Chapter 10
As the dungeon door slammed shut, Queen Mara's world imploded into darkness. The metallic screech of rusty hinges and the jingle of keys taunted her, echoing through the damp corridors like a death knell. Cobwebs clung to the cell bars like skeletal fingers, and dust motes danced in the faint light, mocking her. She coughed, her lungs rebelling against the dry, musty air.
"How dare he!" she spat, venom lacing her voice. Betrayal seared her heart, and disgust churned her stomach. The king's treachery cut deep, but beneath her fury, panic simmered. What if the soup she had given Concubine Odessa had indeed caused the miscarriage? The thought sent her mind reeling into a maelstrom of worst-case scenarios.
As she paced the cramped cell, her footsteps reverberated off the cold stone walls, a stark reminder of her confinement. The darkness seemed to suffocate her, her breaths growing shorter and more labored. Trapped, with no escape in sight, Queen Mara's anxiety swirled like a tempest, fueled by the uncertainty of her fate and that of Concubine Odessa. The queen's heart pounded in her chest, her future hanging precariously in the balance.
Her agitation reached a fever pitch as she paced the squalid dungeon cell, her mind a maelstrom of thoughts, panic and desperation clawing at her very soul. Suddenly, she beheld the king standing outside her cell, his countenance an unreadable mask. With a surge of hope, she hastened to the gate, grasping the rusty bars with trembling hands.
"Your Majesty, I swear upon my honor, I am innocent!" she implored, her voice trembling with emotion. The king's gaze was glacial, his eyes piercing as he replied, "The physician's findings will reveal the truth. Did the food you prepared for Concubine Odessa cause the miscarriage?"
Queen Mara's face contorted in anguish, her voice rising in indignation. "My king, do you truly believe I would stoop to such treachery? Why would I seek to harm the child of a woman who has done me no wrong?" The king's response was measured, his tone detached. "Patience, Mara. The truth will unfold in due time."
Queen Mara's voice cracked with desperation. "So, you doubt my word? You question my loyalty?" The king's words cut deep, his tone laced with suspicion. "I fear your maternal instincts may have been clouded by jealousy, Mara. You do not have a child of your own, and I would not put it past you to harm the child of a rival. Such an act would be treasonous, punishable by the harshest penalties known to our laws."
"Your Majesty, is this truly you speaking, or has someone else taken hold of your tongue?" Queen Mara's voice dripped with venom. The king's expression remained unyielding as he replied, "This is my voice, Mara. And I believe the issue lies with you. Concubine Odessa got pregnant shortly after I took her under my wing, while you've been married to me for years without any signs of conceiving. The problem seems to be yours."
Queen Mara's eyes flashed with anger. "So, you're accusing me?" she spat. The king's tone remained measured. "I'm merely stating the facts, Mara. The problem lies with you."
The queen's voice rose in indignation. "This is unjust! You pursued me relentlessly when you were still the crown prince. You wooed me, you won me, and now you're turning your back on me because I'm not pregnant? Because I haven't given you a child?" Her words tumbled out in a passionate torrent.
The king's voice cut through her tirade, firm and commanding. "Enough, Mara! She was carrying my child." Queen Mara's face contorted in anguish and rage. "Have you forgotten that I am your queen, your one and only queen? Just because I'm not pregnant, just because I'm not bearing a child for you, you're willing to abandon me?" she yelled, her voice echoing off the cold stone walls.
The king's voice was resolute, his words dripping with authority. "When the physician's findings are in, I'll decide the course of action." Queen Mara's eyes locked onto his, her voice laced with a mix of desperation and defiance. "Hypothetically, if the food I prepared for Concubine Odessa did indeed cause the miscarriage, what fate would await me?"
The king's gaze narrowed, his eyes piercing. "Are you confessing to your transgressions?" Queen Mara's response was swift, her tone unwavering. "I'm not admitting to anything. I'm innocent. I'm merely exploring the possibilities. Would you condemn me to death or...?" The king's expression turned stern, his voice firm. "If you're convinced of your innocence, you shouldn't be speculating about consequences. Let's await the physician's report."
Queen Mara's voice rose in frustration, her words tinged with hurt. "You don't trust me, do you?" The king's response was curt, his tone unyielding. "Trust is a luxury I can ill afford, Mara. Desperation can drive even the most level-headed individuals to extreme measures. I won't make declarations of trust or faith. The evidence will speak for itself."
The king's words hung in the air, a palpable tension between them. Queen Mara's eyes flashed with anger and hurt, while the king's remained unyielding, his mind already made up. The silence between them was oppressive, heavy with unspoken accusations and unresolved conflict.
The king's departure was a stark reminder of Queen Mara's precarious situation. As the sound of his footsteps faded, she knew she was doomed. The weight of her actions settled upon her shoulders, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her fate was sealed.
She had indeed added the witch's portion to the meal she gave Odessa. The queen's intentions had been to cause trouble, not necessarily a miscarriage. But now, it seemed her actions would lead to her downfall.
The thought of dying before fulfilling her plans was unbearable. The idea of another woman taking her rightful place, bearing the king's child, was a prospect she refused to accept. Desperation clawed at her, and she grasped the cold metal bars of her cell.
"Let me out! Let me out!" she yelled, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "Let me out!" But her cries were met with silence, and the darkness of her cell seemed to close in around her, a physical manifestation of her hopeless situation.