Story 50/1001

• defendant
• queen
• desire

I killed Lady Christine. I pushed her out of the window. And I’m not sorry, but surprised.

Instead of killing me on the spot, they threw me in the dungeons. Maybe they are preparing me for something worse than death. I leaned on the cold, stone wall, almost as if I’m accepting my fate.

Marianna must be furious with me. How ironic – Lady Christine whipped her until her skin started falling off in pieces, but she is probably mad at me.

My eyes widened in realization. Lady Christine, just before she died, said that the flour got switched. Only those close to the queen, or those working only under her, knew of her allergies. There are ten people working directly under her, and we have all sworn to secrecy. Well, we are the first to die if anyone outside finds out.

And there are five people closest to the queen. I think only those five know. Lady Christine, the king, the king’s advisor, and the two princes. She is not that close to her daughters, so it’s safe to say they don’t know.

I created a timeline on the dirty floor. Since I was only a servant, no one payed attention to me, so I can map out where everyone was yesterday.

I gasped.

The only people who were next to the kitchen while the food was being prepared were lady Christine, Marianna and me. Maybe they somehow switched the flour before, but Maelie and I are almost always in the kitchen. Or Gregory, the guard.

Lady Christine could have done it!

I quickly wiped the floor, when I heard the doors opening, and footsteps nearing my cell.

“Marianna!” I smiled. “You are alright!”

“Keep quiet!” She hushed me. “I need to be quick. I was only able to come here this once, Gregory owed me a favor.”

“Gregory?” I frowned. “You shouldn’t make deals like those.”

“Worry about yourself, Krista. Worrying about others is what got your here in the first place.” Marianna frowned, but I smiled.

“You are alright.”

“Silly child.” She said, but smiled. “Lady Christine deserved a lesson, but not like this.”

“Why am I here, Marianna? I should be dead.”

“The queen is not well.” She said, looked around her, and told me to come closer. “Whoever switched the flour, switched something else, too. They will question you, torture you.”

She grabbed my hand through the bars and gave me a small pouch.

“Take this before they torture you. It won’t be painless, but it will be fast.”

“What-No.” I shook my head. “Marianna, I think lady Christine did do it.” Marianna looked at me, lifting one of her eyebrows. “I can demand a trial.”

“Only noble people get trials, Krista.”

I bit my tongue. Even after everything I did, despite’ appearing calm, despite thinking I would already be dead – here I was, fighting for my life. I don’t want to die.

Marianna’s gaze softened, as if she read my thoughts.

“The queen will get better. I am the only one with access to her now, aside from her healer. I will talk to her, to make an exception.”

“Marianna-“

“I am almost certain it won’t work. The king and his advisor have no desire for mercy. And you know how close lady Christine and the first prince were.”

I nodded, accepting the small pouch. Maybe there is no hope for me, maybe I deserve to die, but I have to try.

“If this succeeds, you will be the first servant defendant.” She giggled, amused by the thought. “But don’t hope, Krista.” She added, lifting her finger. I nodded once more, but it was already too late.

As she left the dungeons, I knew I was already beaming with hope.