With a sharp gesture of his hand towards his fourth wife, he motioned to her to come with him and stormed out of the room. With a hurried bow of her head to the assembly of shocked faces, the fourth wife made effort to follow him with haste, slowed by her pregnant state and swollen feet. The Head lady-in-waiting followed close behind, ever watchful of the wife’s state and balance as she tottered down the hall after her livid husband. The nobles of many prominent families then began to discuss what had just happened and with doubt in their hearts they began to clear the room and head back to their lands, realizing that they might need to prepare for more things to come. 

In the Prince’s palace, the fourth wife followed after her husband who was angrily striding down the halls towards his office, glowering at any person who he saw along the way and leaving a trail of terrified staff in his wake. Upon entering the office he quickly went to the cabinet situated along the wall of the room and opened it, exposing bottles of expensive wine and liquor. After briefly considering his options, he selected a bottle and poured himself a glass of the drink, which he immediately consumed in one go. He was in the middle of pouring himself another drink when his fourth (and only remaining) wife entered the office with her friend, gently shutting the door behind them as they did so. The Prince watched them with an unreadable stare, swirling his drink as they waited for him to speak.

Soon what was little more than an interrogation began. The Crown Prince questioned the fourth wife extensively and she was very quick to answer him as truthfully as she could while also protecting those who were like sisters to her from the man in front of her. Realizing he would get nothing useful out of her, he bade her to head back to her room and rest, and to pause any social activities for the time being. Since the assassins who had killed his parents had not been caught, he did not want her exposing herself to more danger than necessary, especially since she was holding his only remaining heir within her.She quickly nodded her consent and with help from her friend began the long walk to her rooms, tired and still trying to process everything that had happened recently.

Things happened fast after that. The funerals were held and the kingdom mourned the loss of their rulers as the Crown Prince prepared to formally take the throne with his coronation. Following the mourning period he was crowned and the Crown Prince became King. His remaining wife, who had been known as the fourth wife, became the Queen and was due to have her child any day now. She had been a recluse ever since the death of the now former King and Queen, and many had said it was to protect her and her child from harm. Those in the palace knew that the Queen was basically a prisoner within her palace and that the only connection she seemed to have left was with her head lady-in-waiting who was often seen taking meals and correspondence back and forth for the Queen.