That night in the King Leslie’s room, Deborah, the Queen walked in and found the king on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Raising her eyebrows, she said, “My lord, what keeps you wake this night?”

The King sighed. “No, I can’t just let my twins girls died.”

“Why are you saying this, my Lord?”

“Don’t worry, you can sleep.”

“Oh no, my Lord, you know I won’t sleep until you answer me. Is the twins’ life in danger?”

“Not only the twins’ life but also of all young girls in this town.”

Queen Deborah wore a worried countenance. “Tabitha wants to send her musketeers again?”

“Yes.” The King sits up. “She vowed to kidnap my twins, too. Not that I cherish girls, but I loved their mother more than gold. If she was still alive, she would have known what to do to keep her children safe.”

“My lord,” Queen Deborah said, “You don’t have to worry about all these things, for worrying won’t make a solution. You can hide the twins somewhere.”

“I know, but where.”

“My brother would protect and care for them. No one knows where my brother is living except Anthony, and am sure that none of Tabitha’s musketeers knows there too.”

The King smiled and hugged her, and she felt his chest pounding and then abating as if he was relieved from the heavy loads.

“Just please stop worrying and sleep, my Lord.”

“My dearest Queen, you are such a wonderful woman, ask me anything. I’m ready to give you.”

She widened her eyes. “Anything?”

The King smiled, and said, “Yes, and I shall give you?”

“There is something that I want to ask for a long time. I think this is the best and lucky time to say my mind.” She grinned. “My lord, I want the brother of the twins to serve under my son.”

The king remained muted, and can’t believe what he just hears.

“I want my son to be the next king…” She waited for a response but all she got was a silent for minutes and then the King lies down and shut his eyes for sleep. Queen Deborah frowned when she felt the King was unfaithful to his words. When he knows he can’t fulfill his words, he should not have flatter fake promise, she thought. “My lord, have I offended you with what I ask? I’m sorry for that, and I don’t want it again. Don’t forget that the only place safe for your twins was my brother’s castle. And I can’t stay with you tonight not to offend you more.” She sighed and walked out of the room.

Not long after she gets into her room, she threw herself on the bed and she felt like someone drops her from the sky. I know he wants that bastard to be the next King; she thought to herself, I can’t just accept that wrong decision. My son and I must rule this land, even if it would cost the King’s life. She called Alistair, her room guardian.

“Your highness, you called me,” Alistair said

“I have an important mission you must carry out successfully. I trust you; I know you would do it perfectly as you always do. And if you don’t fail me this time, I shall tell the King to put you in the warrior commander that is greater than the position of Anthony.”

Alistair raised his eyebrows and smiled. “I’m honored your highness, just tell me, I shall do all my best to succeed in this mission.”

“Good. I trust you more than you trust yourself.” She grinned. “The king would command Anthony to take his twins girls to my uncle for a safety tomorrow. All I want is you to block them on the way and kill them all.”

“Your highness.” He widened his eyes and pressed his palm to her mouth. “Everyone loves the twin girls, and-”

“Everyone loves them except me,” she said, “And I don’t expect you love them too. Alistair, don’t forget who you are here. Don’t forget I sent you to kill their mother and don’t forget you failed to kill her children. The failure of your yesterday had raised a problem for my soul, and for my precious children.” She bent her head and placed her palms on it. “I can’t just stand the pain of watching the throne slip off from my son’s hands. You are the only one that can help me. Alistair, I had lost hope after the King surrounded those bitch’s children with strong guards, but now I have caught hope in its neck and I don’t want to lose this great opportunity.”

Alistair sighed, and sadness encompassed him, for he often felt guilty about killing the twins’ mother. “Your highness, your pain is my pain and your choice is what I choose. I shall do the mission clearly as you want.”

Queen Deborah raised her head and smiled. “I trust you, and I shall pay you in great measure for your kindness to me. You are not my room guard, for you have already become someone like my brother.”

He bowed. “I’m honored, your highness. Will they take Charles along?”

“No,” she said

He felt relieved, because he won’t feel great guilty about killing a whole family.

She picked a small purse on the bed and hand it to Alistair, and when he open it, he raised his eyebrows in astonishment, for the purse was filled with gold.

“That is the little of what I want to give you. If you succeed, I shall reward you greatly.”

He bowed and vowed that he shall kill the twins, and he would always follow her instruction with one heart. And not long after he had walked out to prepare for the battle, Queen Deborah walked back to the King’s room and found the King rubbing the hair of Charles.

“You haven’t slept yet?” She looked at Charles. “Why don’t you allow my lord to sleep?”

“It wasn’t his fault,” the King said, “I called for him.”

I know he wants this bitch’s son to be the next King; she thought to herself, but I won’t allow that to happen as long as am alive. She sighed and walked out in silent.