. I stood before it, under the eyes of all the nobility and guards, as I waited with dread for the charges to be read.

"This woman, formerly titled Queen Emelia la Catalina, has been deemed an unforgivable sinner. She has engaged in immoral activities out of envy and jealousy directed at our beloved empress. These culminated in treason by daring to attempt to assassinate the emperor." The head guard announced.

"When did things begin to go so wrong? Why did I end up here?" I wondered quietly.

"As consequences, she will be deposed from her position of queen." The head guard continued. "The Catalina family will be stripped of their titles, fortune, and land. These will be confiscated for the glory of the empire. As for the crime of attempted murder of the royal family, she will be executed."