Spring was Elizabeth's favorite season. It wasn't too hot or too cold and the country ran as smoothly as the weather was mild. She was leaning against the railing of the balcony of her bedroom and breathing in the fresh morning air and taking in a moment of peace and quiet that was so hard to come by in the palace. Heading out into the hallway and pass her maids, Elizabeth came to a stop at the top of the descending grand staircase.
"Good Morning, your highness." Elizabeth curtsied as Damon came to a halt on front of her. As queen, she met him at the top of the staircase every morning before heading down to the dining hall to have breakfast with Damon's mother. Damon held out his arm with a small smile as Elizabeth clenched her jaw, put on an identical smile and curled her arm with his.
This was her life. Although full of jewels, beautiful gowns, and incredibly influential and important people; her life wasn't perfect when she stood every day next to a man's whose love for her was questionable. Elizabeth's wedding had been a dream. As Damon was the eldest son and their marriage solidified his role as the new King, the reception was full of riches, custom made gowns and jewels, a ballroom filled with royalty friends and family. Elizabeth had the time of her life at the wedding. Unfortunately, it turned out to feel like the peak of her time in the palace. Damon was beaming the entire night and she found herself reminiscing more and more about what it felt like to have all of her husband's attention and love. Honeymoon period ended around eight months later. After becoming queen, the only responsibility to fall on her shoulders was to deliver an heir, a responsibility that Damon seemingly gave up on after their inability to deliver after eight months. Her daily life with Damon started with distance between them at the top of the staircase every day since.
They descended the staircase together without saying another word. Numerous servants curtsied as they passed into the dining room doors. To Elizabeth, the walk to Damon's mother was longer and more dreadful every day that passed without a pregnancy. Damon stopped the servants from opening the doors and turned to Elizabeth.
"Mother wants to speak with you after breakfast."
"Do you know what she wants to discuss?" Elizabeth swallowed hard. Anne Salvatore and her got along fairly well during brunch and tea but what mother wouldn't worry about her son's lack of an heir? Damon shrugged and turned back to the doors and gestured for the servants to let them in.
Damon scarfed down his breakfast in what felt like a matter of seconds. He down his glass of milk and wiped the corners of his mouth before standing.
"I'm going to head to court now. I'll be seeing both of you ladies later, Mother, Elizabeth." He bowed to Anne before heading out the doors back into the hallway without giving Elizabeth another glance. Elizabeth took a deep breath in a failed attempt to calm some nerves before the storm.
"Elizabeth, let's go speak in the garden?" Elizabeth bowed her head respectfully and proceeded to follow Anne and her assistant Bonnie through the patio doors to the garden. As Anne's most trusted friend and lady in waiting, Bonnie was with Anne almost every single minute of every day. Anne and Elizabeth sat down on a bench as Bonnie stood by Anne's side. Anne sighed and placed a gentle hand on Elizabeth's.
"Elizabeth, you know that I love you." You have been the most wonderful wife to Damon and you have developed your eloquence as queen very well. You know that it's an enormous responsibility being the Queen of Pendleton and it's crucial that you produce and heir for the kingdom. You've been married for almost two years now and without a single pregnancy." It's was getting harder for Elizabeth to breathe. What was she going to suggest? Strip her of her title? "I know that this is hard to hear, but I need to suggest something as mother looking out for the best interest of her son. I think that it's time that Damon wed a second wife." Anna paused, searching Elizabeth's face for any indication of a reaction. Elizabeth took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her two years with Damon flashed through her mind. She didn't want to think about the time worrying about a baby, she thought about the time they spent together, the care he used to show for her, and her love that still existed for her husband even if their relationship was severely strained. The thought of having to share Damon with another woman was heartbreaking, but she understood that something was missing from Damon's life and not only was Damon affected but everyone in the country waiting for an heir.
"I want to take any steps necessary to ensure happiness in Damon's life as well as the well-being of the country. I understand that I have not been able to deliver an heir and I'm am deeply regretful. I accept whomever you choose to be Damon's second bride." Anne held her hand to her heart.
"Elizabeth, I'm so very sorry about this. You know that I love your company and I assure you that you will always be Damon's queen. I will always be on your side and I just hope you and whoever it will be will get along. Bonnie has been interviewing several women who are qualified and we were hoping to hold a ball to meet them all. Let's see here," Bonnie handed Anne the list of the final candidates. "We have the Duchess of Medford, Victoria Donovan, the Duchess of Kent, Caroline Forbes, and the Duchess of Bulgaria, Katherine Petrova." Elizabeth nodded while maintaining her composure.
"I'm excited to see if any of these women are a right match. Anne, I would like some time to myself, may I be excused?" Anne nodded with a sad smile without saying a word. Anne and Bonnie watched Elizabeth retreat back into the dining room and back through the dining room doors.
"We need to make this situation as light on Elizabeth as possible, it needs to be respectful and we need to assure her that this will always be her home and she's still Damon's wife." Bonnie nodded.
"I understand. I will do everything in my power."
Author's Note: I've recently had more time and decided to continue the story but I felt like making some changes and improvements, so I'm slightly rewriting the story with the same plot. Again, story is set in the 1800's and all historical "facts" presented should be considered realistically historically incorrect.