Victoria sunk to her knees at Albert's bedside, silent tears streaming down her face. Her skirts rustled noisily, and her husband's eyes fluttered. He smiled at her weakly before noticing her tears.
"My love, what is wrong?" he murmured, reaching up to stroke her cheek.
The Queen sniffled. "I am selfish."
He frowned. "Whatever do you mean?"
"I-… I wished that, when you were being carried into the palace, all bloodied and unconscious, that I may die, instead of you, so that… so that I would not have to live without you."
Prince Albert paused, then pulled his wife's face toward his and kissed her. "Oh, Victoria," he whispered into her ear. "I am replaceable. You are Queen. They need you."
She dragged herself away from him, eyes shining with tears. "Albert. There is only one man I will ever marry, and that is you. I cannot live without you."