A few hours later, the Princesses entered the dining room.

It was not hard to tell that they had become very good friends.

Adella had told Anneliese everything about her, and the Princess had answered with the same.

Preminger was even a bit surprised when he saw that his daughter isn't so shy anymore.

The Princesses didn't even stop their chatting when they sat at the table.

"Was my Father really so..." Adella seeked for the right word. "...evil?"

"He sure was," Anneliese chuckled which made the King frown.

"But it's okay," the Princess added. "He has changed now."

"Hopefully," she whispered, and the Princesses giggled again.

Then, Adella changed the subject.

"Shouldn't the Queen be here by now?" she asked to make a hint at the empty seat at the table.

Preminger had not noticed it before, but now he stoop up and said, "I'll go and find her."

The King left the Princesses, and headed for the Queen's room.

"Do you think she's alright?" Anneliese asked worriedly.

"She has had too many threats already," Adella replied. "I don't think she's been attacked again."

"Genevieve?" Preminger asked behind the Queen's door.

He took hold of the doorknob and pushed. But the door didn't open.

"Are you in there?"

Genevieve's feeble voice answered, "I am. I'm okay."

"Why is the door locked, my dear?" Preminger asked uneasily. "Could you let me in please?"

"I..." The Queen let out a weary sigh. "I can't."

"What do you mean?" Preminger asked mistrustfully. "What's going on in there?"

"I can't..."

Genevieve pressed her hands against the floor and sat up arduously.

"I can't move. I fell out of my wheelchair."

Preminger was a bit surprised at what he heard, but then said firmly, "I'm coming in."

"Wait!" Genevieve exclaimed but she was too late.

Preminger pushed the door with his shoulder and rushed in.

The door hit the Queen who was lying on the floor. She let out a small shriek.

"Oh, a thousand apologies, my dear," Preminger apologized and squatted beside the Queen. "Are you alright?"

"Of course," Genevieve smiled.

Preminger took hold of the Queen, lifted her up and lay her on her wheelchair.

"Thank you, dear," Genevieve said and smiled her most loving smile.

"Why did you fall?" Preminger questioned.

"I tried to..." Genevieve hesitated. "...stand up."

"What?" Preminger was surprised.

"My legs are hurting me."

"But I thought you didn't feel them," Preminger was even more confused.

"Exactly!" Genevieve laughed. "I've never been so happy to feel pain before."

"That's a good sign..."

"...of recovering," Genevieve finished for her husband. "I can't believe I'll be up on my feet soon."

"I'm very happy for you," Preminger said and caressed his wife's head.

The Queen's smile shined like nothing could ever remove it from her face and from her heart.