The wedding was set for a year after their betrothal, just a few days after Auriel's 15th birthday. In the months following, Auriel rarely saw August though. He was plunged even deeper into his studies while Auriel was given stricter etiquette classes. As the future Queen, she was now the Lady all would look up to for guidance, second only to the Queen Mother. 

When Auriel wasn't in classes, she was at social events with the Queen herself. The Queen was a sweet lady, softspoken and pretty in a subtle kind of way. August had inherited little from her looks-wise, but they shared an air of confidence and fondness for sweets. Personality-wise, August and the Queen were practically identical. August had little of his father's boisterous nature or loud humor, but he was the spitting image of him when the King was a child. 

Four months had passed since the betrothal in a parade of lace and books and lectures. Auriel began to miss seeing August, but she had to remind herself that she would shortly have him all to herself. The thought made her stomach flutter. Kings often had mistresses, but Auriel felt certain that August would have none. 

The King didn't have one, Alexander was born out of wedlock and his mother died during childbirth. The King hadn't even met the Queen yet. And Auriel had heard the King with her own two ears say that he didn't believe it was proper for a good King to have a mistress. Surely August would take after his father in this matter.

Auriel had moved into the Palace permanently and she now sat in the finest guest room surrounded by the highest Ladies of the court. They all sat sewing, talking about nothing in particular when the door slammed open. A few of the ladies jumped, including Auriel. The King's soldiers entered and immediately went to Auriel.

"Auriel De La Rosa, you have been summoned to stand before the King in a trial."

Ladies gasped. Auriel felt herslef go numb. This must be a misunderstanding. She racked her brain to see if she knew what she could be on trial for, but she could think of nothing. She had been too busy to break the law.

The soldiers took her firmly by the elbows and led her from the room. Whispers followed her out. 

In the throne room, Auriel was thrown at the feet of the King. She accidentally let an 'eep' out as she hit the ground. She had never been treated roughly before in her life and she felt tears well in her eyes. She kept her head bowed, knowing it was disrespectful to look at the king while you were under scrutiny.

"Auriel De La Rosa, do you know why you have been brought here?" the King asked.

Auriel shook her head, keeping her eyes low.

"Evidence has been brought forward that you and members of your House have been plotting treason." Auriel flinched. Treason?! How could it be? Her family was known for their fealty to the throne. It wasn't possible!

"What have you to say in your defense?"

"Y-your majesty, p-please. I have no knowledge of treason. I have said or done nothing to wrong His Excellency."

"Are you certain?" Auriel cowered at the ice in the King's tone. She had never heard him speak so coldly to anyone before. Auriel nodded.

"Then explain these."

Papers landed in front of Auriel. They looked to be open letters. 

"These letters are written in your hand. They were sent from the palace to the borders where they were intercepted by our agents. They contain royal secrets, secrets told to you by your sister Lady Diana. They also contain plans to infiltrate the royal palace and place spies from Priya in our midst."

Auriel began to shake her head. The room spun. She never wrote any letters to spies. This had to be a mistake. This wasn't right!

"Please, your majesty! These letters weren't from me! You can even ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - he knows my handwriting better than anyone!"

Her outburst earned murmurs of scorn from the lords and ladies that filled the room. 

A hand reached out and picked the papers up from the ground. Auriel couldn't help but look up and meet the eyes of August. Her fiance, her love. He would save her from this, and prove her innocence. 

August read through a few of the letters. He looked back at her, his eyes blank.

"I can confirm that this is her handwriting. Lady De La Rosa is guilty."

Auriel felt her heart stop. Her ears buzzed and she could no longer hear the room around her. Guards grabbed her and pulled her to her feet, but she could no longer stand on her own so they held her like a ragdoll. 

"Lady De La Rosa. You have been found guilty of treason," the King's voice was full of emotion, "As I have no doubt in my mind that it was you father who is the one responsible, Lord and Lady De La Rosa shall be hanged for treason."

Auriel's vision started to blur. This couldn't be real. This had to be a nightmare.

"Because they are so willing to betray their country for Priya, Lady Diana, and Lady Auriel shall be sold to Priyan merchants. House De La Rosa shall be stricken from the court and all lands and holdings seized."

Auriel could feel herself being dragged.

"May God have mercy on you," the King's final words reached her just before she succumbed to the darkness.